Bernie,

I guess you haven't gotten an answer for several reasons. The reasons include location and, age of material. The other that there are about as many methods as there are trees. Many say it is the only way to do things. Find the way of your specific pla
nt by being constantly observing on how it grows and the changes it makes.

You can wire and prune any time. Transplanting would be best just before the plant breaks dormancy wherever you live. Wiring during active growing season just means you have to watch the wires more carefully so they do not cut. A juniper never gets bar
e so waiting to wire has no good reason.

The intensity of pruning depends on the growth cycle. If you over prune a juniper, it may change the needle pattern. We call the spiky stuff imature growth where the nurseries I have been to call it mature growth.

So my advice would be to take the pruning slowly, study the growth pattern and always prune in a manner that leaves a growing tip. (not always necessary, but safest.)

Other than that you need to find someone in your area that can help you hands on.

Kitsune Miko



Bernie wrote:
I have tried posting this question to several bonsai groups, however I
am utterly astounded that to date nobody has been able to help me out.

I simply wish to be directed as to what is the best time of year to
shape prune and wire Juniper Chinensis.

I have been led to understand that this is a good beginners bonsai,
which makes it all the more unbeleivable that nobody seems to know
anything about working with these trees.

I have tried getting the answer from bonsai books, however it seems
that no two authors can agree on anything regarding bonsai culture.

Anyhow sorry to see that little help has been forthcoming on other
sites, and really hope that somebody might be able to help me here.

Thanks in anticipation of any help forthcoming.

Bernie

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