Prostrata juniper

Si Nguyen

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Hi all,
I finally have some new bonsai work to contribute here. This is a prostrata juniper that I bought from a nice vendor at the last California convention in Riverside. Here is the original front of the tree according to the previous owner. This tree was worked on many years ago with Ben Oki, but over the years, it was left neglected and overgrown. It's shari is now almost all eaten through by termites. There were some fat termites on this tree that I had to take care of first. This picture is from November 21, 2009. The tree is about 26 inches tall.
 

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Si Nguyen

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Here's the original back side of it.
 

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Si Nguyen

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I am having trouble uploading the "after" pictures right now, so it will be awhile before you see more pics. Please feel free to offer any virts and sketches or comments. I did tweaked it a little already though.
 
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bonsai barry

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Looking forward to seeing the "after" photo. I already like it. I'm not sure what changes I would make besides thinning the pads and maybe a shallower pot.
 

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Here's an idea, might be generic, i dunno?

Dave
 

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Rick Moquin

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Si,

I like what is there and it has allot of potential. Could you take pictures against a black background or a background that doesn't have any shadows? It would assist greatly with virts.
 

Si Nguyen

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Thanks for your comments Barry. It needs a lot of cutting back. The outline of the tree is too wide for the trunk size.
Dave, that virt is pretty close to what I had in mind!
Rick, sorry I couldn't have a better background. I don't have a good photography setup. I usually don't plan these things out in advance.

Here's a thumbnail sketch of what I had in mind for it. Me and Bonhe had a great time using this tree as a styling exercise a few weeks ago. It has to be a bunjin.
 

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bonhe

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Hi Si, I can't wait to see your final work on this great specimen.
I think you shouldn't take a picture with direct sunlight. It's too harsh and contrast. I like to use indirect light with dull color background. Any way, thanks a lot for taking time to teach me how to sketch. Yout talent in sketching is absolutely superior. Bonhe
 

Si Nguyen

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Thanks Bonhe. You know me, I usually hate to take pictures. This morning, I just grabbed my kid's fleece blanket and hold it up as a back drop. The shadows are ugly but they give a hint to the 3-Dimensional curves of the tree.
I worked on this tree 2 weeks ago. I chopped off several big branches and jin them, and cleaned up the shari quite a bit. I applied lime sulfur last week and again last night, that's why most of the shari still looks so yellow. When it goes in a proper pot this Spring, I will take better pictures.

Here's the new front of the tree:
 

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Si Nguyen

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Here is another option for the new front view of the tree. It used to be the back.
Enjoy!
 

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Si Nguyen

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Here are the rest of the pics from various sides.
Any critiques, comments, virts, etc... are appreciated.
Enjoy!
 

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bonhe

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Hello Si, good work. I like this front. I tried to virt it. I want to see jins connected together with shari. With the going down branch I want to see more movement, kind of repeatting the upward trunk movement. What do you think? Bonhe
 

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Nice work Si. You did make the tree I was seeing. Great movement in that trunk! Bunjin or Bust!!!

Dave
 

Rick Moquin

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Not quite what I had in mind but good work. FWIW I was thinking bunjin as well. Now you need a new pot to really finish the transformation.
 

Si Nguyen

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Hi Catfish, that view is pretty good too, as far as the trunk line is concerned, but the top foliage pad is facing the wrong way for it. I saved several small back branches on top just in case I need to change the front again.

Hi Bonhe, yes I need to finish the deadwood work. The shari is actually continous all the way to the top apex; and the trunk is almost completely hollow all the way to the top too. There are 2 lifelines, but they are rather flat still. I see that you virtually bended that cascading branch. I can't do that in real life though. It is very hard and brittle and mostly hollow too. I am thinking about shortening that cascading branch some more though, for a more compact look. What do you think? My pictures are aweful! I will try for some better pics soon. I am on vacation this week.

Thanks for the comments Dave and Rick. I am going Christmas shopping for a pot right now. Yippee!

Si
 
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bonhe

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Hi Bonhe, yes I need to finish the deadwood work. The shari is actually continous all the way to the top apex; and the trunk is almost completely hollow all the way to the top too. There are 2 lifelines, but they are rather flat still. I see that you virtually bended that cascading branch. I can't do that in real life though. It is very hard and brittle and mostly hollow too. I am thinking about shortening that cascading branch some more though, for a more compact look. What do you think? My pictures are aweful! I will try for some better pics soon. I am on vacation this week.

Thanks for the comments Dave and Rick. I am going Christmas shopping for a pot right now. Yippee!

Si
Hi Si, if you want to bend that branch, you may use V shape cutting technique. I have been using this technique quite a bit on my JBP and it worked well. Have a nice vacation Si. Bonhe
 

Si Nguyen

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Hi Dennis, thanks for bumping this thread up. I'll post some updates soon. I need to redo some wiring and some pruning first. It is very overgrown now.
Si
 

Si Nguyen

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Here's a picture of this tree today. 2-3 years ago I changed the front and put it in to a proper bunjin style pot. It is overgrown and very bushy now. Time for another trimming.
 

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