First RMJ

[fore]

I am taking delivery of this tree in our upcoming Midwest Bonsai Show in a couple weeks. Been saving up for awhile to get an older RMJ that's about 20-24" in size. I really like this one and think it'll make a fine bonsai. It was collected in '09 by Andy Smith.

 

[Dan W.]

Great looking material! You'll enjoy it

 

[edprocoat]

Nice looking Juniper ! I hope I have not misnamed it, it looks like a Juniper. By the way I am not familiar with RMJ, is that Really Mature Juniper ? But seriously, what does RMJ stand for?

ed

 

[Umeboshi]

RMJ=Rocky Mountain Juniper

 

[jkd2572]

Where do I get one like that?

 

[edprocoat]

Where do I get one like that?

If you could get to Chicago when Fore is not home ....

ed

 

[fore]

If you could get to Chicago when Fore is not home ....

ed

LOL!! That WAS hilarious Ed! Thanks for the chuckle

Thanks Dan! That means a lot coming from you, a yamadori collector at heart!

jkd2572, contact Andy Smith at Golden Arrow. Tell him what you want...size, characteristics and budget and see what he can find for you. I told him early this spring about what I wanted. So I was patient to buy what I Really wanted, within my budget.

I'm not planning on doing anything to this tree this year, just superfeed it and see if I can get both sides equal in strength. I'll prob. bring it to a 'bring your own tree' workshop with Peter Warren at the show and get his advice/ideas. I want to take my time and acclimate the tree here in Chicago, get familiar with it's growth habits and ponder it's design. Besides, it looks really nice already so I'm in no rush.

 

[mcpesq817]

That's a heck of a nice RMJ. Great choice. Can't wait to see what you do with it in the future.

 

[fore]

Well, I decided to go with another RMJ. Here it is before and after styling...I need to get a better after shot.




Tree is 43" from bottom of pot to top jin.

 

[JPhillips]

I'm almost certain that the first tree is now residing in Lincoln, NE! One of the guys in my club came straight from the show in Chicago to our monthly meeting and I spent a good while looking this one over. The one you chose will be great but I can't get over that fact that I saw the first one in person!

Kindest regards,
Jake Phillips

 

[Poink88]

Nice trees Chris!

Congrats!!!

 

[fore]

Small world Jake sometimes! Great to hear it found a nice home! It is a very nice tree with great potential.

 

[fore]

Ok. I finally finished the wiring and first styling of my RMJ. Unfortunately the new apex branch was accidently broken bY Peter during the demo. But fort there was a second close branch that tools its place. No biggie thank goodness. The front shot shows the triangle shape being formed the central area of foliage mass, and another triangle for the branching off to the right. From the side view you can see all the live foliage/life veins are in the rear of the tree and that the tree leans forward. Peter said if there were livE veins in front, the tree would've been another $1k or more in price. But said it could still be a fantastic tree if I get it to grow healthy and strong. So with the tree bending forward, young roots supporting the live vein in the back makes making the present back the new front won't work.

The long term plans are
1. Leave it in that pot for sev more years
2. Grow out the foliage pads for density and forward to frame the deadwood while keeping the two triangular shaped Apexes separated with some dead space.
3. Let it grow untouched for the next 2-3 yrs and trim back only a little. Repeat. The key is to remove foliage very slowly to prevent juvenile foliage.
4. When the time comes for potting it, nix the round mica pot for a slightly larger rectangular pot, about 2/3 the depth of the present pot, and choose one with soft edges.

Pics: Rear view, front view, left side, right side

 

[fore]

Measures 41" tall from tabletop to tip. Here are the front and rear nebari.

 

[JudyB]

Didn't know you were Chris! until now.... just finished looking at your thread on this tree.. um.. somewhere else...

Certainly is a interesting looking project, you'll have to keep us updated.

 

[fore]

LOL Judy! Diff. places, diff. takes )

I'll def. keep this updated. I love to see progressions!

And btw, I loved too that Larch you bought from Will. Congrats on your new tree!

 

[fore]

Well, made it thru winter good. A spot of fungus this spring that I nipped it early. When it started shooting out all the new growth, I was pumped, but have come to see it has reverted to juvenile foliage. I guess the stress of styling last late summer has gotten to it. I wonder how long it'll take to revert back?

Here are 2 shots, a close up, and the back of the tree to show it's health.

 

[wireme]

Looks like you've done a good job maintaining the health of the tree, congrats. In my yard I have found that a healthy newly collected rmj like this will often throw some juv. foliage during the first year of recovery. Usually for me they begin to revert back later in the summer and are mostly back to mature foliage the following year. What was the fungal issue you mentioned?

 

[fore]

Looks like you've done a good job maintaining the health of the tree, congrats. In my yard I have found that a healthy newly collected rmj like this will often throw some juv. foliage during the first year of recovery. Usually for me they begin to revert back later in the summer and are mostly back to mature foliage the following year. What was the fungal issue you mentioned?

I had a touch of tip blight. Nasty aggressive fungus that I super duper treated this yr w. multiple doses of copper and daconil. Maybe all the anti-fungal meds made it revert? Who knows. It's been in a pot for yrs and is actually pretty root bound. But not do for a repot till 2015.

Either way, I hope you're right and it only takes a yr. to recover. I was just surprised it did flip to juvenile foliage as all the new growth last fall, after the stlying, was mature growth.

I'd love to hear someone with experience as to the level of stress it takes to make a RMJ revert to juvenile foliage in the first place.

 

[october]

That is a nice tree. The one in the beginning of the thread was very nice as well. These trees are not cheap by any means, if one can get a good price for material like both of them they should grab it.

I do not have a lot of experience with RMJs. However, usually with junipers, it can be the root work that makes foliage behave this way. Also, I believe, improper or heavy pruning. However, since there was no root work, maybe there is some stress. You mentioned it is pretty pot bound but not due for a repot until 2015. Maybe consider a repot 2014 instead. If something is going on in the root system, waiting 2 more years might not be good. However, the tree looks pretty healthy to me.

It might be that the fungus itself and not the fungicides that is causing the tree stress.

Rob