Juniperus Horizontalis (Blue Rug Juniper) #1

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I would leave the wire on until you actually notice it biting in. Removing too quickly, the tree won't hold its shape. Mild wire marks will disappear with time. You don't want to waste the effort of wiring by removing the wire too soon. With my Shimpaku types, I often leave wire on 2 years. Though there are individual branches where sometimes wire needs to come off in as little as 9 months because that particular branch grew fast.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Thanks Leo. I definity agree. I took it off because it was biting in at spots. Ill rewire after spring growth again.

 

[rich815]

I have a few J. horizontalis nursery stock I cleaned and are pre-bonsai now. Mine are called ‘Blue Chip’ and seem even blue-er and more slate colored than yours. Great start!

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Thanks Rich! Send a closeup of your foliage if you can.

I do not remember exactly what the tag said for this tree. I bought it quick for a club wiring study session, and didnt expect much from it but I am starting to consider it one of my main projects now. I have some ideas which hopefully I can make come to fruition over time.

 

[rich815]

Will take a close up of the foliage tomorrow and post. Two I repotted a month or so ago and they are just starting to grow out. One I did yesterday and good thing I did as it’s root ball was really compacted and not holding or absorbing much moisture. Here’s the one I did yesterday:

 

[rich815]

Hmmm, my photo comes out greener than the foliage really is.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Very nice. I think i know exactly the bluish coloe yours is based on landscape specimens i see around.

 

[rich815]

Here are a few foliage close ups of my ‘Blue Chip’. Both photos from same plant.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Status: green...

Happy with growth. Needs a repot for sure next season.



Foliage:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Been a while. Did some wiring and structural pruning on this today. Will leave until next spring, when Ill repot.

Initially had this but felt it was a bit too heavy on a few branches so I pruned back a little:


Ended up with this. Thoughts? The random branches behind on the right im going to let grow out unrestrained to thicken. I'd like to kill them off and make them deadwood eventually. Im going to try to interweave them around and chase the two other branches.


Roots. Needs new angle at repot:


@Njyamadori

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Repotted in nice new pot at proper angle. Wire staying on for now. Will probably take off this summer and rewire in autumn.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Buds moving on this. Looking very nice. I expect this will be a vood growing season and Im excited to do some detail wiring on it later on.

 

[Forsoothe!]

Will take a close up of the foliage tomorrow and post. Two I repotted a month or so ago and they are just starting to grow out. One I did yesterday and good thing I did as it’s root ball was really compacted and not holding or absorbing much moisture. Here’s the one I did yesterday:

View attachment 294815

The difference between Bug Rug and other Junipers is night and day. This is; the OP is not.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

It might not be blue rug, i have to find the tag, if I still have it.

Forsoothe, any styling thoughts on this tree?

 

[Forsoothe!]

No, my stiff junipers are pedestrian. I should be whipped.

 

[RobC]

It might not be blue rug, i have to find the tag, if I still have it.

maybe it's just a different cultivar but here is the foliage on my blue rug:

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Current state. I think I'll leave this for this season and give in another styling next year.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Have you tried dosing with some Epsom salts. I tend to think yours isn’t blue rug, but mine can be more green without epsom.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

It's probably not a blue rug. I don't remember the cultivar. I'll update when I figure out what it is. The color on it is fine. It's grown well this year. I think it will really take off next year since it will be a year after the repot.

 

[Forsoothe!]

I think you should pull tips on (only) long terminals now. They will turn brown, but better now than next spring when you will reap some ramification. New foliage is bluer (is blue) and old foliage is unremarkable in color.

It is an interesting form that just needs tweaking from here on out! Wiring a lot of foliage is a pain in the ass, but wiring a little foliage to tweak a cloud is very satisfying.