Let me know how I've done so far

[Ryan1]

So I'm new obviously to bonsai and the forums although I had a bonsai when I was younger I just always thought they were beautiful. Long story short I got into it because of a gift my girlfriend got me some little kit to grow your own from seed.

I bought a nana juniper and a Chinese elm off of eBay for a reasonable price and started working with the juniper I'm finished with it for now. It was originally going be shaped into a cascade but I didn't like that idea so here's some before and after and how it will sit now. (I know it's potting is in an off position but I didn't want to hurt the tree re-potting again after shaping and styling it.)

If you guys think I could re-position it let me know please.

So here's before and after right now, still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the elm, it has nice showing roots id like to expose more of in a different pot. Thanks lemme know how I did my first time shaping and styling it into the informal upright.

 

[sorce]

So far!?

You may have hit the finish line already!

Seriously, my experience with nana is all toothpicks and kindling. (not e-book reading)

Sorce

 

[Ryan1]

So far!?

You may have hit the finish line already!

Seriously, my experience with nana is all toothpicks and kindling. (not e-book reading)

Sorce

Thank you for the kind words.
What sort of problems did you run into with them?

 

[sorce]

I think I may have been underwatering them. I got a different kind now. Forget which. I don't know if it's the type of juniper, or the rain, but it's the first one, besides my local j. Virg, that I've seen grow.

Me and Junipers like water and oil.

All that oil and I got a s load of baconized junipers! Mmmmm!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[Ryan1]

I think I may have been underwatering them. I got a different kind now. Forget which. I don't know if it's the type of juniper, or the rain, but it's the first one, besides my local j. Virg, that I've seen grow.

Me and Junipers like water and oil.

All that oil and I got a s load of baconized junipers! Mmmmm!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

Plenty of other trees to use!

 

[Eric Group]

Well, you certainly got after that juniper! Not too bad honestly.. I think a lot of times people kind of cringe when we read these "how does my first juniper styling look" threads, but you didn't do that bad!

I recommend trying to get more dramatic curves and make sure it is moving from all angles- front back and side to side... Let it grow for a while after this to make sure it is healthy. I probably would have shortened it further if it was me. I

The Elm? Looks like a good candidate for an air layer to get two trees form one and improve the movement of both! That is what I would do. You got a very cookie cutter mass produced Chinese Elm... Not a bad thing, but not the best trunks to work on... There just isn't much you can do with a trunk like that.

 

[Ryan1]

Well, you certainly got after that juniper! Not too bad honestly.. I think a lot of times people kind of cringe when we read these "how does my first juniper styling look" threads, but you didn't do that bad!

I recommend trying to get more dramatic curves and make sure it is moving from all angles- front back and side to side... Let it grow for a while after this to make sure it is healthy. I probably would have shortened it further if it was me. I

The Elm? Looks like a good candidate for an air layer to get two trees form one and improve the movement of both! That is what I would do. You got a very cookie cutter mass produced Chinese Elm... Not a bad thing, but not the best trunks to work on... There just isn't much you can do with a trunk like that.

I'm sure you guys do get annoyed with newbies so I apologize And understand where you're coming from.

Im just going to let the juniper grow for a while as you said at least a year maybe more.

Well the elm. Hmm. I may try and air layer it. It was an impulse buy.
It would make a nice gift for someone anyhow lol.
Thanks for the kind words. I'm just gonna let my juniper grow. She's young.

 

[Eric Group]

I'm sure you guys do get annoyed with newbies so I apologize And understand where you're coming from.

Im just going to let the juniper grow for a while as you said at least a year maybe more.

Well the elm. Hmm. I may try and air layer it. It was an impulse buy.
It would make a nice gift for someone anyhow lol.
Thanks for the kind words. I'm just gonna let my juniper grow. She's young.

I wasn't trying to be rude, don't apologize! I was saying yours looks better than many of these posts people put on here.

 

[M. Frary]

Instead of giving the elm away or even layering it just chop it. No elm is ever beyond hope. If you don't like the way it is cut it down and start it over.

 

[Ryan1]

Instead of giving the elm away or even layering it just chop it. No elm is ever beyond hope. If you don't like the way it is cut it down and start it over.

I shall do something with it. Now I just want more trees. Trying to figure out what kind I want.

 

[M. Frary]

I would stick to the easy ones. Pines, not easy. Japanese maples,easy. Hinoki cypress ,not easy. Larch ,easy.
Heck, get different elms. There are a lot of different ones. Or look for a Shimpaku juniper. Or trident maple.

 

[thumblessprimate1]

I'm only kidding. Pretty new myself. Welcome!