Advice - Procumbens (nana) Juniper

[Eric Group]

View attachment 103384

This one is growing some different foliage this year (mature foliage?)

Should I let it grow out? Also, any clear idea of the type of juniper from this pic?

Yes, that is mature/ "scale" foliage. Still say it looks like Parsons but the mature foliage is maybe a little tighter than mine....

 

[Adair M]

What is the wire wrapped around the trunk doing?

I have to disagree with Eric's advice on creating Jin. Summer is the time to do it. The wood is full of water, and when you crush the bark with Jin pliers, the bark and cambium pull off easily. If you let it dry out, or try to Jin during the winter, the bark and cambium are MUCH more firmly attached.

I'm not saying you should Jin anything... I'm just discussing technique.

 

[Gunstock]

http://www.allshapesbonsai.com/blog/plant-profiles/juniper-procumbens The bark looks different, but maybe this helps. The black bark on the bottom of the trunk, I don't know but is healthy looking to you?Or it's probably from being in the ground for 3 yrs.

 

[Tieball]

Thanks. Looking at it, I see the trunk as being the red as I've highlighted here. I have a couple questions:

1. The white circle represents foliage that would be removed. This seems pretty significant ... could it be done at one time, or should that be cut back over time?
2. The right branch (labeled "A") has a pretty significant girth. Is it too large compared to the trunk?

Thanks!

I would let it continue to grow. I think you're on the right track with the red line...however....I think there's more than just the red line. Let it grow. Stare at it from different sides. Set it aside and don't look at it for quite awhile....you may discover an excellent fresh approach once your brain's memory cache is cleared.

 

[Gunstock]

Why does the black bark on the front change to gray an then black, then back to gray again?

 

[jasonpg]

Why does the black bark on the front change to gray an then black, then back to gray again?

It's old bark. Earlier this spring, some of it flaked off completely. I plan on removing the remaining old bark soon. That will bring out the reddish bark underneath.

 

[Gunstock]

OH yeah I see the bark is really thick on the trunk and paper thin on the next limb up. Maybe they're right let the bark get tougher by letting it grow in the pot for a while? That's the limb you're thinking about cutting

 

[Gunstock]

I don't know for sure but it looks like MAYBE this tree was frozen and thawed out for 3 years and is still hanging on, so maybe the spot you dug it up from isn't such a good spot to keep bonsai trees.

 

[jasonpg]

I'm not sure. I picked it up from a bonsai nursery.

What does thick bark on a juniper indicate?

 

[Daluke]

Age. A desirable quality. Don't take the bark off!

 

[Ape In The Trees]

So, any updates? what did you end up doing ?
Also, i'd like to echo Daluke

Age. A desirable quality. Don't take the bark off!

Crumply Gold.

 

[punsai]

Beautiful