Itoigawa Perth

[Mickeyjaytee]

Hey all,

Long time no chat! I hope everyone is doing well. I’ve been putting the feelers out there at my club about Itoigawa in Perth but, am meeting brick walls. It seems to be nonexistent over here in WA, it’s kind of a surprise tbh.

Curious if anyone knows or has any over here? Just a cutting would keep be absolutely amazing. I love that beautiful lighter green foliage. It’s just stunning.

I’m going to give DPIRD a call today and see what the requirements for getting plants over the border into WA are. From what I can see, Juniperus chinensis is allowed. It’s the soil that may be a problem and finding a supplier

Curious if anyone has imported plants into WA and what the process was like? Any help as always would be super appreciated!

[badabing888]

most plants need to be bare rooted and quarantined for a non-trivial length of time and your paying for it too. It basically makes it impossible unless doing something at a commercial level.

This basically rules out most types of live plant material and almost 100% of the time conifers.

try https://www.yaminarareplants.com.au he can import into WA from what his told me but ive not asked about pines / junipers previously

[Mickeyjaytee]

most plants need to be bare rooted and quarantined for a non-trivial length of time and your paying for it too. It basically makes it impossible unless doing something at a commercial level.

This basically rules out most types of live plant material and almost 100% of the time conifers.

try https://www.yaminarareplants.com.au he can import into WA from what his told me but ive not asked about pines / junipers previously

Thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it. I’ve reached out to them so we’ll see if they stock it or can source it. I spoke with DPIRD and it is a plant you are able to import. There are restrictions such as no soil but, they did say that inorganic soils are allowed so, I would assume if I could get a plant in inorganic material, pay the correct fees, it could be possible

Thanks again for the help. If anyone else has any other info at all, please reach out!

Cheers all!

[NikiC]

Where are you based Mickey?

There are a few folk with very dense juniper but variety is not specifically known.

Some of the junipers ive got ive had suggested are itoigawa by some very reputable people but the reality is who knows. I was just lucky enough to be in the right place right time to buy some from long time artists.

Some people will sell them but its not overly common so usually a decent price especially for established stock.

[Mickeyjaytee]

Where are you based Mickey?

There are a few folk with very dense juniper but variety is not specifically known.

Some of the junipers ive got ive had suggested are itoigawa by some very reputable people but the reality is who knows. I was just lucky enough to be in the right place right time to buy some from long time artists.

Some people will sell them but its not overly common so usually a decent price especially for established stock.

Hey thanks for the reply! I appreciate it greatly. I’m up in Perth, happy to travel though!

Can I ask what the leaf colour is like as opposed to the others? Itoigawa seems to have that brighter, more vibrant green while the Kishu is that darker, greyish-bluish-green.

In all honesty, I’d just be happy with some cuttings or small, just rooted plants. Well, I think I’d be happy with whatever I could get when it comes to Itoigawa! I think established stock would be way out of my budget I’ve been super patient with my kishu and am happy with the process of learning and watching them grow and evolve so I’m not fussed if I have to start from scratch.

Personally, I’ve decided to just focus on Shimpaku. I just absolutely love them. Not having the ‘king of bonsai’ in WA is crazy if it’s true that we don’t have itoigawa here!

I’d be super stoked if they are and you were willing to share! Happy to PM!

Thanks again. Overjoyed at the possibility and really appreciate yourself reaching out Thank you

[shibui]

I have a couple of J. chinensis that I am told are Itiogawa. They both turned quite brown over winter. Not dead, just a reaction to cold weather. They are alongside what we refer to as Shimpaku which are all far more green through Winter so, I'd say there's a definite difference in Winter colour between the 2 varieties.
The Itiogawa appear to have much more open growth habit than Shimpaku but, I'm told, Itiogawa foliage tightens up when they are pruned regularly.

Itiogawa may be slightly greener in Summer but I did not take enough notice to be definitive. I would not use colour as a definitive ID feature as colour changes according to a range of factors - nutrient, temp, sun, etc.

[Mickeyjaytee]

I have a couple of J. chinensis that I am told are Itiogawa. They both turned quite brown over winter. Not dead, just a reaction to cold weather. They are alongside what we refer to as Shimpaku which are all far more green through Winter so, I'd say there's a definite difference in Winter colour between the 2 varieties.
The Itiogawa appear to have much more open growth habit than Shimpaku but, I'm told, Itiogawa foliage tightens up when they are pruned regularly.

Itiogawa may be slightly greener in Summer but I did not take enough notice to be definitive. I would not use colour as a definitive ID feature as colour changes according to a range of factors - nutrient, temp, sun, etc.

Heya Neil,

Thanks for the reply, I always appreciate your input. Interesting about the leaf colour. From what I’ve seen it has that definitive lime-green foliage colour as opposed to the shimpaku. I do agree with you though. There are heaps of factors to take into consideration. In summer I’ve noticed a colour difference between trees that get a bit more sun than the others. I’d be curious to see how your Itoigawa would come up in the Perth sun

The growth habit is the definite noticeable difference. It does seem to grow out much more “leggy” and is able to be trained to be dense like shimpaku. I’ve seen quite a few comments from people saying they prefer the Itoigawa due to the more open foliage. I agree.

Have you noticed a difference in growth rate? I hear Itoigawa grows and thickens faster vs shimpaku. That’d be a boon if so! My shimpaku are still slowly, slowly, slooooowly getting there

Thanks again mate

[shibui]

Not enough time and experience yet to gauge growth rates. Itoigawa may be a little faster than Shimpaku but still not fast. I think it took 3 years to get the first one big enough to take my first cuttings!

[Mickeyjaytee]

Well, as I keep getting told, patience Mickey, patience. The 3+ years would be more than worth it for Itoigawa! The growth habit would be interesting to see develop side by side with a regular Shimpaku. It really is quite unique.