Hello all! 3" nana basic question

[Siguy]

Hi all.

I've just recently become fascinated with Bonsai. I've been reading and doing more reading. I've found a bit of conflicting information out there regarding the Nana. I think I'm going to follow the Evergreen Gardenworks Beginner info. For reference, my climate is N.E., USA, specifically New Jersey.

A bit impetuosly, I ordered 3 juniper nana 3" tall in plastic liners. My question is how will my caring for the 3" nana differ from that of the recommended 1 gal. sized juniper?

Kind Regards,,

EDIT: TO BE CLEAR, the 3 plants I'm receiving are 6-8 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. Their container is a 3" liner.

 

[Poink88]

I am also new to junipers but shouldn't be any different.

That said, you should know that there are much better juniper you can acquire/use for bonsai. Your nana will take many, many years before it is ready. You would have done much better buying from Lowes or Home Depot. The initial cost is nothing compared to the years you will invest on it...why not get the best type (i.e. shimpaku and its variants) for just a little more (for small plant)?

Just my thoughts and hope you take this as a good advise and not as an insult.

Welcome to B-Nut!

 

[M. Frary]

Shucks! I thought I was going to see a 3" diameter procumbens.

 

[bonsairxmd]

Agreed. I learned this as well the hard way. Get the largest trunk diameter that you can afford which will save years and years of waiting so you don't totally loose interest. After you have some nice material to work with then you can think about growing out smaller stuff.

 

[KennedyMarx]

I would slip pot them into slightly larger containers. I have a bunch of six inch plastic azalea pots that I've been using. Then in the next year or two depending on growth slip that into a one gallon container. In the meantime you can find some more developed material to work on. The little nanas don't really need to be messed with besides letting them grow.

 

[M. Frary]

Shucks! I thought I was going to see a 3" diameter procumbens.

Excuse me. I almost forgot in my excitement but welcome to Bonsai Nut!

 

[Siguy]

I would slip pot them into slightly larger containers. I have a bunch of six inch plastic azalea pots that I've been using. Then in the next year or two depending on growth slip that into a one gallon container. In the meantime you can find some more developed material to work on. The little nanas don't really need to be messed with besides letting them grow.

@All,

Thanks for your responses. I have slightly larger container, so that should work. I'll just need to find the "bonsai" soil... maybe, locally. I will need to winter them indoors.

Still, I should still hand prune some of the new growth like http://www.bonsaiprimer.com/pruning/conifer/conifer.html , no?

In the meantime, I've seen some ficus bonsai at walmart with substantial trunks. And, IIRC, a chinese elm... ~$12 each, again, IIRC.

 

[Poink88]

Still, I should still hand prune some of the new growth like http://www.bonsaiprimer.com/pruning/conifer/conifer.html , no?
NO

In the meantime, I've seen some ficus bonsai at walmart with substantial trunks. And, IIRC, a chinese elm... ~$12 each, again, IIRC.
Definitely go with the Chinese Elm.

See response (bold) above.

 

[bonsairxmd]

How about a one gallon Chinese elm and/or shimpaku juniper (less problems than nana [procumbens] in developing sustainable bonsai) from Evergreen Gardenworks?

 

[Siguy]

How about a one gallon Chinese elm and/or shimpaku juniper (less problems than nana [procumbens] in developing sustainable bonsai) from Evergreen Gardenworks?

Hmmmm... Thanks for the pointer.

Thanks for the warm welcome, all.

 

[GrimLore]

How about a one gallon Chinese elm and/or shimpaku juniper (less problems than nana [procumbens] in developing sustainable bonsai) from Evergreen Gardenworks?

It is far more cost effective to learn on collected and box store specimens for anyone just starting out.

Grimmy

 

[bonsairxmd]

True. But his one gallon size are only $30.

 

[Siguy]

True. But his one gallon size are only $30.

$30+$12 shipping

 

[bonsairxmd]

$30+$12 shipping

Yes, but you get something with decent trunk diameter, good branching, and a tree that has already started to be trained for bonsai. Well worth the small investment in my opinion......unless you just need practice keeping trees alive then I recommend box store material. Just curious if you don't mind, how much did the junipers cost?

