Itoigawa Juniper Shohin Progression

[Colorado]

Dusk on the bench; Mountain Harebell kusamono with the pop of color in the background. One of those magical little moments in the garden...

 

[Stella]

this is a very very nice tree. looking forward to seeing the development

 

[Potawatomi13]

This is a shohin itoigawa juniper that I’ve been working on for about a year and a half now. Feel free to offer any advice or critiques as I document this tree’s progression.

Here’s the tree basically as purchased; in March 2020 I repotted from a nursery container to this round Sam Miller. Over potted a bit for development.
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In 2020 I allowed the tree to grow freely to recover from the repot. I wired it in summer 2020, light prune spring 2021, and then let it grow freely until this weekend - July 2021. Here’s the tree before the work:
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And after wire removal and significant pruning, and re-wiring on just a few branches:
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This is a true shohin at 7” from the rim of the pot. I’m planning to repot spring 2022 into something more suitable. Open to suggestions…

I was getting a little frustrated with this tree because I’m finding it really challenging to create a good image with such a small tree. But after seeing the photos, maybe it’s not doing so bad for just 18 months. Open to any critiques on how to improve!

Nice pot. Best suggestion is grow out, make trunk bigger, grow bigger better tree

 

[just.wing.it]

Bigger isn't always better. I like it as is, a few more branches to fill out a bit, I would like a shallow rectangle pot for it.
Keep up the good work!

 

[Shogun610]

Nice pot. Best suggestion is grow out, make trunk bigger, grow bigger better tree

No way the size is fine for this style

 

[Potawatomi13]

No way the size is fine for this style

Meh! Except for debt, stomaches, trouble bigger is better.

 

[Colorado]

This one will definitely stay shohin size for the foreseeable future

 

[Crazy Diamond]

More photos please!!

 

[Colorado]

Winter Sunshine

 

[Bonsai Orange County]

Version 2.0…thanks @Hartinez …appreciate you bro!!

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Fantastic!

 

[Bu-Jetjet]

Version 2.0…thanks @Hartinez …appreciate you bro!!

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@Colorado What kind of witchcraft is this??? @Hartinez makes you a 2D virt, then all of a sudden you transform your actual tree to it??? It's not supposed to be this easy bro...

 

[Colorado]

New shoes, Japanese container.

 

[Pitoon]

Very nice!

 

[Colorado]

Thanks! I will continue to let it grow out this spring and early summer to recover from the repot. I plan to detail wire late summer/early fall!

 

[Colorado]

On the bench this morning.

 

[Hartinez]

On the bench this morning.

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Wire and trim!! Get the bottoms of those pads cleaned up my friend!!

 

[Hartinez]

Edit, I see now the plan to let it recover.

Wire and trim!! Get the bottoms of those pads cleaned up my friend!!

 

[Colorado]

Wire and trim!! Get the bottoms of those pads cleaned up my friend!!

It is really growing well, it won’t be long before I get after the bottoms of those pads!

 

[Colorado]

This juniper gained significant density and vigor this spring! I decided it is a good time to work on it. The tree had strong runners extending all over the tree:


I started by removing all wire because it was biting in, severely in places. Here is the tree sans wire:


Next I pruned the tree. I removed the runners and cleaned up the bottoms of the pads. I added one piece of wire in the back of the tree. And back on the bench!

 

[Pitoon]

That's a cool little tree!