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Nursery Juniper

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Nursery Juniper Empty Nursery Juniper

Post  Shayn Wed Mar 25, 2015 8:46 pm

Hi guys, I recently acquired this Juniperus Chinensis at a local nursery.

Nursery Juniper Dscn0310

I sat with the tree for about two hours and came to a decision on a style. I ran outta natural light to continue working on it, but will continue in the morning.

Nursery Juniper Dscn0311

Should I get this into a bonsai pot? Or leave it in here for another year? (tree was purchased in current pot)


Regards,
Shayn
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Post  dick benbow Thu Mar 26, 2015 1:06 am

Looks like something I use every year with my bonsai 101 class Smile

Put it in a pot and enjoy "the look", as they adapt readily to being wired and repotted same time.....
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Post  Shayn Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:23 am

Dick, its ironic that you mentioned the Bonsai 101 class, as I have yet to take a class/lessons Embarassed

What could I do to improve this tree?
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Post  yamasuri Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:10 am

I would let it grow...the tree tell you what to do Smile
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Post  JimLewis Thu Mar 26, 2015 12:09 pm

Before if grows too much, though I'd suggest putting a slight bend in the trunk. It doesn't ned to be a dramatic S-curve, just something better than a straight ruler.

Nice start.
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Post  dick benbow Thu Mar 26, 2015 1:59 pm

As Jim suggests, trunk movement now ( while still possible) will help future improvements. And as Vlad Suggests the tree will help with it's design as it matures and your ability to "see" as you also mature.

Your first objective is to work with a healthy tree. Remember, a tree can be "tweaked" over the decades. I can't tell you how many folks I know that still have their first tree, and take great pride in pointing out that they still have it. It will serve as a reminder from where you came, and be an encouragement for where your headed.

when you look at photographs of many mature chinese junipers, It's pretty obvious that they have lots of movements to the trunk and branching.

By repotting now, it will encourage your tree to adjust to the pot. In it's first move from the nursery pot it's now in, don't be afraid to put it in a pot a little bigger and deeper than needed. This will ensure that you have a little extra room to encourage it's health, and for help in securing it's moisture. For the first coupla weeks after repot, keep it in a partially shaded spot, and then gradually allow it to be exposed to more and more sunlight.

I think learning how to water properly can be a challenge. I suggest taking a wooden chop stick from your latest chinese restaurant meal and breaking it in half. Take the thicker end and force it down in the corner of the pot. To check the moisture in the pot pull it out and feel the end of the wood for moisture. When it's dry, and no dampness can be felt, it's time.

One of the training things I do to help folks understand, is to pull the juniper out of the nursery pot and show that the soil and roots look like. I then put it back in the nursery pot and have a student water it. I then pull it back out of the pot and show how far the water has penetrated by the coloration of the soil. Usually It's down an inch or two. I then put it back in the pot and rewater till the water runs heavily out the bottom of the container. I then pull out the tree and show that all the soil is wet and no roots have been left dry. I also explain that the first watering by the student broke the surface tension of the dry soil, to make my subsequent watering more effective. My purpose in all this was to impress the student that no "lick and a promise" watering....when it needs water, you water it deeply. The broken chop stick will help you begin to develop a feel for how long it can go or how often is needed.

Of course there is always more to learn, but rather than take up space here, see if you can find a mentor close by that can help you slowly add to your knowledge. This is a great hobby, different varieties need different care and will be a great challenge to learn the differences. I wish you well in your advancement. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day, and this hobby is all about the journey.Smile
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Post  yamasuri Fri Mar 27, 2015 6:05 am

Very nicely said Dick. Great response
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Post  Shayn Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:57 pm

Thank you guys for the great responses! I will be adding the movement shortly, along with a re-pot when I can get my hands on another training pot.
I have a schedule for my watering. Every morning between 8am and 8.30am, and misting intervals on hotter days. Most of my trees are extremely young, ranging from 2-8 years old - but majority around 3 years old.
And the African sun makes sure I have to water correctly. Laughing

Thank you Jim for your compliment.Smile  This tree was my first legitimate juniper styling. The one before this was just to get the hang of wiring and the techniques I've read up on.
I'm waiting for an appropriate time to style my Procumbens-Nana Very Happy Really Can't Wait!
Dick, thank you so much for that vast knowledge-bomb you had dropped. It could surely come in handy.

Shayn,
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Post  David D Sun Mar 29, 2015 12:04 am

This response thread is one of the reasons I love this forum. New members are welcomed and treated respectfully and nearly all responses are constructive and are not condescending. I have found this true in every facet of this hobby be it clubs meetings talking to fellow enthusiasts or on forums.
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Post  Shayn Fri Apr 03, 2015 11:05 am

I really have to agree, David.
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