Juniperus Chinensis "Blaauw" Pt III

The tree has continued to prosper since the summer of '07.








This summer the tree received its first major styling. I still have no idea where I am going with it yet. Regardless of which direction I take with it, bottom branching will need to be developed in upcoming years.

What bothers me is the straight section of trunk in the upper portion. I have been studying a way to do something with it, but this branch is extremely stiff, and I may not be successful. I know at present that the top is taking alot of energy away from the bottom branches. It has been left there as I do not know which way I want to go yet.


This winter I might continue with carving the deadwood some, and perhaps a vision will come to me. If not I will continue to feed aggressively and fine tune it until a vision comes to me.

Juniperus Chinensis "Blaauw" Pt II

... the tree was left to recover and continued to grow and back bud well for the remainder of the '06 season. It was placed on a Superfeeding regimen, that continued well into the fall. It came through the winter unscathed. The photographs below demonstrate its growth and vigour circa June '07






On the recommendation of several learnt enthusiast the tree was placed in its first bonsai pot. The rationale behind such recommendations was: the trunk did not need any further growth; in case root work was required it was deemed more suitable to do it now than later, at the cost of a branch, should a removed root feed a vital branch.









As expected when the tree was removed from its grow box, the root spread was as remembered, and no root work was required. The roots (numerous fine feeders) could not support anchoring the tree in to the pot. It was necessary to use 2 stainless steel screws into the trunk to anchor the tree.

The trees Superfeeding regimen was continued for this year as well (2007) and was left to grow unattended. The tree was wired in September, receiving it's initial styling. Work has commenced on the jins.

Juniperus Chinensis "Blaauw" Pt I

I acquired this tree from a local nursery at a ridiculously low price, in May 2006. I believe the reason for such a low price was the fact that this particular tree grew lopsided and could not be sold as a landscape tree.



The lopsided growth is evident in this picture. The tree was a little over 3 feet tall, had a 2 foot spread and the trunk diameter just shy of 3 inches. The tree was planted out in a grow box. The tree had a beautiful radial spread of fine feeder roots.





As can be seen from this photograph a clear trunk line is defined. The tree offers several options. I studied it for several days trying to envision its future.

After careful study of the tree started to remove all faulty branching and continued with the elimination of all branches that I knew would not be part of the trees future, keeping large stubs for future jin a shari considerations. Below is the final result of the initial styling, many branches were left longer to support life and may be later removed.






The tree was left to recover from the ordeal and in subsequent weeks new growth and back budding started to appear. This new growth was allowed to grow unhindered to ensure maximum energy in the tree.