Beginner Juniper (I think)

I have two "mallsai" that I got as a gift. I've never done bonsai, but I've always been very interested. I figured these would be good to start with since they're already sorta grown and potted, then when I get more advanced I can learn to create and pot my own. I've read up lots on how not to kill them, and they seem to be doing pretty well with lots of new growth showing. i don't know if they have been trained well, if at all. So I'm not sure if I should just be clipping back the new growth to maintain their current shape, or something different. I did kind of get clip happy, so the previous question may be moot. I did at least trim wit somewhat of a purpose. I read that you want to define the lines of the tree so I clipped away many downward growing branches and growth. I also tried to thin sections out a bit where it looked too dense. I read that clipping small branches will allow the remaining growth on the branches to become thicker and fuller, so that's sorta what I did. So lets see what I'm working with here.

This is when I first got them around Valentines Day.







This is what they look like after a few trimmings about a month and a half later.








I'm not sure if the pictures are sufficient enough or if you can even tell that I trimmed them. I think maybe they are just still too small to develop into much yet and I would have to wait for them to get older and larger. But do i just let them grow wild and not worry about trimming them? Or do I keep trimming them here and there to maintain some sorta shape? And then how often? It's only been a month and I just want to trim trim trim! I bet that's pretty common in beginners though. Anyways, I'd appreciate any insight and advice I can get on what to do with these to keep them looking good and living long. Thanks!

The first little tree is a nice candidate for an instant, small bonsai, and you didn't do too badly with your trimming. The second one probably should be planted out in the ground somewhere for 2-3 years. the trunk is very thin and arrow straight. The straightness could be fixed with some wire, but the thinness will take time.

NOTE: If those rocks are glued on, pry them out and get rid of them!

I am assuming that you know that these may NOT be kept inside. They'll waste away in a few months.

Let the soil go DRY between watering.

Congrats on finding the forum and posting for some advice. I got into bonsai after my (now) wife got me something just like this about 6 years ago. I kept mine inside for a month before reading that they couldn't be kept inside. Careful planting it in the ground as well. That's exactly what I did after posting on a forum and it died soon after because I didn't water it enough. I treated like some nursery plants that I had also bought and figured out soon after that trees in bonsai soil and trees in potting mix have different root systems and thus different watering needs till they get established.

Good luck, I find it to be a great hobby that has gotten me outside in the sunshine 10 times more than I ever did since taking an office job.

Thanks for the replies. The rocks are not glued in there, they are just sitting in the trays which I assumed was for decoration. So I should just have the pots sitting in the empty trays? I can do that. I do have then sitting in my sun room in front of open windows because it was winter here in VA. I guess now that it's warming up I can bring them outside on the deck to get more sun. I was also watering them every couple days and misting them with a spray bottle. I'll allow them to go a bit longer as suggested to let the soil dry out a bit. So I guess that's it then and I will have to wait to see how they grow and wait to trim them back a little at the end of the year.

jonmiller wrote:Thanks for the replies. The rocks are not glued in there, they are just sitting in the trays which I assumed was for decoration. So I should just have the pots sitting in the empty trays? I can do that. I do have then sitting in my sun room in front of open windows because it was winter here in VA. I guess now that it's warming up I can bring them outside on the deck to get more sun. I was also watering them every couple days and misting them with a spray bottle. I'll allow them to go a bit longer as suggested to let the soil dry out a bit. So I guess that's it then and I will have to wait to see how they grow and wait to trim them back a little at the end of the year.

Once they go outdoors they should stay out there for the rest of the year. Junipers can easily handle our VA weathers, but they will need some protection. I'd wait until last frost to put yours outside though.