Shohin shimpaku from New England Bonsai Gardens

[KennedyMarx]

Just got this cool little shimpaku. It was in very dense sandy soil so I repotted it. I haven't done any wiring or cutting at all. When I wired it into the pot I turned it slightly from the front I wanted to use. Slightly turning it would show more of the shari along the trunk. I didn't plan on changing all of the soil out but it just kind of clumped apart. The pot was the only unglazed pot I had that was appropriate for the rootball.

 

[october]

A tree from my stomping gorunds. I like the new angle. Did you check for scale and mites? It looks a bit weak in some areas. If it doesn't have any signs of pests, maybe hold off. The only reason I am saying to hold off is becasue they might have sprayed it right before they shipped it to you. However, if they didn't, I would spray it.

Rob

 

[KennedyMarx]

I wondered if you had seen this one, Rob. It popped up on the website and I had to have it. It's hard to see from the picture, but the trunk has an awesome shari twisting up it.

I gave it a once over when I pulled it out of the box and didn't see any pests on it. The lower areas seem a little weaker than the top. The top is so dense that my first inclination was to thin it out so I could wire it, but I'm wary of messing with it too much after I repotted.

 

[october]

I think I saw this one many times. I think all that has been done so far is good. Maybe let it rest now. Also, it is a common problem with junieprs having unhealthy or weaker bottom branches. Usually when they get sick, the bottom branch is the first one to go.

Rob

 

[Eric Group]

I think I saw this one many times. I think all that has been done so far is good. Maybe let it rest now. Also, it is a common problem with junieprs having unhealthy or weaker bottom branches. Usually when they get sick, the bottom branch is the first one to go.

Rob

True, because the bottom branches don't usually get enough light when shaded by the top branches, which I hope is all that is wrong with this little guy. In my experience, if the tree is healthy and you can get those lower weaker branches a little more light, they will pop with a bunch of bright green new buds for you! You can get them more light by wiring to a new position, changing the planting angle or thining the top... Sometimes that is all it takes!

 

[october]

True, because the bottom branches don't usually get enough light when shaded by the top branches, which I hope is all that is wrong with this little guy. In my experience, if the tree is healthy and you can get those lower weaker branches a little more light, they will pop with a bunch of bright green new buds for you! You can get them more light by wiring to a new position, changing the planting angle or thining the top... Sometimes that is all it takes!

Eric brings up a good point about wiring. When creating the main structure for the tree. It is a good idea for both health and aesthetic reasons to not have all the side branches and pads over each other. Main branches should be positioned with some coming slightly towards the viewer and some straight out. Some, might need to even be going back a bit depending on the design. This not only creates a more natural looking tree, but allows light to penetrate downwards onto the pad. If every pad is stacked exactly one over the other, there will be some foliage loss on the pads below.

Rob

 

[KennedyMarx]

I've thought about that and I'm glad you brought it up. With such a small tree I know that I'm going to have to be smart about picking branches. The top is extremely dense. I've noticed one of the lower branches browning on part of the innermost foliage while part of the same branch has new growth extending outward. I sprayed it with fungicide just in case it wasn't just from being shaded out. How long after this repot should I wait before thinning the top? I would love to just leave it until next year, but I don't want to lose the lower branch. What about late summer or fall?

 

[october]

I would leave it alone for another month, then do a little thinning in the canopy. However, it is a small and relatively young tree. You might want to let it grow for another year or 2. Some very light pruning in the canopy, but thats probably it.

Rob