Bonsai.ch Juniperus juniper cm

Juniperus chinensis is an evergreen conifer that originates from East Asia.

The juniper is very popular as a bonsai and is excellent for deadwood designs (Jin and Shari).

Care

The Chinese juniper prefers a sunny location outdoors all year round. If winter temperatures drop below -10 °C, the root ball should be protected. At very low temperatures, its foliage may discolor unattractively, but it will turn green again in spring. It likes well-draining soil (such as Kiryu), either pure or mixed with Akadama or a special house mix. Watering should only be done when the soil is dry. Avoid waterlogging at all costs. When repotting, a handful of the old soil mixed with mycorrhiza (white fungal network) should be added to the new substrate. From spring onwards, provide organic fertilizer.

Design

To maintain and densify the shape of the foliage pads, the shoots that extend beyond the silhouette should be pinched throughout the entire growing season. It is important to pinch the green shoots with the fingertips and not with fingernails or scissors, as this can cause the shoot tips to turn brown. Only when shoots need to be completely removed should scissors or branch cutters be used. The branches can be easily shaped with wire; for branches with rough bark, the branch should be wrapped with a protective tape before wiring.