Nicolas1219
Sapling
I just want some tips for my bonsai
Tips for my juniper procumbens nana
- Thread starter Nicolas1219
- Start date
love it, watch it grow and the most important to learn to keep it alive! Read, read and study the hows and whys.
Not to overwater or underwater. And when it dies get another. Enjoy your journey which is just beginning.
There is so much reading and knowledge and threads here. Spend a lot of time researching and learning. It is all here
and given time you will come up with real questions. Not meant in a mean way but, why ask questions if you havent studied on the subject.
Not to overwater or underwater. And when it dies get another. Enjoy your journey which is just beginning.
There is so much reading and knowledge and threads here. Spend a lot of time researching and learning. It is all here
and given time you will come up with real questions. Not meant in a mean way but, why ask questions if you havent studied on the subject.
RKatzin
Omono
I have several of these in the process, I believe they were 5yr cuttings when I got them about 6-7yrs ago, so they are coming along nicely.
What you have is likely a 2yr rooted cutting and a good looking starter. It's my own opinion that these are marketed too soon and often into the hands of unsuspecting novices not prepared to handle a rooted cutting and being told they are in possession of a bonsai proceed accordingly. Hence the overwhelming mortality rate of these precious little gems.
First, how's the pot? Does it have a good drainage hole? Absolutely a must.
Next, how's the potting mix? Should be chunky/gritty and well draining.
If those two items are in order let's take a look at the tree. Starting at the tip of the long leader follow it back and identify the trunkline. You will see that there are branches in all directions, up, down and side to side. This makes a bushy appearance. These must be thinned out to create a tree like appearance. Your goal in this should be to leave as much foliage as possible. Always keep that in mind and don't strip the trunk and branches, remove only unwanted material to allow the penetration of light and air to the Inner most parts. This being primarily any shoots up or down. You can also use these to turn a branch up or down, but should be removed if not serving that purpose. Now look at the laterals and prune them alternatively left then right down the branch. Be careful not to disturb the buds along the trunk and the base of the branches you leave. You will take only one third of the total foliage at a time, allowing recuperation between sessions. These are fairly slow growing so you can let them run on for a few seasons before revisiting the pruning regime. Best of growing!
What you have is likely a 2yr rooted cutting and a good looking starter. It's my own opinion that these are marketed too soon and often into the hands of unsuspecting novices not prepared to handle a rooted cutting and being told they are in possession of a bonsai proceed accordingly. Hence the overwhelming mortality rate of these precious little gems.
First, how's the pot? Does it have a good drainage hole? Absolutely a must.
Next, how's the potting mix? Should be chunky/gritty and well draining.
If those two items are in order let's take a look at the tree. Starting at the tip of the long leader follow it back and identify the trunkline. You will see that there are branches in all directions, up, down and side to side. This makes a bushy appearance. These must be thinned out to create a tree like appearance. Your goal in this should be to leave as much foliage as possible. Always keep that in mind and don't strip the trunk and branches, remove only unwanted material to allow the penetration of light and air to the Inner most parts. This being primarily any shoots up or down. You can also use these to turn a branch up or down, but should be removed if not serving that purpose. Now look at the laterals and prune them alternatively left then right down the branch. Be careful not to disturb the buds along the trunk and the base of the branches you leave. You will take only one third of the total foliage at a time, allowing recuperation between sessions. These are fairly slow growing so you can let them run on for a few seasons before revisiting the pruning regime. Best of growing!
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
I think the best tip I would have given myself, if I could....is this...
Be patient.
Don't go crazy with pruning or wiring at this point.
As stated above, you're juniper is a young rooted cutting, easily killed if over-messed with.
I think in order to get more good advice, maybe you should tell us what you want out of this tree...
Most people would tell you to plant it in the ground for 10 years, then dig it up and begin making your bonsai...
Do you know a tree that you've seen that you may want to emulate in your own way?
Nicolas1219
Sapling
I have studied a lot actually about a 1 a night
Yes I like the double trunk style
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
Double trunk...
Me too.
I like a "mother/daughter" tree, with one dominant larger trunk and a smaller, diminutive trunk beside.
You may be hard-pressed to grow a twin trunk with this juniper, but who knows??!
Maybe if you did allow it it grow wild for a few years, it could develop a secondary trunkline... I am not an expert in development of juniper, but I've seen many.