I lost interest at one point from just buying crap and sticks in pots but have since learned (mainly from the great people on this forum) a better approach to sustain interest in the hobby. Again, just my opinion. Good luck, have fun!

 

[GrimLore]

How about a one gallon Chinese elm and/or shimpaku juniper (less problems than nana [procumbens] in developing sustainable bonsai) from Evergreen Gardenworks?

First going into this wonderful although elusive Art one must learn to grow and Winter the plants they are interested in. During that process they will learn what works in their climate and lifestyle. They will also learn about Substrate, Watering, and Fertilization of said victims. I normally would suggest the person not spend that much on any one plant or one plant to start... There is much to learn before that. Places like Arbor Day Org offer a Zip Code service that shows you what is suitable to your zone. A person starting could get 10 free plants for a 10 dollar 1 year membership and very inexpensive 6 inch to 3 foot trees. They could purchase low profile pots on a dime at the local nursery or dollar store. They could in fact get 3 to 5 each of trees they are interested in learning and a pile of types for under 100.00USD... I suspect that would keep one well interested AND provide the learning one needs to be successful down the road. Meanwhile they can have a LOT to do and be happy The other route is collection but again if they just die fro lack of knowledge or experience, what is the point? In my humble opinion one can learn a lot on a dime. Not only about the specimens but about themselves while not topping out the charge card and down the road REALLY enjoy it rather then worry it...
That is what I preach at any demo I do and I am sticking to it.

Grimmy

 

[KennedyMarx]

@All,

Thanks for your responses. I have slightly larger container, so that should work. I'll just need to find the "bonsai" soil... maybe, locally. I will need to winter them indoors.

Still, I should still hand prune some of the new growth like http://www.bonsaiprimer.com/pruning/conifer/conifer.html , no?

In the meantime, I've seen some ficus bonsai at walmart with substantial trunks. And, IIRC, a chinese elm... ~$12 each, again, IIRC.

No. Don't prune. Just let it go. And when you do prune you definitely do not pinch all the tips of the foliage. That's an old way of doing things that isn't recommended anymore. The advice now is to let new growth shoots extend and then cut them back:

http://crataegus.com/2012/08/26/how-to-pinch-junipers/

Hagedorn says in the comments to treat procumbens like scale junipers, even though they have needle foliage.

 

[keri-wms]

You could always try a Tanuki / "Pheonix Graft" with one of them - the idea is you attach a thin young tree to an old twisty bit of deadwood and you get the effect of a very old tree.

It's sliiiiiiightly cheating in the purest sense, but it's a great way to get something to practice refinement on in a fraction of the time.

Just an option, welcome to the forum.

 

[Siguy]

I would slip pot them into slightly larger containers. I have a bunch of six inch plastic azalea pots that I've been using. Then in the next year or two depending on growth slip that into a one gallon container. In the meantime you can find some more developed material to work on. The little nanas don't really need to be messed with besides letting them grow.

Should I be putting new soil mix if repotting? (I suppose I would need to see the quality of the potting soil its shipped with, no?)

EDIT: TO BE CLEAR, the 3 plants I'm receiving are 6-8 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. Their container is a 3" liner.

http://www.shbonsai.com/dev/productdetails.php?productId=PB-JJ03

 

[Siguy]

You could always try a Tanuki / "Pheonix Graft" with one of them - the idea is you attach a thin young tree to an old twisty bit of deadwood and you get the effect of a very old tree.

It's sliiiiiiightly cheating in the purest sense, but it's a great way to get something to practice refinement on in a fraction of the time.

Just an option, welcome to the forum.

Interesting. Would one limit the size of the deadwood based on the current pot size? How is that determined?

 

[KennedyMarx]

Should I be putting new soil mix if repotting? (I suppose I would need to see the quality of the potting soil its shipped with, no?)

EDIT: TO BE CLEAR, the 3 plants I'm receiving are 6-8 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide. Their container is a 3" liner.

http://www.shbonsai.com/dev/productdetails.php?productId=PB-JJ03

I wouldn't remove any soil from the plant. Put some new soil in the new pots and slip the plants (roots still covered in the original soil) out of the liners and into the new pots. Make sure they're firm in the new pots. When those pots get filled move them to the next size up.