Chinese Juniper

[PeterH]

Hi,

As I have had a week off work to do some potting, I have also been working on some of my neglected stock plants. As you can see with this plant I have not been happy with the results of past efforts, so today I spent some time to give it a positive direction in the future.

It is over potted but as it develops I will look for a more appropriate pot (sorry Pat) for it.

Peter

[The Specimen]

Very nice indeed!

Time to go get me a Juni !

How much foliage / root removal can they handle in a season?

[PeterH]

Hi specimen,

Generally I don't worry too much about how much foliage but the roots about a 1/3rd . After the 2009 work, I potted it into a 300mm x 250mm x 110mm Bonsai pot. It took 2 years to recover.

Peter

[The Specimen]

I guess this will vary with conifers but i am always little cautious now when removing too much foliage.

Say in your case of the Chinese Juniper, if I removed 75% that should still be ok?

With Pines this is a different story isnt it/

[PeterH]

The most I will do is 50% foliage and 50% roots and only if the plant is healthy. I generally treat all my trees the same. For instance I have a liquid amber that started of in a large pot in 2003. It was reduced every 2nd year. Last year it went into a bonsai pot 120 mm deep and has one more reduction to the final pot size.

What I am trying to say is that too much at once has a good chance of killing the tree.

Peter

[tygcaldwell]

I love seeing it's progression over the years and it's line change. Nice trunk girth. Makes me think I need to be more patient.

[kcpoole]

What I am trying to say is that too much at once has a good chance of killing the tree.

Peter

I will agree completley with this Statement.

Reduce the root ball over a few sesons to get down to a bonsai pot. Take off 1/3 -1/2 each year or 2 depending on Species and health.

Ken

[Bonsai4ever]

The strength and charachter of a tree lies mostely in its trunk and your patience has certainly bought out the best in this one.

I look forward to the years ahead to see how you develope the apex.

[PeterH]

Update,

Recovering after some problems over the last 2 seasons.

Regards,

Peter

[Mount Nasura]

Great tree, a lot of character. Cheers have you recently done the carving?

[Pearcy001]

Any updates Peter?

Cheers,
Pearcy.

[PeterH]

Any updates Peter?

Cheers,
Pearcy.

No, I haven't worked on this one since. Waiting for it to have more foliage before I work on it again.

Regards,

Peter