JUNIPERUS chinensis

Class

Pinopsida

Division

Gymnospermae

Family

Cupressaceae

Order

Pinales

Genus

Juniperus

Species

chinensis

Description

Belonging to the Cupressaceae family, it grows wild in China and Japan. It is a plant with an upright, conical growth habit and a tapered shape. There are dwarf varieties that have a shrub-like habit. It has light green foliage, though the shades vary depending on the variety, ranging from bright green to glaucous, yellowish or golden. The leaves are scale-like and appressed, though in some varieties they are needle-like, arranged in whorls of three. The foliage is soft and compact to the touch.

Curiosities and special features

A plant of great elegance and adaptability, it is one of the species that lends itself to being shaped and trained to produce particularly striking specimens as bonsai; today, thanks in part to cultural exchanges and international events in the sector, the cultivation of bonsai has spread throughout the Western world.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the region stretching from the Russian Far East to northern Myanmar and East Asia. Today, it is found in a variety of cultivars that differ mainly in their growth habit and leaf colour.

Leaf

Depending on the variety, the leaves areneedle-like or spatulate.

Leaf colour

Variegated, multicoloured. It has light green foliage, but with different shades depending on the variety, ranging from bright green to bluish-green, yellowish or golden.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 1.5 m, depending on the size of the pot and how the plant is trained.

Lifespan

Evergreen perennial conifer.

Where to plant

Suitable as a bonsai species for both large and small pots.

Stem

The trunk is woody with flaking bark.

Growth

A plant with determinate growth.

Plant habit

It develops a bushy habit with an upright, conical and tapered growth habit.

Branching

Branching is Medium.

PH

It requires a soil pH of between 5.5 and 7.0.

Sun exposure

It prefers to grow outdoors, in full sun. When very young, however, it needs to be sheltered from strong sunlight during the summer. It is not bothered by the cold and even in winter it thrives in a very bright spot.

It prefers airy, well-ventilated areas.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 27 °C. The survival temperature is between -15 and 40 °C.

Use

Appreciated in
Ornamental use

Hardiness

Of moderate hardiness.

Soil

Use a substrate rich in clay. We recommend a bonsai potting mix based on akadama, comprising at least 70–80 per cent akadama, plus a porous component such as pumice.

Difficulty

It is moderately difficult to grow. Like all bonsai, it requires very regular care.

Growing tips

Below are some useful, specific cultivation guidelines for achieving excellent vegetative growth:
Expose the plant to as much light as possible It requires generous watering, but without waterlogging

Pruning

Pruning should be carried out regularly throughout the growing season in order to establish or maintain the shape, by cutting back the tips of new shoots to control growth. Keep the trunk free of unwanted shoots by removing them regularly.

Repotting

Younger plants should be repotted every year. Mature plants can be repotted every 3 or 4 years. This should be done in spring or early autumn.

Watering

It requires frequent watering during the growing season, particularly in summer, although the compost should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Prevent waterlogging by keeping the pot slightly raised. Avoid very dry conditions; therefore, during the hot season, mist the foliage with a fine spray of water.

Fertilising

Use fertilisers specifically designed for bonsai. Spread them around the base of the plant in the pot, gently working the granules into the soil.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

To prevent waterlogging, keep the pot slightly raised. When pruning, pinch out new shoots with your fingers very frequently. Avoid very dry environments. Therefore, during the summer, mist the foliage fairly frequently. Keep the plant outdoors, in very bright, well-ventilated areas, in full sun.