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Deleted member 47471
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More Shohin in the making
The Plan
The Plan
Testing Bending Limits on Stiff Little Procumbens - Progression Thread
I've been browsing the forums for a while and finally made an account to start posting/commenting. Wanted to say how much I appreciate your scribbles which really help me visualize what's going on underneath the growth and to see the 3D reality of the 2D photo.
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Deleted member 47471
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I’m thankful to know this! and welcome, it’s nice to see you
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
If you're planning on doing this bending now, it's the wrong time of year for the same reason we don't wire and bend branches now.
Nevermind...done already
Hopefully that trunk survives it
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Can I ask why you wouldn't wire or bend a juniper this time of year? Forgive the possibly ignorant question, still new and legitimately wanting to know. So far in my bonsai journey Peter Chan's books have been my lighthouse and for procumbens and many other juniper species he says any time of year is fine for wiring.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Because in the spring and summer, the cambium has more water/fluid running through it and bending it now can cause the cambium to separate from the bark, what we call "slipping" and kill the branch.
I have had this happen to juniper I wired and bent in the spring/sunmer.
Is it really Spring yet? Every day I keep hoping but still have to grab my jacket. Thanks for the info!
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Not sure where you are in NY but here in southern NY and where the OP is in VA, it sure is.
Generally we shouldn't wire after March.
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Deleted member 47471
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I bend and wired Procumbens throughout Summer last year and all of them are thriving and responded well. I don’t mind working on them throughout Spring and Summer. In equal measure I also am waiting to work on others (and Spruces) in the Fall or following Spring due to repots and other actions taken
Additionally, you can prune (and in crotches) end of Spring and Summer to open the tree for more light and get good responses/additional flushes of growth. My very first tree responded testifies to that.
Peter is correct about Procumbens. Most online literature, and by reputable professionals, agree.
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bwaynef
Masterpiece
If you run a 2nd (or 3rd) strand of thick aluminum next to the one you have already you'll be a lot closer to finding those limits. Also, twisting when you bend gets much tighter movement.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
After losing an important top branch on one of my procumbens, I avoid bending in warm weather. I've seen other people lose branches after bending as well.
Could be a critical amount of bending that does it, I don't know but rather not take the chance and lose another branch.
Could be a critical amount of bending that does it, I don't know but rather not take the chance and lose another branch.
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Deleted member 47471
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Fair point!
I see it as a risk reward relationship. I can get more movement and bend during summer but it also risks slipping. I had a young juniper last year that the main trunk twisted up fine and had no issues but one of the side branches ended up dying off, because of slipping. Win some you lose some!
Hartinez
Masterpiece
At the cost you’re probably getting those little junipers, I’d say @Coach_ is correct. Worth the risk for sure and I don’t blame you for trying things out. I created a whole thread on looking at nursery junipers as house money.
www.bonsainut.com
House Money Junipers
As the title suggests, Ive started several juniper projects over the last 2 1/2 years that feel like “house Money”. No real investment per say, or even sentimental value with each of these, more an opportunity to push them horticulturally and through design. Several of the trees shared will...
Brian Van Fleet
Pretty Fly for a Bonsai Guy
How many summers are you basing this on?I bend and wired Procumbens throughout Summer last year and all of them are thriving and responded well. I don’t mind working on them throughout Spring and Summer. In equal measure I also am waiting to work on others (and Spruces) in the Fall or following Spring due to repots and other actions taken
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Deleted member 47471
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I’m following the “house money” concept on a select groupOne of the my favorite threads I keep bookmarked!At the cost you’re probably getting those little junipers, I’d say @Coach_ is correct. Worth the risk for sure and I don’t blame you for trying things out. I created a whole thread on looking at nursery junipers as house money.
House Money Junipers
As the title suggests, Ive started several juniper projects over the last 2 1/2 years that feel like “house Money”. No real investment per say, or even sentimental value with each of these, more an opportunity to push them horticulturally and through design. Several of the trees shared will...
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Deleted member 47471
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That’s the one!
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