Is this a Juniperus Procumbens?

[shanelee78]

Would anybody know what type of Juniper this is? I bought it today from a nursery and they had a tsg on that said it is a Juniperus Procumbens 'Nana" which from what I have read are shorter Junipers. This thing is about 4' tall and the trunk about 3" in diameter at the base tapering to about 1" towards the top.

 

[shanelee78]

I just realized this is posted in the wrong place. Sorry

 

[misfit11]

The foliage looks tight enough to be Nana. They can get bigger, just takes longer.

 

[shimbrypaku]

Man that’s a beast, have you ever worked
on one or tried to keep one alive before?

 

[shanelee78]

Man that’s a beast, have you ever worked
on one or tried to keep one alive before?

I have a couple smaller ones that are less then a foot tall. I just really got into bonsai this last year. I came across this today and could not pass it up. I live in northern Indiana, so I don't think I will start doing anything to it until spring. Any suggestions?

 

[Kodama]

Yeah could be nice material to work with. You might be able to clean debris and dead twigs you don't want. Maybe just get it into winter quarters protected from winter winds, pot buried in mulch or leaves. Take pictures and study it, research over winter. By springtime you might have the answer it will whisper to you on what to do next. Good luck. Would like to see what you do with it.

 

[shanelee78]

Man that’s a beast, have you ever worked
on one or tried to keep one alive before?

I have a couple smaller ones that are less then a foot tall. I just really got into bonsai this last year. I came across this today and could not pass it up. I live in northern Indiana, so I don't think I will start doing anything to it until spring. Any suggestions

Yeah could be nice material to work with. You might be able to clean debris and dead twigs you don't want. Maybe just get it into winter quarters protected from winter winds, pot buried in mulch or leaves. Take pictures and study it, research over winter. By springtime you might have the answer it will whisper to you on what to do next. Good luck. Would like to see what you do with it.

It definitely needs a new pot and soil also. Do you think I can put this in a bigger pot with new soil before winter kicks in? Or should I just leave it be until spring? I plan on in spring to prune it and then the next spring to transfer into more of an appropriate bonsai pot.

 

[Dav4]

My bet is J. squamata... I worked with one for a while and turned it into a decent bonsai before partinq ways with it- https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/juniper-cascade-progression.5506/

 

[shimbrypaku]

I have a couple smaller ones that are less then a foot tall. I just really got into bonsai this last year. I came across this today and could not pass it up. I live in northern Indiana, so I don't think I will start doing anything to it until spring. Any suggestions?

Yes, I would seek out help and advise locally from a bonsai club or trusted friend. The tree will need hands on inspection and guidance. A picture of this juniper will not tell the entire story or needs of the tree.
Just my two cents.

Thanks

 

[Kodama]

I'm still learning....but its going dormant right now prepping for winter and for junipers in your zone I believe it's best to do repotting in spring and that's it. If from nursury soil you might want to do only 30% root work. One insult per year. Junipers strength is in the foliage so do the root work first and then let it recover until next year and hopefully it could handle more root work or the styling you want to do. Take your time. Be patient or it will slip away. Plan on at least 5 years for development from nursery stock. Just my opinion.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Patience will be key. Start the transition next spring into a grow box of appropriate size.

 

[johng]

J.procumbens nana are occasionally trained with a stake to add height and this could be the case with this tree. Or, it could also just be straight J. Procumbens which already has more upright habit. It is likely J p. nana that has been trained as straight Procumbens appear to be reasonably rare finds in the US.

If you choose to repot first it make take a while (1-3 years) before the tree is vigorous enough to handle a big styling session. As mentioned, patience is virtue in this situation.

 

[BrightsideB]

@shanelee78 was this found at a standard landscape nursery? If so sounds like you have a nice one!

 

[James W.]

I would treat it like a p.j."nana" for now, anyway. No real reason to doubt the tag. It is growing like it was staked vertical at one point.
@Japonicus has been a very good resource
I would clean it a bit and repot in the spring. Leave as much foliage as possible to drive recovery.
I have a progression of a similar nursery find here: J. procumbens 'Nana', develop into pre-bonsai? I think you could (should?) work the roots harder than I did to start with.

 

[Shun]

Hello! Here in Brazil we call it Juniperus horizontalis ("Jacaré")

Different from J. procumbens nana, the foliage is different!

Also, the procumbens nana tends to form scale foliage in some spots while the J. horizontalis never does, is always spiky.

I have them 2 and they are completely different, from your pics it is just like an Horizontalis and not a procumbens

 

[shanelee78]

@shanelee78 was this found at a standard landscape nursery? If so sounds like you have a nice one!

There is a huge nursery called Lintons Enchanted Gardens about 45 minutes from me. It is an awesome place.

 

[Japonicus]

Or should I just leave it be until spring?

Leave till Spring.
Trunk does not look like any procumbens nana I've ever seen.
Your camera flash is obliterating the foliage.

I plan on in spring to prune it and then the next spring to transfer into more of an appropriate bonsai pot.

Reverse this idea, while you have plenty of foliage to speed recovery from downsizing the roots and pot size.
1st potting won't be the final size of step down size. Consider 70% reduction beginning with 50% upon removing
the pot it's in now, then work out the core into the shin somewhat. Then teasing out feeder roots, placing in bonsai soil.