Where to cut to push foliage back

[Berra]

I have kept this Itoigawa Juniper since 2018. It has since become more and more leggy, but has also back budded a bit.

I am unsure how I can promote the back budded growth, because I have not really learned how junipers manage energy.

If I cut at the line, will the shoot in the circle get boosted, or will it decline because the piece of foliage I would cut contributes to draw sap also to the "circle shoot"?

 

[Ruddigger]

You can cut back to that crotch growth, but not yet. Wait until it’s pushing a strong extending shoot.

But the real question is WHY is it only growing leggy foliage? Is it getting full sun? Is it being overwatered or over fertilized?

 

[Berra]

You can cut back to that crotch growth, but not yet. Wait until it’s pushing a strong extending shoot.

But the real question is WHY is it only growing leggy foliage? Is it getting full sun? Is it being overwatered or over fertilized?

Thanks!

Previous years we moved a lot and it had different environments to live in. This year I have cleared some space in the garden where we have full sun, and it moved there a month ago or so.

I am not very experienced with conifers. I water when the top soil seems dry. It grows in a mix of akadama and pumice, 50 50.

I use exclusively biogold, something like this:

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

With weaker foliage like on yours, I'd let it run for a year or two. That way that little branchlet can gain some momentum and wouldn't die off if you chase it back.
Fat chance that if you let it grow vigorously for a year or two, you wouldn't need to chase back the foliage, you would just have to cut off the stuff you don't like.

From my experience, junipers love producing new foliage on bare wood if they're growing well and the wood is getting sunlight.

 

[leatherback]

Yup, just allow this to get strong. When you get runners of 10-15 long on a branch you have a strong branch. At that point you will get backbuds, which can be aided by pruning. But in this stage pruning will just weaken it.

I am wondering.. Are you certain it is ittoigawa?

 

[Berra]

Thanks people

I asked in another thread some years ago and people said Itoigawa, I bought this in Japan and didnt think to ask exactly what it was. Looked like this the first years

 

[MrFancyPlants]

Cool tree! I think you are on the right track with it in full sun and the foliage should compact going forward. Maybe try a bit more water or misting? My juniper seem to love more water and misting, though we have a long hot summer here.

But, I agree with the consensus to let it gather some steam and not do any cutting for a while. Let it get messy and you’ll have more options when it comes time to style again.