When I last wrote about this tree I was already concerned about its survival after the harsh treatment it had received over the previous few months. My once healthy nursery tree had been reduced from this:
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| Juniper Mint Julep - March 2018, as purchased |
to this:
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| First styling attempt - April 2018 |
and finally, at the hands of a member of my bonsai club, to this:
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| Second styling attempt - September 2018 |
Despite my concerns, on the advice of two experts, I eventually decided to move it from its nursery bag into a training pot - a move which required a significant amount of root pruning.
It's gone steadily downhill since then and now has only a little browning foliage left on its one remaining branch. After removing the wire and bandage, it looks like this:
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| Barely alive - December 2018 |
I have no doubt that many people would write it off as a lost cause at this stage, but right now it's still showing signs of life.
Strangely the most significant new growth is this small bud on an area I'd attempted to strip for future use as dead wood.
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| New growth |
Obviously I didn't strip it very well!
I also discovered an even smaller bud lower down on the trunk.
If those buds actually develop into branches one day, it's likely to be years before I have anything to work with. But I'm amazed at this tree's will to live against all odds.
I hope it makes it.
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