The juniper is another very popular bonsai tree species. It is an evergreen conifer tree and should be placed outdoors. The juniper is especially great for shari technique as its winding shape naturally occurs which enhances the deadwood effect created by the shari technique.

Juniper produces a needle like foliage that varies from dark green color in summer to a purple/blow color in winter. Some species produce flowers and fruits, but they are very tiny and barely noticeable.

Position

Your juniper should be placed outdoors all year long. It needs a lot of light and can tolerate direct sunlight during the winter months. Avoid direct sunlight during the summer months where it could be too strong and potentially damage the tree. During winter, if temperatures drop below 15°F, protect your tree from the cold.

Watering

Water your juniper when the soil starts to get dry. Always keep the soil moist but not saturated. The juniper can tolerate some periods of under-watering, but it does not like over-watering too much, as it can damage the roots. You can spray the foliage with water to maintain good overall humidity.

Fertilizing

The juniper usually does not need fertilization. However, if you notice that your tree is weakening, you can apply some fertilizers. You can fertilize your juniper twice in the spring, with one month in between each fertilization, and once again in the fall.

Repotting

Repot your juniper every 2-3 years for the younger ones, and every 4-5 years for the older ones. Use a soil mix composed of 60% of akadama, 20% lava rock and 20% of organic components.

Pruning

Cut or pinch at the base long shouts that stick out of the desired shape for your juniper tree. Do not trim the needle as they will become brown and die, and the whole tree will weaken. The juniper is a very resistant tree that can bear aggressive pruning.

Wiring

The juniper is quite easy to work with, and it is very common for this species to have several drastic twists in its structure, which resembles what can be observed in nature. Wire the juniper tree in fall and leave the wires for about 8 months. You can start the wiring process in the next fall again to achieve the desired shape.

Propagation

The juniper is quite easy to grow from seeds, but this process will take several years for you to obtain a fully-grown tree. Juniper trees are usually obtained through cuttings.

Pests and diseases

The juniper is usually quite resistant against pests and diseases, but make sure not to have a too dense foliage as this will increase the opportunity for pests to settle. The juniper can get infested with mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. Wash them off with water, or apply an organic pesticide treatment if the spread is too important.