My first Juniper

[Laurie J]

Hi all,

This is my very first Juniper, one of three Bonsai's to start my new hobby I purchased it from a Bonsai nursery and am a little confused with what she was trying to achieve when it was styled. It's still very young, so would love opinions on where to go from here.







Thanks!
Laurie

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[treeman]

From what I can see, the 4th pic should be your front. I would keep it small by cutting the wired part short, rewire a new leader from that.

[Laurie J]

Thanks Treeman, I do love the funky shape of the trunk from that angle

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[Boics]

I agree with the trunk angle on pic #4.

I would attempt some crazy twists a bit closer to the main foliage with the long existing "leader".
Let this grow for a season or so to thicken up and perhaps turn into a Jin or stub?

Cutting this off right now would stall growth and bulk which may not be ideal right now.

[Laurie J]

I trimmed it a bit so I could get a better feel for the tree. I found the base was covered in moss and dirt, and taking that away it doesn't have the cool little kink it had. Moving a little to the left from the 4th pic I think I've found a good curve. Here's a few more pics (have moved the big side down so you can get a feel for the trunk)



The main trunk comes from the base and curves to the right. The big branch comes from behind the main one at the curve. Hope that makes sense.

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[shibui]

I purchased it from a Bonsai nursery and am a little confused with what she was trying to achieve when it was styled.

Truth is most bonsai nurseries do not have anything in mind when putting starters in pots. We know 2 things:
1. Most will be dead a few months after selling them so what is the point of planning.
2. Beginners will buy anything with wire on it. Doesn't matter if it has style or merit or a future. (maybe this is you adabelengals?, after all you bought it and are confused about why.)

The only good thing about such plants is you can learn from them, maybe even create something worthwhile if you are talented or lucky - provided that point 1 does not intervene first. If your next purchase has a little more potential then you will have learned something from this one.
I think you need to get away from your current 'T' shape. One branch needs to become the main trunk and go either up or down and I think junipers can be better with plenty of bends. You have wire on the trunk(s) just need to use it to put bends. Branches need to be smaller than the main trunk.

[Laurie J]

Truth is most bonsai nurseries do not have anything in mind when putting starters in pots. We know 2 things:
1. Most will be dead a few months after selling them so what is the point of planning.
2. Beginners will buy anything with wire on it. Doesn't matter if it has style or merit or a future. (maybe this is you adabelengals?, after all you bought it and are confused about why.)

The only good thing about such plants is you can learn from them, maybe even create something worthwhile if you are talented or lucky - provided that point 1 does not intervene first. If your next purchase has a little more potential then you will have learned something from this one.

Firstly, thank you for your honesty. I am definitely in the category described, I thought I was doing the right thing going to a Bonsai place, getting expert advice on which one to choose. I've already learnt a lot from this one, I'll certainly take more notice next time before deciding which one to take.

I am going to a Bonsai class tomorrow and am hoping to learn as much as possible.

I agree, I think one of the two definitely needs to go. I'll have a good hard look tomorrow and decide.

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[Bek]

Laurie, when we find each other tonight at the workshop, remind me about the stock junipers the club sells. They're still in plastic pots, but are much bigger than this one and only $20-$25 each. I picked on up a few weeks ago. Great potential too.

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[Bek]

This is mine. I've literally done nothing with it except get rid of the excess crap... Will probably attempt something in the coming months. Need to double check when is the best time of the year to wire junipers.

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[Laurie J]

Thanks Bek! That'll be great!

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[Rory]

I purchased it from a Bonsai nursery and am a little confused with what she was trying to achieve when it was styled.

Truth is most bonsai nurseries do not have anything in mind when putting starters in pots. We know 2 things:
1. Most will be dead a few months after selling them so what is the point of planning.
2. Beginners will buy anything with wire on it. Doesn't matter if it has style or merit or a future. (maybe this is you adabelengals?, after all you bought it and are confused about why.)

I am not laughing at you adabelengals, I am laughing at the actual words of shibui as they are blatant and truthful. I still remember when I first got into bonsai so long ago, that I would avoid anything with wire on it for the sole reason that I was too arrogant, and believed I could do a better styling attempt. Thankfully I am much wiser now and realize I will only see my current faults in another 17 years or so.

[kcpoole]

Agree with what Shibui and the other have said, but like in your azalea thread, you can learn from this as you probably already have

Taking you "trimmed up " image, Tilt to the left about 30 deg and then shorten and wire the left hand branches. you end up with my little virt.
Fill out the foliage and grow a new right hand branch you can have a cute little tree.
It will never win and award in a show, but you will learn wiring, trimming and horticulture aspects of our art

To make any more out of will take 5 - 10 years growing on to thicken the trunk, so for that, go and get another one and put in the ground.

Ken

[Bek]

That's great advice Ken. Like Laurie, I'm a newbie and have my fair share of trees which I just don't have enough experience with to be able to visualize the potential. Those little virtual images you do are great, and really help encourage us with less experience who've acquired those 'lost cause' plants. Sure, like you said, it's not going to win any awards, but my guess is that even the most experienced bonsai people here have a decent percentage of trees which won't win any awards - but it doesn't mean they're worthless. [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

[Laurie J]

Thanks again Ken! I love that idea. I think that's a great vision for this tree.

After going to the Bonsai club last night, I am confident that I will be able to get some really nice trees to go with the ones I have. These ones are purely to learn on at this stage.

Bek, it was lovely meeting you, I am looking forward to learning with you! I think with someone else new to bounce idea's off we're going to be fine

[Jason]

That's great advice Ken. Like Laurie, I'm a newbie and have my fair share of trees which I just don't have enough experience with to be able to visualize the potential. Those little virtual images you do are great, and really help encourage us with less experience who've acquired those 'lost cause' plants. Sure, like you said, it's not going to win any awards, but my guess is that even the most experienced bonsai people here have a decent percentage of trees which won't win any awards - but it doesn't mean they're worthless. [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

Every tree we own is a chance to learn, that is how I look at it doesn't matter what it looks like, it'll always teach you something.