Juniper Crash Test

[Decoy Octopus]

So I picked up this Chinese Juniper for 5.98 the other day. I've never fooled around with a conifer before. I've only tried clip-and-grow deciduous trees. I kind of went hog wild on it. I left all the deadwood so that I could remove what was unsightly and keep what was sightly (with y'alls advice). Forgive the poor wiring job as it was my first attempt with wire. I can remove it and re-wire with support. I had no idea what to do with the apex.

Any ideas? If I've already killed it, at least I saved it for a few extra weeks from its inevitable clearance shelf death at The Home Depot.




***EDIT -- I realize this should have been placed in the "New to Bonsai" section. If a moderator sees this please move it to the appropriate section.

 

[berobinson82]

hey there. I'm not the most knowledgeable but I immediately noticed that this may be too tall. The caliber of the trunk may work well with a shohin sized tree. Warning: POOR PHOTOSHOP

 

[october]

Hello and welcome Grackle..Don't worry about the section it's posted in. This is a juniper so it is fine that it is in this section. I think you did an oustanding job for you first conifer. I think this tree will become a nice bonsai in time. I would leave it alone for the rest of the season and let it bush out again and get strong. Then, maybe next season, cut it back again. I think that you will be surprised at how strong it gets and the new options that it might present. Usually when I strip down a conifer, I let it grow wild and bush out again. This allows the tree to get stronger. Then restyle and prune back again. The reason why is because whenever you prune a lot or strip a tree down to a skeleton. The tree will try to regrow itself and become strong. If you prune it again during this phase, it could weaken and possible kill the tree. Just sitting back now, admiring your first attempt, and letting the tree get strong seems like a good plan to me. Also, if you have not already done so, becoming famailar with the 5 styles of bonsai is a necessity if you are going to create good bonsai.

p.s. I like the virt berobinson82 presented.

I hope this was helpful,
Rob

 

[Decoy Octopus]

I agree that it's probably going to have to be shorter, Berobinson. I like that virt and I'll save that image to my progression folder for future reference.

I'll take Rob's advice and let it grow until next spring. Thanks guys.

 

[Bill S]

Good start, Rob said all that came to my mind, let it grow now.