Tips to make my Juniper look better (First time poster)

[hyphen]

Hi guys,

I am new to this forum and also new to Bonsai. I wanted to create my own bonsai from scratch, so I purchased this Juniper procumbens nana from my local nursery. I have attempted to create a Bonsai out of it, but I don't think I done a good job. Attached are some images of my what I've done.

Can someone give me some suggestions on how to make it look better?

[rowan]

Hi, I think you have done a good job for your first. Where in Victoria are you - we could suggest a nearby bonsai club where you gan get more advice and talk to local enthusiasts.

Don't worry about your tree, you have heaps of time to work on it and it will develop as your knowledge does. Just keep it watered and give it lots of attention and you will be fine.

If you really need a suggestion, don't be afraid to take off branches, that is the hardest thing to do when you are new. I would take off one of the bottom branches as they look as if they are coming out of the same spot on the tree.

Welcome,
Rowan

[hyphen]

Thanks for the suggestion Rowan. The tree was very bushy when I bought it, and I think I cut off too many brances.

I will probably cut the thick branch on the bottom off and see how it goes.

I live in St Albans, Victoria. If you can let me know of any bonsai club near by then that would be great.

[Chris]

Hey hyphen I agree with Rowan about the branches at the bottom.

Welcome to the site

[rowan]

Don't worry, it is hard to cut off too many branches. A young juniper like this will spring back with more buds to grow branches from. Or you can just leave it as it is and just enjoy it - that's what it's all about.
You have heaps of time to decide on styling changes but having branches opposite each other can lead to ugly looking bulges where they attach to the trunk.

[Pup]

hyphen and welcome to the affliction called Bonsai beware it is sometimes an all encompassing passion.

That is not your question though is it. How to improve my bonsai in training, as it is not yet a Bonsai. First as has been pointed out apposing ( bar branching ) will cause an ugly swelling at that point.

That said which ones to remove usualy the ones on the inside of the curve are cut of, but that is your thickest branch. At the next point up you have two more coming at the same place.

The wire you have on the plant is not really doing any thing as far as I can see. It is there to shape and put the trunk and branches where you want them.
So put some heavier wire on and shape the trunk so that heavy branch is on the out side of a curve, then place the branches in better posititions, and shorten them. NOT by cutting, but by bending them with the wire.
As you have taken most of the foliage from the branches and left a small amount at the ends. this needs to adressed by shortening them.

I know you are going to ask more questions, so before you do, be sure of what you want to ask, has not already be answered.

Cheers Pup

[kcpoole]

Hi Hyphen
I reckon you have not taken off enough branches

See my Virt of your tree.
I have removed all the branches on the inside of the bends and shortened it a little bit.

I have removed the straight section at the top by applying wire and bending it ( I actually just twisted the trunk to put the existing branch on the other side and lowered it a bit ). Or if you have a bud that was on the outside of the new bend to grow as the right hand branch.

I have lowered the apex of the tree by cutting back to a small branch up there and wiring up to create the new apex. I have then pinched the foliage as it extends to create flatter broader foliage pads.

( at least that is what it virtually did then sat back and had a few and admired my virtual work )

you now have a tree that has left, Back and Right Branches and the outline creates a larger triangle

Ken

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

just my but perhaps you could work on training the foliage into pads, using wire to spread out the finer branches horizontally and then pinching out the new growth to promote budding further back along the branchlets. Get you fingers ready for some serious pricks though... i love / hate pinching my juni's
Stew