Creating a twisted trunk in a juniper...

Cadillactaste

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Found a neat link...how to's on how to make a twisted trunk. Doing this...is there a particular time frame is best when bending trunks like this? I may have to just be daring and go pick me up
A Chinese juniper.

Also...what style are they called...contorted as such? Literati maybe?

http://www.tinytrident.com/articles/bonsai/creating-twisted-juniper-2/
 

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Dirty Nails

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Thanks that is a good link!. I haven't seen that done like that before. Wonder about doing the root work at the same time as the wire and pruning. I think you would want the plant SOLID in the pot when doing this kind of bending.
 

GrimLore

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Thanks that is a good link!. I haven't seen that done like that before. Wonder about doing the root work at the same time as the wire and pruning. I think you would want the plant SOLID in the pot when doing this kind of bending.

The trick there is to just do the bend not potted. Repot a bit larger not messing with the roots when done. Myself I would leave it at least two seasons other then clipping the wire to release it a bit. Then at season three remove wire, root reduction, and repot. I would be surprised if that plant makes it one full season...

Grimmy
 

Cadillactaste

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Thanks that is a good link!. I haven't seen that done like that before. Wonder about doing the root work at the same time as the wire and pruning. I think you would want the plant SOLID in the pot when doing this kind of bending.

Your welcome. I believe you are correct. I bet they wire the base of the tree into the pot before making those sort of bends. I keep looking for another one that is finished. But...no luck. :(
 

Cadillactaste

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The trick there is to just do the bend not potted. Repot a bit larger not messing with the roots when done. Myself I would leave it at least two seasons other then clipping the wire to release it a bit. Then at season three remove wire, root reduction, and repot. I would be surprised if that plant makes it one full season...

Grimmy

Why do you feel it wouldn't last a season? Because it looks wired to the pot? Puzzled...
 

GrimLore

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Why do you feel it wouldn't last a season? Because it looks wired to the pot? Puzzled...

If you really look at the blog pictures they did indeed do the bends while not potted. That part I am with. The part that would not make sense from experience is that they did the other work like a large cut back at the same time... If you want to kill a Juniper that is fine but normally they don't take well to a lot of work all at once - they stress and die over several weeks. I KNOW how to kill a Juniper - we have killed MANY. The ones I have that are doing good are under potted for 3 years now and I will not repot them until next Spring as it will set them back a bit. When articles say Junipers are great to start with it is misleading. There is only one common I know of that can be "gently" tortured and survive. The articles perhaps mean they are good for learning patience at a low expense, dunno honest.

Grimmy
 

Cadillactaste

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If you really look at the blog pictures they did indeed do the bends while not potted. That part I am with. The part that would not make sense from experience is that they did the other work like a large cut back at the same time... If you want to kill a Juniper that is fine but normally they don't take well to a lot of work all at once - they stress and die over several weeks. I KNOW how to kill a Juniper - we have killed MANY. The ones I have that are doing good are under potted for 3 years now and I will not repot them until next Spring as it will set them back a bit. When articles say Junipers are great to start with it is misleading. There is only one common I know of that can be "gently" tortured and survive. The articles perhaps mean they are good for learning patience at a low expense, dunno honest.

Grimmy

Yeah...I'm in that group of killing my own juniper. :( I see...I only looked at photos didn't read it all at the time I had the link opened. Planned on reading it later. Saved it in a folder.
 

Cadillactaste

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It gives you the chance to create your own now! Thanks for the link, that was really interesting...Smoke has a similar thread here in case some may have missed it:

http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?4789-ONE-MORE-TIME!-Yamadori-Style-Junipers

I had missed this thread I believe. So thanks for looking it up for me! :eek: I will have to take a closer look at it. Your right...it allows me to create my own. Just...I killed a juniper. So I am a bit leery messing with one. If I can't seem to keep one alive without working it. :(
 

GrimLore

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I had missed this thread I believe. So thanks for looking it up for me! :eek: I will have to take a closer look at it. Your right...it allows me to create my own. Just...I killed a juniper. So I am a bit leery messing with one. If I can't seem to keep one alive without working it. :(

Keep in mind that thread is a few year progression and Al is still working on getting the plant stable and strong. Juniper = SLOW.

