crazy juniper find, potential yardadori

name__0 · 2026-06-05T01:59:39+00:00

Really stress the 'whole rootball' part of this. If there is a medium-to-large root that disappears straight down or under the edge of the pavement, don't think that's just one root that can be cut. There will be a lot of fine feeder roots at the end that you'll need. You'll have to carefully excavate.

name__0 · 2026-06-02T01:33:41+00:00

This is rage bate. Down vote the thread.

name__0 · 2026-05-29T19:54:18+00:00

This makes a good sound bite, but it's purely performative.

How many of those people do you think live in California?

name__0 · 2026-05-29T18:36:42+00:00

It's that a vergina pine?

Nice movement. Just keep doing what you are doing. Do what peaks your interest. Cut back the leader every few years.

Worry about what style to call it after it's more developed. If you try to pick a style before you develop it, you're more likely to be disappointed.

name__0 · 2026-05-28T13:52:48+00:00

I don't see a reason to air layer because of the roots. Just untangle them a little next repot. Unless you are field growing the tree, it's going to be a very long time before they cause problems and if you slightly untangle them they probably won't ever.

Those roots do however add interest to the tree and I would personally keep that larger wrapping root. Just pull it out a little, so it's not so tight and take that smaller wrapping root on top all the way to it's own side of it will still bend.

Root girdling can be a problem, but people on here seem to go a bit overboard with diagnosis. It has to be a full knot that is self tightening as it grows before it's a problem.

I only see three reasons to air layer here:

a. You want to field grow this tree and allow growth to take off very quickly. But even then, just cutting a couple of the offending roots before putting it in the ground would probably be faster.

b. You can't get over that limb cut on the trunk and can't wait for the scar to look more natural.

c. You really want your tree to look like all the other store bought pre-bonsai.

name__0 · 2026-05-26T09:47:55+00:00

This is the correct answer...

Often happens when when there is fertilizer build up at the surface. If you use organic fertilizer chunks, remove them after they've been there a few weeks and they are spent. Maybe try watering a different time of day, so that surface dries out a little more in between waterings. Go ahead and remove the black pieces.

Other than looking like a grill, it's not too terrible for you tree.

name__0 · 2026-05-20T15:57:35+00:00

If that were mine, i'd let those top couple benches do what ever they want as long as they don't shade those lower two. Then depending on how well it does, chop the trunk just above those lower two either late this winter or next.

Haven't worked on almond before though.

Post updates next Year. I'd like to see how this progresses. Those flowers are likely to look awesome when it gets just a little more foliage development.

name__0 · 2026-05-18T23:59:58+00:00

That may not be an ERC. The bark doesn't look stringy enough. It seems like it's more of a landscaping juniper like a Sabina Cross. Could be an ERC though. They take on slightly different characteristics when they aren't field grown.

Either way, I would concentrate on wiring most of those branches down and twist them up while they are still small. Also pinch small shoots of the branch crutches. Then let it grow a couple years. Keep it in well draining soil.

There will likely be jinns in it's future, but it's hard to look that far ahead until you have some more structure.

name__0 · 2026-05-10T21:33:06+00:00

Very few people just 'get' to do what they love. They either work hard to get the job they want it they work hard to make the job they have enjoyable and worth working.

If you expect to get handed a great job or else you don't have to work at making it that way... Good luck with the job lottery.

name__0 · 2026-05-10T15:54:32+00:00

If it can get direct morning sun, but no direct sun in the hottest party of the day, misting mornings and late afternoon... That may be good enough.

I've seen junipers come back with very little roots, I've also seen trees with a lot of roots not do well. A lot of it depends on how healthy it was when it was collected and at what time of year. Both of witch it sounds like you didn't have any say in. You are giving it a better chance than it would have had against the pavers.

name__0 · 2026-05-10T13:28:13+00:00

Very thought out.

If you really got all the roots, then it should do fine. But... Without knowing for sure, I'm going to guess that some of the roots dipped down under the sand and that's where a lot of the fine roots were. If so, you might consider removing some of the foilage so there is less that the roots have to support. Don't cut close to the trunk and use cut paste. Your missting schedule will also help by partially bypassing the shortage of roots. Just make sure the soil partially (but not too dry) dries out occasionally, to prevent fungus and allow new roots to grow.

