[Watto] - Juniperus Chinensis

[Watto]

Juniperus chinensis
Height about 34 cm
Bought at a bonsai function/activity about 2 years ago
Cost - $15.00
I bought this juniper (and a few others) to be used as grafting material on a large juniper that I dug. Unfortunately the dug tree did not survive and as a result this tree is a lost sole.

[mb1029]

cool lookin little tree

i'd love to see some updated pictures if u ever plan on trimming or shaping it

[Watto]

I haven't done very much with this tree except for a quick trim and to find some nabari (with a view to the viewing side).
Some wire and more trimming over the next month and then water and feed to build its strength with the aim of potting in Spring next year.

[Watto]

I had a little bit of spare time over the holiday period which allowed me to conduct a bit more trimming and to put a bit of wire on this one.
The plan was always to try and have a "traditional" looking shohin bonsai as a result of this.
Still maintaining the fertilizer and water program and still plan to re-pot in Spring.
More updates later.

[Watto]

This tree has just been cruiseing along enjoying the fertilizing program I have for it. A few trimmings and a bit of a tweak and not much else.
It might be just about time to remove the wire?

[Watto]

This tree will look better out of the plastic pot!

[Watto]

There has been a small "technical problem" with this tree, a small branch near the apex got broken and as such I need to go back and wire a few more branches in a different direction. Fortunately there is still time and the next growing season is just around the corner.
A bit more thinning to allow sun into the inner parts with the hope that will induce some back budding and tighter foliage pads.

[Watto]

Following the loss of the branch a re-think was in order, and so today I considered turning the tree around. This photo was formally the back, but it might be the new front. I will make that decision during (or hopefully before) the winter wiring. Not a lot of growth now in my area, a couple of minus 6 degree mornings soon puts paid to extensive growth.

[Watto]

Hi,
The winter period was OK for this potential bonsai, so in August I gave it a trim and re-wired after the accident. I have definately decided on the front now (well I think I have) and have decided on a pot.
The following two photos show the pre and post trim and wire session.

[Watto]

Well, time for the final photos. Firstly I would like to thank Steven and the Ausbonsai team for putting this on, its been great fun.

This Juniper has been very rewarding and has taught me a bit about conifers, which I knew little about. I think this little bonsai has a very good nabari for this particular species, and has developed some areas with very tight foligae pads - not all areas, but some and that is also very pleasing. I am a litle disappointed that I lost a branch near the apex a while ago, but that area will fit in time. The overall structure is not too bad, but in the future I would like to get a new pot of quality, and bring the height down a bit. As it was from the start, it is a steady process for me so not to put too much stress on the tree.

In a few years I would like to see this bonsai on exhibition with a few other shohin in a traditional shohin display.

Good luck to everyone with trees still in the comp.

Cheers
Watto

[Watto]

My apologies, I should have said its about 22cm tall.

[Watto]

Well this bonsai is still about 22cm tall and this is because I continue to trim and prune, and do the bit of occasional wiring. My goal remains to show this tree with a few other shohin in a traditional display sometime in the future.
Anyway, here are a couple of current photos.

[Watto]

Thought I would post an up-dated photo. At present it is being left to grow on a little bit but I will be removing the upward growing and downward growing bits in late winter.

[Watto]

Well, time for an up-date. If you have a look at the photo from May and the one from September, there is hardly a change, but where I live that is to be expected.
Things will start to move along from now on becuase the weather has warmed up a bit.

[Meagi]

Great little tree watto I can see lots of change .
I think when we are around our trees a lot they look the same but to others like look better
Reason for second opions
Cheers