bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Suitable Juniper & Cypresses?

Generally speaking, you can make a bonsai from any of these, but some will be quite difficult to train and have characteristics that make them less suitable than others.

I would cross the leylandi and thujas off my list right away, unless someone had a 100-year-old collected specimen with wonderful deadwood that was worth keeping just on that basis.

Cryptomeria are fine, most of the chamaecyparis (false cypress) are okay, but some are a lot of work to maintain and don't backbud well.

On the Italian Cypress (Cup. sempervirens) I have never seen one as a bonsai. I saw one in a bonsai pot, but it was not a bonsai.

Junipers you need to take on a case-by-case basis. I'd steer clear of anything variegated. If I were choosing something for propagation - stick with shimpaku juniper and needle juniper (J. rigida or J. 'foemina'). Japanese Garden Juniper (J.Procumbens 'NANA') is fine to work with and readily available. Not really worth propagating for any reason, but fine material.

Regards,

Matt

28-Mar-2005	#3
TreeBay Tips:5¢ Advice:Free *MODERATOR GROUP* Join Date: Aug-2001 Location: Silicon Valley Country: USA USDA Zone: 9 AHS Heat Zone: 4 Posts: 9,743	Generally speaking, you can make a bonsai from any of these, but some will be quite difficult to train and have characteristics that make them less suitable than others. I would cross the leylandi and thujas off my list right away, unless someone had a 100-year-old collected specimen with wonderful deadwood that was worth keeping just on that basis. Cryptomeria are fine, most of the chamaecyparis (false cypress) are okay, but some are a lot of work to maintain and don't backbud well. On the Italian Cypress (Cup. sempervirens) I have never seen one as a bonsai. I saw one in a bonsai pot, but it was not a bonsai. Junipers you need to take on a case-by-case basis. I'd steer clear of anything variegated. If I were choosing something for propagation - stick with shimpaku juniper and needle juniper (J. rigida or J. 'foemina'). Japanese Garden Juniper (J.Procumbens 'NANA') is fine to work with and readily available. Not really worth propagating for any reason, but fine material. Regards, Matt __________________ Want to be a seller on bonsaiAUCTIONS? Get authorized today! bonsaiTALK: Over 100,005.36 Megabytes Served this Month!