New to Bonsai, advice on this Juniper

[inSamsWorld]

Hey all,

Just wanted to say what an amazing resource this website is, big ups to all who made this happen.

Would love some advice on this Juniper I picked up today, grabbed it from http://www.bonsainorthsidenursery.com.au/

Potted it this afternoon and added the rock and some wiring to the left offshoot.

Im thinking of going for a semi-cascade style as its already on its way.

Here are some photos, any advice or suggestions on what this little guy may need would be much appreciated, thanks in advance.







Also, on this image below, I am curious as to whether I should trim off the sproutings that are growing on the underside of the branch , any suggestions?



And I know this environment probably isn't ideal, but does anyone see any massive issues with this location, and setup, it is on and balcony in and apartment block that gets plenty of daily sun, was just wondering if the heat from tiles and stucco walls may affect the trees? A security light is on throughout the entire night also, is this an issue? I will be moving into a new house soon, so this is only a temporary setup.



Also picked up the Pyracantha Ruby Mound in the big green pot today, going to let that one grow a little before potting it into something permanent.

Once again, thank you for any feedback and sorry about so many questions.

I look forward to contributing to the forums in the future.

[daiviet_nguyen]

Good evening inSamsWorld,

It is a nice tree you have there. Junipers, especially young ones are strong, we can wire, then repot in a single go.

We usually do the wiring first, the root ball and hence the tree is still stable then. Then repot.

It would be a bit hard to wire it right now. Let it rest, let the root mass establishes itself in the pot first. Look after it well, and you can wire it in a few months times. Yes, we have to wait

As for styling, I can see why you would like it in semi-cascade. But for semi-cascade we usually use pots that are a bit taller than this. The downward bend is usually close to the trunk, it is difficult for you to do the downward bend in this pot.

I AM NOT AT ALL SUGGESTING THAT YOU CHANGE POT AGAIN!!

I am quite taken by this tree: http://www.bonsainorthsidenursery.com.au/?page_id=1300

Would you consider something like that?

Best regards and enjoy. I am sure other members will suggest something else.

[inSamsWorld]

Wow, that tree you linked is really cool, I would certainly consider that.

My tree currently has a little wiring that on that main branch on the left side, just wanted to train it more upward as opposed to the same way as the big right side branch.

One other question, does anyone have any idea how old my tree may be?

Also, sorry to bombard the thread with photos straight up (we all love photos though, yeah?)

Just wanted to show a comparison after a little pruning and also a little closer detail of the wiring I mentioned earlier.





Thanks guys.

[inSamsWorld]

Little bit of an update on this tree, for the few that may be interested...

I have since grabbed a number of other bonsai and this guy has just been left to grow. I think I will leave him for a year or so and maybe pot into something different.

Anyway, someone here may have some ideas, I'm feeling a little uninspired with this tree to be honest.

Let me know what you think. Would really appreciate some feedback or ideas.




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[rowan]

My advice when you become 'uninspired' is to put the tree away at the back of your bench and just leave it, even if it is for a year or more. Just jet it do its own thing and one day you will glance at it and the right style will just jump out at you.

It doesn't hurt to leave it alone until you are ready. As long as you keep it alive in the meantime you can work on other projects.

[Guy]

for now I would leave the lower branches to help thicken the lower trunk--the rh leader foliage pad is quite large so I would halve the size (length) of the leader foliage pad-i.e. If there are two branches coming from near the same spot on the leader remove the main trunk so that one of the branches will become the new leader --then sit back and let it grow for a full season

[kcpoole]

Hi Sam
I took the liberty of hacking you juni apart and putting it back together for you

Like a comment I made in wattos' thread, the biggest issue you have with the tree is that it "fights with itself" somewhat.
the movement of you trunks go to the right as a semi cascade, but the foliage turns up and goes back to the right, which tricks the eye to go that way, instead of continuing along the trunk and exiting the tree off to the right.
Thickened the trunk for you, and applied some movement to it, but that will take a little longer in real life.
Then introduced some "negative spaces' in the foliage to give depth and definition to them

Hope it makes sense

Ken

[Bougy Fan]

Hi Sam ? and welcome. Can't offer you any advice as I don't have any junipers but Ken would be the person to listen to. Not sure if a juniper is the ideal first tree - I would recommend something bulletproof like a fig. The best thing you can do is do a beginner course with Tess and join a bonsai club. Good luck and welcome to the addiction

Tony