Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
Which one of the two species would you prefer, and why?
Podocarpus or Cryptomeria
- Thread starter Cajunrider
- Start date
cbroad
Omono
Cryptomeria, cause it's hardy where I live 
cbroad
Omono
I have seen some established podocarpus around here that are well protected, but the needles can be quite long on the ones I've seen.
Podocarpus is definitely a cool plant, but in my opinion crypto's foliage is more in scale for bonsai.
I would love to see some people's podocarpus bonsai on here!
Podocarpus is definitely a cool plant, but in my opinion crypto's foliage is more in scale for bonsai.
I would love to see some people's podocarpus bonsai on here!
cbroad
Omono
Damn, just looked at some bonsai on google, some of those needles are pretty small, definitely looks really good as bonsai!
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
Give or take, there is about 100 different varieties of podocarpus - which?
There is only about half a dozen varieties of cryptomeria. Personally, I don't care for the pom-pom style they usually wind up being in bonsai cultivation. The black dragon cultivar is cool if you are wanting to do something like @grouper52 did with one.
There is only about half a dozen varieties of cryptomeria. Personally, I don't care for the pom-pom style they usually wind up being in bonsai cultivation. The black dragon cultivar is cool if you are wanting to do something like @grouper52 did with one.
GGB
Masterpiece
I think cryptomeria is one of the most beautiful trees on earth. They sprout "wild" all over my dad's yard. They can be trunk chopped when young. But i have "heard" (don't know first hand) that they are fickle
cbroad
Omono
KiwiPlantGuy
Omono
Hi Cajunrider,
I am in favour of Crytomeria as they grow nicely and relatively easy to make pads. My pre-bonsai attempts below are of nursery stock and boring as my first purchases lol.
First is a NZ native Podocarpus totals which would look amazing in 200 years.
Second is a bigger dwarf Crypto (Bandai Sugi).
Lastly a real low growing dwarf Crypto which seems to have some potential in the future.
Hope this vaguely helps from so far away.
Charles
I am in favour of Crytomeria as they grow nicely and relatively easy to make pads. My pre-bonsai attempts below are of nursery stock and boring as my first purchases lol.
First is a NZ native Podocarpus totals which would look amazing in 200 years.
Second is a bigger dwarf Crypto (Bandai Sugi).
Lastly a real low growing dwarf Crypto which seems to have some potential in the future.
Hope this vaguely helps from so far away.
Charles
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I'm sorry for the vagueness of the question. It was deliberate because I'd like to hear from those who are passionate about a certain species. Below are some of the reasons for my question.
1. I want to add one more conifer to my future collection. Right now I have bald cypress in pre-pre-pre bonsai stage
2. Podocarpus macrophyllus is very popular where I came from and has cultural significance but I am not very fond of the coarse foliage.
3. I've seen some beautiful Cryptomeria in the wild in my past travel and their images are stuck in my mind. No. I'm not a fan of the pom-pom style a lot of them have as bonsai.
4. They can tolerate the two growing zones where they will be 9a now and 6 future.
Keep them coming.
Thanks!
1. I want to add one more conifer to my future collection. Right now I have bald cypress in pre-pre-pre bonsai stage
2. Podocarpus macrophyllus is very popular where I came from and has cultural significance but I am not very fond of the coarse foliage.
3. I've seen some beautiful Cryptomeria in the wild in my past travel and their images are stuck in my mind. No. I'm not a fan of the pom-pom style a lot of them have as bonsai.
4. They can tolerate the two growing zones where they will be 9a now and 6 future.
Keep them coming.
Thanks!
Last edited:
William N. Valavanis
Chumono
In China someone introduced a new, patented cultivar of podocarpus which had bright RED new growth. Looks like flowers.
As 0so mentioned, many species and varieties. I've got one labeled P. macrophyllus (not sure if it's correct, you know how it goes) and the foliage can get much finer with pruning and after few years. Take in consideration they'll need some winter protection in zone 6. I overwinter mine and cuttings in a cold room with subtropicals.
0soyoung
Imperial Masterpiece
I think it goes by the name podocarpus laurencei (or podo. alpinus) 'Red Tip'. Reportedly good to zone 10, @Cajunrider. It has nice small leaves that turn dark green. It is okay in part shade and I have seen that the less sun the less red (more solid green) with the junker I got a few years ago from a garden center nursery's 'lemon sale' (I bought it because it had a nice trunk with reddish bark).
There is also a podocarpus 'Blue Gem' that has blue needle-like foliage instead of the paddle shaped 'needles' that Red Tip has. Both are sold as little, care-free puff-balls for home landscapes. But maybe Bill has another podo in mind.
Cajunrider
Imperial Masterpiece
I did a search and found the laurencei as well. They look intriguing for sure.
