Bonsaify | Three-Year old Kishu Junipers

In this video Eric shares how to further work on young junipers that are in their third growing season.
If you haven't already, check out this video first which discusses the steps before this one in small Kishu juniper development:
• Bonsaify | Three Examp...
00:00:31 - Eric shares an update on a mame juniper that was last worked about one year prior. The mame has grown a little, and Eric has wired a couple branches. He cleans up the bottom of the shari near the base and discusses the design of the tree.
If you want to purchase a tree similar to this one we will be offering them exclusively at the Pacific Bonsai Expo. For more info check Pacificbonsaiexpo.com.
00:03:03 - Eric begins looking at the second tree. The cuttings were taken in 2019 and are now three years old. This tree has been wired a year prior, and Eric reviews how after the wiring, strong shoots at the top took off, while the wired section is a bit smaller.
00:04:35 - Adding shari starts a different process, and determines the core of the composition. Eric elects to wait to strip any bark on this tree.
00:06:30 - Eric adds two wires, concentrating on creating movement in all the new shoots and bending, twisting them. Spreading out the shoots allows the small growth in the middle to get more light and essentially creates horizontal sacrifice branches.
00:07:40 - A chaotic looking result, but this is the right work to further the early development of this and similar trees. No strong tips are removed, as that would slow down the wood production.
00:09:56 - The third tree, also growing in a 3.5" cursery container. Eric removes it and analyzes the trunk which has had some bark removed to create a shari last fall. The shari has rolled over a little. Eric decides to strip bark on the opposite side of the tree to create two separate lifelines.
00:11:21 Eric is going to start from the bottom on the back. Using his carving tool he gently removes a strip of bark, stopping below the larger shoots that are above.
00:12:40 -Adding wire to shape the branches, similar to the second tree.
00:13:25 - With the tree back in the container we bend the branches to add movement and interest, spreading them out to create more options and movement. You want to avoid straight lines in you bonsai compositions! Even if you end up removing these branches, it's worth the time to make sure they are not straight.
00:15:15 - Wiring complete and branches are spread out to allow more taper building in the center of the composition.
If you have similar work that you've done, share it in the comments! Like and subscribe to our channel!

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Great little plants Eric. I adore the shohin and mame trees and love that first juniper, and would definitely take one from you but I’m in the UK 😢

[@jameslangschied7900]

Excellent effort. I appreciate the close-up, step-by-step stages that are shot in such a way that your hands are not blocking the shot. Very, very helpful. A sincere thank-you.

[@nillysbonsai9636]

Really enjoyed this and such healthy looking little trees. As other have said some really great inspiration for tiny junipers! Thank you

[@questionablecooking7019]

really useful series of juniper videos with these, thanks for taking the time

[@BulletGaming012]

Love these, real inspiration for what I'm looking to achieve

[@westempleman1160]

Does have a pretty good size for third graders good job what kind of fertilizer do you use on this obviously something liquid

[@Bonsaify]

Generally either granular time-release or liquid like miracle grow. That's mostly because I have a few thousand of them, so using organic isn't feasible. For older trees in bonsai pots I use a mix of organic (like BioGold or other pellets) and liquid like Dyna-Gro or miracle grow. Etc.

[@ศักดิ์จาลือชาวงษ์]

สวัสดีครับคุณใช้วัสดุอะไรในการปลูกต้นไม้

[@Bonsaify]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJK3i3uOgLV5m7c

[@henzobonsai]

Amazing 👍

[@pjaphethvelilla1286]

Do you sell mame pots? Do you have online store? Thank you

[@Bonsaify]

Yes we do, bonsaify.com .

[@TonysBonsai]

What a fantastic instructional video. Really enjoyed watching and listening to your process.

[@JustJane1972]

Really great insight. Thank you, the time taken is much appreciated.

[@robertjones7023]

Hi! My neighborhood is built on an old apple orchard with a 'forever wild area' and there is an abundance of Cedar Apple Rust on the J. virginiana's and a few (but not all) other species in neighbors' yards. Is Kishu susceptible to C.A.R.? I have a Skyrocket Juniper and an unknown but possible Bar Harbor Juniper that are unaffected. Any suggestions on species for Bonsai??? Thanks for all you do!!!

[@Bonsaify]

Dont' know the answer re: Kishu. Might merit some investigating.

[@robertjones7023]

@@BonsaifyThanks for the reply. I have been researching this quite a bit further. It appears to be mainly an east coast rural disease, especially around apple orchards. J. chinensis seems to be susceptible as well. The spores travel 2-3 miles. But I'll keep digging in to this a bit further regarding varieties.

