Newbie Juniper #2 (Adventures in $10 Masterpieces)

KimchiMonger · 09-12-2010, 10:11 AM

This is the second $10 nursery stock juniper I've chronicled for direction and feedback. Experienced members have been so giving. Thanks to you who've put their two cents worth in - priceless.

The first Juniper progression is here:

http://www.bonsaichat.net/beginners/1107-newbie-juniper.html

This second one took me by surprise because what I thought I saw in the uncut specimen turned out completely different from what I have now!

The branches I wanted to style were cutting in front of the main branch and no amount of twisting or styling would of had them rest in a natural style! The entire 3 Gal. shrub came down to this.

Any input on current state? Should I lower that main branch and bring it closer to the trunk? I dunno....

treebeard55 · 09-12-2010, 09:26 PM

Not at all uncommon to have a piece of raw material catch you by surprise!

I couldn't tell you how many times that has happened to me.

Just one thought: you have a bunjin (a.k.a. literati) as it stands now. As a very general rule, bunjin tend to look better in upright styles, altho I have seen some very good bunjin cascades. Also, as you may know, a bunjin's trunk is the focus of the composition, so you want to work as much visual interest into it as possible by the time you're done.

I think J. procumbens nana will lend itself to bunjin, tho you may have to use raffia when you put movement into the trunk. Its foliage is certainly fine enough for the impression you want.

KimchiMonger · 09-16-2010, 10:59 AM

Well the latest styling has moved the Juniper along. I had to order some rafia & thicker wire to further wrap and bend the thickest trunk.

treebeard55 · 09-16-2010, 07:08 PM

Sorry, but in the latest picture the whole thing seems to form a closed polygon! I know that's not the actual form, of course. Could you maybe get a couple of shots from other angles?

Be careful not to work the tree too much. I don't know when you started wiring and shaping, but you should probably give it some time off to recover.

You said you ordered raffia. You might want to check a Wal-Mart next time you need raffia -- the craft section.

KimchiMonger · 09-19-2010, 08:27 PM

Sorry for the confusion on the picture angles. Not only is this my second only bonsai effort but my photo taking lacks experience too! Hehehe...

I've decided to put this specimen back on it's garden pedestal to live and grow as shown in this recent photo 9/19/10. It's had, what I'd consider, a good workout and needs time to adjust to it's new shape. In other forums, some called it flat out ugly while others said it had some potential but only over time. I like the latter opinion for sure. I'll let it be for the next six months at least.

So, so far, $10 Home Depot Juniper procumbins, a little raffia and wiring, tugging and pulling, one small break, screaming to Jesus "what have I done! Oh please let that break heal
- WHAT THE HELL HAVE I DONE!

... ", lots of good encouragement alongside naysayers saying it's a loss, and my dedicated persistence, we've come this far in our $10 Juniper Masterpiece Adventures. I'll follow up on this and the other one in a few months if it's not dead as suggested in another forum.

Thanks to those of you who've contributed your viewpoints! The entire mix of opinions is what learning is all about for us beginners ya know.

Andrax · 11-01-2010, 09:17 AM

AS a beginer dont worry so much about trying to style every tree in the tradinal sense, instead focus on devloping your skill's in wireing/pruning ect. and the firsthande knowlage you gain about the type of tree you gain is priceless! Over time you'll become better with the asthtic's of the art. and heck what are you out? 10 bucks for the tree a little wire n time? the returns greatly outway the investment imo, goodluck and keep up the great work!

09-12-2010, 09:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	Not at all uncommon to have a piece of raw material catch you by surprise! I couldn't tell you how many times that has happened to me. Just one thought: you have a bunjin (a.k.a. literati) as it stands now. As a very general rule, bunjin tend to look better in upright styles, altho I have seen some very good bunjin cascades. Also, as you may know, a bunjin's trunk is the focus of the composition, so you want to work as much visual interest into it as possible by the time you're done. I think J. procumbens nana will lend itself to bunjin, tho you may have to use raffia when you put movement into the trunk. Its foliage is certainly fine enough for the impression you want. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain. Last edited by treebeard55; 09-12-2010 at 09:28 PM.. Reason: add info

09-16-2010, 07:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	Sorry, but in the latest picture the whole thing seems to form a closed polygon! I know that's not the actual form, of course. Could you maybe get a couple of shots from other angles? Be careful not to work the tree too much. I don't know when you started wiring and shaping, but you should probably give it some time off to recover. You said you ordered raffia. You might want to check a Wal-Mart next time you need raffia -- the craft section. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

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11-01-2010, 09:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Andrax Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Dequincy, La. USDA zone 8-9 Posts: 9	AS a beginer dont worry so much about trying to style every tree in the tradinal sense, instead focus on devloping your skill's in wireing/pruning ect. and the firsthande knowlage you gain about the type of tree you gain is priceless! Over time you'll become better with the asthtic's of the art. and heck what are you out? 10 bucks for the tree a little wire n time? the returns greatly outway the investment imo, goodluck and keep up the great work!

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