needing some help on the styling of my itoigawa

hi,
please can I get some experianced help for the styling of this wonderful juniper.
I brought it from herons bonsai last year but it got a bit sick because the soil was to wet for to long so had to pot in sphagnum moss and seems to be doing well now.
going to re-pot in april but wanted some help with the styling so if you be so kind as to give your advise many thanks king bean.

I know that this is probably the worst photoshop job i have ever done ..... but, it give you the idea.



Shorten the top.

yes i think you hit the nail on the head with that one

Which part? The declaration of the terrible virt. Or the Idea it conveyed?

Did I mention how bad of a job I did..... My better half looked at it and asked, "Where is the "Butcher Tool" in Photoshop?"

Ahhh... thats why I love her. She knows how to "break 'em"

I agree that shortening helps. I might have even shortened it a bit more -- to help give the thin trunk the image of a bit more substance.

Now you need to work on finding a better soil mix. The soil it's in look like it might stay wet a bit too long.

can anyone tell me if it would be possible to plant this tree in the ground to fatten it up ?

You can plant in the ground but you'll need a position with plenty of light. I think your better off with a larger container and a good regular feeding. You can rotate a container for even growth as well.

would thickening it up affect the shari ?

I would think that you could redo the shari pretty easily should it change.

It is always difficult to give advice based on a two-dimensional photo, but (IMHO) I would see the start point for this tree's development as being something like below. I agree that the long straight top part of the tree as it is currently would have to go.

Why not consider air layering off that top portion so that you could have two trees out of it.

Good job, Fiona. That's where I woulda done it.

fiona wrote:It is always difficult to give advice based on a two-dimensional photo, but (IMHO) I would see the start point for this tree's development as being something like below. I agree that the long straight top part of the tree as it is currently would have to go.

Why not consider air layering off that top portion so that you could have two trees out of it.

OMG I am starting to think like Fiona.

Rob Kempinski wrote: OMG I am starting to think like Fiona.

Hey. Just goes to show that if one hangs around the right people long enough, one's hidden qualities will surface at some point.


Besides which, in a strange and curious manner I'm actually feeling flattered by your comment, Rob, joke or otherwise.



And that may be the closest to a compliment anyone's ever had from me on here.

thanks but i think im going to keep the top of the tree and try somthing different

i agree with you my friend .
At present a simple Pruning branches that break the Balance of the tree.
Maybe wirried the main branches so they take down position, and pick what you keep for the top.

just what i was thinking