每日吃瓜

Hello,

This is my first time posting. I am new to bonsai and have been reading, growing, collecting and destroying trees for about two years. I have 4 juniper plants that I purchased in the summer of 2014 (maybe 2015) on sale for $25 total. I patiently let them grow in the pot for a long time and I now I am ready to start pruning. I already know the pinching technique and have done minor trimming/pruning early on. I haven't done total pruning/training before and I really don't want to screw these up. My questions are:
1. Besides cascade and semi cascade what styles would you suggest for these?
2. Is there a specific time of year to prune junipers?
3. How much can I take off without killing the tree?
- I'm scared to remove a bunch.... there is no single branch that is dominate but lots of good other ones.
4. How effective is cutting out a wedge of trunk in order to make the branches change directions then sealing the cut?
5. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Tree #1 (2 pics)





Tree #2



Tree #3



Tree #4 (red maple in backgroun black pot and bald cypress to the left)

Also, does anybody have a good seed supplier website? I've used various ones before.... what is the best?
Does anybody have a good website that sells seedling/1 year old trees for dirt cheap..... with lots of species to choose from? Doesn't have to necessarily be used for bonsai either...

Tulsa每日吃瓜 wrote: I already know the pinching technique and have done minor trimming/pruning early on. I haven't done total pruning/training before and I really don't want to screw these up.

Well.... never pinch junipers.

1. Besides cascade and semi cascade what styles would you suggest for these?

None.

2. Is there a specific time of year to prune junipers?

Yes.

3. How much can I take off without killing the tree?

Depends on the vigor of the tree, but a juniper can handle a lot. I wouldn't take off too much though. You can always cut things off later, growing it back is much harder.

4. How effective is cutting out a wedge of trunk in order to make the branches change directions then sealing the cut?

Depends.

Good to see you actively 'doing bonsai'. Having fun?

1. Besides cascade and semi cascade what styles would you suggest for these?
These are still young and flexible. You can go any direction you want. I have seen people put bamboo stakes in the pot with these, and wiring one of the branches up to make a formal upright. Always reduce the tree further than you think you should. A shorter main stem makes it look bigger.
2. Is there a specific time of year to prune junipers?
You can trim them any time of year. However, many people trim & wire them in winter when no frost is expected. I find mid-summer also works well.
3. How much can I take off without killing the tree?
This is up for discussion. I have seen people take off over 90% without trouble. Others advice to not go below 10%. This is probably health of the plant, location and experience of the grower dependend
- I'm scared to remove a bunch.... there is no single branch that is dominate but lots of good other ones.
4. How effective is cutting out a wedge of trunk in order to make the branches change directions then sealing the cut?
With junipers? Not really. It will not grow over that gap. Better to bend with proper technique. Hollowing of branches is sometimes done. As it breaking. But with the plant you are showing it should not be needed.

5. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated.
first decide what your final tree should be like. That will determine how to go about styling. To do this, first create an overview of the trunkline, branches. There seems to be a decent cascade candidate there. But don't limit yourself too much initially.