My first time pruning any tree whatsoever

[Pjain5768]

so, recently, we went to Lowe’s and got a juniper. I thought it would be fun to try and prune it into a sort-of-bonsai. And now that I cut all the extra stuff in the way close to the base of the trunk, I have no clue what to do. Any advice?

Thanks!

 

[sorce]

And now that I cut all the extra stuff in the way close to the base of the trunk, I have no clue what to do. Any advice?

Glue it back on!


No that ain't that bad!

Looks multiples?
Maybe split em up next summer?

Plant looks good n healthy!

Sorce

 

[twisted trees]

You got to the fist point ok. You realized you don't know what to do and you asked. Bravo. Now pick a style that best suits the material. Are you familiar with simple bonsai styles?

 

[gallina1594]

Why'd you get rid of everything close to the trunk?! Hopefully It pushes back buds where you removed everything... I would have done the complete opposite, removed the long shoots and kept everything close to the trunk.. like you said though, "...realized I had no clue what I was doing..."

There are gorgeous transformations on this site where nuts have taken material like you have, and turned them into decent bonsai. Try finding a style you like, and "copy" it to an extent. There's a reason good bonsai are good bonsai, they follow certain rules and ratios

 

[AutumnWolf13]

First thing to do is go back to Lowes and get another Juniper...LOL!
JK...I did the same thing on my first, only I actually cut even more than you did! It was a four branch with a little poof at the end. I named it Fugly.
You don't need to remove everything close to the trunk, just open it up so you can see the trunk line from the "front" of your tree.

Honestly, as your first Bonsai, your probably not going to win any awards with it, so do what I did... pot it up in a suitable pot (in spring) and learn to keep it alive!
In the meantime, read - reAD - READ! Read about styling and wiring and pots and soil wars. Look at lots of pictures of great bonsai by great bonsai masters. Join a bonsai club, visit a bonsai nursery, maybe take one of their classes.

Better to learn on this $7 nursery Juniper than one you paid several hundred dollars for!
I managed to keep Fugly alive for 3 years, until August 2016, when I had to undergo two surgeries. Fugly just wasn't that important at that time, and died from neglect. Everything worked out OK with the operations, but I wish I still had Fugly around.

 

[Bonsaihead]

is that a procumbens? Just bought one myself yesterday! second nursery juniper in a month. Lol I I'm only about two months into the game but if I've learned anything from these guys on this site yet, your best bet is to just take care of it at this point and let it recover. Focus on keeping it alive, happy and let it grow but other then that leave it alone for now

 

[Timbo]

Junipers are tough, even i have a hard time killing them.

 

[Ironbeaver]

I think the yellow branches might be possible trunk lines (one or the other). Tip the pot towards the left to bring them upright at repotting time. Layer or cut the rest and jin the heck out of the stubs. Or not. Just my thoughts.

 

[It's Kev]

This is why i'm scared spitless of cutting anything before I meet with the elders of B-Nut.