Grimmy
 

Cadillactaste

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The trick there is to just do the bend not potted. Repot a bit larger not messing with the roots when done. Myself I would leave it at least two seasons other then clipping the wire to release it a bit. Then at season three remove wire, root reduction, and repot. I would be surprised if that plant makes it one full season...

Grimmy

I noticed after going back...they removed half the foliage of the tree. Now junipers hate to have a lot of foliage removed at once. If I recall reading correctly. That...then bending all at once. That it's a juniper...I see where your going. Totally get it now Grimmy.
 

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These are 2 of 10 shimpaku cuttings I took in spring 2013. All I have done is put a little wire on in spring 2014. I am planning on putting them in a slightly larger pot next spring. Then in spring 2016 apply some serious pressure like that to some. Let the wire sit 2 years so that is 2018 then development so that is 2021...by the time it is finished you can bury it with me.
 

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timi99

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Original Author, Creating twisted Juniper.

Hey guys,

I am the original author of that blog post. Glad to see the blog post may have inspired some people.

The work on the junipers in the blog post was done on May 26 and I can tell you that both trees are still doing very well. We are late winter here in Australia, and the runners on both trees have started to extend. I think the biggest thing with keeping junipers alive after major work is adequate after care. I always put them out of direct sun for at least 2-3 weeks after work like this, and usually in a spot with higher humidity. I also try not to over-water them. If they are out of direct sun they shouldn't need much water anyway.

I have attached some photos of the two junipers as of today.

On a different note, I use a similar method with Japanese Black Pine also:

http://www.tinytrident.com/articles/bonsai/new-ttb-video-to-see-on-youtube/
http://www.tinytrident.com/uncategorized/twisted-young-japanese-black-pine/

Although some people maintain that raffia is not required for young pines, when I have done severe wiring before without it, the bark has separated from the wood and killed the tree. So for me it is precautionary.
 

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Cadillactaste

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Hey guys,

I am the original author of that blog post. Glad to see the blog post may have inspired some people.

The work on the junipers in the blog post was done on May 26 and I can tell you that both trees are still doing very well. We are late winter here in Australia, and the runners on both trees have started to extend. I think the biggest thing with keeping junipers alive after major work is adequate after care. I always put them out of direct sun for at least 2-3 weeks after work like this, and usually in a spot with higher humidity. I also try not to over-water them. If they are out of direct sun they shouldn't need much water anyway.

I have attached some photos of the two junipers as of today.

On a different note, I use a similar method with Japanese Black Pine also:

http://www.tinytrident.com/articles/bonsai/new-ttb-video-to-see-on-youtube/
http://www.tinytrident.com/uncategorized/twisted-young-japanese-black-pine/

Although some people maintain that raffia is not required for young pines, when I have done severe wiring before without it, the bark has separated from the wood and killed the tree. So for me it is precautionary.

Thanks for adding to the original post thread. I never anticipated the blogger of the link would coment. I am glad you did. Those twisted little numbers really speak to me. I definite want one one day.
 

Neli

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These are 2 of 10 shimpaku cuttings I took in spring 2013. All I have done is put a little wire on in spring 2014. I am planning on putting them in a slightly larger pot next spring. Then in spring 2016 apply some serious pressure like that to some. Let the wire sit 2 years so that is 2018 then development so that is 2021...by the time it is finished you can bury it with me.
Wire your trees while young and flexible...You will get better curves.
I bend a wire to the shape I want and use rubber bands to tie the tree to the wire when young...and keep at it as it grows.
 

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Shohin
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I bend a wire to the shape I want and use rubber bands to tie the tree to the wire when young...and keep at it as it grows.

Do you mean without wrapping the wire around the tree? Good idea!
 

Poink88

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Wire your trees while young and flexible...You will get better curves.
I bend a wire to the shape I want and use rubber bands to tie the tree to the wire when young...and keep at it as it grows.

Try zip ties. ;)
 
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