What would you do?

[Raymond]

photo (20) - Copy.JPG

This is another one of my trees. Not sure what to do with it.
1) Leave it as is
2) Air layer
3) re-design
opinions and suggestions are welcome. Positive ID would also be appreciated

[Brian]

I would carefully slip it into a large poly box full of good open potting mix and let it grow for a year so.

[Jow]

Re-design and sell.

[Jason]

I'd agree with Brian, personally I'd plant it into a larger pot, let it grow and see what options are available in a year or two, then redesign



*advice from a beginner (me) should be taken with a grain of salt

[siddhar]

Positive ID would also be appreciated

Looks like one of the common Junipers. Squamata perhaps?

[Raymond]

Re-design and sell.

[siddhar]

Jow wrote:
Re-design and sell.

He's probably referring to the lack of taper in the trunk and the fact that it will be very difficult to get this tree to back bud on old wood. Would not allow for much flexibility in future design possibilities.
Some people like straight trunks, some people wont even bother. Its a love or hate relationship I'm afraid.

[rodm]

Hi Raymond,
Put it into to much bigger pot, this depends on the size of your plant. Feed it up some organic fert like Dynamic Lifter in some good quality premium potting mix thats free draining. You could start wiring your branches down,not too tight. Look in Deborah Koreshoff's BONSAI. She shows combination styles which are quite interesting, just think outside the square: something like a slanting-literati-cascade??? Don't worry to much about taper, Juni's ain't that easy to acquire tapers hence the literati. Also have a look online. Yes leave it go for at least 12 months to really get it healthy and full of vigor.
Cheers Rod

[trident76]

Before you ask what to do, first ask yourself the question - What do you want to acheive?

[Raymond]

Hi Raymond,
Put it into to much bigger pot, this depends on the size of your plant. Feed it up some organic fert like Dynamic Lifter in some good quality premium potting mix thats free draining. You could start wiring your branches down,not too tight. Look in Deborah Koreshoff's BONSAI. She shows combination styles which are quite interesting, just think outside the square: something like a slanting-literati-cascade??? Don't worry to much about taper, Juni's ain't that easy to acquire tapers hence the literati. Also have a look online. Yes leave it go for at least 12 months to really get it healthy and full of vigor.
Cheers Rod

Thanks Rod. Another question: Bigger pto or grow bed? I have heaps of room in my vegie patch now that my Summer veggies have been removed. Is good quality soil which I have mixed both Sheep and Cow manure into...

[kcpoole]

As getting backbudding would be hard and probably not very sucessful, you will need to look at what you have to work with.

Nebari / roots any good?
Trunk has little taper and not a lot of movement.
Sparse growth.
will it be worthwhile to put up or ground grow it for 3 - 5 years or more? much less will probably not be worthwhile

Will it make a decent literati? one of the harder styles to achieve but might be a good candidate.
Can the trunk / branching be rearranged, Bent to be more appealing and work?
can you cut back real hard to reduce and then bend / restyle?

Ken

[Raymond]

As getting backbudding would be hard and probably not very sucessful, you will need to look at what you have to work with.

Nebari / roots any good?
Trunk has little taper and not a lot of movement.
Sparse growth.
will it be worthwhile to put up or ground grow it for 3 - 5 years or more? much less will probably not be worthwhile

Will it make a decent literati? one of the harder styles to achieve but might be a good candidate.
Can the trunk / branching be rearranged, Bent to be more appealing and work?
can you cut back real hard to reduce and then bend / restyle?

Ken

I can do anything, just not sure how to go about it. The branches are quite flexible, the trunk not so much. Roots are healthy, Nebari might need some work but I do believe I have something to work with. Never tried of=r had a Literati style, but really do like the style. I guess it's now up to me to have a crack at something new, but like everyone else, do not want to wind up with a dead tree or waste what I have already. Thanks KC...

[Jason]

As getting backbudding would be hard and probably not very sucessful, you will need to look at what you have to work with.

Nebari / roots any good?
Trunk has little taper and not a lot of movement.
Sparse growth.
will it be worthwhile to put up or ground grow it for 3 - 5 years or more? much less will probably not be worthwhile

Will it make a decent literati? one of the harder styles to achieve but might be a good candidate.
Can the trunk / branching be rearranged, Bent to be more appealing and work?
can you cut back real hard to reduce and then bend / restyle?

Ken

I can do anything, just not sure how to go about it. The branches are quite flexible, the trunk not so much. Roots are healthy, Nebari might need some work but I do believe I have something to work with. Never tried of=r had a Literati style, but really do like the style. I guess it's now up to me to have a crack at something new, but like everyone else, do not want to wind up with a dead tree or waste what I have already. Thanks KC...

Dead trees are part of the game mate John Naka said: Killing trees is the tuition you pay for learning bonsai if it does die, you can look at it this way.... at least you have gained a pot

[Ray M]

Hi Raymond,
As a number of the fellows have said the tree needs to be brought back to better health. Once you have acheived that you could possibly think of a Litteratti. Just an idea.

Juniper-2.JPG

Regards Ray

[Raymond]

Hi Raymond,
As a number of the fellows have said the tree needs to be brought back to better health. Once you have acheived that you could possibly think of a Litteratti. Just an idea.

Juniper-2.JPG

Regards Ray

Thanks Ray M. If it was yours, would you use a large foam box or put it in the garden bed?