Sargent juniper

[golgotha]

Grabbed this sargent juniper from a nursery in western sydney for rather cheap. It wasn't too much to look at, having a straight taper lacking trunk with two sets of bar branches and a pom pom at the top i decided to slip pot it from the plastic pot it came in to a large hex pot i had for the meantime. I have included a pic of the pot i intend to get it into in time.
As for the styling i just tried to add some movement to the trunk and utilise the poorly placed branches. I plan on jinning the front right branch that is pointing down and to refine the rest of the foliage.
Overall i am happy with what i have achieved so far and believe it is now more pleasant to look at now than when i got it. Shame i didn't take a before pic
Any advice on where to next with the styling, particularly on the thinning and refinement of the pads would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mitch

[Isitangus]

Hi Mitch I think your right about it needing a bit of refinement in the foliage pads but apart from that good looking tree.
Keen to see what other forumers come up with

[GavinG]

What you've made is graceful, good start. As far as placing branches goes, maybe think about pulling the back branch that comes off the first right branch back in to the middle, to fill the hole in the middle of the tree.

BUT, I think you want to make a bonsai (in a weekend), not grow a bonsai (over years). A thin trunk in a small pot stays pretty thin. Consider (when the branches have set and the wire can come off) growing it fast and long in a big pot (lots of fertiliser), cut back hard each year to keep the foliage fairly close to the trunk, and grow yourself a serious strong trunk. Takes time, makes good. Maybe get two - one for bonsai now, one for better bonsai later.

Best of luck,

Gavin

[golgotha]

You are correct in saying that i was after bonsai in a weekend, in half to appease my wife and to justify to myself that there is an end to a means. I understand your point about growing on in ground or large pot and I have plenty of stock growing on. Which is why i mentioned appeasing my wife she is always questioning my growing on plants. I think a bit of her impatience may have rubbed off on me .
I do appreciate your comments and advice on the tree and bonsai in general.
cheers
Mitch