Would you have bought these juniper?

Eric Group

Masterpiece
Messages
4,554
Reaction score
4,854
Location
Columbia, SC
Hello everybody,

I just bought a house and finally settled back into being able to spend time with plants again, thank God. I found these in the way back at a local nursery, quite neglected. It appears that the ends were on the ground and some died off...if I cut the ends do I just cut up past the dead area and let it branch out from there?

Other than that they look pretty good I think? Couple biggies and two cascades? What would you have done?

Cheers,
Chris

View attachment 435689View attachment 435688View attachment 435687View attachment 435686
Those are monsters! What do the trunks look like under there?
 
Messages
191
Reaction score
131
Location
Maryland
USDA Zone
7a
So I'm an honest man...I only glanced...the dude who talked about blight possibility freaked me out, which is okay. I got into bonsai a few months ago but had to pack an entire massive houseplant and cactus collection, several large reptiles and move from San Diego to Maryland with my family for work. The plan with these was initially to just have them in my evergreen/deciduous garden at my new house.

Literally without realizing it at the nurseryvive been frequenting for an array of evergreen specimens I stumbled upon a group of larger Nana in the back and it happened immediately. The desire to create, ponder and learn returned and these were the ones I chose. That said, I spent a good deal of time choosing the ones with the least lower branch damage and best form and thought nothing of the trunks.

I'll get in there tomorrow and see what I'm working with. Just worried that blight might move to my other evergreens..

Chris
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,339
Reaction score
11,413
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
I'll get in there tomorrow and see what I'm working with. Just worried that blight might move to my other evergreens..

Cut back the dead brown branches while you're at it.

If you can give us some close up of the foliage mass to we can see what that look like a bit better.
 
Messages
191
Reaction score
131
Location
Maryland
USDA Zone
7a
Maybe not the best photos, so much there hard to see the trunks through it all. They are both pretty good size, with one having a bit more uniqueness. I think I'll check out the roots and see how far they go down/nebari, etc., and hopefully there is some cool stuff lurking below. After that, maybe just let it grow out for a while before any shaping. There are a couple visible gaps in the canopy that im interested to learn how to fill, perhaps wiring? 20220513_084544.jpg20220513_084713.jpg20220513_084727.jpg20220513_084855.jpg20220513_084930.jpg20220513_085107.jpg20220513_085115.jpg20220513_085124.jpg20220513_085302.jpg20220513_085307.jpgThoughts? I'm all ears!
 

LuZiKui

Shohin
Messages
380
Reaction score
845
Location
Orange County, southern CA
USDA Zone
10a
Those are some healthy looking Junipers! Once you get them cleaned up and get a good look at the trunks you should have a ton of options for where to go.
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,339
Reaction score
11,413
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
yea I see a lot of new growing tips. Might be slightly off color in some places but they otherwise look healthy.
Id give them some fertilizer that has iron in it in case the slightly yellowish color is iron deficiency.
 
Messages
191
Reaction score
131
Location
Maryland
USDA Zone
7a
yea I see a lot of new growing tips. Might be slightly off color in some places but they otherwise look healthy.
Id give them some fertilizer that has iron in it in case the slightly yellowish color is iron deficiency.
That is a great idea. Perhaps chelated would do the trick?
 

Paradox

Imperial Masterpiece
Messages
9,339
Reaction score
11,413
Location
Long Island, NY
USDA Zone
7a
That is a great idea. Perhaps chelated would do the trick?

chelated is perfect, easy to mix up, apply and imo the best way to deliver some extra iron to my trees.
I used it when I had some yellowing happening to a Japanese white pine I have.
Took a few months to see results but it worked great
 
Messages
191
Reaction score
131
Location
Maryland
USDA Zone
7a
The soil seemed pretty dry when I popped them out of the pot. They don't seem insanely root bound, but I just don't know if a repot would help them, and not a bare root. How would you approach? Seems like a soil test is in place before adding iron?
 

Mike Corazzi

Masterpiece
Messages
2,678
Reaction score
3,225
Location
Lincoln, CA
USDA Zone
9b
I'd stake them up. I think you'll be pleased with how quickly they can take on an interesting shape. Cascades should be a last resort ...or at least not automatic. I have a few JProNanas in development, so I'd probably have passed on these.

This one was staked about 20 years ago when I first got it.

procumbens 5-13-22.jpg

It was a big amorphous mound at the time.
 

Drewski

Mame
Messages
140
Reaction score
187
Location
Vancouver, BC
USDA Zone
8b
Here’s a procumbens I bought last June. It wasn’t as bushy as yours, but had a lot of foliage. I gave it a good cleaning, and then let it grow the rest of the year. Got it into a bonsai pot a couple of weeks ago, and will let it recover. Then, after I see how it recovers, I’ll give it it’s first styling in fall or spring.

Once you’ve cleaned it up, you have an easier time seeing all the options you have.
 

Attachments

  • 0DF16852-DF15-43B6-9518-E3A9433058BE.jpeg
    0DF16852-DF15-43B6-9518-E3A9433058BE.jpeg
    239.7 KB · Views: 14
  • 423F9218-5F55-4B2D-A8EE-04AC74628F9A.jpeg
    423F9218-5F55-4B2D-A8EE-04AC74628F9A.jpeg
    184.1 KB · Views: 13
Messages
191
Reaction score
131
Location
Maryland
USDA Zone
7a
Here’s a procumbens I bought last June. It wasn’t as bushy as yours, but had a lot of foliage. I gave it a good cleaning, and then let it grow the rest of the year. Got it into a bonsai pot a couple of weeks ago, and will let it recover. Then, after I see how it recovers, I’ll give it it’s first styling in fall or spring.

Once you’ve cleaned it up, you have an easier time seeing all the options you have.
Yes that's a great start!
 
Messages
191
Reaction score
131
Location
Maryland
USDA Zone
7a
As I begin cleaning these first tree something feels off...it seems very leggy and a bit too lime colored from what I've seen in videos and just being an all-around plant guy. None of the growth seems right? 20220514_135222.jpgI did find these black spots and I'm wondering if this is the fungus, and, if it is, do I just scrap these plants, or are they worth trying to save? Please share your expertise, because I'm way too green to be sure on this one.

Chris

20220514_135722.jpg
Leggy?

20220514_135946.jpg
 
Top Bottom