Here is my Foemina Juniper that I recently acquired.  It was professionally wired, and I bought it at auction at the Huntington Library in Pasadena.  I want to start a juniper photo progression series on bending the large trunk into the formal upright position.  Can someone with Professional Bonsai knowledge give me some tips?  Please give me advice on set up, materials, and bending. 

Thanks,

Steve Salisian
Pasadena, CA

Steve, welcome to the Group. If this tree was professionally wired or not, is not an issue in what you are desiring to do. First, this tree looks to me like it wants to be an informal upright. Working with the tree and where it wants to go is much easier than trying to force it into a Formal upright.

In addition, to my limited knowledge the two most difficult styles (to do correctly) are windswept and formal upright. I STRONGLY suggest you go the informal upright style with this tree.

In addition, looking at the wiring in the picture, I question it being professionally wired. Sorry, but that is my opinion. I do think if you can find a Bonsai Club near you, they will be able to advise you as to how to go. They may be able to point you in the direction of someone (possibly a club member) who could help/advise/teach you.

my two cents
Jay

Steve, listen to Noissee and read Bonsai Tec. II and other references if you can. I think you will notice that Formal Upright is a rather strict style. For one thing the root flare (Nebari) must be symmetric, even and distributed around the entire trunk. This tree does not allow for this. Formal Upright is more than a straight trunk.

my two cents

J

I live very close to you and if there arent a half dozen clubs rock throwing distance from where your tree is sitting, then you dont live in pasadena.  You have descanso bonsai soc. santa anita bonsai soc. baikoen bonsai soc, southern breeze bonsai soc. sansui kai bonsai soc, and some I probably forgot. All those clubs have many people with some of the most bonsai experience in the USA. Some of the people reading this post have to drive half a day to meet with other ametuers and they would blow up a bus load of Jerry's kids to have half the resourses you do. Look those clubs up on google, bring your tree to the meeting and you will get more help than you want. This actualy a beautiful piece of material ( I recently won a similar foemina at a descanso bonsai club meeting that was worked on by Marcus Juniel as a slant. You can go to their web site, click on the april newsletter and see a pic of the tree before and after with me in it). Also, this time of year it seems like there is a bonsai show somewhere in L.A.  every weekend and you can get help there.
 Like everyone else posted, your tree is a natural informal and no need to fight it. You can go to fuji bonsai nursery 20 minutes from pasadena in sylmar (Roy Nagatoshi's nursery) and have your pik of about at least hundred foeminas in all sizes and get one that is naturaly straight. I think his prices are very good and he gives lessons almost every sat morning. Ted Matson (my teacher) and Jim Barrett also give lessons in pasadena. Good Luck.