AusBonsai

I purchased this Shimpaku juniper and spent about 4 hours working on it with a very knowledgeable bonsai teacher.

I will post the original pics and I'll ask you fine fellows to guess which way we went.

That is really hard to see without closer shot of the trunk to comment.

I think literati, but difficult as the photos are so small.

Sean,

Photos in all 4 directions and the base would help.

Regards,

Peter

Yes, I know more photos and closer photos and macro photos would help, but they don't exist.
The tree stood about 70ish cm high and has a base around 7cm across.

I will give you a clue as to what we did. It may involve a very sturdy metal bar.

The lack of feedback shows the suspense. Time to show us the bends

OK, so as I said a rather sturdy bar was used to reposition some of the branches.
We got the major bends done and I finished off the fine wiring. It will go back for critique and tweaking soon and then it can spend some time recovering.

I'll add some top and side photos when I can.

Nice work! I'm looking forward to seeing it without all the wire and tape!

So, it was 70cm tall, how tall is it now?

I am surprised that I have not seen this thread before.

Very nice work and nice result
Let it rest for a few months and shodu look awesome

Ken

Sean,

Nice result. Was it done in Grants bending workshop?

Regards,

Peter

Hi Peter,
I know I've answered this in person, but for all others... No not at Grants bending workshop.
BUT it was done with Grant at a 1 on 1 lesson.
I will post an after summer pic soon. I can't believe it has been so long since we worked on this tree.

Hi Sean

I hope it has put on lots of growth in the mean time.

Check wiring and remove anything that is biting in badly but leave the rest.

Letting the shoots elongate is fine at this early stage in its initial training. Over the next two years we would treat it differently and may remove a few branches here and there.

Grant

Thanks Grant.
It has put on a heap of new growth. In fact when I looked at the pic I posted I had to do a double take. I didn't remember that it had so much less. As for the wire that is exactly my plan for my day off this week. That and wiring up an evergreen group for the next CBS meeting. Hmmm might need more than a day....

So here is an updated pic. It's filed out really well. I'll need to organise another visit with Mr B. To look at fine placement of branches and such, possibly repotting etc. Jarad, it's probably about 40cm high now. I'll double check and get back when it's not raining.

Nice! Developing really well there Sean.