Asking for O'Piñons on these junipers

[bwaynef]

Most people will tell you to avoid heavy bends on junipers in hot summer, but other than that it seems that they’re quite flexible with timing.

I've only found reason to avoid heavy bends on junipers in spring and early summer. If you study some of the old Bonsai Today, there's some support for that. I've even done my own experiments and they seem to support this as well.

DO'P, I'm going to send a PM, so look for that in a bit.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

So I was just applying enough pressure to move this branch a little to get an idea for how it would look in different positions, and...


...oops! Maybe it was a weak junction?
Whatever the case, now what? Do I remove it? Can I repair it? Can juniper air layer?

 

[bwaynef]

It is always going to be a weak point. If it needs movement to be useful, you're probably better off removing it. There are lots of ways to get it to heal. Basically pull it back together and secure it, then seal and allow growth along that branch. You could even screw thru it if you can hide the screw.

I think it probably needs to come off.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

It doesn't seem like part of the design, but I thought if I could get another tree out of it, I'd try air layering. But I'm guessing the genus doesn't air layer well, as I've found minimal information.
Also, this might end up just an interesting landscape tree, as my wife has grown partial to it, and to its location in the yard.
"Is there a chance you could make it a yard bonsai?"
"Technically, no. But if you like it where it is, maybe I can use it to learn a little bit about styling "
""

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Lots of cutting attempts from this amputation. Does rooting powder have a shelf life?
So the absence of this branch is the presence of opportunity. Some study today should give me some insight on how to go about creating natural looking shari.