Pixar
Chumono
Hi ,
Just wonder which Juniper variety should I be going for ( looking for something rare )
Thanks
Just wonder which Juniper variety should I be going for ( looking for something rare )
Thanks
Which Juniper variety to get ? looking for something rare
- Thread starter Pixar
- Start date
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
If it's available from a large commercial grower it's not likely to be rare.
Do you intend bonsai or landscape?
Do you intend bonsai or landscape?
Pixar
Chumono
Looking for bonsai just don't know what to be looking at ? Being down here in NZ so just looking at the stage .
Pixar
Chumono
Which one would you be picking if you had to chose from the selection and why ?
Colorado
Masterpiece
To be honest, I don’t think any of these are very good options. There are plenty of good reasons that shimpaku, kishu, and itoigawa are used for bonsai. I’d try to find a source where you could get these varieties.
But if these are your only options, I’d probably just go with the classic procumbens. You could try with any of them, but when the foliage is coarse and/or droopy it’s very difficult to make an enjoyable bonsai in my experience.
Pixar
Chumono
Thanks Colorado - not much varieties available down here . Not useless I'm looking in the wrong place
Orion_metalhead
Masterpiece
RoadManDenDron
Chumono
The problem with rare, especially for bonsai is that the common bonsai trees are common because they respond well to techniques and make proportionally realistic small trees, as well as there being a wealth of information available.
That's not to say unusual species can't make a decent bonsai but the odds are definitely against you and there is much less information available, if any, to help you on your way
That's not to say unusual species can't make a decent bonsai but the odds are definitely against you and there is much less information available, if any, to help you on your way
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
I'd avoid any of the upright forms like stricta and compressa. Very difficult to convince those to form horizontal branching.
I know some of the needle junipers can make great bonsai but I avoid them. Sharp spikes in the fingers is not much fun.
Procumbens is relatively quick growing and is used extensively for commercial bonsai. It is not rare but easy to work with.
Blaauw is another that has been used extensively in the past. It's one of the Juniper chinensis cultivars so related to shimpaku, Kishu, etc. The foliage and growth habit is a bit open so it's fallen out of bonsai favour since the more bonsai friendly cultivars have been available over here.
Shiro Bonsai website NZ has both Blaauw and procumbens as juniper mallsai.
Bonsai company NZ has procumbens, also mallsai.
Not suggesting you purchase from either of those bonsai shops, just using them to see what's available in NZ. Likely you'll get better prices for similar trees when purchasing direct from commercial growers.
Not sure if you have contact with Auckland Bonsai Society. If any of the newer chinensis cultivars are available I'd be confident someone there will know.
I know some of the needle junipers can make great bonsai but I avoid them. Sharp spikes in the fingers is not much fun.
Procumbens is relatively quick growing and is used extensively for commercial bonsai. It is not rare but easy to work with.
Blaauw is another that has been used extensively in the past. It's one of the Juniper chinensis cultivars so related to shimpaku, Kishu, etc. The foliage and growth habit is a bit open so it's fallen out of bonsai favour since the more bonsai friendly cultivars have been available over here.
Shiro Bonsai website NZ has both Blaauw and procumbens as juniper mallsai.
Bonsai company NZ has procumbens, also mallsai.
Not suggesting you purchase from either of those bonsai shops, just using them to see what's available in NZ. Likely you'll get better prices for similar trees when purchasing direct from commercial growers.
Not sure if you have contact with Auckland Bonsai Society. If any of the newer chinensis cultivars are available I'd be confident someone there will know.
