Any thoughts on "Blue Star" Juniper, aka Juniperus Squamata?

[KennedyMarx]

I went to a local nursery (not a bonsai specific place) looking for any cool stock. Most of my trees are tropicals so I was thinking of getting a juniper or pine. The blue star junipers they had at the nursery really stuck out to me, but I figured I'd do some research before making a decision on getting one. Looking around the web a bit didn't really see much about them as far as bonsai goes. Any thoughts?

 

[edprocoat]

I had a nice one years ago, they are about like any other juniper. The foliage looks more like a spruce in color. They work like any other juniper, many people do not think junipers make good bonsai subjects as they are not trees, these same people will then tell you you have to create the illusion of a real tree and to me illusion of a real tree has been done convincingly with vines, flowering bushes etc. I say if you like it give it a shot.

ed

 

[TheSteve]

many people do not think junipers make good bonsai subjects as they are not trees

who are these people? while some junipers can pose challenges, I can't believe any serious bonsai person would claim junipers as a whole to be bad subjects, let alone many of them.

 

[edprocoat]

who are these people? while some junipers can pose challenges, I can't believe any serious bonsai person would claim junipers as a whole to be bad subjects, let alone many of them.

Well not wanting to name any names there are several here that have said that junipers are not trees. I am sure you could find them if you read the threads. Trust me these are "serious bonsai people" and have serious pines and larches to prove it, its not like they are just random nut cases they can back up their abilities with trees.

ed

 

[TheSteve]

I'll have to look when I find the chance. I've been on this forum for nearly four years now and haven't seen it said but I don't see everything I guess. I've recommend beginners to stay away and seen people avoid them due to allergic reactions but never heard anyone say they are poor subjects due to not "being trees" (which about half of them are actually trees)

 

[Dav4]

Here is my J. squamata....more of a shrub then a tree, really...still makes a pretty good bonsai.

 

[Vance Wood]

I had a nice one years ago, they are about like any other juniper. The foliage looks more like a spruce in color. They work like any other juniper, many people do not think junipers make good bonsai subjects as they are not trees, these same people will then tell you you have to create the illusion of a real tree and to me illusion of a real tree has been done convincingly with vines, flowering bushes etc. I say if you like it give it a shot.

ed

I used to get that a lot, years ago, with Mugo Pines: "Oh, those are just bushes." This was the main reason the Mugo was a pariah in the bonsai community for many years. There are some today who still cling to that opinion.

 

[Underdog]

Very old thread I know. Like the OP not finding too much on them.
Just picked one up yesterday and hope to make something out of it.

 

[Vance Wood]

Very old thread I know. Like the OP not finding too much on them.
Just picked one up yesterday and hope to make something out of it.

The only thing you can do is work with the tree. I have found that many of the Junipers are heavy feeders. The more you feed the tree the more you are going to be able to do with it. I see some pretty good options in making a nice Sho Hin.

 

[Underdog]

Thanks Vance. Pretty sure I've read your suggestion to not wire yet. Later in summer i believe? I put one loose wire on the new top and only pruned out some dead and unwanted branches so far. Just weeded and uncovered top roots to look.
No repot till spring I assume? Slipped into a bit shallower but slightly wider nursery can for now.

Any suggestions welcome. Thanks for your time.

 

[GrimLore]

Very slow grower, and a mounding variety... But as Vance said they might make a nice Shohin.

Grimmy

 

[Underdog]

Very slow grower, and a mounding variety... But as Vance said they might make a nice Shohin.

Grimmy

I've been trying to get some smaller projects. I have too many big things growing already. I like it. Think I can make sumthin out of it. Good or bad... He had about 30 of them and this one spoke to me.

 

[GrimLore]

I've been trying to get some smaller projects.

All plants I have this year are on the small side because of the disease that ripped through here Spring of 2015. Honest they are all test plants but a heck of a lot easier and take far less daily work.

No repot till spring I assume? Slipped into a bit shallower but slightly wider nursery can for now.

I would recommend growing it until Spring, nothing else. More fertilizer then usual during the growing season is all. I would also highly recommend covering that root for now. The reason is twofold. It is small and will dry up quickly which you want to avoid. Another is I lost a few types of mounding junipers last Winter as I had not noticed the roots potted like yours is exposed themselves a lot more - I suspect the wind was rocking them loose. I have replaced two mounding and they are doing better covered.
Also on mounding species I have found the growth to be very rubbery and therefore I thin them for health but not as much as others. It is different working them having that and slow growth. They might require to be stacked while growing depending on your plans for it. I don't thin them as much as it would just take way to long to replace it if needed. Just me perhaps but I try to make all of my plants fun not work

Grimmy

 

[Underdog]

also highly recommend covering that root for now.

did that after pic.

They might require to be stacked

Stacked? Please explain. Thanks
Mark

edit... Stake I think. Gotcha Thanks

 

[GrimLore]

edit... Staked I think. Thanks

Oooops Yes, staked. One good reason to shoot for a thick slightly upright main trunk with mounding. They will grow a bit upright but they need a helping hand...

I am growing one in a hanging basket as an eventual cascade for a "deco" plant at a future bench end. I still will have to stake up the cascade branch(s) until they mature enough to stay put for awhile. That one is a Blue Pacific Shore Juniper and the only real difference I see with that and your plant is yours has slightly rough foliage not soft.

Grimmy

 

[Giga]

I've seen a couple of these but nothing that was worth the time of day - they are pretty cool though

 

[GrimLore]

I've seen a couple of these but nothing that was worth the time of day - they are pretty cool though

They are indeed a challenge like any mounding Juniper but honest given time and work I think I can make at least a couple of nice ones. Sometimes I do look at them though and wonder if I have enough time left

Grimmy

 

[just.wing.it]

I saved a Blue Rug juniper from the clearance ($4.84) shelf at Walmart this year. I was pleasantly surprised when I cut out the dead foliage and trimmed it a bit. I like the color of the blue star and blue rug, cool and different.
Pics coming...

 

[just.wing.it]

I saved a Blue Rug juniper from the clearance ($4.84) shelf at Walmart this year. I was pleasantly surprised when I cut out the dead foliage and trimmed it a bit. I like the color of the blue star and blue rug, cool and different.
Pics coming...

Some pretty cool natural movement in the trunk.... future shohin.

 

[Underdog]

Still kicking