Summary
Considered a very hardy conifer, the Juniper is a non-flowering tree that makes
a great choice for bonsai because of it is so easy to prune and train. With
rapid growth patterns, you would typically see long, flowing branches that can
be trained in just about any bonsai style with the exception of the broom style.
Most often, the Juniper’s branches respond exceptionally well to wiring and
reshaping. Just keep in mind that because some species are stiff, trying to
shape into something other than its natural form can be challenging, although
not impossible.
The advantage to using the Juniper for bonsai is that because of the degree of
hardiness, this tree can remain indoors or outdoors, even in the winter months
although it should not be subjected to temperatures below 59 degrees. One of the
most important aspects of growing the Juniper outdoors is that the rootball,
along with newly wired or trained trees should be carefully protected from
frost.
Proper Care
During the growth season, should you notice any new buds, these would need to be
pinched back. For pruning, this should be performed only in the springtime or
early fall, never during the hot summer months. However, maintenance pruning is
acceptable all season long. Then on a regular basis, young shoots should be
pinched off. The Juniper also needs to be fertilized in early spring, using good
quality fertilizer.
Because the Juniper tree has needles that when poked through the skin can create
an allergic reaction, we highly recommend you wear gloves. This will help avoid
any red, itchy rash. As mentioned, the Juniper can be shaped in just about any
style but one of the most popular is cascade.
