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I purchased this nursery stock blue star juniper 3 weeks ago. I’ve slip potted into a slightly larger pot adding potting soil mixed with orchid potting mix (mostly bark). I kept it shaded for a week and now have it transitioned into full sun. I’ve cleaned up the trunk some and cleared dead needles a bit too. It’s doing great now. Looks even healthier than I when I bought it.
Before I start styling it or getting it ready to style I want to seek advice.
I don’t want to prune too much or the wrong branches. It’s so full of choices for which to keep vs prune I want to get some direction~ a vision.
Also I live in southern Ohio and it’s zone 5B but we’ve already had some 90 degree days here. Our hottest May on record this year. So when should I start pruning it? Should I move it into part shade due to our hot temperatures?
When can I reply it into something smaller and into bonsai soil?
I chose this tree because it had the thickest trunk and obvious movement. I’m definitely thinking cascade or semi cascade. Is it leaning too much? When I repot should I try to angle the trunk up somewhat?
Thanks in advance.
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sorce

Nonsense Rascal
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This is larger foliage....
Oughta be about a 3in wide trunk under it at least...a rather large specimen...

Let it grow!

Sorce
 
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how long do you estimate it will take for this juniper to get a 3 inch trunk? I want it to cascade is there anything I can do to ensure it continues to elongate or develop the correct branch thickness?
 

Solaris

Shohin
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how long do you estimate it will take for this juniper to get a 3 inch trunk? I want it to cascade is there anything I can do to ensure it continues to elongate or develop the correct branch thickness?

I think if you're going for a cascade, you might be better off with a blue rug rather than a blue star. It will cascade naturally, and it's a faster grower.
Blue star is a dwarf cultivar, and by all accounts is a slow grower. I'd put it in the ground or in a grow box and let it grow wild for a good long while - that's what the guys who actually know what they're talking about keep telling me when I show off my skinny saplings.
 

FilipMerynos

Sapling
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Maybe my cascade will inspire you (not the perfect wiring though) :) I really like this blue star and I was working on it in this years March. We had really hot May here in Poland this year (around 90+) and the tree was in full sun from around 3pm. Keep it watered, that juniper likes it a lot. Photos were taken in April.
 

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