Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
Never straighten!!! Alot of removed foliage.
Did I Trim Too Much?
- Thread starter turnyface
- Start date
Adamski77
Shohin
Don't panic... give it proper aftercare... and don't touch anymore... I've done similar things before on junipers and they made it through... fingers crossed...
my pictures... first as bought... second after my "initial pruning" that left as much as you did... third one is 18 moths later...
my pictures... first as bought... second after my "initial pruning" that left as much as you did... third one is 18 moths later...
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turnyface
Yamadori
Inspiring! Thank you!
I’m just gonna sit and wait it out and see if it survives the spring. If not, I’ll spend more money on another Shimpaku.
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Agree with @Adamski77 This tree is far from doomed or spoiled. It will almost certainly grow back. Removing some of the upper foliage usually triggers back budding at branch forks in juniper. You may get a flush of juvenile shoots after this pruning. Don't panic, just let those shoots grow out if they are in desirable locations. They will gradually change back to scale foliage over a couple of years.
Next session with the tree you will have all this experience to guide you.
Next session with the tree you will have all this experience to guide you.
e~b
Sapling
Awesome recovery. What did you do for aftercare? I cut some junipers back for the first time - I have been giving them ample water, filtered sunlight in the afternoon, and fertilizer after new growth appears. Anything I am missing?
Adamski77
Shohin
I think one component is larger pot… mine are planted in mixture that contains potting soil so more moisture… and room to spread. At the same time I repotted and initially styled within few weeks so against the rule of “one offense per season”… so without repotting might have been easier for tree to recover after styling.
My approach is to water my trees a lot… some people will be strongly against it but I agree with your “ample water”.
Regarding sun I didn't really change position… with lot of water they went back into full sun… and they loved it… admittedly I performed all this in spring and not summer… so this is different… and probably needs to be addressed… I think filtered partial sun probably will do the trick… but I would give them couple/few hours a day of full sun.
Than after 3-4 weeks started to fertilize normally.
But I really think the most important part is not to touch them… I know we are all tempted… this notion of passing by and “oh crap, this branch is not prefect… needs to be here” … so we bend it more… bend it to left/right… do not touch means do not touch
e~b
Sapling
How did you know I cant stop adjusting my wiring?I think one component is larger pot… mine are planted in mixture that contains potting soil so more moisture… and room to spread. At the same time I repotted and initially styled within few weeks so against the rule of “one offense per season”… so without repotting might have been easier for tree to recover after styling.
My approach is to water my trees a lot… some people will be strongly against it but I agree with your “ample water”.
Regarding sun I didn't really change position… with lot of water they went back into full sun… and they loved it… admittedly I performed all this in spring and not summer… so this is different… and probably needs to be addressed… I think filtered partial sun probably will do the trick… but I would give them couple/few hours a day of full sun.
Than after 3-4 weeks started to fertilize normally.
But I really think the most important part is not to touch them… I know we are all tempted… this notion of passing by and “oh crap, this branch is not prefect… needs to be here” … so we bend it more… bend it to left/right… do not touch means do not touch
Great advice! Looks like it is working for you.I'm very interested in your soil - Are you mixing with something inorganic as well? I have some slip-potted nursery stock that is mainly potting soil/other organic material right now... I wanted to repot (and maybe even pot down) ASAP but now you have me reconsidering!
Adamski77
Shohin
For more advanced trees in bonsai pots I use 1/1/1 akadama/kiryu/lava rock (conifers)… but in this case I used potting soil with 5-8mm lava rock to provide better drainage and some air to root system. I wanted them to stay healthy as I did a lot to them… repotted and “styled” (bought 3 at that time). Next year spring they will go to bonsai pots with my regular bonsai mix.How did you know I cant stop adjusting my wiring?
I'm very interested in your soil - Are you mixing with something inorganic as well? I have some slip-potted nursery stock that is mainly potting soil/other organic material right now... I wanted to repot (and maybe even pot down) ASAP but now you have me reconsidering!
e~b
Sapling
Thanks for the breakdown, I think I'll try something similar in the spring
leatherback
The Treedeemer
Did you cut off too much? Absolutely.
Will it die? No, not from what you have done now. It WILL take 1-2 years to regain vigor.
The video is REALLY good (Yes, I am jealous). Key take-away is:
- You ensure you can see the branches so you think out, BUT you keep small branches all over
- Avoid using thick branches that are difficult to position, and favor small branches
This helps ease of styling, and creates a tree where branches are in scale.
And yes, see whether someone can help you do the first trees. It really gives you direct insights.
Will it die? No, not from what you have done now. It WILL take 1-2 years to regain vigor.
listen very carefully what he sais in the first 2-3 minutes because that is where the key is: Do not empty it out, remove enough to see the main branch structure.
The video is REALLY good (Yes, I am jealous). Key take-away is:
- You ensure you can see the branches so you think out, BUT you keep small branches all over
- Avoid using thick branches that are difficult to position, and favor small branches
This helps ease of styling, and creates a tree where branches are in scale.
And yes, see whether someone can help you do the first trees. It really gives you direct insights.
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