AusBonsai

Hi All

I checked with Bodhi on the use of his topic as I thought we could do a series on different species. Thanks Bodhi

I repotted the base tree from the 'Juniper Airlayer 2 for 1' post I did earlier, and took a series of pics to show how I will build up the nebari on this tree. The big problem is the heavy root front and centre, and the fact the roots are small on the right side. I will start to adjust this over the next year, and will remove the big one next year.
Excess root has also been left on this tree due to the heavy reduction in trunk height. This will keep good sap flow coming into the tree and reduce die back down the trunk from the jin scar. The heavy root in the middle of the trunk will be completely removed next year.

I believe it is just as important to train the roots as it is the branches and foliage. If the nebari does not match the style it will affect the appearance of the tree. Every repot is root training time.

Tony

hey tony i wanna thank both you and bodhi for your post's because i'm only a beginner its great to have such detailed instuctions and pictures to go by. These threads are gonna really help me out alot and will be one of my main refference points reguarding any root work i do in the future i can't thank you guys enough for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us is there some place for these in the wiki?

Well done Tony Nice and clear for people to follow. Also a bloody nice Juni.

Tony, you have explained what a lot of Bonsai enthusiasts, really do not understand. You are to be commended for this, as too many times, trees are root pruned because it is re potting time, and no heed payed to what is done to the roots and why.

If any one has access to Bonsai Today issue 17 though there club library, get it out and read it.

Again thank you Tony.

Between this post and Bohdi's we should start to see people working the roots harder which I feel is very important. There are several reasons - It forces the tree to put out more fine feeder roots closer to the trunk, it allows more options when it comes to pot choice as the rootball is shallower and ultimately smaller. Plus the most important reason - IT LOOKS NICER

Good work guys.

Excellent educational post Tony, thanks for taking the time to put it together for us all!
As with Bodhidharmas post Ulmus procera..building show winning Nebari, I've made this a 'sticky' for ease of access.

Thanks mate,
Steven

Thanks for the responses guys. Good on ya for starting it Bodhi It gave me a nudge.

Root development is starting to be more important to people now, and is good to see. It is one thing I like to focus on in classes and lessons. Especially important if you want to change the planting angle.

I used to joke that I was determined for everyone to have good roots. Good roots are important for trees and in life.

Tony

Thanks so much for this tutorial, being a beginner it is threads like these that are invaluable

My only question is what kind of juniper is that? I hear a lot about junipers, but never really know what to look for at the nursery for stock trees. I have a "juniper squamata Nana" but it lacks the brilliant green of your juniper which i find so appealing. Any suggestions on suitable junipers for bonsai would be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Luke

Hi Luke

This is J squamata prostrata. Up here we don't use many of the junipers available as we avoid the colder ones. We mostly use the normal Japanese junipers in procumbens, p nana, squamata, and Chinese junipers in foemina and sargent. Hollywood juniper also being used a bit.
Many different varieties with different colour foliage.

Perhaps your locals can help better.

Tony

Thanks tony, I just found the tag that came on mine from the nursery, it is a juniper procumbins nana. but I just bought the sqaumata nana as i liked the foliage.
Aren't they usually ground covers though?

Luke308 wrote:Thanks tony, I just found the tag that came on mine from the nursery, it is a juniper procumbins nana. but I just bought the sqaumata nana as i liked the foliage.
Aren't they usually ground covers though?

Hi Luke

Yes mate, procumbens and squamata are ground covers. Most often staked upright in Bonsai nurseries.

Tony

Please add another thankful newcomer to the list for this thread.

Hi Tony

Thanks for posting . And nice juniper
I have a large prostrata similar to
Yours that is still growing in ground soil.
Your pictures looked like u bare rooted yours. if u did how did it go ?
I'm planning on bare rooting half of my one this spring to try and get some good inorganic soil into it .
Also having reduced your tree as far as u have do u get much back budding on the trunk .
I am considering approach grafting some extra low branches .

Thanks Paul

It was a nice Juniper Had a lot of trees suffer over summer while away and this one joined a few other nice ones to pass after stuggling for a while

I did take more soil of than normal, but not all. I certainly do not recommend bare rooting conifers, especiallt up here, but others do. This one did take a while to recover after such a big job, but was recovering and shooting nicely up till christmas.

I would recommend taking soil in portions around the root ball rather than half at once. 3 or 4 sections now and then the others a year or 2 later. Good luck

Tony

Bugger