BeebsBonsai
Shohin
Hello all,
I have a Shimpaku Juniper (Pics above) that I acquired from a local Bonsai nursery in January. I repotted it in late winter and it has responded with very vigorous growth (The leaders you see extending have grown 2 inches since March). I have a few questions with this tree that I was hoping I could get some input on. Please see them below:
1.) I know now is the opportune time to clean the bark off of the live veins of the tree, but am wondering if the tree is still to young to even worry about doing so. I estimate the tree to be 4-6 years old based on the thickness of the trunk and the mass of the foliage. I would hazard it is closer to 4 years than 6. Should I worry about live vein cleaning yet?
2.) I am a subscriber to Bonsai Mirai and watch just about everything I can on Junipers and cannot find an answer to this question. When I decide those leaders have reached the height I want them to be for the design of the tree, how do I prune them to begin the process of ramification of the apex or apices? I would say that for the final design, I don't want those leaders growing more than another 4 or so inches.
Any input would be great, and I am hoping to style this in a twin-trunk style. With two of those leaders becoming a two step apex. When I can, I will draw my vision for this tree and post it.
Thanks,
Beebs
I have a Shimpaku Juniper (Pics above) that I acquired from a local Bonsai nursery in January. I repotted it in late winter and it has responded with very vigorous growth (The leaders you see extending have grown 2 inches since March). I have a few questions with this tree that I was hoping I could get some input on. Please see them below:
1.) I know now is the opportune time to clean the bark off of the live veins of the tree, but am wondering if the tree is still to young to even worry about doing so. I estimate the tree to be 4-6 years old based on the thickness of the trunk and the mass of the foliage. I would hazard it is closer to 4 years than 6. Should I worry about live vein cleaning yet?
2.) I am a subscriber to Bonsai Mirai and watch just about everything I can on Junipers and cannot find an answer to this question. When I decide those leaders have reached the height I want them to be for the design of the tree, how do I prune them to begin the process of ramification of the apex or apices? I would say that for the final design, I don't want those leaders growing more than another 4 or so inches.
Any input would be great, and I am hoping to style this in a twin-trunk style. With two of those leaders becoming a two step apex. When I can, I will draw my vision for this tree and post it.
Thanks,
Beebs