first juniper ever - how to wire and cut

[TreeJey]

Hello together,
I was just about to start designing my first juniper tree, but I was already puzzled by the second branch I wanted to wire.

I'm not sure exactly how to prune the tree.
As an example, here are a few photos of the lowest right branch.
In my previous attempts at a rhododendron, I tried to stick to the principle of always letting only 2 crossings go through.
Should I do the same with the juniper?

By the way, I would also be very curious to hear what you would do with such a tree

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

The trunk is very straight from what I can see.
So all things considered, I would start wiring branches and not do any pruning now.
Once you've wired most branches, you can probably decide which branches you're going to keep, because there are two outcomes possible: 1) you designed the tree, or 2) you have an idea of what design you want to do in the future, now that you know which branches can help you.

 

[Japonicus]

Yes the trunk needs to be bent + planting angle considered.
Annealed copper wire at size #8 should suffice.
Wiring now is a good idea, starting with largest wire and ending with smallest.

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^ here are 5 good videos to watch before learning/practicing wiring.
Spring when it begins growing, replace media and tease the roots out.
Cut no foliage before it has recovered from working on the roots
save for foliage that use more energy than they provide, which I mean,
to clean up downwards growing underneath foliage.
Keep interior foliage that may be building blocks for the future of the tree.
Cutting interior foliage is only for bad foliage that won't be used.
Best to remove from the outside, in, so the branches aren't bare and spindly
out to exterior growth. Preserve interior growth, wire so sunlight gets to as much
foliage as possible.

The foliage left, especially the growing tips (whips/shoots) will help to ensure recovery from repotting.
Once recovered and growing strong the following year or whenever new whips are evident
then, you should consider chasing the growth back adjusting the length of the branches
encouraging more interior growth and back buds. Fertilizing and full Sun will help that, after root work,
when recovery has begun. Keep the soil from drying out completely, or staying too wet too long.
Where are you keeping the juniper for the Winter? Outdoors is a must for all times.
Direct sunlights is not a must for Winter, and it can cause more temperature swings.

 

[czaczaja]

Do some cleanup, wire, then do cleanup again of what you want to keep. One thing I've learned with junipers is - 'If its brown, wire it down'. It costed me alot of younger branches I wired too early..

 

[Japonicus]

The OP is not responding to their thread

 

[TreeJey]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I will try to create a good tree

 

[czaczaja]

OP is alive and hasn't thrown the tree out

 

[TreeJey]

Oh okay now I understand the meaning of OP my problem is that I’m a little bite scared of doing something wrong. I was thinking about do nothing with the tree until next year when I can visit a workshop or someone near me can give me some advice. I checkt out the bonsai wiering essentials but I can’t open the videos

 

[czaczaja]

These are REALLY cool videos:
Mirai Beginner
Mirai Detail

 

[TreeJey]

Okay I’v watched the first video and it was really helpful. I’ll begin to watch the second one. Thanks for the tip

 

[czaczaja]

Okay I’v watched the first video and it was really helpful. I’ll begin to watch the second one. Thanks for the tip

I love their channel. Its really informative.

 

[TreeJey]

Okay I can’t stop my self an try to manipulate the tree I don’t now if I like it or not but for now the tree can rest a year or two and than I will see. But please share your feedback. What do you think?

 

[TreeJey]

Oh and I give it a trie to root the cuttings. Maybe it’s actually too cold outside but I have nothing to lose. I do not have vermiculite as Jelle sad in his Videos but I mixed my soil with a little bit coconut soil.

 

[czaczaja]

They'll be fine outside. I just put mine out for the winter and will check in on them in spring.

 

[August44]

Do some cleanup, wire, then do cleanup again of what you want to keep. One thing I've learned with junipers is - 'If its brown, wire it down'. It costed me alot of younger branches I wired too early..

 

[August44]

What did you mean by this CZACZ..."If its brown, wire it down...."

 

[czaczaja]

What did you mean by this CZACZ..."If its brown, wire it down...."

If the branch has lignified and turned brown its ok to wire it. If it hasn't turned brown its not ready yet.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Mönchengladbach HUH?! Where on Earth?

 

[TreeJey]

Mönchengladbach HUH?! Where on Earth?

West of Germany at the boarder to the Netherlands