California Juniper Surprise

[fraser67]

I was able to attend the "Bonsai-A-Thon" at Huntington library yesterday. As I was leaving this tree caught my eye. For some reason they thought it was a Prostrata and it was priced too low. They then realized their error...I got it for a steal. It's an old tree and I love it's simplicity.
It's my first California and seems to be fairly healthy, but it does have some issues.First...it desperately needs a repot as it is not secured very well. I believe the roots on the back side are all but gone. New pot ideas? I'm thinking rectangular. It's currently in a 9" x 2.5". I'm thinking 8.5" x 12" x 2.5"?? It may need to be supported underneath?? as there is some rot. Advice?
I was thinking of taking it to Gary Ishi for some guidance. Perhaps some grafts??
I'd like to stand it up a quite a bit, changing the angle, as it is a bit top heavy. Lot's of deadwood and a fair amount of foliage...I think it has potential.
What say you?
Thanks,
Jonathan

 

[edprocoat]

Right now it looks quite weak like its struggling to hang on, unless its just the pictures. I seem to be looking at yellowish looking foliage with many instances of dead brown stuff in each clump of foliage. The soil looks good enough I would probably wait to let it get its spring burst of growth and when it slows down mid summer look at repotting.

ed

 

[fraser67]

Right now it looks quite weak like its struggling to hang on, unless its just the pictures. I seem to be looking at yellowish looking foliage with many instances of dead brown stuff in each clump of foliage. The soil looks good enough I would probably wait to let it get its spring burst of growth and when it slows down mid summer look at repotting.

ed

It must be the photos. No yellow. There are some old dead needles trapped in the clumps of foliage...but looks healthy to me. The tips are a bright green. I haven't cleaned out the dead stuff yet. Thanks though...perhaps I should wait. I'm just afraid that any movement will disturb the roots that are there...perhaps cause some damage.

 

[sorce]

Could be a dope literati.

I believe you can wait till late spring or later to repot, see how it does first!

But round pot IMO.

Nice grab!

Sorce

 

[markyscott]

Be careful with this - it's a nice tree, but I'm worried it's stressed as it appears to have some juvenile foliage. But it has new growth and it appears to be mature, so that's good. I think I'd repot soon. If the soil is poor quality beneath that top layer (sometimes they are potted in unseived DG) I'd bare root 1/2 the tree. I wouldn't worry about the pot yet - let the tree regain some vigor. Put it in a wood box, a bit bigger that the pot it's in, and deeper. That'll gieve it some room to grow, help regulate the soil temps, and help keep it from staying too wet when you water.

Scott

 

[fraser67]

Be careful with this - it's a nice tree, but I'm worried it's stressed as it appears to have some juvenile foliage. But it has new growth and it appears to be mature, so that's good. I think I'd repot soon. If the soil is poor quality beneath that top layer (sometimes they are potted in unseived DG) I'd bare root 1/2 the tree. I wouldn't worry about the pot yet - let the tree regain some vigor. Put it in a wood box, a bit bigger that the pot it's in, and deeper. That'll gieve it some room to grow, help regulate the soil temps, and help keep it from staying too wet when you water.

Scott

Thanks Scott...I think you're right. I'm going to take it to Gary for his advice just to be safe.

 

[Vance Wood]

I don't know dog doo from shoe polish about the species. You are correct it has some pretty good possibilities but some of the others posting here are correct; the tree needs to be invigorated. The last thing you should be thinking about is a new pot when are not even sure what the final design of the tree should be. You need to let the tree put on some vigorous growth before going after it aggressively. The fact that you have dandelions growing in the pot should let you know that the original owner did not think enough of the tree to pay attention to it enough to pull the weeds out.

 

[fraser67]

No offense Vance...I was told the previous owner passed away at 83 over the holidays. His entire collection was put in the hands of his club....thus the dandelions. At any rate, you are correct about the pot...don't put the cart before the horse. I was merely asking for ideas. Stay with round or go rectangular. Thanks...I do appreciate your input!

 

[Vance Wood]

It's always sad to hear about the demise of another bonsaiist. This is unfortunately the fate of all of us and the fate of our trees. Sometimes that decline in health is echoed in the treatment out trees will receive.

 

[fraser67]

It's always sad to hear about the demise of another bonsaiist. This is unfortunately the fate of all of us and the fate of our trees. Sometimes that decline in health is echoed in the treatment out trees will receive.

So true...it actually struck me as I was driving home with the tree in my front seat...
Best to you sir,
Jonathan

 

[Smoke]

That tree is Happy Happy. They like being stressed in small pots and should only be repotted about every 4 to 5 years. This tree is in way too small a pot though. You don t see shoots like this on unhealthy junipers.

 

[markyscott]

S

I noted the new growth too - what do you think of the juvenile foliage?

Scott

 

[Smoke]

I think its juvenile foliage, the same thing you get anytime you prune hard on a juniper. A good ca juniper will make juvenile foliage very easily when cut, but will revert back to adult very quickly. Here is a large CJ that is ready to be restyled. I will be working on this over the next few weeks. I need to be retired!

I mentioned this a few years ago about the ability of a CJ to come out juvenile and become adult a few weeks later. These shots will show what I mean. The shot of the shoots coming off to the side show some wicked juvenile foliage out of the ends but back in the side shoots begin to grow adult and "consume' the juvenile part. I hope the shot in the sky makes that more clear.



This is what it looked like a couple years ago

 

[fraser67]

I think its juvenile foliage, the same thing you get anytime you prune hard on a juniper. A good ca juniper will make juvenile foliage very easily when cut, but will revert back to adult very quickly. Here is a large CJ that is ready to be restyled. I will be working on this over the next few weeks. I need to be retired!

I mentioned this a few years ago about the ability of a CJ to come out juvenile and become adult a few weeks later. These shots will show what I mean. The shot of the shoots coming off to the side show some wicked juvenile foliage out of the ends but back in the side shoots begin to grow adult and "consume' the juvenile part. I hope the shot in the sky makes that more clear.
View attachment 68514
View attachment 68515 View attachment 68516

This is what it looked like a couple years ago

View attachment 68517

Thank you Smoke, for your observations, comments and explanation...curious...retire from what? BTW...if you really don't like that CJ...I'd reluctantly take it off your hands. Lol

 

[Smoke]

Work! thanks but no thanks. I havn't realized my full potential on this one.

 

[fraser67]

Work! thanks but no thanks. I havn't realized my full potential on this one.

Lol...yeah, too much foliage for me anyway. Do you think I should repot now? I wanted to go slightly bigger and properly wire the tree into the pot at the same time. I'm afraid that there is some rot under the soil line on the side with deadwood. ..want to correct that as well. Honestly. ..in person. ..it looks pretty happy. I liked all the red arrows hahaha.
Best,
Jonathan

 

[Smoke]

I would get it out of the pot ASAP. It is too small. That thing will kick into high gear with some room to spread a little. Put a good measure of pumice in the soil as well. At least 30%

 

[fraser67]

I would get it out of the pot ASAP. It is too small. That thing will kick into high gear with some room to spread a little. Put a good measure of pumice in the soil as well. At least 30%

Thanks. In agreement. I use 33% pumice in my mix. Going bigger. What on earth would you do with all your time if you retired?
Don't respond to that.

 

[Smoke]

I got lots of friends in LA that have been begging me to come to their backyard for years. I would start at Harry Hirao's before he's gone.

 

[Vance Wood]

It's probably time you make those visits. I can't tell you how it affected me when I found out my friend and mentor had died when I got a letter from his wife while I was in Viet Nam. I didn't even get a chance to say good by.