The Shimpaku Juniper is native to Japan, the Kurile Island and the Sahalin Peninsula. It prefers rocky, well-drained soils. In its natural range, it is most often found growing near the sea. The foliage is needle-like on young trees and scale-like on older trees. The fruit is a small, hard, bluish berry. One of the best characteristics of Shimpaku is its hard resinous wood; ideal for advanced sculptural techniques such as jin, shari and sabamiki.
The Shimpaku Juniper does best outside. It needs plenty of natural sunshine and temperature changes associated with the seasons. When kept outside, it can tolerate just about any condition. Make sure it gets afternoon shade in the summer.
Bonsai trees live in small pots and their world dries out much quicker than for plants in the ground or in bigger pots. The more sunlight and warmth your bonsai receives, the more often it will need water. Striking a balance between not enough water and too much water can be a bit tricky but is very important. Spray the foliage often during the growing season. Water thoroughly and deeply when it needs water and let it catch its breath before watering again. Place the entire pot in a sink of water an inch or two deep and let the water absorb through the holes in the bottom of the pot. Another favorite way to know if it needs watering is to lift it. You can get a sense for whether it needs watering by its weight.
Leaves want humidity to keep them green and healthy. Mist occasionally during the week. A humidity tray is a great way to increase humidity. These shallow trays filled with small stones have water in the bottom of the tray. Make sure the water does not reach the bottom of the bonsai pot. As the water evaporates, it creates a moister environment.
To develop the foliage, pinch out the tender new shoots using your fingers. Do not use scissors, as the cut needles will turn brown.
- The Shimpaku Juniper does best outside. It needs plenty of natural sunshine and temperature changes associated with the seasons. When kept outside, it can tolerate just about any condition. Make sure it gets afternoon shade in the summer.
- The Shimpaku Juniper is native to Japan, the Kurile Island and the Sahalin Peninsula. It prefers rocky, well-drained soils. In its natural range, it is most often found growing near the sea. The foliage is needle-like on young trees and scale-like on older trees. The fruit is a small, hard, bluish berry. One of the best characteristics of Shimpaku is its hard resinous wood; ideal for advanced sculptural techniques such as jin, shari and sabamiki.
- Shimpaku live in small pots and their world dries out much quicker than for plants in the ground or in bigger pots. The more sunlight and warmth your bonsai receives, the more often it will need water. Striking a balance between not enough water and too much water can be a bit tricky but is very important. Spray the foliage often during the growing season. Water thoroughly and deeply when it needs water and let it catch its breath before watering again.
- Leaves want humidity to keep them green and healthy. Mist occasionally during the week. A humidity tray is a great way to increase humidity. These shallow trays filled with small stones have water in the bottom of the tray. Make sure the water does not reach the bottom of the bonsai pot. As the water evaporates, it creates a moister environment.
- To develop the foliage, pinch out the tender new shoots using your fingers. Do not use scissors, as the cut needles will turn brown. Pinching must be done continuously during the growing season. Prune undesirable branches especially those growing straight down from their parent branch when repotting or during the growing season.
