Nursery Juniperus chinensis pyramidalis

[aikijooji]

Hi all,

I stumbled across this tree at a nearby nursery, it only cost $17.50.

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I'm a real newbie to bonsai, but thought this tree could have potential.

Its about 60cm tall and has a trunk about 3.5cm thick.

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It has 2 trunks, so I was obviously thinking a twin trunk style tree? Or maybe is that 2nd trunk a bit too high up?

Also they lady that owned the nursery asked if i do bonsai and I told her I did, then she went off and came back with these 2 little pots of chinese elm sapplings, which she gave me for free. Fantastic service!!

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Thought some of you guys could share your thoughts about this kind of tree?

Cheers

George

[fae]

Good Morning
I was hoping some of the more talented bonsai artists would have replied to this post as I was interested to read their sugestions.
I would gradually thin out some of the brances and folliage to let ore air and light into the plant As you are working on it a completed image would then come to light.

It appears that you were given numerous pencil thin elm seedlings. I would try platting some and placing into a larger pot and growing on. I have found this can quicken up the thickening process and also give some an interesting trunk line. As they are young and flexible you can experement with some unusual shapes.

As I said I would love to read some other sugestions.

Cheers
Fiona

[bodhidharma]

Not a real lot to say at this point in time. Your tree is not healthy and could do with a really good feed. Aftercare would be a seasol bath and regular feeding at three weeks intervals with a good organic fertilizer. Thin it out slightly as Fae said and then we can discuss styling. To many trees get discussed re styling but health and vibrancy of the tree is paramount for survival as this tree would probably need some major work to find its potential. We dont want it dying because of lack of health

[LLK]

Wise words from Bodhi!

I'd like to add another bit of advice that I was given quite early in my bonsai apprenticeship, and that is not to buy pyramid-shaped conifers. Aging in bonsai is partly suggested by bending the branches downwards, and in the pyramid-shaped cultivars they all grow as vertically as possible. Their stiffness and positioning makes it hard to shape such a tree.

Lisa

[Pup]

These trees are good for one thing which is not Bonsai as individual trees, not bad as a group, they are best for learning your wiring, and styling techniques.
The branches always point upwards even after wiring and re wiring for 5 years, when taken off will point up wards after a week. Even after undercutting. They still point up after the wire is taken off.

So my advice is put it in the ground where you will not mind an ornamental tree, and make a topiary out of it.

Sorry to have been so blunt, but when you are just starting in Bonsai it is better to learn early, I only wish I had, had the information now available.
It would have made my learning so much better with less stress and heartache.

Cheers Pup

[shibui]

I agree totally with LLK and Pup. These pyramid shaped junipers are really difficult as bonsai. in my opinion not worth the effort. I grew some in the field many years ago and most are still there! (or were before the fires went through) The 2 I kept are being grafted over to shimpaku foliage to try to get the best of the great trunk and nebari but with some decent branches and foliage.

[aikijooji]

Hi all,

Thanks alot for the advice everyone, I now know not to get anymore pyramid shaped conifers!!!

But since i have it anyway, I can at least use it to practice my wiring and styling.

But first things first, i better bring my tree back to good health. Thanks Bodhi!!

Cheers

[bodhidharma]

Thats the Spirit Aikijooji

[MattA]

Thats the Spirit Aikijooji

I second that. You will learn alot about caring for your trees by getting this guy back to full health. Fae's suggestion of clearing out some of the growth to let more light & air in will also help in your mission with this tree.

As for not using upright pyramid forming conifers, there are more than a few that are very successful as bonsai if styled with there natural growth habit taken into account. EG Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' One of the most commonly used and successful upright growing bonsai conifers.

Every bonsai does not have to have downward pointing branchs.

Matt

Ps I will get some pics up soon of a similar species i am using, was in worse health that yours but is on the way back...the price was right (free) and its a challenge (I seem to be saying that word alot lately)

[aikijooji]

Thanks again guys,

Just in regards to feeding/fertilizing, whats a good organic fertilizer you would recommned along with the seasol bath?

Thanks

George

[bodhidharma]

If you can find it Aiki..Bettergro organic fertilizer is excellent and Melbourne based

[LLK]

Matt A. wrote:

As for not using upright pyramid forming conifers, there are more than a few that are very successful as bonsai if styled with there natural growth habit taken into account. EG Picea glauca var. albertiana 'Conica' One of the most commonly used and successful upright growing bonsai conifers.

Huh??
Before all newbies rush out to buy an Alberta spruce, I thought a word of caution might be in order. This spruce is very tempting, as it already looks rather like a bonsai, but this species is neither easy to grow, nor easy to style. As for being so "commonly used", a search revealed that out of the thousands of posts on this forum, only 19 were relevant to the Alberta spruce, and they were not unanimously encouraging, to say the least.
search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&keywords=alberta+spruce

Every bonsai does not have to have downward pointing branchs.

OK, and every bonsai does not have to have a triangular apex, nor a fat trunk, nor... many other features resulting from guidelines. True enough, and some look very good. As to the question whether they look best, that may be a matter of taste. And whether they are what a newbie would be advised to aim for: I don't believe so.

Lisa

[MattA]

Hey Lisa,

I do not advise anyone, beginner or otherwise to grow or not grow anything. That is a matter of personal choice & taste.

The guidelines (glad you didnt use the R word) are just that, guides, there are many species that are not common but can be grown successfully. In general the most successful of these rarely used plants are successful because there natural growth habit is kept in mind. EG we do not try to grow alot of natives as cascades or even with downward pointing branchs because they do not grow well or at all if you do so. Does that mean we shouldnt use them, Or advise others not to use them??? Not at all, if you look thru the forum you will find lots of trees that are very successful as bonsai but do not conform in any way to the "guidelines".

Regarding Picea glauca albertiana conica, yes, it is not often grown in Australia & not highly encouraged, that is partly due to the difficulties of growing in our climate. If you look around the world it is one of the most often used of the upright growing forms of conifer and the most successful. I would love not only a conica but many Picea, I do not have them as it would be a painful experience in my climate.

What I love about this forum is being able to see great trees, some that conform to the guidelines, many more that do not!

My

Matt

[aikijooji]

Hi all,

I've purchased some Seasol concentrate, my question is how long do you recommend i soak my plant in it?

Cheers

George

[robc]

If you have a tub deep enough to submerge the entire pot, soak it until all the air within the soil stops bubbling out - that's what I do anyway.