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Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 25th, 2014, 12:22 am
by johesian
What I have hear is a small juniper (can't remember the exact breed) nevertheless I want it to have a thick trunk but unsure on how to achieve this look, the tree came in a small pot and believe it was 4 years old in that lot or the entire age not sure once again, anyway I have posted some photos any feedback on the current look, health or how to thick out the trunk would be very helpful

Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 25th, 2014, 6:11 am
by Josh
I'm on my phone but I can't see any pics

generally to get a thicker trunk you need to ground grow or plant in a large grow container. Sacrificial branches down low will also help. These can be removed once the trunk thickens. Very hard to get thick trunks in a bonsai pot.
Josh.
Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 25th, 2014, 12:03 pm
by Eusto
johesian wrote:What I have hear is a small juniper (can't remember the exact breed) nevertheless I want it to have a thick trunk but unsure on how to achieve this look, the tree came in a small pot and believe it was 4 years old in that lot or the entire age not sure once again, anyway I have posted some photos any feedback on the current look, health or how to thick out the trunk would be very helpful

Time is how you get a thick trunk, lots of it. Or buy a larger more expensive tree and chop it right down to achieve the proportions you desire.
No photos showing up.
Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 25th, 2014, 1:11 pm
by GavinG
Grow long, cut back. Repeat. Gradually bigger pots - more roots, more top. Five to ten years. Junis are slowish to thicken. Ground-growing can be quicker. Lots of information in "search".
Gavin
Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 28th, 2014, 11:12 pm
by johesian

here's that photo it's a small tree
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Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 29th, 2014, 9:12 am
by kcpoole
it is a Juniper Procumbens and yep it is small.
they take a long time to develop trunk girth and the best way is to just feed well and let it grow unhindered.
looks like it is in a large enough pot at the moment so just feed and let grow, then transplant into a larger pot next yezar and keep doing so or put in the ground.
Ken
Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 29th, 2014, 5:09 pm
by johesian
thanks ken will do

, also at the bottom of the trunk it has gone a wet red colour, i think the bark has just peeled anything to worry about or?
Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 29th, 2014, 5:17 pm
by johesian
also anyone have an idea about watering? right now it can get pretty hot but the tree is usually in shade, ive heard it should catch the morning sun and then shaded in the afternoon but i think i may be overwatering it, any advice would be great

Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 29th, 2014, 5:25 pm
by Elmar
johesian wrote:also anyone have an idea about watering? right now it can get pretty hot but the tree is usually in shade, ive heard it should catch the morning sun and then shaded in the afternoon but i think i may be overwatering it, any advice would be great

Well I can actually chime-in on this topic! Watering seems to be very specific to your weather, so without confusing my are with yours I do the following:
Every morning I go outside and water my trees. If the soil in their pot is still moist, I wet the foliage and don't water the soil. If it is dry, I water the soil first, ten the foliage and then te soil again. In the afternoon, especially on hot days, we (my daughter or I) water them again.
I have learned quite a bit about my little trees and it has given me a great bit of joy watching them!
Cheers
EZ
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Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 29th, 2014, 8:11 pm
by stocaz
johesian wrote:also anyone have an idea about watering? right now it can get pretty hot but the tree is usually in shade, ive heard it should catch the morning sun and then shaded in the afternoon but i think i may be overwatering it, any advice would be great

Just put a long tooth pick or skewer into the soil, if it comes out wet or with moisture don't water. Put it in full sun

Re: Advice for small bonsai
Posted: March 29th, 2014, 8:47 pm
by kcpoole
Junipers ( and pines) require full sun. they will struggle if shaded.
Re watering, wait unilt the soil starts to dry out under the surface and then rewater.
I do all my trees in the morning and on 30 deg days, usually again in the arvo.
Ken