Shimpaku guidance

[Larz]

I picked this up about a month ago. It seems to be doing well at the moment. The visible trunk is about 2", total tree height is about 9". I slip-potted into a basket and added quick draining soil. I have never worked on a Shimpaku but read you can do root work in late summer? I planned to wait until early spring, but the nursery soil is typical and the roots are wound around pretty well. Wait for spring or a little later in fall?

Also looking for styling suggestions. The trunk is solid and the two main branches don't have any discernible give to them. Lots of potential, but my inexperience is holding me back.

 

[jk_lewis]

I hope you roughed up and combed out the roots a bit before you plunked it into the basket. Otherwise water will simply flow through the coarse soil and miss the root ball entirely and it will dry out.

You can work on the top now, or winter.

 

[Larz]

I didn't disturb the roots at all, that's what I feel I need to do, just worried about the timing. Water does absorb into the root ball, I water slowly. But it's far from ideal.

 

[Vance Wood]

I didn't disturb the roots at all, that's what I feel I need to do, just worried about the timing. Water does absorb into the root ball, I water slowly. But it's far from ideal.

You need to stop being afraid of working on the tree. Shimpakus are very durable but they have to be grown outdoors. If you are not doing that, the tree is doomed. If it is ouside you can at least open up the outside of the root ball by combing out the circling roots and planting the tree in a decent soil mix. Forget the white rocks! To put it simply; they look like crap.

Shimpakus are first rate forest and mountain trees please, don't make them look like landscape monstrosities. Sorry for the rant but bonsai is the representation of ancient trees growing in harsh environments like mountain sides and rocky outcrops in forests, and not along cobbled streets with cars parked along side them, their earthen pits, ash trays. You need to get a feeling for what you are doing and I don't mean to hit you in the head on you initial visit here but you should try to perceive the right direction and attempt to take it.

 

[Larz]

Outside, full sun.

I have no intention of making this look like a miniature village scene.
The white rocks are not part of the plan, they are simply fast draining soil. It's in a pond basket, I am no where near displaying this. I haven't clipped, pinched or removed a thing.

I haven't chosen a style, but landscape hedge won't be one of them I assure you. I want to get get it in a healthy environment before I decide on a direction.

If you say I can work the roots now, I will do so. I appreciate your expertise.

 

[october]

Hi Larz. The best advice in this situation is that this tree is a long ways away from even having starter work done to it. Basically you have a trunk and some foliage. There are really no secondary branches and no tertiary branches. So the areas of the tree that bonsai work is performed on, have not even yet appeared. You will need to let this tree grow free for about 4-5 years. At which time, you will be able to give it a rough styling.

I recommend finding an older tree to work on. Something with a decent trunk and maybe a bunch of secondary branches. At least then you can practice branch selection and some wiring.

Rob

 

[larlamonde]

I picked this up about a month ago. It seems to be doing well at the moment. The visible trunk is about 2", total tree height is about 9". I slip-potted into a basket and added quick draining soil. I have never worked on a Shimpaku but read you can do root work in late summer? I planned to wait until early spring, but the nursery soil is typical and the roots are wound around pretty well. Wait for spring or a little later in fall?

Also looking for styling suggestions. The trunk is solid and the two main branches don't have any discernible give to them. Lots of potential, but my inexperience is holding me back.

Larz I'll tell you what you want to hear. You can repot the tree, just go easy on the roots. Go buy a bag of bonsai soil for $8. Gently spread the roots out and shake off some of the soil, maybe nip a few tips off. The big thing is the aftercare. Keep an eye on overwatering and keep it in semi shade for a few weeks. Not sure what your plans for the winter but dont let this guy get stuck in a deep freeze like we had last year. An unheated garage should be fine. I repot my junipers in the late summer and have had no problems. It actually gives them a jump start in the spring because they dont have to go through the repot.

What some people dont understand is when your new at bonsai you want to do stuff. The worst thing that can happen is you gain some expierence and learn something. Good luck.

 

[Larz]

Rob, I will agree with you that this tree has a way to go. I always keep my eyes open for other trees. I have a bunch of varieties to learn with.

Larlamonde, thank you for answering my main question. Exactly the info I need to get this tree squared away. I am finding the ingredients for a good soil now. The extra soil in the current container was supposed to be high quality bonsai soil, but as I read more about it, I'm not sure it's right for a juniper. I'm working on mixing my own based on recipes shared in the forum.

Thanks again.