New yamadori (?) juniper

[Bonsai_Bubba]

I bought this tree from the recent Kennett Collection bonsai reduction sale. Despite having quite a bit of character, it was a steal. I believe, based on my limited expertise, that it's a rocky mountain juniper and was a collected tree.

Unfortunately, someone had attempted to graft other juniper foliage to the tree some time ago. None of the grafts survived and the scions had been secured with very thin wire that cut into the bark and produced some bulges.

I'm wondering what my plan of attack should be with this tree. This looks like a very old juniper to me, one that I will have to be very careful with and move slowly. Ideally, I'd like to plant it at this new angle in the next couple of years, and pull the foliage back closer to the trunk.

Grafting shimpaku foliage or something might be nice, but I am reluctant to undertake it when someone who was probably more competent than I am failed at their attempt. Right now I'm even contemplating planting it in the ground for a year to restore vigor, but am happy to hear what other people have to say. "Get a better camera" is one suggestion obviously. :]

 

[quietobserver]

Wow, great trunk. Back into a training pot or flat I'm guessing...?

 

[PaulH]

If it was mine it would go into a box for a couple of years to regain health. I'd then retry the shimpaku grafts. Just a personal preference as I'm not a fan of Rocky mountain juniper foliage.

 

[Bonsai_Bubba]

Wow, great trunk. Back into a training pot or flat I'm guessing...?

Thanks QO! That's what I'm thinking too!

If it was mine it would go into a box for a couple of years to regain health. I'd then retry the shimpaku grafts. Just a personal preference as I'm not a fan of Rocky mountain juniper foliage.

Paul, I guess my schedule might look something like this then:

1 (This year): Repot into grow box. Don't trim roots.
2: Leave to grow.
3: Shimpaku grafts.
4: First root trim into training pot.
5: Second root trim into bonsai pot.

?

Thanks!

 

[edprocoat]

Thanks QO! That's what I'm thinking too!



Paul, I guess my schedule might look something like this then:

1 (This year): Repot into grow box. Don't trim roots.
2: Leave to grow.
3: Shimpaku grafts.
4: First root trim into training pot.
5: Second root trim into bonsai pot.

?

Thanks!

Sounds like the plan, man.

ed

 

[wireme]

To help the tree regain vigour I would probably also set up some guy wires and gently spread the foliage to allow sunlight better access to all the foliage, no extreme bends obviously. I have rarely seen rmj that leggy but could be I guess.

 

[Bonsai_Bubba]

Sounds like the plan, man.

ed

Thanks Ed!

To help the tree regain vigour I would probably also set up some guy wires and gently spread the foliage to allow sunlight better access to all the foliage, no extreme bends obviously. I have rarely seen rmj that leggy but could be I guess.

I could be wrong! If you think it's another juniper species, I'll trust your judgment over mine. No seriously, I started 3 years ago or so.

Another image:

 

[Evilman626]

Thanks QO! That's what I'm thinking too!



Paul, I guess my schedule might look something like this then:

1 (This year): Repot into grow box. Don't trim roots.
2: Leave to grow.
3: Shimpaku grafts.
4: First root trim into training pot.
5: Second root trim into bonsai pot.

?

Thanks!

You really will want to watch the vigor of this tree as it may take more than a couple years to get back to full health especially if you are considering grafts. It for sure looks to have a lot of age under its belt and may take quite some time. Very good pick up though. Looks to be a fun project!

 

[wireme]

Thanks Ed!



I could be wrong! If you think it's another juniper species, I'll trust your judgment over mine. No seriously, I started 3 years ago or so.

Another image:

I really don't have a strong opinion on species, rmj is the only one I am really familiar with. I see foliage looking like that on plants growing in the shade sometimes.
I like the front and planting angle on your first pic BTW, nice potential there.

 

[PaulH]

Your plan sounds good. This could be a great tree someday.

 

[Bonsai_Bubba]

You really will want to watch the vigor of this tree as it may take more than a couple years to get back to full health especially if you are considering grafts. It for sure looks to have a lot of age under its belt and may take quite some time. Very good pick up though. Looks to be a fun project!

Yeah, worst thing I can imagine is hurting this tree. I will definitely take my cues from the tree, and modify my schedule accordingly. I figure it's not bad to have a few projects on the back of the bench. :]

I really don't have a strong opinion on species, rmj is the only one I am really familiar with. I see foliage looking like that on plants growing in the shade sometimes.
I like the front and planting angle on your first pic BTW, nice potential there.

Thanks! I haven't styled very many junipers, so this is a really exciting project for me.

 

[chicago1980]

How did this Junipers play out? Wonderful trunk.