Juniper live vein treatment

[Tiberious]

Hi,
Does anyone happen to know what is used on a juniper's live vein to make it more shiny and contrast better with the deadwood? I always see in photographs and magazines that the bark looks really smooth and dark and almost has a fake appearance. My junipers only have a dull barely noticeable live vein that I would like to bring out more eventually when they are near completion. Thanks for any infos you may have.

 

[Michael Milligan]

Take a stiff brush and scrub the vein until it is nice and smooth. Then rub it with a cloth with a bit of vegitable oil on it. Also, of course, brush the dead wood with lime-sulfur. The veg oil is a temporary effect.

 

[bisjoe]

Here's a good article on it, by Salvatore Liporace.

http://bonsaijournal.com/taiwan-juniper.php

 

[Tiberious]

Just what I was looking for, Thank you!