[@tomato48]

When doing this approach what year would you usually start cutting branches to shape the bonsai? I’m new to bonsai and I don’t want to cut stuff too early. Also I bought 2 of the 2020 kishu junipers and I’m very excited to start my bonsai journey.

[@Bonsaify]

You should leave long growth - basically as much as possible without causing shading to the portions you want to use later for the finished branching. At this stage you're still growing the wood in the trunk which requires a lot of foliage. If you're happy with the trunk size, then you can begin reducing the foliage.👍

[@tomato48]

@@Bonsaify thanks! Been watching a ton of your videos they are very helpful! It inspired me to try mame. Looking forward to this journey. I’ve been growing different plants for around a decade (so I’ve got a little knowledge in horticulture) and never thought I’d have the ability to learn bonsai but always loved the art. Glad I came across these videos.

[@jakehardiment8613]

Wonderful video! Please show us the 4 year update when we get there!

[@DarthMasiah]

👍👍

[@patriciatatich3014]

Following the vid series on these trees…question…what is your water and feeding program going forward from this wire/shape work? Thank you l…

[@Bonsaify]

No change from earlier. We water these about once every two days at the farm - they're in 80% perlite/20% coco. We use a combination of time-release fertilizer (like Osmacote) and liquid mineral-based fertilizer. The fertilizer choice has more to do with the circumstances of the growing operation. In your own yard, use a combination of organic and synthetic fertilizers and water like you would any other bonsai. Letting them escape root increases vigor and growth as much as more fertilizer and water....

[@bayareaspearoshorediver7535]

Those are the same ones that are for sale in the shop 2019 batch? I'm thinking of buying some online. But now you are saying you'll bring them at the show. The question I have now is the price differences (online vs. Show)?

[@Bonsaify]

Yep. Although starting in October we will be raising the price of the 2019 crop, and selling the 2020 crop as the starters (same price). So get 'em while they're bigger for the same price. 🙃

[@bayareaspearoshorediver7535]

Ok I'll grab some 2019 tonight

[@devanmccarty1625]

Do you repot those into a one gallon at some point to continue their development?

[@Bonsaify]

Yes! If you want them to grow out faster a gallon can or larger is great for that. I also pot them down into tiny containers at this size to make mame if the trunks are interesting enough for that scale.

[@darrylshen8635]

Hi Eric, your videos are probably the most concise and informative on each species and development and i've used them as a guide throughout my entire experience, thank you for this. My question for this is when do you start to apply lime sulphur to protect the shari? or do you not do it at all? intersting to understand your take on this.

[@Bonsaify]

Thanks for the compliments! Re: Lime sulfur - I don't use it on young trees like these. You're right that it may be a good idea - but even lime sulfur is only a surface protectant for wood - wood hardener actually plasticizes it so it can't rot. But I don't use that either. My climate is quite dry in summer, so it's not as necessary as it would be in the southeast or other wet hot climates.

[@darrylshen8635]

​@@Bonsaify Valuable advice Eric!! Thank you for taking the time to reply and have a good day.

[@GritCityBonsai]

Where do you get that wire? Box stores?

[@Bonsaify]

No, it's Japanese bonsai wire - frequently used for Azaleas. It's just not anodized to change the color. I've been looking for a domestic source, but so far haven't found one that makes sense. e.g. doesn't require me to buy a roll that weighs 2700lbs, or pay $15 for 15 feet.

[@SpiderCents]

Man, I really want one of those. All I can find is procumbens and they don’t seem to be dense mame

[@SpiderCents]

Ventura county

[@Bonsaify]

We ship all over the US!

[@SpiderCents]

So if I order 5 pack prewired will they be similar stage as what you worked on here or younger? Would really like to get a couple in pots and a few to grow out.

[@Bonsaify]

Hi - the ones that are on the site are in their third growing season. They've been wired but are a bit smaller than these. They should take off in the rest of the season, especially in Ventura county - I lived in TO for two years and my junipers never grew so fast!

[@SpiderCents]

@@Bonsaify Ok, I will order some now. Please pick me some good ones with nice growth and movement! ;) Thanks for your response!

[@kk.tt.9180]

Is perlite substrate only

[@Bonsaify]

80% perlite, 20% coco coir. More details here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJK3i3uOgLV5m7c

[@alexandernason2863]

Great content! What is the pan you use while doing the work?

[@Bonsaify]

It's a 16" plant saucer. I use them to contain soil mess while working on small plants. They're available widely: amzn.to/3R48mEK

[@alexandernason2863]

Thought so…thank you!

[@ReidWithAPeriod]

What is your soil composition? Is it just pure perlite?

[@Bonsaify]

80% perlite, 20% coco coir. More details here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJK3i3uOgLV5m7c

[@ReidWithAPeriod]

@@Bonsaify Thank you, i didn't see that video at first.