garrettmc
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 7:51 pm
Location: Cordele

Help with styling junipers! (and telling me if they're dead)

Hello, I recently became interested in bonsai this year. Back in the spring I bought two junipers from the local Home Depot and style pruned them. However, I am unsure about the future of them concerning the style. What can I do with them to improve the looks? Also, should I just let these pass (are they dead?)

https://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z387/garrettmc117/?action=view&current=1222001557.jpg

https://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z387/garrettmc117/?action=view&current=1222001557.jpg#!oZZ3QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1187.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz387%2Fgarrettmc117%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3D1222001557a.jpg

https://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z387/garrettmc117/?action=view&current=1222001557.jpg#!oZZ1QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1187.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz387%2Fgarrettmc117%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3D1222001559.jpg

https://s1187.photobucket.com/albums/z387/garrettmc117/?action=view&current=1222001557.jpg#!oZZ2QQcurrentZZhttp%3A%2F%2Fs1187.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz387%2Fgarrettmc117%2F%3Faction%3Dview%26current%3D1222001558.jpg

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JustinBoi
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Posts: 322
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:14 pm
Location: Largo, Florida

They look like nice Bonsai. They are definitely not dead. I'm not sure about how to prune them but here's a tip from one Bonsai gardener to another. Don't rely on big department stores. Go to a local florist/nursery and get one there (if these die).

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froggy
Senior Member
Posts: 269
Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:54 pm
Location: Toronto, ON, zone 5a

It's not dead until it's warm and dead ;)

its an outdoor tree, and currently should be dormant, so wait until spring to see if there are any new buds forming :)

it is also not the time to prune, style or re pot just now. So be patient.

It seems to me that you should pick a front to your trees, take a picture each and do some doodling on the prints.. the shape should reveal itself :)

if you're decided that the trunks are big enough, you can think about repotting them into a shallower but wide pot, to train the roots to go flat and get some nebari.... there is a thread on how this can be done... I'll look it up if you cant find it :)

but again, wait until the trees are growing strong before stressing them with any procedures....

happy waiting

Karin

garrettmc
Newly Registered
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2010 7:51 pm
Location: Cordele

thank you'll very much! the only worry I have is that evergreens are supposed to stay green and lively all year long, however, mine have begun to yellow a bit in some places and get a bit dry, however, they do not seem to be getting much worse. (possibly a temporary reaction to too much water?)

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JustinBoi
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Posts: 322
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2010 7:14 pm
Location: Largo, Florida

You cannot give a plant too much water. Wait till the top of the soil is dry then water. Try to pick 2 days out of the week and water it. It may need more than 2 days depending on weather conditions.

JTred
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Posts: 380
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:05 am
Location: Elizabeth, PA

JustinBoi wrote:You cannot give a plant too much water. Wait till the top of the soil is dry then water. Try to pick 2 days out of the week and water it. It may need more than 2 days depending on weather conditions.
I can't say that I agree. It looks like this tree is in a very organic potting mixture, which would make it hold a lot of water. That, plus the fact that it is a deep pot tells me that twice a week would be too much, except in a very dry climate. Garrett, I'm not sure where Cordele is so I can't really say. In bonsai, we generally don't water on a schedule, but rather water when it is needed. A good way to know when to water is to use the chopstick method (See the learning library here on this forum).

The first thing that came to mind for me with your trees is cascade style, especially juniper 2. I also think that the side that you have chosen as the rear for juniper 1 might actually be the better front. In any case I think both of these trees need to be grown out some, and that spring and summer will be a better time to do work on these trees.

Winter is kind of a boring time in bonsai for most of us, but I think it's a good time to study your trees, research, check out what other people have done, and draw what you might want your tree to look like. Welcome to bonsai!

p.s. I am really glad you are keeping your junipers outside. That is the single most important thing with junipers in order for them to survive.



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