Midway through repotting a procumbens juniper, I found that the center of the rootball was dry. This is common when a tree has gone too long without repotting. Even heavy and frequent waterings – or incessant rain – may not be enough for the water to soak the entire rootball. Rootball with dry center Finding […]
Procumbens Juniper
Pot selection exercise – pros and cons of options for a procumbens juniper
After receiving so much feedback relating to a pot for this juniper, I thought I’d say a bit about what I like and don’t like about each option. Before getting started, however, I’ll mention my plans for the tree’s future. Currently the foliage is very heavy for such a slender trunk. To bring the silhouette into […]
Pot selection exercise – procumbens juniper
The very last bonsai I repotted this season was a procumbens juniper. I knew finding a pot for the tree would be tricky because I remember struggling to find a good option three years ago when the tree was last repotted. Here are the eleven options I came up with based on what I have in the […]
Preparing a juniper for exhibit
Ever find you have a tree or two to prepare for an exhibit and only a limited amount of time to do the work? When my time’s limited, I start with the basics. The basics, if you’re working on a juniper in summer, include cleaning up the tree’s silhouette, removing algae from deadwood, preparing the […]
Seeking style guidance for an old procumbens juniper
I enjoyed last week’s discussion of an old procumbens juniper displayed at Yamato Bonsai Kai’s 42nd annual exhibit. Procumbens juniper Some commenters suggested a few improvements for the tree. In response, I’d like to invite you to share your ideas graphically by indicating where the primary branches belong and providing an outline of the silhouette. […]