Most natural style for a Sabina "Monna" (Calgary Carpet)

[imahawki]

So I found a fairly healthy Juniperus Sabina "Monna" for $15. I haven't done anything with because I am waiting for my tools to come from Stone Lantern. I had trimmed up some Ficus with kitchen scissors but I think I'm going to need some real branch cutters for this project so I ordered some supplies. My intent is to move this from a 2-3 gallon nursery pot into a 5 gallon Smart Pot with bonsai soil and then remove the dead branches and any branches I know I'm not going to use and then let it rest until next spring. What are some general guidelines?

 

[Vance Wood]

So I found a fairly healthy Juniperus Sabina "Monna" for $15. I haven't done anything with because I am waiting for my tools to come from Stone Lantern. I had trimmed up some Ficus with kitchen scissors but I think I'm going to need some real branch cutters for this project so I ordered some supplies. My intent is to move this from a 2-3 gallon nursery pot into a 5 gallon Smart Pot with bonsai soil and then remove the dead branches and any branches I know I'm not going to use and then let it rest until next spring. What are some general guidelines?

Make sure that whoever gives you advise that you are contemplating to follow has experience with Sabina Junipers. These are not Chinese Junipers and may not respond in the same way the Chines Junipers do. I could give you a ton of experience on Chinese Junipers but Sabinas are not the same tree.

 

[imahawki]

Sure, makes sense. Can anyone comment on if this is a popular species to work on bonsai with? Anyone here have direct experience?

 

[Sekibonsai]

I believe its more popular in Europe. I've seen lots of articles in the newer issues of Bonsai Today and Bonsai Focus....

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

I've got two. Here and here. They grow pretty vigorously. I just recently slip-potted the second into a 3-gallon Smart Pot. You probably don't need to jump to 5 gal from 2 gal -- going to 3 gal or 4 gal should be fine.

 

[Stan Kengai]

Sabina Juniper is native to Europe and is very popular there. Graham Potter has a few videos with Sabina, like this one. Maybe you can glean some info from them. If not, they're at least inspirational.

 

[milehigh_7]

I really like the one Sabina 'buffalo' that I have. It just seems to have a delicate beauty and different personality than my chinensis. Plus the trunks are really pretty once the bark exfoliates.

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

I know Walter Pall has several as well. They seem to look most attractive when they're ridiculously large. lol

Here, here, and here.

 

[jk_lewis]

Be careful repottiing in the heat and drought in the US midwest. I'd wait until it cools off a bit in the fall if it were mine.

 

[imahawki]

Should I do NOTHING now? Or would the plant benefit from some pruning at this time and repotting later?

 

[milehigh_7]

First, pictures always help. Second, in my fairly uneducated opinion, it is better to be safe than sorry. I have killed way more trees being hasty than being patient.

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

I would hold off on cutting anything and definitely don't repot. Just look at the tree and make a mental note of possible layouts for the tree. Check on how vigorously it grows this year to compare in the future. It's probably in muddy nursery soil, so repot in the spring when you see new growth starting to push out.

I would also hold off on cutting anything for another year or two unless you see potential problems like reverse taper or over-thickening of branches in inappropriate areas. Best time of the year to make large cuts is probably the end of winter, while pruning (which you shouldn't worry about until the tree is ready to be styled) should be done in summer.

 

[imahawki]

OK, I guess I'll hold off and see if I can keep a plant alive in a pot in Nebraska winters or not.

 

[Alex DeRuiter]

You should be okay. If need be, you can always store it in an unheated garage or construct a cold-frame for this and your other trees.