Blaauw juniper looking for direction

[JoB]

I got this blaauw juniper winter 21/22 at my local nursery, last summer I made numerous airlayers as practice, all were successful which was a massive surprise as I am not experienced. I am very much still a beginner at tree development, no aspirations of showing but want to have some nice trees to look at and care for in the next years. I like this juniper and am a bit lost regarding how to move forward with it and am in no hurry so don't want to make any rash decisions. This year I just tried to keep it healthy and let it grow. It was repotted out of the nursery soil in the spring.
I would really welcome input on this.

 

[JoB]

Some more pictures

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I think your blaauw is a kishu.
Mine never look that green, and they hardly air layer!

 

[JoB]

I think your blaauw is a kishu.
Mine never look that green, and they hardly air layer!

It was labelled a blaauw at the nursery ? But hey, if it's a kishu I don't mind

 

[TrevorLarsen]

I would personally air layer all the branches off and just leave the foliage closest to the base. Then I would add more movement in the new growth. Also I would change the planing angle to all more movement.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I would personally air layer all the branches off and just leave the foliage closest to the base. Then I would add more movement in the new growth. Also I would change the planing angle to all more movement.

Yes... just be careful to work your way down to that foliage gradually, and let the base foliage grow to take on the strength of the tree. With junipers it is best if you never remove more than half the foliage at any one time... and even that can be a little aggressive depending on the stage of development.

 

[JoB]

I would personally air layer all the branches off and just leave the foliage closest to the base. Then I would add more movement in the new growth. Also I would change the planing angle to all more movement.

That's was one of the things I was considering thanks for taking the time to answer

 

[JoB]

Yes... just be careful to work your way down to that foliage gradually, and let the base foliage grow to take on the strength of the tree. With junipers it is best if you never remove more than half the foliage at any one time... and even that can be a little aggressive depending on the stage of development.

So maybe make one or 2 airlayers next year and then reasses how much the base foliage have increased, grown? Starting to wire the base as it gets stronger?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

It was labelled a blaauw at the nursery ? But hey, if it's a kishu I don't mind

Blaauw is generally glaucus, the name comes from a Dutch family name, which also means 'blue' and it was originally crossed in this country.
The only thing that comes close and is this green, and layers easily, is kishu.
My blaauw air layers are taking over 4 years to root.

 

[TrevorLarsen]

Yeah that is what I would do. I would also make jihns from what is left after you cut the air layers off.

 

[JoB]

I decided to put some wire on as if I do airlayer in spring, makes sense to try and have a bit of movement...plus it's practice for me ! I was surprised what a difference it made to be honest. I may put a little more wire on tomorrow, I do not want to remove much foliage this year some of the new growth is juvenile