Would love some advice...

[WSting]

Hello all! So... I'm new to bonsai and admit that I have very little knowledge of horticulture. What I do enjoy and have experience in is small miniatures, minute painting, and war gaming. Notwithstanding that third thing, my kind wife though since I like small things then I would definitely love small trees. Ergo, I am now the proud owner of a new bonsai juniper (I'm assuming a Chinese juniper bit would love confirmation).

I've spent some time pruning, some time wiring, and some time trimming... Clearly without any skill in what I'm doing. I would love love love some suggestions.

Here are some pics for perspective.

 

[WSting]

In particular, I need to know if I should be worried about what I perceive to be reverse taper at the bottom of the trunk. Thoughts?

 

[JudyB]

If you are new to the hobby, you'll want to worry more about learning the horticultural aspects of keeping trees in pots alive. There is a lot to it! If you are keeping the tree inside, you'll want to find a place outside for it. Very few trees can live inside, regardless of what the "instructions" say. Please put your location in your profile, so people here can help you better.

BTW, I don't really see much reverse taper on this, as it grows, it may outgrow the slight bit that is there. The mounded planting for me is more problematic. This isn't the right time to replant it however, wait till the correct time for your area wherever that may be.

 

[Cypress187]

Outside is the place for this badboy, welcome to the forum. Post ur location in ur profile so everyone knows ur climate zone.

 

[WSting]

I'm in Lehi Utah USA

 

[sorce]

Welcome to Crazy!

For a beginner...
That is a Damn good wiring job!

Something tells me you're about to take this seriously.

The most important thing is to get your brain changed from "civilian consumer" of bonsai, to an "artist of the real thing".

Here is some information to devour.
Watch everything you can find here.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wal...steHNAhUG9R4KHQN2Cq8Q_AUICSgD&biw=360&bih=519

There is a lot of well organized Information here.
http://www.bonsai4me.com/

Run thru many professional, well experienced Blogs starting here.
https://bonsaial.wordpress.com/

And begin watching the whole series of these.

Lot of aha moments.

Sorce

 

[ConorDash]

Welcome to Crazy!

For a beginner...
That is a Damn good wiring job!

Something tells me you're about to take this seriously.

The most important thing is to get your brain changed from "civilian consumer" of bonsai, to an "artist of the real thing".

Here is some information to devour.
Watch everything you can find here.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wal...steHNAhUG9R4KHQN2Cq8Q_AUICSgD&biw=360&bih=519

There is a lot of well organized Information here.
http://www.bonsai4me.com/

Run thru many professional, well experienced Blogs starting here.
https://bonsaial.wordpress.com/

And begin watching the whole series of these.

Lot of aha moments.

Sorce

Shame a lot of Walter pall stuff is in German..

 

[Moonster]

Welcome to Crazy!

For a beginner...
That is a Damn good wiring job!

Something tells me you're about to take this seriously.

The most important thing is to get your brain changed from "civilian consumer" of bonsai, to an "artist of the real thing".

Here is some information to devour.
Watch everything you can find here.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wal...steHNAhUG9R4KHQN2Cq8Q_AUICSgD&biw=360&bih=519

There is a lot of well organized Information here.
http://www.bonsai4me.com/

Run thru many professional, well experienced Blogs starting here.
https://bonsaial.wordpress.com/

And begin watching the whole series of these.

Lot of aha moments.

Sorce

the walter pall videos led me to this one

which I think is awesome. Great to hear him say to break the rules and give his reasoning behind it.

 

[WSting]

@Mooster, that video certainly takes me through the looking glass. I think I have a while yet to go before I attempt "fairy tale style" as depicted in the video.

 

[WSting]

Can anyone confirm that my little tree is a Juniperus Chinensis? I'm trying to be rather specific in the material that I'm reading/watching so that I understand first the horticulture of my little plant... I will then watch/read broader material once I'm sure I'm not killing this little guy.

 

[WSting]

I have a follow-on question... I had *hoped* that this little tree could be kept inside (if I supplied the right environment). It will have window access for indirect bright sunlight, along with augmented sunlight from the attached lamp. do you feel that won't be sufficient and that I really should find a spot outside? Unfortunately, I don't have a great patio option... so if having the little guy outside is the only option, I'll need to come up with a plan. It's currently 95-105 F degrees where I live during the day; I know junipers are hearty, but should I still consider the plant delicate given the recent pruning/wiring? Let me know what you think. Thanks again for all the GREAT advice so far!!

 

[JudyB]

Only the most experienced people can keep outdoor trees inside, and very few at that. It may live for a while, but not in the long term. If you want an indoor tree in addition to your OUTDOOR tree, look into ficus, they do well inside.

 

[M. Frary]

It's a nana procumbens juniper.
Put it outside.

 

[Mike MoMo]

Find a shaded place for the juniper outside for now . I have mostly tropical trees in my collection which do well inside during the colder periods of the year. Grow lights are wonderful yet trees are meant to be outside all trees. The tropicals in my collection have shown five times the growth in two weeks outside than two months under lights. Yes even tropicals have a slow period of growth during the winter , yet no tree is a houseplant. I agree with Judy get you a Ficus for indoor and yes that wiring is top notch as Sorce stated.

 

[GrimLore]

Let me know what you think.

As others have stated it will certainly die inside.

Now, concerning outdoor placement... Junipers like Sun and Never Dried out or Wet. The patio should be fine if you treat it correctly. Having recently done a bit of work on it find the spot with the least amount of sun and just water properly. Over the next two to three weeks slowly move it to more sun and observe the growth. When it is growing and in full sun then proceed to use fertilizer. Baby steps...

Grimmy

 

[Cypress187]

Can anyone confirm that my little tree is a Juniperus Chinensis? I'm trying to be rather specific in the material that I'm reading/watching so that I understand first the horticulture of my little plant... I will then watch/read broader material once I'm sure I'm not killing this little guy.

I can't, but reading about junipers should be good enough.

Oh yeah, and:

It's a nana procumbens juniper.
Put it outside.

and:

consider the plant delicate given the recent pruning/wiring?

you should always let them recoup in the shade (outside).

 

[M. Frary]

I put them in direct all day long sun at all times. That includes after working on them. My trees get full sun from dawn until dusk.

 

[GrimLore]

I put them in direct all day long sun at all times. That includes after working on them. My trees get full sun from dawn until dusk.

My Junipers do too as well as several other plants/trees. My thinking on this one is it has been indoors and should be acclimated slowly.

Grimmy

 

[M. Frary]

My Junipers do too as well as several other plants/trees. My thinking on this one is it has been indoors and should be acclimated slowly.

Grimmy

Youre probably right. I've never had that scenario.

 

[JudyB]

I put them in direct all day long sun at all times. That includes after working on them. My trees get full sun from dawn until dusk.

Remember also that you are in a cooler summer situation that WSting is in Utah...