Common Juniper Cascade Style

[lieuz]

I bought this juniper a week ago and it was the only juniper that wasn't growing straight up. I had to have it. I was able prune a bit off the tree, it was hard to style but I did get this much out of it. I'm open to any suggestions or concerns. This is my first ever juniper. It was a pain working with the needles sticking to my fingers.

Front View

Another View

 

[Cadillactaste]

I am new to bonsai...but would maybe suggest a pair of bonsai gloves for future handling if it was bothersome. For...bonsai should be fun in my opinion. I plan on picking up a pair. Keeping it separate from my gardening gloves.

 

[jk_lewis]

"Bonsai" gloves? They make Bonsai Gloves?

Sounds like something else I don't need.

On the tree, Looks like you did a nice job of wiring and rearranging the branches. HOWEVER (always) everything is too long and gangly. Bring the branches in closer to the tree -- eg. shorten them -- a lot.

 

[Cadillactaste]

"Bonsai" gloves? They make Bonsai Gloves?

Sounds like something else I don't need.

On the tree, Looks like you did a nice job of wiring and rearranging the branches. HOWEVER (always) everything is too long and gangly. Bring the branches in closer to the tree -- eg. shorten them -- a lot.

I've seen the mention of bonsai gloves on several sites in accessories. Juniper bothers my skin the blue rug we plantee is horid on my skin...but i like the looks of it. I was curious if they were just gardening gloves or a specialty glove. Since you seem surprised by the mention. I guess they are typical gardening gloves deemed by sites to get newbies like me to spend more money...

 

[lieuz]

"Bonsai" gloves? They make Bonsai Gloves?

Sounds like something else I don't need.

On the tree, Looks like you did a nice job of wiring and rearranging the branches. HOWEVER (always) everything is too long and gangly. Bring the branches in closer to the tree -- eg. shorten them -- a lot.

Thank you! I too think the branches are too long and thin. I did however, clipped all the edges so I have given the branches a brick wall, so now they have no where else to grow but to grow denser.

 

[october]

Thank you! I too think the branches are too long and thin. I did however, clipped all the edges so I have given the branches a brick wall, so now they have no where else to grow but to grow denser.

Nice job. Also, the tree will grow whether you cut the ends or not.

Rob

 

[Deadwood]

I'm no expert, but the view in pic two of the lower branches show an odd an unnatural parallel. Just my opinion.

 

[DougB]

It seems that most of the advertised "bonsai gloves" are merely a variety of everyday garden gloves but sold by bonsai retailers. However, I did find one that was selling mechanics gloves as bonsai gloves. Interesting: http://www.basicallybonsai.com/supplies/gloves/nitrile-gloves.html

 

[edprocoat]

Whats the problem, a simple pair of gloves could be gardening gloves, roofing gloves or mechanics gloves. It would depend on what you are doing at the time.

Lieuz, as thin as the branches are on this it would take many years of good growth to het them to a convincing size, if this were mine I would consider twisting the branches back in to compact them and bring them closer to the base.

ed

 

[plant_dr]

Also, this tree wants to be outside. Junipers are NOT an indoor tree. It might be ok for a couple days inside for display, but the low light levels, lack of humidity and no winter temperatures are a death sentence for your tree. Don't worry about the temperatures being too low out there for it, Junpiers are very hardy trees and thay can candle some pretty severe weather.

It also needs well-drained soil. Soggy roots are bad for it too.I don't know what kind of hole that pot has for drainage, but if there is only one drain hole in the bottom, consider drilling or poking more holes with a nail to help get excess water out.

Your first priority is the health of the tree. Make sure you can keep it alive before you worry about styling!!

 

[edprocoat]

Looking at this post again I have to ask, whats with the large lava rocks? They look like BBQ lava rocks. They must make it hard to water and at best, impossible to tell when it needs water. It would be better to remove them.

ed

 

[lieuz]

Also, this tree wants to be outside. Junipers are NOT an indoor tree. It might be ok for a couple days inside for display, but the low light levels, lack of humidity and no winter temperatures are a death sentence for your tree. Don't worry about the temperatures being too low out there for it, Junpiers are very hardy trees and thay can candle some pretty severe weather.

It also needs well-drained soil. Soggy roots are bad for it too.I don't know what kind of hole that pot has for drainage, but if there is only one drain hole in the bottom, consider drilling or poking more holes with a nail to help get excess water out.

Your first priority is the health of the tree. Make sure you can keep it alive before you worry about styling!!

I got it in well draining soil. It's been out for almost a month now and the container is really well draining. It was inside because I didn't have a good light source outside to take a picture.

 

[lieuz]

Looking at this post again I have to ask, whats with the large lava rocks? They look like BBQ lava rocks. They must make it hard to water and at best, impossible to tell when it needs water. It would be better to remove them.

ed

Lava rocks was placed only near the base because the soil kept on splashing out. It's settled now so I've removed the rocks from the base. It's getting watered, no worries.

 

[Poink88]

Looking at this post again I have to ask, whats with the large lava rocks? They look like BBQ lava rocks. They must make it hard to water and at best, impossible to tell when it needs water. It would be better to remove them.

Ed,

I use the same lava rocks for summer "heat shield" (like mulch) here in TX. I believe it really helped maintain my pot temps from the scorching heat. It also helped maintain proper moisture better even at the top of the soil and much less drying. No impact on watering at all.

I tried different things; bark, foil, jute fabric, etc. but nothing worked as good as the lava rocks.

 

[GrimLore]

Ed,

I use the same lava rocks for summer "heat shield" (like mulch) here in TX. I believe it really helped maintain my pot temps from the scorching heat. It also helped maintain proper moisture better even at the top of the soil and much less drying. No impact on watering at all.

I tried different things; bark, foil, jute fabric, etc. but nothing worked as good as the lava rocks.

Cool! I still have a good amount left that I decided very quickly was to much hassle to crush for substrate. At the new place I might have a use for it One small area is full sun and my Wife does not like the way it is landscaped

Grimmy

 

[edprocoat]

Ed,

I use the same lava rocks for summer "heat shield" (like mulch) here in TX. I believe it really helped maintain my pot temps from the scorching heat. It also helped maintain proper moisture better even at the top of the soil and much less drying. No impact on watering at all.

I tried different things; bark, foil, jute fabric, etc. but nothing worked as good as the lava rocks.

Makes sense Dario, I would never have thought of it but rock is very slow to exchange heat.

ed