AusBonsai

I purchased this Juniperus Squamata 12 months ago and finally drew some inspiration to tame the beast. This is my first time styling a Juniper and while I don't think ive hit the mark, a few more seasons of growth and foliage mass may present more options.

The tree was given an initial branch selection, cleaning out of the dead interior and crotch shoots and a light wire. It was then left to grow for the next few months to restore vigour - I then cut back long extension shoots, cleaned out the crotches again and removed most downward and upward shoots. Got rid of the bottom 2 branches and tried to open things up a bit. The jin work will be shortened and left to dry out. The shari will be worked on in another 2 seasons.

I will let the tree rest and build up a head of steam, should be able to reduce the rootball next year.

Hello.
That's off to a good start.

There will be a good tree in there in a few years.

Cheers.
Irish

Looking good, looks like you have done a good job refining and the design is really solid!

I have found good results foliage feeding my junipers for a month or so after working on them, seems to help them recover and gets them nice and vigorous

Thanks for the tip, Kez. I have been foliage feeding this one since the original cut-back and seemed to get great results. Its still in the original nursery pot and soil so I find myself watering the foliage and then a light water of the soil surface is all that is needed. It seemed healthy enough so I decided to style this year and hold off on the repotting until it recovers.

irish wrote:Hello.
That's off to a good start.

There will be a good tree in there in a few years.

Thanks for the encouragement. I have always been put off by Junipers so decided to challenge myself with some more intimidating material. Now Ive really worked on one I may become hooked

Time for an update. This one has grown quite well, runners have been allowed to extend in places to allow for more branching options and overall vigour. Its looking a bit bushy at the moment but im letting it grow in an effort to encourage mature foliage.
Looking at the tree today it seems too symmetrical and lacks a dominant movement in the foliage. Future removal/or jin of the left branch might be the answer. Future tightening up of the foliage pads and bringing the apex down a touch, perhaps...

Left branched removed, jin shortened, apex pulled over to the right a touch. Looking a bit better...