Hi,
I am new to bonsai and found a local nursery owner who has a large number of old variegated junipers. They have beautiful trunks and nice curves, but they were crowded in together and have long spindly branches. The issue is that I don't know how hard it will be to get back budding. How long would it take and is it possible to get these full enough to cut them back to a nice size? I have purchased two of them. Are these good bonsai material and should I buy more? Any suggestions on increasing vigor and causing back budding would be greatly appreciated.

Also, are variegated Junipers desirable and how much would these trees be worth in their current state?

First Tree:





Second Tree:

As far as I know back budding on juniper is really hard. And to make a profit out of them no not as they are know. Sorie

Back budding is easy on Junipers, and there is one way to find out. These are very neglected and will need some severe work. As long as they were cheap you have nothing to lose. I would clean them up get some fertiliser into them and do some pruning removing the dead stuff without being too hard. Then next year re potting and start styling. I don't like the varigation, but you can prune it out. If you like it use it.

Thanks for the insight. Im not trying to make a profit. they were ten dollars and I wanted the pay a fair price to the owner. All the research I have done tells me that the variegated foliage is not desirable for bonsai so I wont be buying any more. I will either graft or style them into shrubs for my garden.

As I said the varigation can be pruned out. Grafting will not be easy, it will be easier to buy something else

The trunks of the junipers are interesting, but the foliage is very far away and sparse. Seems pretty hard to make something decent of it.
Junipers do NOT bud back easily. Some do not backbud at all, some do, but it will take loads of time. I would probably try and find better material.