I'm still learning the ropes of the juniper world...killed a few though, good at that ?.
I have a Procumbens and a San Jose... haven't done any styling really, just minor pruning...
SanJose is still in it's garden center soil and pot...
I'm going to try to figure out a future for both of mine this year...
Me too.
I like a "mother/daughter" tree, with one dominant larger trunk and a smaller, diminutive trunk beside.
You may be hard-pressed to grow a twin trunk with this juniper, but who knows??!
Maybe if you did allow it it grow wild for a few years, it could develop a secondary trunkline... I am not an expert in development of juniper, but I've seen many.
I'm still learning the ropes of the juniper world...killed a few though, good at that ?.
I have a Procumbens and a San Jose... haven't done any styling really, just minor pruning...
SanJose is still in it's garden center soil and pot...
I'm going to try to figure out a future for both of mine this year...
Nicolas1219
Sapling
When should I start pinching,pruning,trimming,and wiring
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Take the God Damn Rock out!
Sorce
Sorce
Nicolas1219
Sapling
Why it’s pretty
_#1_
Omono
As long as you like it, that's all that matters.
The only thing I know is these are not indoor trees. What's under them moss?
Nicolas1219
Sapling
Soil
_#1_
Omono
Lol get yourself a canister green spray paint for when the needles turn brown
Nicolas1219
Sapling
Be serious
bonsaichile
Omono
You cannot prune, wire or pinch this tree until it grows some more. And procumbens are not the fastest of growers. Give it full sun, and make sure the soil is mostly inorganic particles, such as akadama, NAPA 8822, and pumice/lava and just let it grow for 5 years or so. Water when it is dry, but water thoroughly.
If you really want a double trunk, then my advice would be to go to a nursery and look for a juniper that already has two reasonably developed trunks. It will take you years and years to produce two trunks out of this seedling, and it might never grow a second one.
Welcome and good luck!
If you really want a double trunk, then my advice would be to go to a nursery and look for a juniper that already has two reasonably developed trunks. It will take you years and years to produce two trunks out of this seedling, and it might never grow a second one.
Welcome and good luck!
just.wing.it
Deadwood Head
This is what I was getting at...when I ask you what you really want from this tree...
Styling (wiring, pruning, pinching
) is many many years away for this little juniper.The truth is, most of us probably started off with one of those little junipers, or something similar......and after a period of time, learning, and understanding what a bonsai really is, we realized the limited potential of such a plant (limited on our lifetimes, that is) and then we move onward and upward in the world of bonsai.
I've only been doing this for 4 years, and I still don't have a single tree (out of 30+ trees) that I am happy with, or would consider a bonsai.
They're all "in training" to become bonsai some day in the future.
In my mind, I feel like even the best material needs about 5-6 years in hands of an experienced bonsai artist to become a serious bonsai...and that is a short period of time.
This is not a race, it's a very slow, lifelong marathon.
Don't give up, just try to read, learn, absorb info, and most importantly have fun...
Use the "search function" here on Bnut, to find old threads on subjects you're interested in.
Nicolas1219
Sapling
Thanks
Cable
Omono
He was being serious. The reason he asked what was under the moss was to determine what type of soil it was growing in. High organic soil is not always the best for juniper species. And depending where you bought it sometimes the little trees like you have (often referred to as 'mallsai') have glued stones on top of the growing medium. It would be unusual to cover that with moss but you never know! You could also remove the moss and find mold or insects underneath.
Most people aren't jerks here and when they ask a question about your tree it is usually for a good reason even if it doesn't make sense to newcomers like us.
miker
Chumono
Nicolas, I had my Procumbens Nana in Maitland and Winter Park for 6 years, in a small bonsai pot in full July sun, and dry conditions (and in all other extremes for that area you could imagine) at times and it did great. This species is super tough and perfectly suitable for the Orlando area. As a side note, it does perfectly in SE PA, does not blink at being frozen on the bench in full on windy winter conditions.
Keep this one in full sun in well drained medium and water when it is starting to dry out. Never keep it inside for more than a few hours.
Keep this one in full sun in well drained medium and water when it is starting to dry out. Never keep it inside for more than a few hours.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
How is this thing!?
Sorce
Sorce
YaBoyMyth
Mame
What does a rooted cutting mean??
