Help/juniper

[bonsaichile]

Nebari (at least good nebari) does not develop on its own. It is the result of years of root work, as shown in the pics @Orion_metalhead posted. After you prune the roots, comb them out radially, etc, you need to cover them with about one inch of soil. Exposed roots wont develop. Nebari is exposed only when the roots are ready to be exposed. Sorry, but that is as acurate a timeline as I can give you

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Most that are new to bonsai do not realize that the vast majority of "Finished, Exhibition Bonsai Trees" spend a good portion of their development as a tree that was 5 to 20 times taller and or wider than the "finished design". First the seedling is grown up and out, until the trunk is of sufficient diameter to support a design. Then the tree is reduced in height to bring everything back in proportion. This also happens with junipers. Most exhibition bonsai are at least 30 to 60 years old. Usually the first 15 to 20 years the tree is allowed to get large, to beef up trunk diameter. Only after the trunk is sufficiently large, it is then reduced in size. Then the next 10 to 15 years the tree is trained to conform to the idealized style.

You can size up junipers in containers. But it will take time. I have a juniper that started out about the same size as yours, It is over 15 years in my care, it is now finally ready to style. If was cut back a few times, then allowed to grow out for a number of years. This is what it takes to develop a juniper from a small plant.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Btw, that forest is in the national arboretum in washinhton dc, if you ever wanted to see it in person. Those trees are about 2ft tall

 

[Shibui]

I have been enlightened. I shall revise my plan accordingly. But to clarify, you're saying that nebari develop on their own over time, correct? And that I should plant the premature specimen in the ground until the trunk/nebari has developed enough? or do I use a root pick to expose the nebari as it develops? And wouldn't the jin created at the apex of the tree be much too tall if we were to not cut it?

Maybe not all that enlightened.
1. Nebari means the surface roots visible just above the surface. Good nebari is all round the tree. Good nebari tapers and ramifies as it spreads out from the trunk.
Nebari MAY develop by itself over time but it is far better to help it along by root pruning and arranging the roots. Need to start as young as possible. cut off deeper vertical roots so the tree begins to rely on lateral surface roots. They will grow thicker to be more impressive. As a bonus the trunk tends to flare out more when the tree only has surface lateral roots.
Prune lateral roots as they develop. Just like branches above they will fork and ramify but more so when they are pruned regularly.

Planting in the ground will not necessarily produce good nebari. You do need to do some work to improve your odds. Just planting a tree in the ground without intervention is likely to result in a trunk with a couple of big fat roots - that's not good nebari as we bonsai growers know it. Pruning and management while the trunk grows is the key.

Jin can be pruned, carved and reduced. It does not matter ow tall or thick a sacrifice trunk grows. A large live trunk or branch can be reduced and carved back to any sized jin. You have the tools and the ideas. Use them wisely.