Jim,

I would not cut back beyond the green for now since the tree is weak. I
have found that if I keep the foliage at the ends pinched back fairly well
that buds will pop along the branch - often on rather old wood. Removing
the green is apt to cut off the supply water and nutrients from the roots
and result in death of the branch. My method is a little slower perhaps,
but far safer.

Of course getting them into a proper winter might also help - heck,
Tallahassee is not that much different from inside the house as far as a
juniper is concerned big grin.

In addition, junipers like to be a little on the alkaline side - some
dolomitic lime worked into the soil and avoid the acid fertilizers seems to
help. Dolomitic lime is a mixture of both magnesium and calcium carbonate
rather than straight lime which is mostly calcium carbonate. Most plants
seem to like some additional magnesium - Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) is
also used for this purpose, particularly for those that like acidic soil.

Marty

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf Of
Jim Lewis
Subject: [IBC] juniper advice needed

snip

My problem: Much of the new growth is at the end of long
spindly, brown twigs, as:

||||####

where is the old brown needle stubs that dried and blew
away as it was recovering and #### is the bright new growth way
out at the end of that long, skinny twig.

My question. If I snip that "branch" half way (or less), can I
expect to see more #### show up at the end of the shortened
branch? If not, what's the solution to this dilemma?

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