Robusta juniper bonsai

[pskt1234]

I'm new here so please forgive me if I'm in the wrong place. I have a newly acquired robusta pre bonsai. The tree is about 8 years old and has long upright branches that I would like to wire horizontally in the fall. The branches are sparse along their length except for bushy tips. Will the branches back bud if I prune back just the main growth tip in each long branch. Thanks for any responses.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Backbudding in junipers is usually a game of chance. Sunlight on the wood, strong growth and light pruning can work, but the plant might bud just below your pruning site instead of close to the trunk. That shouldn't stop you from trying though.
Some pictures might help!

 

[pskt1234]

Thanks for your reply. Here's a pic.

 

[Coach_]

Thanks for your reply. Here's a pic.

Unless you are going for an upright tree I would try and get some trunk movement going before I worry about branching/backbudding.

But back budding is influenced by timing as well. Pruning in dormancy will produce more back buds than pruning during a growing season which will usually just push growth back onto the current growth (which isnt a bad thing), someone correct me if im wrong!

 

[pskt1234]

Thanks for help. I've read that trunk wiring should wait until dormancy so as to avoid bark damage?

 

[Coach_]

The bark damage can come from the bark slipping, and the bark is the most wet during the growing season. The rule of thumb ive learned is that fall is a great time for styling, because the bark is not as active.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Thanks for help. I've read that trunk wiring should wait until dormancy so as to avoid bark damage?

Yes, wait until fall or winter.
Keep in mind that most professionals advise to remove weak foliage.. but back buds start out as weak foliage. So when you want to work from the outside inwards and make your plant smaller, keep that weak foliage! They will become the new branches you will end up using. That weak foliage will become strong at some point.
It is the duality of bonsai instructions unfortunately.

 

[pskt1234]

Thanks for helping, I'll give you an update on the back budding situation, if it actually happens.