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Can I Turn This 4ft Itoigawa Juniper Into a Prize-Winning Bonsai? (Feat Jelle)🌲

Xavier's Bonsai Retreat

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📖 Can a 4ft Itoigawa Juniper be transformed into a prize-winning bonsai?

In Part 3 of this exciting development series, I'm joined by Jelle‪@GrowingBonsai‬ to continue the journey to unlock the full potential of this remarkable tree.

This time, Jelle shares some invaluable advice on one of the most important aspects of Juniper development: pruning for back budding and future refinement. Understanding where and how to prune can make the difference between a tree that stagnates and one that continues to improve year after year.

In this episode you'll discover:

🌲 How to encourage back budding on Itoigawa Junipers
✂️ Styling advice and development tips from Jelle‪@GrowingBonsai‬
🧹 Why cleaning out dead and unwanted material is essential for future development
🌱 Whether the air layers from earlier in the project were a success
👀 Plenty of close-up demonstrations and practical advice for Juniper enthusiasts

Whether you're developing your first Juniper or refining a more advanced specimen, this video is packed with techniques and insights that can help take your trees to the next level.

And as always, Jelle and Xavier deliver plenty of unmissable Juniper tips along the way.

More on this Juniper project: How to Restore a Monster Itoigawa Juniper ...

📌 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and check out the rest of my bonsai series for more quirky, informative content!

📌 Timestamps:
00:00 - Juniper Transformation (Year 2)
01:48 - Is the tree is Healthy
03:30 - Did the Airlayers succeed
05:48 - Potting up the New Itoigawa Junipers
09:32 - The Importance of Cleaning Pads
13:23 - What About Weak Branches
16:19 - Be Careful
17:37 - Jelle asks: What's your Aim
19:37 - Jelle discusses Back Budding
21:34 - What to do with the Apex
23:23 - Can I prune anything now
25:08 -Time to cut some Branches
26:05 - Creating a small Jin
30:06 - When can I wire my Juniper

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📥 Just email expressionsbonsai@gmail.com and I’ll send it to you — all you need is Microsoft Access 2016 or newer!

📸 Want to Be Featured in a Future Video?
I love showcasing the incredible work of our bonsai community! If you'd like your bonsai featured in an upcoming Subscriber Showcase, simply send your photos to expressionsbonsai@gmail.com. Whether it’s a tree in training, a finished masterpiece, or a unique project — all skill levels are welcome! Be sure to include your name and a few details about the tree if you'd like them mentioned.

Equipment & Acknowledgements:
I use a Panasonic Lumix DMC 330 Bridge Camera
All video production using AVC Video Editor Software
Sound equipment courtesy of: johnaronphotography.co.uk
Handmade Ceramics by: Dawn Isaac of deiceramics.com
I use Adam's products by: notionbonsai.com

#bonsai #juniperbonsai #itoigawajuniper #bonsaistyling #bonsaitips #growingbonsai #bonsaidevelopment

20 Comments

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat Creator 3 months ago Pinned

🌲 Do you think this Itoigawa Juniper has what it takes to become a prize-winning bonsai?

And what do you find most challenging with Junipers?

1⃣ Styling
2⃣ Pruning
3⃣ Back budding
4⃣ Keeping foliage healthy

Let me know below! 👇🌳

@DanielMink-t3u 3 months ago

That is one majestic tree. Love the deep bend on the lower branches. With lots of back budding and big clips, the tree will be a show piece. 😮❤❤❤

@phillangton3515 3 months ago

Great result with your air layers. Overall a great video to help me with the junipers that I have had for many years & have great trunk thickness & branching but need refining. Thankyou to you both.

@BonsaiBoyCP 3 months ago

Brilliant to see this itoigawa doing so well Xav, I’m really looking forward to seeing how it continues to develop over the coming years! Also great to see the air layers were so successful, and I’m sure these will also feature as some lovely little project trees too :)

@noahmcgowan3547 3 months ago

Really a great tree and it is looking much better already before the work in this video.

@NimsGrove 3 months ago

Great video ! Thank you :)
I love cleaning out a new tree, it feels like really getting to know it.
Also: great fun and very informative to watch you both have ideas about styling the tree, looking forward to seeing more of this tree lateron !!

@nerinaT 3 months ago

Great success with your airlayers...fantastic Xavier. Very much enjoyed the vidro

@KennetDeBondt 3 months ago

I think you guys did everything right.

@r.evanmiller1030 3 months ago

This is an excellent example of really thinking and considering the possibilities. And who better than Jelle to consult with!!

@WildwoodBonsai 3 months ago

Awesome that the air layers were such a good success! It was an interesting conversation with Jelle about the options for the apex. I'm really enjoying this series 👍

@greasylimpet3323 3 months ago

Good to see the international collaboration on this tree!
It's looking fantastic; I'm not sure if I like the weather-beaten bark or the nice red. 🤔
You've got lots of choices for apex and branches. Can't wait to see what it's like in a year or two!

@houghtonbonsai 3 months ago

Great tree m8, well done on the air-layers ;)

@nillysbonsai 1 month ago

Enjoyed this lads. Very nice piece of material Xav. Bonus with them airlayers they do take well! Out of interest how much did you pay for this piece? All the best Sam

@noahmcgowan3547 3 months ago

I could see making two trees from one. Removing the top half of the tree to excenchuate the movement in the trunk and taper. This would add a lot more time to the development process. So many options!!! Can't wait to see what you did.

@MokumaBonsai 3 months ago

Really good material. The type of material I always look out for, but very difficult to find and also way expensive usually. I'm sure you'll turn it into a nice bonsai. Junipers take time, just keep doing the right thing at the right time and it'll get there for sure. Don't rush it.

@markjagger7139 3 months ago

4 fantastic air lairs, well done, it’s looking all the better for the clear out of all the dead stuff. There are some important decisions to make about the apex but I’m sure you will crack it in the end.
It a marathon not a sprint so Thame your time and think carefully, good luck.

@TheMrjoehughes 2 months ago

When this tree has nice thick pads it will look amazing…

@GrowingBonsai 3 months ago

@joegarland4885 3 months ago

Hi Xav good to see your air layers all successful, hope mine will be as successful but if it doesn’t not matter. Great to see you working on the bargain Juniper, having Yelle input is so valuable to you having another opinion. I have spent best part of 3 days working on my large juniper, cleaning the bark, pruning etc, I am pleased with the result, now to get on and do the second Juniper. Really enjoyed your visit Xav wet bums and all, great to have some good comments after it aired.