Juniper, Newby needs help!

[Stu_my]

bonsai_edited-1.jpg

Hello, i am extrememly new to the world of bonsais!
I recently purchased this juniper pretty much how it is now, i dont know exactly what needs to happen, all i know is that it doesnt look how it should. I need the experienced opinion from someone who could tell me what branches need to do what and what the foliage needs to do.
The lower right hand branch is also turning dry and brown, any reasons?
If its not too much hassle a picture of what it should look like would really help too.

Thank you for your experienced opinions.

Newby.

[Watto]

Stu - may I suggest taking the wire off as a start. This tree needs to be grown outside so it experiences all that Mother Nature has. The pot looks a little dry (although it is difficult to tell from photos) so a good drink and some fertilizer would be in order.
Just let it grow for the time being and enjoy it. Look at it, talk to it and enjoy a cup of tea while looking at it.
Good luck.

[Jak]

Hey Stu,
Im relatively new to bonsai also, so my probs doesnt mean much but,
All i have to add onto watto's comment, is that its your tree! their is no right or wrong way that your Juniper should look, generally horizontal layering of the branches looks best in my opinion. Jump on google or the wiki link above and read up as much as you can before you attack it. With Shimpaku when the time comes you want to trim, just trim the underside of the branch and let the rest grow up. Don't just throw away the bits you remove, perfect time for juniper cuttings at the moment. Im forever looking at pics on google trying to find the perfect design, also read into phoenix grafts. Your tree has given me inspiration to do another one .

Look forward to seeing what you come up with cheers,
Jak

[Stu_my]

I seeked out proffesional help from the people at Bonsai South nursery at Sydney and here is the outcome.
The lower brach died away and looks like the one attached to it has the same destiny. Hope the rest of it stays alive.

[Handy Mick]

Stu, have you watered this bonsai by soaking in tub of water?
Leong at bonsai south is great, take his advice!
Joining a club is also one of the best things for you to do at the moment, there is plenty in your area

Mick

[Stu_my]

Hey no I haven't watered it like that, should I?
I was going to look into joining a club maybe I'll do some more research.

[Handy Mick]

If you are keen, join a club.
Is the soil dry? Does the pot seem lighter than it should? If yes to any of these than yes you should.

[Andrew Legg]

OK Stu,

You got me in the mood! So here's what I would do. Doesn't make it right, but were it my tree I'd shoot for this:

1.) Lower the top two foliage pads by putting some bend into the trunk at the point above the first left hand pad.

2.) Once bent down (probably forwards) I'd clean up the outline of the top pad to have a more rounded apex. I'd do this predominantly by removing the foliage sticking out on the top left hand side.

3.) I'd grow the bottom left hand pad outwards coming slightly forwards, and get it grown out just slightly beyond the pad above it. Make sure that the pad above it does not shadow it too much or you will get die-back. Whe viewded from above, the pads should overlap, but not hide eachother by more than about 1/3.

4.) The pad second from the bottom on the right hand side I would grow more as a back pad than a sidewards pad. I would however keep its visual mass on the right hand side of the trunk.

5.) The bottom right hand pad, I'd just let her thicken up and possibly bring it down a bit. I think that small jin is a bit lost on a tree with this amount of foliage, so I'd get rid of it in the long run. I'd also let one of the back branches on this pad grow right out for a couple of years as a sacrifice branch as the main branch leaving the trunk does need to thicken up. It will also help to divert more of the tree's energy to this branch to get it up to speed.

6.) Finally, I'd try to get it into a more shallow pot that picks up the colour of the bark of the tree. Don't bother with that for a year or two as to develop the tree, I'd leave it in the pot it is in or even put it into a bigger one to really get some legs.

What I'd aim to end up with is something somewhat like my little virt I've banged together. I'd think it is quite achievable in a period of two years or so. If I may say so myself, I think it's pretty cute!

Juni Virt.jpg

[Ray M]

Hi Stu,
You will soon know how dry the soil is by giving a dip watering. When you place it in a tub of water you may see bubbles rise up out of the top of the soil. If this happens you know that it is very dry deeper down in the soil.

Forgive me Watto, but please don't ever give a sick tree fertilizer. In a bucket of water put two and a half cap fulls of Seasol and dunk the tree in it for a half an hour.

Regards Ray

[Andrew Legg]

Hi Stu,
Forgive me Watto, but please don't ever give a sick tree fertilizer. In a bucket of water put two and a half cap fulls of Seasol and dunk the tree in it for a half an hour.

What makes you say it's sick Ray? Looks pretty happy to me!

[Ray M]

Hi Andrew,
If you look at the beginning of the post you will see Stu lost a couple of branches off the tree. Without seeing the tree and knowing all the details I would not give it fertilizer. Giving it Seasol won't hurt the tree in any way, quite the opposite it will give the tree a boost.

Regards Ray

[Gerard]

Hi Ray,
I have had similar die back of branches in the past and suspect your tree may have suffered an insect attack (mites probably)
The second possibility is that the tree rocking in the pot has caused some roots to break, and the corresponding branches will most likely die.

As far as the tree design goes, I think you could find a new front because the way the tree emerges from the soil does not work well but get the tree healthy first.

[Stu_my]

Thanks for everyones detailed replies. I have my trees soaking in water as we speak. I'm going to get them healthy then take some design steps, and also look at my local clubs. Thanks again everyone!