junipers for beginners

[dannynovo]

I'm a beginner at Bonsai, what are peoples thoughts on chinese Junipers as Bonsai..i visited my local nursery, they had some pot bound junipers approx 1.5 metre and a trunk dia of about 50mm. the nurseyman was telling me that they were there when he brought the nursey 5 yrs ago...he put them at about 8yrs old.....question is are these trees for $10.00 worth a go...and where do i start ....any help would be appreciated..

Danny

[walko]

hey mate,

they sound like they have abit of size on them and for ten bucks you carnt go wrong, maybe if you can get afew pics of them others on this site will be able to point you in the right direction

cheers daniel

[kcpoole]

Most junis are a great starting place

How big were the trunks and pots? you will only find Junis about 1 CM trunk diameter for $10 usually
If they are bigger than that ( 1.5 M tall they shoud be), Grab them and post photos of them

Ken

[Chris]

My fist bonsai is a Juni and it's still going strong go grab a few

[bodhidharma]

Remember that there are all sorts of different Junipers and some require different grooming habits. If i were to suggest a specific juniper to begin with it would be Juniperis Chinensis or Chinese Juniper.You can also buy them anywhere. They grow well and reduce foliage size readily with constant pinching. They also lend themselves to any style you desire except probably formal upright.

[dannynovo]

I have attached 3 pics of the $10.00 plant ......probably isn't clear enough (ph pic)....hoping for some positive feed back....
danny

Chinese juniper 3.jpg

Chinese Juniper 2.jpg

Chinese Juniper 1.jpg

[LLK]

The point is: would it back-bud along the lowest branches? If not, the trunk dia. of 50 mm has no significance. To find out, you'd have to cut back the trunk to about 150 mm in height, slip pot it into a larger pot, fetilise it generously and let it grow. The roots shouldn't be touched before next Spring, me thinks, but maybe others have a different point of view? You could also try and airlayer it at that height or a little higher, where the branches are not so denuded, if you can put up with a slightly smaller trunk dia. Anyway, do you really want to bother with those things? You won't get a worthwhile bonsai out of them within less than 7 - 8 years.... if then. In the meantime, they'll uselessly clutter up your bonsai corner.

Lisa

[bodhidharma]

What Lisa has told you is basically correct but i would not be cutting it down at this stage. If it has no live branches low down and if you cut the trunk down it will surely die. So, what we have here is a chance to practise and sharpen your horticultural skills. Firstly, the tree is not well at all and that should be first and foremost. Soak it in some Seasol and maybe some nutrients, maybe aminogro, Superthrive etc and then fertilize it with a good organic fertilizer and learn how to get it healthy. After you have done that and if it has back budded then we can discuss styling. There is maybe a good formal upright in there somewhere but we will not have to have that discussion for another two years or so.

[dannynovo]

Thanks guys,
I would definately like to sharpen my skills by reviving "lazarus"....thats what i'll call this project....should i trim back any foliage to give the tree a better chance as i plan on discussing the next phase with you guys in a few year
Danny

[bodhidharma]

Only the dead foliage as, if it backbuds, you will have some better options

[LLK]

I agree with Bodhi about not cutting back the tree now, if all the lowest branches are dead. I would slip-pot it into something bigger, though..... if you really want to keep it (or 'them', if you've got several).
Bodhi writes:

. So, what we have here is a chance to practise and sharpen your horticultural skills. Firstly, the tree is not well at all and that should be first and foremost. Soak it in some Seasol and maybe some nutrients, maybe aminogro, Superthrive etc and then fertilize it with a good organic fertilizer and learn how to get it healthy. After you have done that and if it has back budded then we can discuss styling. There is maybe a good formal upright in there somewhere but we will not have to have that discussion for another two years or so.

Well, you state you are a beginner, so I guess your bonsai corner isn't overcrowded yet. May I point out that this happens amazingly quickly, if you are a true bonsai enthusiast? And may I add that practicing your horticultural skills on a tree with a really good potential will contribute just as much to your knowledge as working on a doubtful one?
I recently moved house and, in preparation of that, I chucked out a lot of 3d rate trees that had been sitting for years in various parts of the garden, regularly watered and fertilised, because I knew that, given time, they would make good bonsai material. OK, so a whole team of friends arrived on a cold winter's morning and helped me move the rest. One of them counted all the stuff in pots, and stopped when he reached 200. Of those, about 80 - 90 were bonsai (or what passes for bonsai with me), and the rest were trees on which I had been honing my horticultural skills.
Note that a collection like mine is not exceptional.
Go ahead, Danny, and it won't be long or you'll be in the same boat as I. On consideration, please take another boat, mine is full to the gunn'ls.

Lisa

[Tony Bebb]

Hi Danny

Bodhi's advice is very good. Feed up and get them healthy first and then cut back. You should be able to do this during Autumn, but spring will give better results.

I would give them a lighter prune towards the end of Feb to get the process started and then a firm prune in Spring. Definitly don't ever cut Juni;s back to no foliage as they will die. Don't cut the dead lower branches right off either as they will shoot from this area where they come from the trunk when cut back hard.

Worth a crack for practice and future Bonsai

Best Regards

Tony

[LLK]

Last bit of advice: get back to us in Spring, when it's time to deal with the root system of these very pot bound
junipers.
And good luck!

Lisa

[dannynovo]

Thanks Guys, i am becoming dedicated very quickly with Bonsai.....i had a very successful native garden in my previous house that i grew from seedlings to mature trees and plants over a 20yr period....i know it's not Bonsai.....but the same keenest applies and over time, i too hope to be able to offer advise as well.
Danny

[Stewart_Toowoomba]

This is so true LLK!!
A few years ago I started off with a few little leafy friends and now i can't move for the benches of growing on and waiting to be manipulated trees. I still have to find a way to stop my 17month son from tipping over my 20L white watering bucket once it's filled. He now walks around the benches (too low damn it!) sticking his finger in the pots testing for moisture... Lucky my tools are too high on the shelf for him or i'd be in BIG trouble

Get em and give 'em a go!