Beng
Omono
I get it they're all the same tree. How many years have you been working on this guy?
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4'a the same as tree 3 too right? Was shot 3 after significant thinning of the foliage?
I think I edited my post above as you were responding. I have both types ill try to get some close ups of the scales today or tomorrow.
My problem is; when I got my Shimpakus no one was concerned about anything other than they were Shimpaku. The ones I purchased were not labeled the cuttings I was given were not labeled. So still to this day I do not know for certain what they are. In reality I don't give a rat's hiney I am really only concerned about doing bonsai but I had my share of derision when I first started growing Mugo Pines many years ago. The criticism was not based on fact but on wrong perception. I am starting to get that same feeling with the Shimpaku controversy. As it was in the past: You can not grow a decent bonsai from a Mugo Pine, today we are seeing the idea forwarded that you cannot make a good Juniper bonsai unless you use Itowigawa Shimpaku. Those who like the Itowigawa can't seem to help themselves in trying to diminish the value of the Kishu or the Shimpaku (if it is actually a seperate tree) as being less than optimal and are second rate to the one and only Itowigawa, praise God and pass the potatoes.
Just a quick health update. I believe the second picture is the front/angle I originally wanted to work with. I'm going to remove the wire this weekend so I can rework it next summer. Looks like itoigawa to everyone? Jk.
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My guess Tom is Kishu. My Kishu has that nice color, and the new growth tips extends like that with loose growth foliage till it matures. My Itoigawa is a brighter green, and the new growth is small, tight and thinner. It's very 'dainty' in comparison to Shimpaku or Kishu.
Looks like itoigawa to everyone? Jk.
Tom, it is absolutely Itoigawa. These were imported from Japan at NEBG where you got it.
See you soon at class!
John
Here are some pics the color is bad and not accurate. My iPhone takes bad pics. These trees are all about the same age.
First Kishu clumped up with Kiyozuru Itoigawa
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Next a normal Itoigawa next to a Kiyozuru Itoigawa
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Reason I asked, picked up 2 specimen trees today and a kishu shimpaku from Gary ishii.
I was there yesterday also but kinda later and was getting chilly lol.
In my view of itoigawa, I like its flat formation and compactness in foliage, on another hand the kishu foliage color is great outstanding if you will.
Would I favor 1 over the other no, my first choice is movement, second branching and last what style to work towards. Today my eye was only for a cascade style which I found 2 and couldn't choose 1 over the other so got both lol it just so happens both itoigawa.
Reason I asked, picked up 2 specimen trees today and a kishu shimpaku from Gary ishii.
I was there yesterday also but kinda later and was getting chilly lol.
In my view of itoigawa, I like its flat formation and compactness in foliage, on another hand the kishu foliage color is great outstanding if you will.
Would I favor 1 over the other no, my first choice is movement, second branching and last what style to work towards. Today my eye was only for a cascade style which I found 2 and couldn't choose 1 over the other so got both lol it just so happens both itoigawa.