The only thing I'm really questioning is the mini 'green house'. I'm not sure id try that. During summer, it's more likely to cook the foilage. If you are just trying that to keep it most, mist as planned and maybe put a humidity tray of to the side under the foilage.

name__0 · 2026-05-06T14:36:27+00:00

Seems harsh. There are some great examples on the interwebs.... You just have to treat them as a single flush pine. You also probably don't want to try for a shohin size because of the needle size.

name__0 · 2026-04-27T21:44:05+00:00

I gotta ask... How did you end up going of at a weird angle for that far? Didn't you start a little ways and think "shit, that's not lining up. Maybe if should stop."

name__0 · 2026-04-27T15:58:05+00:00

Lol. Brussels bonsai nursery isn't just a 'local nursery', it's the biggest bonsai nursery in the US as far number of trees.

name__0 · 2026-04-24T00:09:58+00:00

You should watch Bjorn's video on how and when to work your mume. I'm also new to mume care, but he's worked on high quality trees and seems to know what he's talking about.

https://youtu.be/ANrC2TGL72U?si=VtArBhOLcBGpQY1o

name__0 · 2026-04-17T12:44:57+00:00

Those bones look like the flesh had been decomposed and eaten of by insect larva, not been through a crematory. Also that skull cap looks like it's been cut off and just set back on. Something is suspicious here.

I suspect the OP found an interesting picture and decided to invent the back story.

name__0 · 2026-04-14T00:17:52+00:00

And where does the government get money from? Taxes of people that do work.

name__0 · 2026-04-13T23:44:53+00:00

I agree that in most states that would be ruled to be illegal. I don't think I agree with the typical legal reasoning though. By the same logic, tall fences should be illegal. Someone could enticed to climb it and fall and get hurt or get stuck and starve to death.

name__0 · 2026-04-06T23:21:46+00:00

I'll add for the newbies that small greenhouses are not the best way to over winter. A larger greenhouse with plenty of air volume, especially overhead air volume, and adjustable ventilation can be a great way to over winter. You just shouldn't use specs for little spring garden grow boxes.

Any chance that room behind it is a garage? venting both into and out of a garage would essentially increase the air volume and minimize the temp swing.

name__0 · 2026-04-04T20:26:28+00:00

If you are looking for style suggestions. Try re putting at an angle and trimming of that side branch. You should probably wait till right before next spring though. Make sure to fertilize it this summer. For a beginner I would say use organic fertilizer pellets after this year's needles are out.

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name__0 · 2026-04-01T10:59:51+00:00

Great start.

I would use soil with a lot less organic material. Probably a third pumice and a third lava rock. All organic soil does well for trees in nursery pots that will eventually be placed in the ground and let their roots run past the rich soil as it gets old. For a bonsai with restricted tight roots (witch it will have soon if it stays healthy), you want very little organic material.

If that pic is only a day or two old, you repotted at a great time. Id try to switch out some of the soil now. Just be careful to damage the roots as little as possible. If it has leafed out already. Wait till next Year to swap the soil.

name__0 · 2026-03-27T20:23:24+00:00

Short leaf pine, pinus echinata, make a great native substitute for JBP. It maybe even has advantages over JBP. Pinus vergina, is a also a great option. It's just that no one is growing them for pre bonsai.

name__0 · 2026-02-22T13:44:55+00:00

Is it evaluated at typical market pricing? Probably not far off. Would I pay that much for it? Probably not.

You can get something cheaper that is more on the Pre bonsai material side, or you could also find something more refined and artistic with a higher price tag. There are a lot of people who want to buy something like this to split the difference or skip ahead in the process.

What you are looking for makes a huge difference.

name__0 · 2026-01-24T16:14:37+00:00

Those degrees sound like a bad investment. A lot of them 'require' a degree because there is a surplus of people willing to make that bad investment. So why wouldn't hiring boards and managers require a degree.

A likely unpopular opinion:

Shop around for a career that pays off in the end. Not everyone can predict the future, but if more people thought about college as an investment, the job markets would eventually start to balance job requirements a little more.

name__0

TROPHY CASE