Yamadori Rocky Mountain Juniper

[Dav4]

You may or may not remember the thread from BT, but the tree has/had a very one sided root system, and there were several very experienced bonsai artists, including Walter Pall, who felt the tree was exceedingly complicated for a relative newbie like me and that the root system might not ever allow it to be properly potted. Anyway, much strife ensued, and you took it upon yourself to provide several sketches using designs that would work if the tree never grew roots closer to the trunk and deadwood. Luckily, the tree did throw roots closer to the trunk that allowed for the current planting angle, so it's a mute point now, but I always appreciated your support and effort in trying to help me.

Any way, I love your virt above and would hazard to guess that the image there is what Walter Pall had suggested during the critique at the Bonsai expo several years ago. He thought any canopy should really be just an accessory to the deadwood trunk. Right now, I'm really enjoying the classical lines of the tree...but you never know.

 

[Si Nguyen]

I vaguely remember that old discussion now. Oh how time flies! I must have sketched you a bunjin tree with a cascading top trunk line because of the ugly stump. I remember this tree had a long horizontal stump below the ground that I thought you would never be able to improve upon. No conventional bonsai pot would've fit that ugly stump I thought. You proved me wrong . Good root work! By the way, I wasn't trying to help you. You didn't need any help. I just draw because I enjoyed doing it for myself.
Cheers!

 

[Adair M]

Si, your vision is exceptional!

Speaking for myself, I would never have seen your virt in this tree. Perhaps it is a function of my environment. We just don't have trees like this here in Georgia. About the only time I would see mountain trees would be when I would go snow skiing in Colorado and Utah. Then, I was mainly focused on not running into them!

I guess that's why I generally avoid junipers. I just don't see them in a natural environment, so I get intimidated by them.

Dave, I think you have learned a great deal by owning and working on this tree. I know you feel a great deal of responsibility to make sure it stays healthy and gets proper training. Cudos to you!

 

[Adair M]

By the way, this tree is always a show stopper at our annual Atlanta Bonsai Society show. The question is frequently asked: "How old is that tree?"

And we say, "Oh, it's 750 years old."

Then comes, "How do you know?"

We say, "Dave started it from seed."

"Oh. OK." And they walk off.

 

[KennedyMarx]

This is a fantastic tree, Dave! I don't know how I just now saw this thread. The documentation over that years is helpful to those of us still very green. I don't presume to offer any useful critique, but I do like the virts with the additional negative space and the weak lower right branch reduced. It looks quite symmetrical at the moment.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice job Dave. Tidy, even, and subtle.

I like Si's virt quite a bit. If you have the testicular fortitude to reduce the foliage that much, I think you could get that branch moved up...though I'd probably move that branch first and not do anything else for a few months until you know it made it! It would make for a very dramatic bonsai.

 

[Dav4]

Hmmm...

 

[Dav4]

I didn't realize how bad those I phone pics were until a moment ago...here are 2 quick ones taken with a real camera.

 

[Vance Wood]

I would like to see this tree illuminated with a flash and a good F stop.

 

[Dav4]

I would like to see this tree illuminated with a flash and a good F stop.

Me, too.

The last 2 were taken with a flash...

 

[Adair M]

I would like to see this tree illuminated with a flash and a good F stop.

Vance, Dave is still trying to show that he's worthy of being in the Redneck Study Group! Be patient with him. Lol!!!

I guess we'll take him... In spite of the fact he still has all his teeth!

 

[Dav4]

Vance, Dave is still trying to show that he's worthy of being in the Redneck Study Group! Be patient with him. Lol!!!

I guess we'll take him... In spite of the fact he still has all his teeth!

Boom, I'm in! I'm so happy, I might even let my son eat his dinner inside the house tonight!

 

[Adair M]

Boom, I'm in! I'm so happy, I might even let my son eat his dinner inside the house tonight!

Found some roadkill, huh?

 

[Dav4]

Found some roadkill, huh?

Possum!

 

[bwaynef]

If I can ask a question w/o starting a holy war, is this tree potted in Turface?

 

[Dav4]

If I can ask a question w/o starting a holy war, is this tree potted in Turface?

Yes, it's been in a turface based mix since I've had it, and I suspect even before. Equal parts turface/pumice (dry stall)/lava...though, at the last re-pot, used a drainage layer and the ratio of components probably had less turface then 1/3.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Yes, it's been in a turface based mix since I've had it, and I suspect even before.

Otta be dead by now!

 

[Dav4]

Otta be dead by now!

Well, if you look closely at the pictures, most of it is!

Ok, well, just the trunk...

 

[Adair M]

Guys, I'm working on Dave...

Full fledged Redneck Study Groupers don't turface. (Hint, hint!). We also sift our soil. (Hint, hint)

Here's the deal I've found: turface and the Drystall are small particles. Small particles hold more water than larger particles. Especially if the fines aren't sifted or pre washed out.

Dave's mix holds too much water, in my opinion. That RMJ would prefer a dryer mix.

The mix we (Rednecks) used for similiar trees was Ckay King (sifted) with 20% pumice added AND 20% sifted lava scoria added. Clay King has akadama and kanuma, so it's pretty water retentive. The pumice and lava make it better for our relatively wet climate.

 

[Dav4]

Guys, I'm working on Dave...

Full fledged Redneck Study Groupers don't turface. (Hint, hint!). We also sift our soil. (Hint, hint)

Here's the deal I've found: turface and the Drystall are small particles. Small particles hold more water than larger particles. Especially if the fines aren't sifted or pre washed out.

Dave's mix holds too much water, in my opinion. That RMJ would prefer a dryer mix.

The mix we (Rednecks) used for similiar trees was Ckay King (sifted) with 20% pumice added AND 20% sifted lava scoria added. Clay King has akadama and kanuma, so it's pretty water retentive. The pumice and lava make it better for our relatively wet climate.

...and yet the tree is healthy....hmmmmm....