Procumbens Nana Bonsai #1

Juniperus procumbens ‘Nana’ is probably the most used Juniper species for Bonsai purposes. International Bonsai Masters Harold Sasaki and Larry Jackel use small Procumbens Nana junipers in their beginning Bonsai classes. They are perfect for beginners to learn on. Procumbens Nana Bonsai can range in size from tiny to very large and they can be found in any style of Bonsai. All though a Literati might be hard to produce, but I bet there is one out there somewhere.

The following Juniperus Procumbens Nana was purchased at Nicks Garden Center in Aurora, Co. in 2017. Nicks normally has these junipers in several sizes ranging from a 4″ pot up to a 5 gallon pot for sale. This juniper was one of many in a grouping growing in 1 gallon pots. This tree was selected because it has several long branches which might make a good cascade or semi-cascade tree. This tree was placed into a Chuck Iker un-glazed cascade pot in 2018. What a great pot for a conifer tree. Conifer trees are traditionally placed in un-glazed pots and deciduous trees in glazed pots. Three years latter I officially styled the tree for the first time. The first two growing seasons the tree was in full sunlight and seemed to be suffering from maybe to much sun or perhaps spider mites. The third year it was growing under 30% shade cloth after tempitures started reaching 90 degrees (f), The tree seemed to like it under the shade cloth and put on a lot of growth.

In Jan. 2020 I brought the tree into the house and wired and styled the tree in the plant room. A lot of foliage was removed during the process. The same techniques that Harold and Larry teach were used on this tree. All foliage grown on the underneath of a branch was removed, crotch growth was removed, small insignificant foliage was removed, most branches growing on top of the branches were removed but not all. The long cascading branch is actually 2 1/2 branches held closely together with a small pieces of wire to make the branch look fuller. The branches were wired and feathered out to make a nice cascading branch and a full top and apex.

There is one probablem with this pot, it seems a certain large, very large, female orb weaver spider took up residence underneath the pot. I almost put a couple of fingers under the pot when picking the tree up. For some reason I decided to turn the tree over and look and boy was I surprised! I evicted the spider and let her go by placing her gently on some of the other trees. She can winter in the garage if she wants to.

The apex of the tree still needs to be raised some, some progress was made in raising the apex in 2020. It should be complete in 2021.

Photo gallery comparing the tree from start to Oct. 21, 2020: New 10-25-2020

The tree was allowed to grow during the summer with only one trimming, the 10-21-2020 photo shows the tree at the end of the growing season and needs to be tidied up still.