Long time visitor, first time poster.

[Tacoma2012]

Hello everyone,
I have been in the landscape maintenance industry for many years. There have been many occasions that I have came to this site and used it as a resource, but never joined. So allow me to say thank you to everyone that helped me over the years, you are all a wealth of knowledge.

i have always admired the art and practice of bonsai. Being fortunate enough to be working from home in this time, I have much more time to pursue things I never was able to before, this is the beginning of one of those things.
Today, I purchased an azalea, and two junipers. Chopped them all to bits and was left with what you can see below. I have no clue what I am going to do from this point on, but that’s how I typically learn best, just dive in.
I have no eye for the styling, and most likely should have made a decision before going crazy, I know. The azalea just needs to recover for a bit but the junipers definitely could use some styling, I just don’t know how to pick a leader branch for each. Any help along my journey would be graciously welcomed!!

I hope to continue sharing the progression of these plants (if I am able to refrain from loving them to death and overwatering).

 

[HorseloverFat]

Greetings, Fellow Caretaker of the Tiny Forest! ‘Mon an’ warm your roots by the fire!

I really like your collection so far. you have at least more than one direction in which to spread your love!

Pleasure to make your acquaintance.

p.s. you know of @Pitoon ‘s Five-year Azalea contest, yes?

 

[Carol 83]

Welcome. I know nothing about junipers and sort of suck at azaleas, but you're in good hands here, Someone will chime in to advise.

 

[sorce]

I don't think you've gone too far on any of em.

Welcome to Crazy!

suck at azaleas,

Do you get them out of the regular nursery soil straight away?

I haven't kept one alive through a winter in a nursery pot. Can't try again. Almost. But can't.

Sorce

 

[Carol 83]

I don't think you've gone too far on any of em.

Welcome to Crazy!



Do you get them out of the regular nursery soil straight away?

I haven't kept one alive through a winter in a nursery pot. Can't try again. Almost. But can't.

Sorce

I had 2 from Brussel's, so you would think the soil would be good. But it turned into concrete. Even poking holes all over in the soil as Grimmy told me, didn't allow for the roots to get properly watered. The cheap one I did last year did fine for awhile, then just wilted and died. My latest $4.98 victim, I sawed off half the rootball. There were actually 4 separate plants. I sawed them apart, cut a few wedges in the rootballs and potted them in kanuma. So far, so good, but it's only been a week or so.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Welcome!
As @sorce stated, I don’t think you’ve gone too far as well.
still pretty green at this myself, but the bit of advice I would give would be as follows:
-on juniper, (nana?) I would continue to imagine the trunk line as you said your struggling with. Remember that your branching needs to be proportionate to your base. So, IMO I think that real thick low branch may need to go. From there you can start piecing the styling puzzle together.

I feel the azalea reduction is good for now.
Excited for you!

 

[sorce]

That bit of a red thing is exactly what I was seeing as a future tree.

Just go slow, no need to take it there too fast.

Nice.

Sorce

 

[Eckhoffw]

That bit of a red thing is exactly what I was seeing as a future tree.

Just go slow, no need to take it there too fast.

Nice.

Sorce

Definitely! Or end up like my plants..... designed by die back.

 

[sorce]

Definitely! Or end up like my plants..... designed by die back.

Some folks call that as Naturalistic as it gets!

Sorce

 

[Tacoma2012]

I don't think you've gone too far on any of em.

Welcome to Crazy!


Do you get them out of the regular nursery soil straight away?

I haven't kept one alive through a winter in a nursery pot. Can't try again. Almost. But can't.

Sorce

Only hard pruned it down, will repot once my delivery of goodies arrives. Too late for a small root prune?

 

[Tacoma2012]

Welcome!
As @sorce stated, I don’t think you’ve gone too far as well.
still pretty green at this myself, but the bit of advice I would give would be as follows:
-on juniper, (nana?) I would continue to imagine the trunk line as you said your struggling with. Remember that your branching needs to be proportionate to your base. So, IMO I think that real thick low branch may need to go. From there you can start piecing the styling puzzle together.
View attachment 307573
I feel the azalea reduction is good for now.
Excited for you!

I think you are spot on with that shape. I’ll be sure to update once I do the damage.

 

[sorce]

Too late

Too early, but too late too!

Too early because my preferred time is after the Summer Solstice.

Too late because there is not enough folaige to replace the roots lost at repot.

Without any more pruning, repotting next summer may be safe.

Doing it this year MAY work, but it is dangerous, and not worth the benefits.

Sorce

 

[Tacoma2012]

So, my addictive personality doesn’t seem to be serving me what we’ll... (or is it?!)

3 more trees.
Leaving one to prune for tomorrow, (so I don’t buy another). But I seem to just find the way the tree itself wants to be styled instead of pruning with a goal in mind... like many of you, not doing it for show, but for the peace and relaxation after the workday.

If I need an intervention, please let me know.

Comments on the way the JPN was pruned? Style goal? I feel like a wild banshee that needs containment.

How does the holly look? I feel like I can identify potential in a tree, but hate fighting against its natural tendencies.