Page 209 - Ebook cây cảnh Art of Bonsai

Plant care directory 209

particle conifer mix is best. Charcoal is often Juniperus chinensis ‘Itoigawa’ is a throughout Europe, and many cultivars exist
a good addition to the soil mix, depending on dense, small-leaved light green type that for garden use. Collected trees can make very
the water quality. Transplant in spring; needle sends out longer shoots. It is ideally suited good bonsai although trunks and deadwood
junipers should be transplanted late in the for shohin-sized trees. It will suffer in extreme tend to be smaller and softer than other
season once the temperature has started to heat due to the larger surface area of thinner species. The foliage quality varies with
rise, around early May in parts of the US. foliage, leading to higher moisture loss. location as with all collected varieties. Careful
Pests/Diseases Spider mites attack the foliage management of foliage is essential for success.
from the underside and inside out. The foliage Juniperus chinensis ‘Kishu’ has a slightly
will begin to change color, then yellow and die. bluish foliage that is coarser and tends to form Juniperus scopulorum Rocky
Misting the underside regularly helps prevent pompomlike 360-degree growth. This can be Mountain juniper A native of the western
this. Spray with pesticide if it is infected— avoided by removing downward growing US, collected trees show incredible deadwood
twice within a week, if necessary. foliage. It suits hot climates and larger trees. features, and lovely movement and character.
Fungal infections can be a serious issue in The foliage needs similar care to the western
some parts of the world. Cedar-hawthorn rust Juniperus chinensis ‘San Jose’ Another juniper; strike a careful balance between
and juniper tip blight can seriously damage commonly available bonsai/garden species. selective pruning and letting it grow.
trees. Regular application of fungicides in the Its growth habit is very different in that it
growing season, sterilization of tools, and is generally juvenile foliage and it has an
destruction of infected material is essential incredible tendency to send multiple shoots Lagerstroemia indica
for stopping the spread. It will attack the from one node. The systematic removal of all CREPE MYRTLE
weakest trees first. of them will result in more juvenile foliage, This deciduous tree flowers in late summer,
Pruning/Styling Juniper is suitable for very creating a vicious circle. Allow more branches has a distinctive smooth bark and thrives in
dramatic styles. The branches and trunk are to develop and take a conservative approach warmer weather.
flexible and tolerate some damage. Create to foliage removal and transplanting. Let the Hardiness/Location Frost tender, zones 7–9.
movement and compact foliage pads close tree mature and keep heavy pruning to a Provide protection if temperatures fall below
to the trunk wherever possible. Foliage minimum. Remove dead and weak foliage from 41°F (5°C). Position in full sun in summer, and
management is essential. Allow growth to the inside of foliage pads on a regular basis. slight shade in extreme heat.
extend before cutting out the central stem Watering This is a thirsty tree, especially
of the most vigorous shoot, but only if there Juniperus communis Common juniper when it is in flower. Do not allow it to dry
are shoots with active light green growing This is difficult—but not impossible—to out in the growing season. Keep it moist
tips behind it to continue the growth. cultivate as bonsai. It has needle foliage but not wet in winter.
Removing too much foliage—particularly if that needs pinching back in a similar way Fertilizing Apply lightly before flowering,
it is actively growing foliage—causes a flush of to the scale junipers. It loves moist, water- stop during flowering, then fertilize heavily
undesirable juvenile growth that looks quite retentive soils and is most successful in after flowering.
different from adult growth, so never remove very wet climates. Be conservative and Transplanting/Soil Transplant every two
more than 40 percent of the foliage at one careful with all work and leave lots of to three years in spring, but wait longer for
time (see also pp.117 and 174–175). Multiple strong foliage. more mature trees. Use a deciduous mix.
shoots from one node will need thinning out. Pests/Diseases Generally pest free but it can
Propagation Take cuttings; layering is possible Juniperus occidentalis Western get aphids on new shoots.
but happens slowly. juniper, sierra juniper Native to western Pruning/Styling As with other deciduous
North America, it has quite bluish foliage, trees. The branches are brittle, so bend them
Juniperus californica California which tends to be quite juvenile and coarse only when young. Allow shoots to extend in
juniper As the name suggests, this is native during the early stages of development but spring to six or seven leaves and then prune
to California. Tolerant of extreme drought will mature into more compact scale foliage them back to two. Flowers will then set before
and heat, it thrives in good soil and with over time. It benefits from becoming slightly blossoming in summer. It produces many
regular watering. It is often collected with potbound. Collected specimens are available. vertically growing shoots that should be
very thin live veins on heavily weathered pruned as early as possible.
and hard deadwood. Juniperus procumbens A few cultivars Propagation Seed, cuttings.
exist, including ‘Nana’, which are suitable for
Juniperus chinensis This is the most bonsai. Treat them similarly to J. chinensis
popular bonsai juniper imported from ‘San Jose’. Larix
Japan or cultivated in the West. It is a very LARCH
versatile tree with a number of different Juniperus rigida Needle juniper This Flexible and relatively fast growing, these
foliage types, which make it more or less Japanese variety has prickly and delicate upright deciduous conifers have great
suitable for certain styles. foliage, and will need wiring to prevent it character and are ideal for bonsai. The young
from sagging. Pinching off new growth will foliage is attractive, as is the fall color. The
Juniperus chinensis ‘Blaauw’ This is cause adventitious budding on healthy trees. bark quality on older trees is spectacular.
commonly available garden material: if you It thrives in warm climates but tends to Hardiness/Location Hardy, zones 3–8,
are going to use a garden variety, choose struggle in northern Europe. It is a thirsty but protect the roots from heavy freezing.
this one. It has tight, compact foliage and and hungry plant. The foliage will burn in midsummer heat
a suitable growth habit. so keep it in semi-shade.
Juniperus sabina Sabina juniper, Watering Keep it moist during the growing
Savin’s juniper This is commonly collected season, and slightly drier over winter.