Needle Juniper

[Hoosierbonsai]

Hi I’m looking for Needle Juniper pre-bonsai or Shohin.

The only place I see any available right now is BRUSSEL’S Bonsai. I’d really like to find one or several less developed than those. Interested in several whips if available as well.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

If you’re looking for true Tosha, J. rigida, good luck. They are super rare. J. conferta is Shore Juniper, and it is a close relative, known as “soft Tosho”. If you are on Facebook, Ron Nguyen (Chicago) may be able to help. Peter Tea and Owen Reich also like Tosho and may be able to help.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

The only place I see any available right now is BRUSSEL’S Bonsai

I couldn’t find any (true) needle junipers on Brussel’s site but, I did see that they have a cultivar of Juniperus chinensis that apparently retains its juvenile needle foliage.

I have several large Juniperus rigida (Tosho) in Anderson flats. Because they seem to be so rare in the U.S., I was planning to attempt several air layers this next growing season. I know that doesn’t help you now and it’s probably much less than what you are ultimately looking for but, I thought I’d put it out there in case you completely strike out.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

As Brian pointed out, true Temple Juniper is hard to come by right now but, I just noticed this . . .

Rare Tosho Juniper in a Japanese Unglazed Pot (No. 15430)

Shop Bonsai Outlet's large selection of Bonsai Trees. With 30 years of experience, a #1 Bonsai Retailer with over 250,000 Bonsai Trees shipped.

www.bonsaioutlet.com

If you’re interested, you may want to confirm that it’s actually Juniperus rigida and not ‘conferta’ (if it matters to you).

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Bob Pressler sometimes has them at Kimura Bonsai Nursery.

He is a member here as @bonsaibp

 

[Hoosierbonsai]

If you’re looking for true Tosha, J. rigida, good luck. They are super rare. J. conferta is Shore Juniper, and it is a close relative, known as “soft Tosho”. If you are on Facebook, Ron Nguyen (Chicago) may be able to help. Peter Tea and Owen Reich also like Tosho and may be able to help.

Thanks… Yeah I am looking for J. Rigida (Blue Alps) specifically. I actually have a couple growing I got from a nursery (not in stock anymore) a few years ago (also not the easiest to work with being older and not propagated for bonsai). I have been able to propagate a few cuttings off them and wire them early.

I’m trying to add a few more even if they’re whips to do some wiring early on and debating pulling the trigger on a more developed one from BRUSSEL’S if I can’t come across any others.

I just purchased a couple whips on eBay that appear to be Rigida listed as Blue Alps. I’ll determine for sure once they arrive.

I see 3-4 on BRUSSEL’S site. https://brusselsbonsai.com/needle-juniper-st0225nj-r/?searchid=1041412&search_query=Needle+juniper

 

[Hoosierbonsai]

As Brian pointed out, true Temple Juniper is hard to come by right now but, I just noticed this . . .

Rare Tosho Juniper in a Japanese Unglazed Pot (No. 15430)

Shop Bonsai Outlet's large selection of Bonsai Trees. With 30 years of experience, a #1 Bonsai Retailer with over 250,000 Bonsai Trees shipped.

www.bonsaioutlet.com

If you’re interested, you may want to confirm that it’s actually Juniperus rigida and not ‘conferta’ (if it matters to you).

I saw that as well. Unfortunately Bonsai Outlet seems to show a lot of trees already sold and the links don’t get removed.

 

[Hoosierbonsai]

Bob Pressler sometimes has them at Kimura Bonsai Nursery.

He is a member here as @bonsaibp

Yes I bought 1 or 2 nice small ones from him years ago. Still have them. Wasn’t sure if they still shipped or not looking at the website.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

As Brian pointed out, true Temple Juniper is hard to come by right now but, I just noticed this . . .

Rare Tosho Juniper in a Japanese Unglazed Pot (No. 15430)

Shop Bonsai Outlet's large selection of Bonsai Trees. With 30 years of experience, a #1 Bonsai Retailer with over 250,000 Bonsai Trees shipped.

www.bonsaioutlet.com

If you’re interested, you may want to confirm that it’s actually Juniperus rigida and not ‘conferta’ (if it matters to you).

Agreed, the needles look more like conferta than rigida on this one.
@Bonsai Nut Saw on FB that Bob Pressler was in the hospital recently. Hope he is ok.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Thanks… Yeah I am looking for J. Rigida (Blue Alps) specifically.

Another landscape cultivar that is more broadly available is J. rigida 'Pendula'. It is an 'extreme' weeper - in fact, I think it weeps more than a weeping willow The foliage truly drops straight off the branch. While the foliage looks identical to generic J. rigida, the growth habit is anything but. I've got one in a 20g landscape planter while I decide what to do with it.

BTW I could not find the cultivar you mention. I see a J. rigida "Blue Pacific", and a J. chinensis "Blue Alps", but no J. rigida "Blue Alps". (Edit: The one on Brussels website is J. chinensis)

Agreed, the needles look more like conferta than rigida on this one.

That reminds me of a Chikugo-En tree.

 

[Hoosierbonsai]

Another landscape cultivar that is more broadly available is J. rigida 'Pendula'. It is an 'extreme' weeper - in fact, I think it weeps more than a weeping willow The foliage truly drops straight off the branch. While the foliage looks identical to generic J. rigida, the growth habit is anything but. I've got one in a 20g landscape planter while I decide what to do with it.

BTW I could not find the cultivar you mention. I see a J. rigida "Blue Pacific", and a J. chinensis "Blue Alps", but no J. rigida "Blue Alps". (Edit: The one on Brussels website is J. chinensis)

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That reminds me of a Chikugo-En tree.

You guys are right. I completely misread on Brussel’s J. Chinensis. I’m going to have to go back through my stock and confirm exactly what I have.

I’m pretty certain just now I’ve confused the two before, because I’ve seen both called needle juniper.

I thought I had more Rigida but the majority may be Blue Alps. I just double checked I have at least one Rigida from Kimura I purchased about 4 years ago.

 

[Hoosierbonsai]

Here are I believe three different varieties I have. I’m not 100% sure what is what at this point.