I've spent the last few hours browsing various forums and I think that this is the place for me.
I just received my first bonsai today as a gift and I am at a loss to identify it. I was hoping someone might be able to help. The pictures are at the bottom of this post (they may take a few seconds to load).
In addition, I was hoping someone might be able to direct me to a printed resource with which I might get all the basic bonsai info in one book/publication.
Any help is greatly appreciated and I look forward to spending more time here.
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/PastorErin/Family%20Website/CIMG2328.jpg[/img]
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/PastorErin/Family%20Website/CIMG2325.jpg[/img]
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- Gnome
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PastorErin,
My initial reaction when I saw the first picture was that it is some type of Juniper. The second picture however has me second guessing myself somewhat. I readily admit that my experience with Junipers is not extensive and I am not thoroughly familiar with all varieties. Perhaps someone else can either verify this ID or offer another. It may just be the closeup that seems unusual, excellent photography by the way. With the caveats out of the way here is link detailing Juniper culture.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Juniperus.html[/url]
By the way you are the most recent of several on this forum that have received them as gifts and I have told them all that Junipers don't belong inside. I think the retailers are doing a disservice by selling these things in the middle of the winter. I wonder how many of them ever make it to see a second winter, outside where they belong.
Here are some links to get you started.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/index.htm[/url]
[url]https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm[/url]
Norm
My initial reaction when I saw the first picture was that it is some type of Juniper. The second picture however has me second guessing myself somewhat. I readily admit that my experience with Junipers is not extensive and I am not thoroughly familiar with all varieties. Perhaps someone else can either verify this ID or offer another. It may just be the closeup that seems unusual, excellent photography by the way. With the caveats out of the way here is link detailing Juniper culture.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/Juniperus.html[/url]
That is a pretty tall order. People spend years, even decades, learning the various aspects of bonsai culture. Go to your local library and read whatever you can get your hands on. Don't take what any one author says as gospel . Certain elements of bonsai have undergone a substantial re-evaluation in recent years, so older volumes may have some information that is out of date. Other reasons for variation might be the authors climate and the species they grow, not to mention individual idiosyncrasies.In addition, I was hoping someone might be able to direct me to a printed resource with which I might get all the basic bonsai info in one book/publication.
By the way you are the most recent of several on this forum that have received them as gifts and I have told them all that Junipers don't belong inside. I think the retailers are doing a disservice by selling these things in the middle of the winter. I wonder how many of them ever make it to see a second winter, outside where they belong.
Here are some links to get you started.
[url]https://www.bonsai4me.com/index.htm[/url]
[url]https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/articles.htm[/url]
Norm
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Thanks for all your info. So far the Cook Pine looks closest, but it's hard to tell due to the fact that the images on that site are full-size trees and the one I have here is an (assumedly) unattended bonsai.
For right now, I'm going to treat it as such, unless anyone else comes up with a closer match.
Also, after scouring the local Barnes & Noble for quite some time I purchased Herb J. Gustafson's The Bonsai Workshop. It was the most thorough printed resource I could find on bonsai.
Once again, thanks. I will keep you posted on my bonsai metamorphosis.
~Erin
For right now, I'm going to treat it as such, unless anyone else comes up with a closer match.
Also, after scouring the local Barnes & Noble for quite some time I purchased Herb J. Gustafson's The Bonsai Workshop. It was the most thorough printed resource I could find on bonsai.
Once again, thanks. I will keep you posted on my bonsai metamorphosis.
~Erin
Erin
I believe you have a juniper. I don't think it is a cook pine, the needles seem rounder than the one you have. going by the pic that is not fully zoomed in, it looks like a juniper. To me, the needles seem more similar to this.
[img]https://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/0/03/Juniper_needles.jpg[/img]
As far as species of juniper, I'd have to guess, Juniperus Procumbens Nana (I believe that's the spelling?), since they are the most common, but it's hard to tell as they are all very similar. A picture of the full tree would be somewhat helpful also.
Joe
I believe you have a juniper. I don't think it is a cook pine, the needles seem rounder than the one you have. going by the pic that is not fully zoomed in, it looks like a juniper. To me, the needles seem more similar to this.
[img]https://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/0/03/Juniper_needles.jpg[/img]
As far as species of juniper, I'd have to guess, Juniperus Procumbens Nana (I believe that's the spelling?), since they are the most common, but it's hard to tell as they are all very similar. A picture of the full tree would be somewhat helpful also.
Joe
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That's definitely it!! Thanks a million.
After looking at 20 or so up close photos, I don't have a doubt in my mind. Your spelling was absolutely correct and from the scientific name I found the common name as well: Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper.
I'll post a full shot tomorrow some time.
Again, thanks.
After looking at 20 or so up close photos, I don't have a doubt in my mind. Your spelling was absolutely correct and from the scientific name I found the common name as well: Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper.
I'll post a full shot tomorrow some time.
Again, thanks.
- Gnome
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Erin & Joe,
Here is a picture of the foliage on my Juniper. It is a variety known as "Old Gold" Not sure about the correct species name. This is the scale type foliage as opposed to the needle type found on your variety.
[url=https://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=junfoliagetq1.jpg][img]https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/8936/junfoliagetq1.th.jpg[/img][/url]
And a picture of before and after the initial styling. This tree was purchased at a nursery last spring and will be re-potted in the spring.
[url=https://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beforeandafterlh5.jpg][img]https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2315/beforeandafterlh5.th.jpg[/img][/url]
Norm
Here is a picture of the foliage on my Juniper. It is a variety known as "Old Gold" Not sure about the correct species name. This is the scale type foliage as opposed to the needle type found on your variety.
[url=https://img112.imageshack.us/my.php?image=junfoliagetq1.jpg][img]https://img112.imageshack.us/img112/8936/junfoliagetq1.th.jpg[/img][/url]
And a picture of before and after the initial styling. This tree was purchased at a nursery last spring and will be re-potted in the spring.
[url=https://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beforeandafterlh5.jpg][img]https://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2315/beforeandafterlh5.th.jpg[/img][/url]
Norm