A Bonsai Progression:

In The Beginning

Mature trees on average exhibit several features that show their age:

1. Tapered trunks
2. Wide, often interesting root bases
3. Foliage in pads (groups)
4. A triangular outline (low branches are the longest, top is the smallest)

The juniper has a trunk the same width at the base as most of the way to the top (no taper), a narrow base, immature foliage. It does have the beginnings of a triangular outline, but otherwise doesn’t pass.

Convincing bonsai aren’t produced in one “hack and pot” session. They may not even see the inside of a bonsai pot for many many years! They take many seasons of care to become convincing bonsai.

The next plants help show the progression of one species from plant to convincing bonsai, as one grower does it.

Next Part: In the Beginning

Previous part: Are These Bonsai?