AusBonsai

In 2012, I was given a Juniper for Christmas. I loved the surprise gift. It was purchased from a bonsai nursery (since closed) by my mum and dad. This tree is the reason my enjoyment of bonsai was sparked. It’s the reason you all have to put up with so many posts from me!!

Anyway ... here is it a few years back.
Even though it sparked my interest when it was kindly given to me - it’s really just a ‘Z’ shape of straight lines. I had played around with some of the branches but that’s about all. Being a gift - I didn’t want to change the design and early on, I didn’t have the confidence anyway.

Today I thought - stuff it; time to do something because this tree was turning into a big heap of nothingness.

So... here ‘tis after some bends. It’s now half the height it was, turns multiple ways and therefore not so linear. It’s more interesting, I think. It’s better and I guess it gives me something to work with. I’ll compress it more, do more with the top too. It’s a start and I don’t feel like I’ve disrespected a gift, rather I am trying curate a future path so that the gift keeps giving.

Cheers,

Mark


Bonsai teaches me patience.
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For some weird reason - the photo of the original tree is right at the bottom of the initial post ... not up the top, where I thought I had placed it. It doesn’t match the words but you’ll still be able to see the original ‘Z’ shape.


Bonsai teaches me patience.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I always enjoy seeing people’s first bonsai; where it all started. You have certainly improved it with the changes you have made, don’t feel like the history has been affected by it. Since it will always grow and always be changing, it mad as well be changing for the better!

I agree with Tim, if it's going to change make it change for the better. Clearly that is the case. As your knowledge and confidence evolves so does your thinking about potential in your trees and the directions you want to take them. When you gain experience and skills, things you never even thought of before can become "do-able" and open up a whole new level of possibilities when you view new stock and review your existing trees. Wonder where this one will be 7 years from now???

Good Evening.

I had another crack at this today ... off with it's head! The poor thing, I have tortured and twisted this tree within an inch of its life. I reckon it's better for it though.

Still nothing special and maybe my rather lackcidaisical approach indicates my disdain for this form of Juniper but I respect the gift I was given all those years ago. Indeed, I enjoy it more each time I give it a tweak. Getting closer to a shohin size every thing I look at it.