Juniperus chinensis "itoigawa"

dprm · May 3, 2023

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired an inexpensive Itoigawa juniper. Cheap skills for a cheap tree

I bought the tree to work on, learn how to practice the different techniques and as a source of cuttings to create future shohin and kifu size trees.

I have no idea what style would fit the tree so I would gladly accept inputs. The plan is to let it grow and strengthen first. I really like the foliage on it.

The root system was a mess. I reduced it a bit and planted it on a colander. Used a mixture of equal parts akadama, pomice and lava.

Frozentreehugger · May 9, 2023

Styling a tree . Is very much a personal thing . Ie what do you like . Size end goals . Then you add the material you have to work with . If your looking for input . The tree is small and young . You can grow it larger . Or use what you have for a small tree . Obviously a faster example . Most people starting off want a tree sooner . Nothing wrong with that . But quality bonsai takes a lot of time . My recommendation . Eventually
One side of the split trunk has to go . So consider developing both sides as separate trees . This will also help you learn . Then at a latter date . Air layer one side off the tree . Now you have 2 trees for your effort . The tree on the original roots . Will have nice lower trunk movement . And or a dead wood feature . And the second tree will have contributed . To the girth if the first up until you separate them .

dprm · May 10, 2023

Frozentreehugger said:
Styling a tree . Is very much a personal thing . Ie what do you like . Size end goals . Then you add the material you have to work with . If your looking for input . The tree is small and young . You can grow it larger . Or use what you have for a small tree . Obviously a faster example . Most people starting off want a tree sooner . Nothing wrong with that . But quality bonsai takes a lot of time . My recommendation . Eventually
One side of the split trunk has to go . So consider developing both sides as separate trees . This will also help you learn . Then at a latter date . Air layer one side off the tree . Now you have 2 trees for your effort . The tree on the original roots . Will have nice lower trunk movement . And or a dead wood feature . And the second tree will have contributed . To the girth if the first up until you separate them .

Thank you very much.

I appreciate the input as well as the time and attention it took.

I will let the tree grow for the time being. I just repotted to change the inorganic soil.
I have no direction whatsoever so, until I have one, I won't touch it styling wise.

I'll guide my future ideas based on your advice. Develop both sides and keep one.

Thank you

dprm · May 10, 2023

I recently bought a second and larger Itoigawa. I already see a trunk line I like but, for the time being, it will also be left to grow and gain strength. I envisioned a larger trunk so it will take some time.

I'm considering a repot to a larger container (probably a colander), to change the organic soil and properly secure the root mass with wire. But I'm not sure yet.

Frozentreehugger · May 10, 2023

dprm said:
Thank you very much.

I appreciate the input as well as the time and attention it took.

I will let the tree grow for the time being. I just repotted to change the inorganic soil.
I have no direction whatsoever so, until I have one, I won't touch it styling wise.

I'll guide my future ideas based on your advice. Develop both sides and keep one.

Thank you

Your welcome but maybe I was not clear . You develop both sides of the split trunk . Then when you air layer one side . You have 2 partially developed tree . The original
And the air layer both can make nice bonsai

dprm · May 11, 2023

Frozentreehugger said:
Your welcome but maybe I was not clear . You develop both sides of the split trunk . Then when you air layer one side . You have 2 partially developed tree . The original
And the air layer both can make nice bonsai

Sorry,
I didn't get that from the previous post. I have no experience air layering juniper but I'll do as you say. Thank you!

Frozentreehugger · May 11, 2023

dprm said:
Sorry,
I didn't get that from the previous post. I have no experience air layering juniper but I'll do as you say. Thank you!

I’m in the same boat . I have air layered but not juniper . They are fairly easy so do a little research and you should be fine . Mine is a shimpaku. That will be air layered this summer . You might also consider . As your developing your tree . To air layer sacrificial branches . You can make more trees . And or what is common is air layer branches then graft them to better locations on your tree

dprm · May 12, 2023

Yes sir!!

Junipers are such great trees because of that. I have little experience with conifers but I decided to start with junipers because they're easy to propagate and I can get several little trees from the starting one. Shimpaku, nice! I like all J. chinensis a lot. Itoigawa, kishu..

Thanks a lot

dprm · Jun 28, 2023

Hello everyone,

The junipers seem to have adapted after the repot and show signs of growth.

I have wired some whips on the bigger one so I can air-layer them in the future.

The smaller one