AusBonsai

This tree was 1 of 2 I Ariel layered off 2 standardized procumbens bought from a local nursery 4 years ago for a princely some of $40ea. It was a cheap source of reasonable material to practice styling.

After its initial styling it was unloved for two years,so on Tuesday I thought I would thin it out and refine the style.

Peter

Well done, I love the movement in the trunk.

Its a nicely styled tree Peter except for that first branch on the right which is completely out of character with the rest of the tree, it needs lots more movement.
Craigw

Craig,

Your right but it also has no tapper. I am hoping to correct both by splitting the branch,binding and bending.

Peter

Peter, the lack of taper doesn't worry me on a bunjin juniper, but I would wrap up that branch and put some serious curves into it
Craig

Graig,

I need to buy some more raffia tomorrow, a will put some bends in it this weekend.

Peter

Thats good Peter are you going to post a finished pic for us ?
Craigw

Yes, I can do that

Peter

I was unable to find any raffia so I used rubber.The bend has bought the branch down a little and given it some movement up and down.It does have sideways movement not picked up in the photo. It is difficult to get small bends in such a short distance on a large branch.

If this doesn't work I will split the branch.


Peter

I reckon it looks better already Peter
Craigw

hi mate

I have been looking at this one for a while now, would you consider removing that branch that you have heavy wired and then bring the next one above it down just a tad to fill in a little of that space? I think it would balance and feel much better

Personally, I reckon removing that lower right branch would put the tree totally out of balance. You'd only have two branches on the right and four on the left.

My suggestion would be to work more with that lower right branch. What I'd do is remove your cable ties, leave the wires on, run another length of rubber along the branch then do a normal wiring job over the top of the whole thing. By doing that, I reckon you'd be able to put some more bends and movement into the branch. That's how I've done some pretty radical bending (180 degree bends) in two Junipers I have here.

This tree has been revisited because of the theme of the clubs "Show and Tell" next month (Ariel Layering).I have removed the left lower branch and re wrapped the lower right.

I will work on it at the meeting this weekend with the hope of refining it a little bit more.

Peter

Just a note on the photography. To avoid the flash shadow (even on a black background) I cover the flash with a white plastic bowl.

Coming along nicely Peter! The roots have aged well in a reasonably short time too.

Re the photography, looking at the thumbnail picture it doesn't look very clear but when you view the bigger picture I really like the lighting you have achieved. I'll give it a go next time I need to shoot using a flash. Thanks for the tip.

Regards,
Steven

peter I like the trunk movement alot. that lower right branch still looks outa place for me. just a thought can someone virt it gone and the first left hand one too. maybe lower one of the branches above it. there seems to be nice movment at the top of the tree which is hidden as well. Again just my view and still a very nice juni.