Torulosa Juniper

I have been working on this juniper for the last 4 years. Torulosa juniper do not seem to be too popular for
bonsai, perhaps due to their growth habit.
With this tree I am actually taking advantage of the way the tree sends out the "flamelike" growth in the ends
of the branches. I first grew secondary branches (forks), partly also the tertiary branches.
While I let the "flames" developing in the lower sections I trim them back more often in the upper more
vigorous areas.
So far the tree is responding very well. Next step will be to grow and establish the tertiary branches. For that
I need to let the branches grow out more and then prune them back hard.
The liveveins need to also be further exposed. I just thought I'd share this different concept of growing a
Torulosa Juniper (aka Hollywood Juniper).

-dorothy

Nice work Dorothy ,it will be interesting to see how the foliage pads progress

Alex e

hello dorothy, yes in the past i have read many post's bagging this variety. i think we can now put it to bed and say there is no reason why it should not be used. you have shown that if you work with the character of this juniper, well, the result speaks for its self. i love what you're doing with it and look forward to its future.

This is great work Dorthy. You are indeed gifted.

Tell me, do Torulosa bud back well? What approach do you take when working with this?

There are a few decent trees available at an area nursery, but I've always resisted because I don't know much about them.

Thanks,
Ed

Dorothy,

I remember this tree. It is getting the "dignity" that trees we work on year after year aquire. I like your plan....keep it going !


Ed Trout

alex e wrote:Nice work Dorothy ,it will be interesting to see how the foliage pads progress
on this species, also good to see a female artist ,just what the bonsai fraternity
needs more of, pretty ladies


best regards Alex e

Oh thanks, Alex. Of course I might settle a while creating a niche and founding the "Divine Bonsai Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"..

-dorothy

anttal63 wrote:hello dorothy, yes in the past i have read many post's bagging this variety. i think we can now put it to bed and say there is no reason why it should not be used. you have shown that if you work with the character of this juniper, well, the result speaks for its self. i love what you're doing with it and look forward to its future.

Thank you, anttal63. I will post about the further development, I am very optimistic.

-dorothy

EdMerc wrote:This is great work Dorthy. You are indeed gifted.

Tell me, do Torulosa bud back well? What approach do you take when working with this?

There are a few decent trees available at an area nursery, but I've always resisted because I don't know much about them.

Thanks,
Ed

Thank you EdMerc. Torulosa will bud well if you let it grow out and prune it back. It will not back bud by pinching or light trimming.

The tree will look like this when grown out:



The first approach is a general styling, then grow out, cut back, grow out again. You grow generation by generation. First the primary branch structure, then the secondary branches. Then you let them grow out and cut them back, now you have the start of the tertiary branches. When you grow for generation branchlets you need to let sidegrowth on the branch where you desire backbudding.

Also, Torulosas need very well draining soil, they get rootrott quickly if no adaequate drainage is established.

Good luck!

-dorothy

Ed Trout wrote:Dorothy,

I remember this tree. It is getting the "dignity" that trees we work on year after year aquire. I like your plan....keep it going !


Ed Trout

Thank you, Ed. I'll bring the tree to the workshop this month. Looking forward, as always!

-doorthy

dorothy7774 wrote: Of course I might settle a while creating a niche and founding the "Divine Bonsai Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"..

Count me in Dorothy. I specialise in literati and kicking the a***es of those who make daft patronising comments.

Hi Dorothy, great work again, you have a wonderful 'touch' with your junipers... they simply do not thrive in my garden.

dorothy7774 wrote:Oh thanks, Alex. Of course I might settle a while creating a niche and founding the "Divine Bonsai Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood".. -Dorothy

BTW Alex E... is a guy!

Tony

Hi Dorothy. Nice work. Congratulations.

Best regards Pavel S

wonderfully done =) i wished i could hav a few go's at junipers

fiona, sister, you are in !

Tony, thanks. Yes, I know he is a guy. I thought he would enjoy the sisterhood..

Pavel and sixhunter, thanks!

-dorothy

fiona wrote:

dorothy7774 wrote: Of course I might settle a while creating a niche and founding the "Divine Bonsai Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood"..

Count me in Dorothy. I specialise in literati and kicking the a***es of those who make daft patronising comments.

I know for sure that the female of the species is more deadly than the male... Try getting the duvet off Carolyn in the middle of the night...

Tony

I Dorothy, nice job with the Hollywood Juniper. Have you considered grafting different foliage onto the branches? I have a big one that I grew in the ground for three years. I "collected" it last winter and will start working on it this coming winter. Since mine has no foliage in close I will probably graft foliage in close. Thr question is what foliage to use? I am leaning towards juniper parsonii as juniper shimpaku doesn't seem to do well in my garden.

Dorothy. I really admire your work.Great tree. You really know your onions!!

You brought the best out of it. Nice work.

Alex e

Rob Kempinski wrote:I Dorothy, nice job with the Hollywood Juniper. Have you considered grafting different foliage onto the branches? I have a big one that I grew in the ground for three years. I "collected" it last winter and will start working on it this coming winter. Since mine has no foliage in close I will probably graft foliage in close. Thr question is what foliage to use? I am leaning towards juniper parsonii as juniper shimpaku doesn't seem to do well in my garden.

Rob, thanks. Have you pruned back your Torulosa? They really bud back well when you let them grow freely and then prune them back hard.

-dorothy

Thank you, Will and Nick. Will, if I know my onions then you know your onion farm! Your elms are truly inspiring and look very natural.

-dorothy

alex e wrote:Hi Fiona thought us Scots where supposed to stick together

Dorothy sign me up for the sisterhood !!

regards Alex e

Oh brother..

-dorothy

Hi Dorothy,nice job , I am so impressed , in just four years?its awesome.

Dorothy, you really have done a great job of pulling a respectable bonsai out of difficult material.

I remember seeing this juniper used in southern California. You can find some in old copies of "Bonsai in California". George Yamaguchi had a really big, fine example that was often used in his nursery ads on the back cover - as in the 1997 issue.

Russell

mehrdad chavosh wrote:Hi Dorothy,nice job , I am so impressed , in just four years?its awesome.

Thanks, mehrdad chavosh. A little less than 4 years actually.

-dorothy