AusBonsai

Hi All,
I am wiondering which Junipers make the best bonsai if you could only get one (I know they all do, but I am looking for advice on qualities as I would like to purchase older more expensive stock)
Thanks,
Michael

Squamata.

Michael if you are not going to do the styling yourself, then i would suggest the one that appeals to you the most.

Mick

In my experience, there are few answers to this question Toohey.

Best if you are patient: Shimpaku.

Balance of best result and easiset/fastest: J. squamata 'Prostrata'

Worth Considering: J.squamata 'Meyerii' and 'Holger', J.sabina,

Challenging: J. rigida (Needle Juniper)

Don't bother: J. squamata 'Blue Rug/Carpet' and 'Blue Star', J. conferta (Shore Juniper), J. chinensis 'Spartan' and 'Pyramidalis', any J. chinensis cultivar that has open, leggy foliage (there are lots like that!)

Cheers,
Mojo

Shimpaku
"Itoigawa" or

"kishu"

Mojo - why is rigida challenging, and what's the problem with conferta? I haven't seen good examples of conferta, I'm just wondering why. Rigida is done in Japan, with thick cut-back lots-of-shari trunks. Haven't seen many in Aus.

Just curious, not stirring.

Gavin

that one! lol

out of Squamata & Procumbens, any preferences

I have 4 Holgers.. Strong growers, take an absolute beating without showing a sign of trouble. Seem to thrive in any position. Unfortunately, not the beautiful tight foliage that the shimpaku has. More of a loose, open foliage. Great tree for a beginner to work on.

It really is up to personal preference. Look up some of the varieties on the net and decide which one you'll go for

defiantly shimpaku.love the mature foliage when constanly pinched .I think mojo is saying that you will be waiting around for awhile with rigida to mature. i havent seen a great one in this country yet and i know some japanese graft shimpaku to rigida trunks as they can be very impressive. i still stand with shimpaku however having recenty grown squamata they make nice trees and are more easily avaiable .

toohey wrote:out of Squamata & Procumbens, any preferences

Procumbens

Scott, can you tell me why?

Scott, can you tell me why?

toohey wrote:Scott, can you tell me why?

Sorry mate, I missed your post.

I say procumbens because it looks more refined. I do not like Squamata that much, it reminds me of 'mallsai'.

shimpaku straight out!!

squamata is ok but mature foliage suits larger trees.

procumbens is pretty good too.

conferta are very hard to keep a neat outline and grow straggly.

virginia, and these types are etremely open foliage and coarse.