AusBonsai

Hi everyone,
I have just started my bonsai life (lets say just over a month ago). I had bought the following nursery stock and tried to make something out of them and would really appreciate and advice or feedback of what to do espeically with the one that seems to be dying

Hi there,
I can offer some simple advice, firstly heavy root prune should be done when the tree or shrub is in active growth usually spring is safer, I don't know too much about the plants that you're have pictured other than the juniper.
I would place the Juniper in a larger pot in spring no root trim, maybe about a 6-8" plastic pot, so it can develop, also nothing wrong with wiring it as long as it is removed before it cuts into the tree, I would also encourage to do as much wiring as you can even it is just to practice.

On the struggling plants I would apply something like "Plant Starter" it might help them.

The Juni needs so movement in the trunk rather than a straight stick

Bend it so that you have a branc coming from the outside of each bend, then wire them out and down 'till you get above the first level of branches. For a small tree , just build the top above, or start nother layer of brances then the top

You should end up with a tree with flattish branch pads on several layers, then the apex at the top

As for the others,, let them recover and decide later
Check out photos on the web or books of similar variety trees, and see whet others have done that looks good and try to emulate them.

Ken

Thank you very much eliast and kcpoole

Your advice is very much appreciated. I'll definitely not be as ruthless in cutting roots next time. I did move the juniper a bit more now to have more movement, its just I don't like the cascade and semi-cascade styles thats why I didn't want to get there.

By the way eliast what is a "Plant Starter"? Is it some sort of fertilizer? I feed all of my stock with "Phostrogen Plant Food", not sure how good it is as the person at the nursery said it'll do the job for bonsai stock.

Plant Starter is a product available from Multicrop, I've used it several times on struggling trees, cuttings and it has worked well for me, hope this helps
On their website this is what it states:
Multicrop® Plant Starter

Plant Starter is a plant growth stimulant designed to speed plant growth and establishment. The active ingredients are Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) in liquid form.
Promotes quick establishment of seedlings.
Reduces transplant shock when repotting or transplanting.
Encourages root formation on plant cuttings.
Increases the life of cut flowers.
Available in 500ml and 1L sizes.

Thanks again Eliast, am going to look for it over the weekend otherwise I guess I'll have to Multicrop directly

Cheers