Juniper

$22.53
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The Juniper is probably one of the most iconic and popular tree types used in Bonsai Art. Junipers are great as outdoor trees and are very hardy trees. Making them the top recommendation for someone starting their Bonsai journey. This is the perfect tree for the beginner Bonsai Artist. 

Here is why Juniper is the way to start. The Juniper in the video is from our Young Collection (Size 1)

Juniper Procumbens Nana - Japanese Dwarf Juniper

The most common of the Junipers used for Bonsai is because of their hardiness and vigorous growth. Naturally, the Procumbens Nana is a ground sprawling variety and requires staking and wiring to force it to grow upright. 

Juniper Shimpaku - Juniperus Chinesis Shimapku

The Shimpaku is prized for its gentle foliage and upright growth habit, most Specimen Juniper Bonsai seen in shows or exhibitions are the Shimpaku cultivar. 

Juniper San Jose - Juniperus Chinesis San Jose

Another prized cultivar of Juniper for Bonsai is the San Jose. Similar to the Procumbens Nana, however, its growth habit is more upright, making it easier to style and develop as a Bonsai. 

 

Watering the juniper is easy as this Bonsai prefers drying out before its next watering. Although during the summer months a humidity tray or weekly misting can help the growth. Junipers under 10 should be re-potted every 2-3 years. Older Junipers can be re-potted every 3-5 years. When repotting as with most Bonsai, trimming back the roots is recommended. 

Making it easier for you to start your Bonsai journey, we've bundled up everything a budding Bonsai artist would need to get started in one kit. The Juniper Bundle is a great gift that can bring years and years of joy. 

 

These are not seeds - But Actual Bonsai Tree

Please see our Choosing a Bonsai page, for the age and dimensions regarding the different stages of our Bonsai (Baby, Young, & Mature).

Soil (Substrate)

Bonsai soils are usually a mixture of organic potting compost (Pine Bark or Forest Floor), Akadamapumice, lava rock in varying amounts. 

It is important for the soil have good water retention while also draining well, along with very good aeration. The quality of the soil directly affects the health, size and growth of your tree. One of the worst things you can do to your tree is plant it in regular garden soil. Garden soil hardens when it drys and can often lead to a disadvantage when growing a Bonsai. 

Soil mixtures can be purchased here, but given their weight and cost of shipping, you can also easily make your own. 

 

Depending on the type of Bonsai you're growing, here are the general formulas for successful mixtures. 

Deciduous Tree (Leafy and looses leafs in the fall)

50% Akadama

20% Pumice

20% Lava Rock

10% Potting Compost

 

Coniferous Tree (Evergreen like Juniper, Cedar)

1/3 Akadama

1/3 Pumice

1/3 Lava Rock

 

If you are not able to check on your Bonsai's moisture levels daily, add more Akadama to the mix. 

Given how these soils erode over time, repotting every 2-3 years is required. 

 

Here are some suitable replacements if you cannot find the recommended types of soil.

  • Akadama - fine fired or baked clays, some even recommend cat litter as a substitute. 
  • Pumice - fine crushed aggregates, expanded shale and vermiculite.
  • Lava Rock - This can be replaced with fine gravel or you can also look into purchasing a larger lava rock at a hardware or gardening centre and crushing it. 

 

Fertilizer

One of the best and easiest ways to fertilize your Bonsai, is to add a liquid fertilizer mix when water your Bonsai's once a month during the spring/summer. If your Bonsai looses leaves in the winter there is no need to fertilize it then. If you have a coniferous tree, fertilizing the tree once in the beginning of winter and once in the middle of winter should be sufficient.

  

Customer Reviews

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L
Lindsay Fitzsimmons (Toronto, CA)

Amazing service and product!

Reviewer avatar
Vanessa Drouin (Saint-Jerome, CA)
Jupiter bonsaï ♥️

I would love to assemble my bonsai. He arrived in good condition and the company is wonderful 🤍

H
Hasan Umair (Toronto, CA)

Great Service

T
TwinPea (Roxboro, CA)
Love it

Its beautiful. I love it. Thank you!

D
Dave Wilkes (Regina, CA)
Juniper

Arrived rite on time as promised and seems healthy and happy. I am looking forward to a long learning experience into junipers

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