PastorErin
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:32 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

Bonsai Identification and Resource Recommendation

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]

User avatar
Gnome
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

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]
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.
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 :wink:. 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bonsai have undergone a substantial re-evaluation in recent years, so older volumes may have some information that is out of date.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.

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

User avatar
webmaster
Site Admin
Posts: 9476
Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 12:59 pm
Location: Amherst, MA USDA Zone 5a

Cough, cough...

Authoritative bonsai care information available here:
https://www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/

Newt
Greener Thumb
Posts: 1868
Joined: Tue May 25, 2004 10:44 pm
Location: Maryland zone 7

Erin, your tree reminds me of
Araucaria columnaris - Cook pine, but I'm not certain.
https://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/hires/html/starr_030405_0069_araucaria_columnaris.htm
https://www.hear.org/starr/hiplants/images/600max/html/starr_030405_0069_araucaria_columnaris.htm

Newt

PastorErin
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:32 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

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

JoeLewko
Green Thumb
Posts: 348
Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 3:29 pm

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

PastorErin
Newly Registered
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:32 pm
Location: Topeka, KS

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.

User avatar
Gnome
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

Joe,

Good work. glad to have you around again.

Erin,

Its good to know what you have isn't it. I have the same book that you purchased. As I recall there is an good discussion on bonsai soils in that volume.

Norm

User avatar
Gnome
Super Green Thumb
Posts: 5122
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A

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



Return to “BONSAI FORUM”