Blauwws juniper

[Craig]

all,

This Blauwws juniper is one that i recently purchased, it was one from the late Syd Reeves collection. A great tree in it's own right, classic bunjin styling and growing on a slab, a very healthy tree.

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I bought this tree because i liked it, however after looking at it for a while i thought it could be better. I came across this tree from Nicola Kitora Crivelli, Shimpaku and thought i would use this tree as the inspiation for my tree. I studied my tree for some time then asked permission from Mr Crivelli to use his tree to help me build mine, he said ok and that his tree had twice been processed by Master Kobayashi.woah, that puts the pressure on The Crivelli shimpaku normally faces/leans to the right so i flipped it 180 so it faces left.

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I decided to start working the Blauwws juniper last week, i began by remonig some foliage from where it wouldn't be needed, i began to extend the trunk shari up higher and jinned off a couple of branches. The existing wiring was left on the tree for now and i crossed a wire or 2 also :whistle:Some may not want to cut a nice tree like this but to be a great tree it needs to be done.

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So next to achieve the desired trunk flow i would need to rotate the tree clockwise while also adding some extra tilt ,

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I decided to slip pot into a larger training pot with fresh new soil i tickled the roots but didn't rootprune at all yet. I messed up the potting angle, tilted over too far left, when looking at it in person it actually looks ok but not really what i had in mind.

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nevermind i'll rest it in this other pot for now

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So the tree can recover and down the track a little further i will bend some branches and start bringing the design together,
Thanks for following

[Damian Bee]

Mmmmmm Shimpaku................nice one Craig.

[Pup]

G,day Craig I like what you have decided to do and wish you well, as I have and so have many others all trees can be improved.

There is one problem though, your tree is a Juniper chinensis x media Blauww, a Blauwws juniper.

Cheers Pup

[Damian Bee]

Nice spotting, my Juniper ID is SH*te, what are some defining features?

[Craig]

Ahh , thanks mate , i'm about as good as you Damian

[NBPCA]

Nice spotting, my Juniper ID is SH*te, what are some defining features?

The Blaauws juniper used to be one of my favorite subjects as you could get old, mature specimens when there were few genuine J Shimpaku around.

Interestingly in California they call it the "Blue Shimpaku", which about sums it up but there are differences.

It is more vigorous to start with and can grow quite a decent size trunk in the ground or in pots.

However its natural shape is upright with a flattish top; vase like shape in fact.

They thicken their branches quicker so keep an eye out for wire cutting in.

Grant

[Craig]

Thanks Grant, much appreciated .

[fiveoffive]

Some Realy nice trees there.

do you keep it on the stone all year round or only for events?

[Dario]

Nice one Craig, I look forward to what you do with it
Craig as your juniper is tilted in its pot perhaps you can answer a query I have had for a while now...I understand why trees are tilted etc, but don't understand the concept of watering them like this? I say this because I have done it with one of my trees and the water just runs off the top of the pot to the bottom half. So I have been flatening the pot to water, and then moving to the tilt again once it has soaked in.
Is this wrong? I understand that when tilted it is to train the top growth to the new angle...but is it also the same with training the roots to the new angle too?...and if so, then doesn't it risk many roots perishing from lack of water (as I described above)...or is that the whole point (forcing new roots to generate and adjust to the new tilted angle?).
Don't laugh, I still have so much to learn!
Sorry to get side tracked from your thread Craig.
Cheers, Dario.

[Craig]

do you keep it on the stone all year round or only for events?

Kept on the slab all year mate, cheers

Craig as your juniper is tilted in its pot perhaps you can answer a query I have had for a while now...

Dario, it all depends mate, with a not so freedraining soil the water will pool across the surface and run down as you say(i have trees that do just that), if your using a watering can or wand then what you can do when the pot is tilted is, water slowly, and bit by bit. At the high end water for a few seconds ,let it drain thru, water a few more seconds ,let it drain thru, that way it'll have time to soak down not run.

Or like you say just lay the pot straight/flat- but if the soil is mounded uneven in it's pot(like mine is) then laying flat will only wash the soil out of place, best to take the first method i say,./.. If the mix is freedraining enough(like mine is) then a gentle watering will both soak the pot and not cause the soil/water to run, as it drains straight thru.It's all a matter of adjusting the way each tree or pot is watered(if need be).

Yes i suppose there are a few risks with wierd potting angles, and i guess the answer is yes ,roots would be /could be trained in a similar fashion if a change of direction is needed in them that can't be obtained at a repotting stage.As for roots perishing from lack of water, well that's where your aftercare and continued care of the tree comes in.You wouldn't let your dog go without water, the same applies to the roots which are needed for the design of a tree.

As they say, watering is an art, not just when but also how.

Does all that makes sense mate, does it even answer your question

[Dario]

I missed this reply Craig until now that is, and yes it makes a lot of sense thank you
Cheers, Dario.

[Craig]

The first round of bending. It'll need one more .

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[ADO]

Hi Craig,
great progression on a lovely tree. It seems like a good vision you have
do you plan on doing any more carving/deadwood?
anyway, good luck and i am sure it will turn out great

Cheers

Adrian

[Craig]

G'day Adrian , there's alot of work to be done on this tree but i can only go so far at any one time. I look at this as a "test" , it took everything i have learnt in the 9 yrs i've been trying to grow bonsai, to enable the trunk to be bent like this. It's not about recreating someone else's tree, it's about pushing myself as far as i can, in the hope i can learn more. Yes more Shari and deadwood areas to come

[roka]

Good job so far man.At this rate they are going to look like twins in no time, In regards to the bend did you drill? cut wedge, or just plain force, to get it like that.