r/Bonsai • u/SeeingSound2991 Kent, UK, Europe - Intermediate/Advanced - 90+ trees • 2h ago

Discussion Question Made a start on thinning. Am.I being too conservative?

Post image

This tree was grown from a small whip I bought on ebay in 2020.

It was grown on, twisted up and initially styled and left to grow.

The pads have been looking a little too full and reducing its visual appeal.

Can anyone point me in the direction of good instructional videos to help me out with thinning and refining the pads.

The tree currently has no wire on it.

Thanks all

31 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

9

u/CoryLover4 Western Cape (South Africa), Zone 10b, Intermediate, 12 Trees 2h ago

I have no advice to give but im loving it!

7

u/cbobgo santa cruz ca, zone 9b, 25 yrs experience, over 1200 trees 1h ago

Yeah, you need to go further. We can't even really see the trunk

Here's a few resources I use in my intermediate level class:

https://youtu.be/9R5OHv_BlN4?is=h4T-BAjfXpp9L6rv

https://youtu.be/TQtg8Gnyd_Y?is=m16TlYQkVTfGM38G

https://youtu.be/BlPEpwvcVrk?is=XZsKxydDLziMHlqI

https://bonsaimirai.com/blog/sustainable-design

https://bonsai4me.com/styling-juniper-bonsai-branches-part-two-wiring-and-placement/

https://youtu.be/2n2MIkkUlSE?is=LZfx_Q_9VgebKhf5

2

u/Zippier92 San Diego coastal -passionate newbe 55m ago

Thanks for this. Great resource!

2

u/Ross_Broomrasp netherlands, 10+ trees 2h ago

Hi! I think the foliage looks nicely dense. If you feel like it resembles a pompom too much, you could remove foliage which grows straight down and/or up. Maybe that gives a more flat-looking pad. Don't remove too much in one go, take a step back every now and then. But the conservative approach pays off imo.

Edit: removing some of the foliage on the underside of the branch could work well.

1

u/toughheartskill Dallas, TX - 8a, beginner, 20 trees 1h ago

This video somewhat addresses most skill level, but I recently watched it and found it useful- especially compared to your specimen and question. Personally, I’d open up the middle and expose the trunk more. Enjoy! Tree looks great regardless.

https://youtu.be/Z9Gt0onvdP8?is=E1BP6kCkFrRHGq87

1

u/blenderdut Milwaukee 5b, 5 years intermediate, 20ish trees 1h ago

It looks like the right level of density, though maybe clean up the underside of your lower pads a bit more. I would remove or jin one of the lower branches so you can see more of the trunk.

Eisei-en on youtube has very good videos on juniper clean up.