A Procumbus Nana

[Mellow Mullet]

I have had this one for a while, it came from Lowes several years ago (I think around 2006) as a topiary. I pruned and thinned a bunch this January and it is really enjoying its new spot in the sun. Still needs to fill in and a little wiring, what do you guys think?

John

 

[Cadillactaste]

I like the movement you have in that trunk!

 

[Poink88]

Nice progress & looks very healthy but I think it can be improved if reduced by removing the top 1/3 canopy and reducing most of the branches back.

I see a totally different tree but MUCH nicer one in there.

 

[Poink88]

If the first pic is taken from 6:00, 2nd pic at 12:00 and 3rd from 9:00. Can you please post pics taken from 4:00 and 8:00? Your front may be there.

Thank you.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Darlene - Thanks, I can't take credit for the trunk lines, though, it was already set when I purchased it.

Dario - I'll take some more pix when I get home, I am currently in Dallas on business and will return on Saturday.

Thanks,

John

 

[Paradox]

Nice

Wish I could find trunks like that at my Lowes...

 

[Vin]

Looks really good! Mine never turn out like that The ones I've purchased have all the foliage near the ends of the branchlets with anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of "empty space" where they meet a branch (if that makes sense). I'm just pruning the ends waiting for them to fill in before I do any major work. The posts I see when someone buys one from a box store and has it looking like a bonsai that night frustrate they heck out of me.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Darlene - Thanks, I can't take credit for the trunk lines, though, it was already set when I purchased it.

Dario - I'll take some more pix when I get home, I am currently in Dallas on business and will return on Saturday.

Thanks,

John

Great find then John!

 

[Poink88]

Wish I could find trunks like that at my Lowes...

Search the bigger tree area. You might get lucky.

I recently bought a Hollywood Juniper in 15 gallon pot w/ 4.5" base (estimate). It is also a topiary...just learn to ignore everything above and concentrate on the lower foot or so. I grafted mine so I have no problem with lack of foliage or branch low or near the trunk. YMMV.

 

[Paradox]

Believe me, I stop at Home Depot and Lowes at least once a week (I pass both on my way home) in the spring until I get sick of looking. I look at ALL the trees and I dont find junipers with trunks like that. They are all mostly 1 gallon babies with thin little trunks and no potential. I found one last fall that is a bit bigger but it definately is the rare exception.

 

[Vin]

Believe me, I stop at Home Depot and Lowes at least once a week in the spring until I get sick of looking. I look at ALL the trees and I dont find junipers with trunks like that. They are all mostly 1 gallon babies with thin little trunks and no potential.

I have to wonder.. Are junipers quite common as a landscape plant in your area? I grew up in Pennsylvania and don't recall them being "everywhere" like they are around here. However, that was a long time ago.

 

[Poink88]

If it is of any consolation...several other stores near me are like yours. I usually get lucky when I move out of my area...maybe 20 miles out, those stores seem to always have better trees. What is common to them is they are newer and in developing areas. Maybe the stocks are geared for newly built homes to instantly give the landscape maturity?

 

[Paradox]

I have to wonder.. Are junipers quite common as a landscape plant in your area? I grew up in Pennsylvania and don't recall them being "everywhere" like they are around here. However, that was a long time ago.

Yes they are very common. I see them in all the nurseries but I very rarely see any bigger than a 2 gallon pot.
Not that they are expensive compared to other things but a 1-2 gallon juniper can be $15-25 depending on where you go. The prices here are probably more expensive than compared most places. With the box stores being somewhat "bargan basement" I think the smaller sizes are most common because they are the cheapest. People can buy more for less money.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

The time that I purchased this one was the only time that the store ever had them. It was in a five gallon pot and was about three to four feet tall, all I have seen since have been the tiny ones in the small pots.

 

[Paradox]

The time that I purchased this one was the only time that the store ever had them. It was in a five gallon pot and was about three to four feet tall, all I have seen since have been the tiny ones in the small pots.

Then there is the luck such as this to happen to go to the store the rare time they had something like this there. I had that with a Austrian pine 2 years ago. Beautiful, compact tree, nice trunk, bark, everything. It just needed branch development. It died over the winter because I didnt know what that particular species needed for winter protection and it had been neglected a bit at the store so might have been weak to begin with. I have not seen another one like it since. So it goes.

 

[october]

This tree has potential. However, very little of it is currently being utilized. The things I am about to say are, in no way, a reflection of your work or the quality of the tree. It is strictly from a bonsai aestheitcs point of view.

If one were to crtique this tree from a bonsai point we would first start by saying that this tree needs a complete overhaul. First, there is a confliction of movement. The tree seems to be growing towards the left and right simultaneously. The apex needs to be broken up into small sections and the overhall silhouette of the tree drastically reduced. Also, the bottom branches do not belong. They are hiding the trunk. The trunk is somewhat thin, but has some movement and is elegant. This should be showcased. When you have a thin trunk, it is best not to have low branches, it makes the tree look young, messy and gives the tree the appearance of just being a bush. Some shari and jin work will also enhance this tree and can be utilized to lessen the thickness of the top part of the trunk

I think this tree has some very nice potential. It is up to you how nice of a bonsai this tree will become. Maybe something like this.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

Very nice virt Rob...but if you look at the other pics (esp the 3rd/last)...you'll realize that the tree on your virt is leaning like 40* to the back. Not sure if the same look will be there once it is tilted back up.

I do agree it need an overhaul if he want to take it to the next level and great advise all around.

 

[october]

Very nice virt Rob...but if you look at the other pics (esp the 3rd/last)...you'll realize that the tree on your virt is leaning like 40* to the back. Not sure if the same look will be there once it is tilted back up.

I do agree it need an overhaul if he want to take it to the next level and great advise all around.

Thanks, I used pic 2 as the front. I used it because the tree's apex is leaning towards the viewer. I believe that pic 3 is a side view. Many of the best bonsai start leaning away from the viewer at the bottom/middle. Then around the middle, the tree starts growing or leaning towards the viewer. Basically if you are looking at it from the side, it looks like a boomerang.

Of course, as you know, it can be difficult to get an accurate assessment of a tree through pics. However, there are some things that should be done. This tree should have the entire sillhouette drastically reduce, bottom branches removed, then left to grow freely for about 1 year. Not only from a bonsai view point, but because the silhouette is only going to continue to get larger. This will be putting lots of energy into the ends of branches when the energy really needs to be going to the interior of the tree.

Rob

 

[Poink88]

I believe pic 1 is the one towards the viewer. See the pots in the front then compare where they are on pic 3.

 

[october]

I believe pic 1 is the one towards the viewer. See the pots in the front then compare where they are on pic 3.

Nope, look at pick 2. On the right of the trunk at the base there is a small root eminating from the right side. Now, look at the third pic. That root is now coming towards the viewer. Also, in pics one and two. Notice in pic 2, the trunk right underneath the apex is shadowed because the apex is leaving over. I believe that the poster has pic 1 as the front. I think pic 2 makes a better front. However, it will need to gow and be wired to accomodate the new front.

Rob