Entry #11
Mexican Juniper (Juniperus Comitana)
Mexico
170 cm (66.9") high and 190 cm (74.8") wide /
Before
Juniperus comitana a Mexican juniper that I collected a couple of years ago and that is know ready to do some work. One of the nice things about Junipers is the freedom that one can have, as it is socially accepted in the bonsai world to have far more movement in the branches compared to any other species. The mental blocks that prevent us from bending that old oak in any zigzag motion are gone when working with junipers. Therefore there is more room for the bonsais to create something interesting a freedom more species should have. I would like to reposition a few of the main branches and carve a bit of the branches. Twist the first branch to turn into a cascading with lots of movement, and cleaning the upper part. I think it will be a great medium size bonsai someday. As for the species, this particular grows only on a small region in Mexico, the foliage is soft and small like kishu and it can compact quite well.
One Quarter Progression
Juniperus comitana during the first part the tree was poted into a Japanese pot and the pot was put into the ground in the same place where the juniper was so the damage would be minimal. The lowest branch was clean and set ready for bending.
Half Way
Juniperus comitana during the 1/2 part The lowest branch was bend to over 90 degres this branch is about 2 inches thick It will still require more bending but the tree needs to recover a bit more. Also the top pranches were pull down to allow some light into the middle section to provoke bud back.
Three Quarter Progression
Juniperus comitana a Mexican juniper the ¾ progression shows the juniper branches are know beging to be placed into position and severe bend of the main lower branch by 180 degress has been achived this was done in two sessions to allow the tree to survive, considering that the tree had to be potted, so one has to be extra carefull to allow some time in between. Know the tree is compacting but still some way to go on carving and bending for the final picture, but I will let the tree rest for a few months before doing so.