AusBonsai

I'm considering taking the old flaky bark off and getting back to red bark we see on those beautiful junipers in the magazines. Has anyone had experience doing this. If so, how is it done? How is the red bark polished up so beautifully?

Thanks

Adam

Carefully peeling combined with a fine sandpaper gives the best results from what i have found.

Some nice junipers you have there!!!

Joe

Thanks Joe,
I was very lucky a few years back when I had the chance to dig these. Unfortunately I didnt have the knowledge I have now and probably could have got a higher survival rate. I lost some absolute killers that summer. Still have the stumps and I cry about them every now and then.

Thanks for the advice. I'll start peeling!

Adam

Hi Webo's where were you hiding when i needed help to collect the big mothers up here . Most of them are Phoenix graft bases too be . Nice to see yours has survived .

Cheers Alpine

Oh really? Are you losing them? I got about a 50% survival rate on trees that were collected in jan/feb.. Too hot for collecting.

Hi Webos , mate several have died , 5 are still green and 1 is a definate grower . There are 5 of the ground layers growing so its a 40% success rate from a snatch and grab collection day . couldn't move them out of the early heat but i will have 1 or 2 or 3 or more to play with , the rest i will have to settle for carving material . Good looking carving material though .

Cheers Alpine

Every day that they stay green is a day closer to them surviving. I think if they are extending new foliage after a year, you are pretty safe to say that they have survived. I wouldn't even think of touching the roots or foliage for about a year.

Hi Webos , mate even a live vein would be good . If not i will custom install one as the layers will be used all 1-2.5m lengths of them will be contorted into the old trunks that didn't make it , a big job but i have plenty of time , not this season maybe next year .

Cheers Alpine