 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
A single species genus, Cryptomeria contains numerous cultivars and varieties suitable for bonsai cultivation. Not a
true cedar, this hardy evergreen can grow up to 100 feet tall under ideal, landscape conditions. With it's tight
foliage, in tiny, wedge shaped dark green to blue-green spikes and reddish brown peeling bark, Japanese Cedar
make a handsome bonsai. Native to the high, wet mountains of Japan, these trees do best when you are able to
stimulate their natural environment, wet feet in well draining soil, high humidity and cooler temperatures. During
cold winters, foliage will turn bronze, returning the green in spring, though some cultivars remain green through
the winter.
Hardiness: Zone 6. Provide winter protection from drying winds and prolonged freezes.
Light: Full sun to light shade. Needles can dehydrate and turn brown in strong winds and hot summer sun, so
protect as needed.
Soil: Slightly acidic soil with high organic content. Insure good drainage.
Watering: Prefers humid sites. Water daily or as needed, never allowing the soil to completely dry out. Less in
winter, just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed, once every two weeks, through growing season. Top off with a nitrogen free mix in the
autumn.
Pests and Diseases: Scale, red spider mites. Mildew if foliage is overly congested.
Repotting: In mid to late spring, every two to five years, depending on age and growth.
Pruning and Styling: Pinch out new growth through the growing season as needed to promote bushier foliage.
Scissor pruning will cause foliage tips to brown, use thumb and index finger. With frequent pinching, Cryptomeria
will backbud from almost any point on the tree. Remove growth near base of branches, on the underside of
branches and near the trunk to encourage good air movement as well as letting the character of the trunk and bark
show through. Avoid die back from over growth of foliage (encouraged by the pinching back of growing tips) by
clearing old foliage out as new shoots grow. Spring pruning with encourage new growth around the wound.
Heavy prune in summer, to allow maximum time for healing. Take care with pruning, using especially sharp tools
as the cambium layer of Cryptomeria can separate from the wood easily.
Wiring in spring, carefully. Though apparently flexible, branches can snap without warning if bent too far. Once
wired, bend only slightly, increasing the bend by a little every couple of weeks until the desired position is reached.
Propagation: Seeds outside in spring. Cuttings in summer and early autumn.
Styles and Forms: Formal and informal uprights, twin trunk, raft, group plantings, rock and tray plantings
Species and Cultivars: 'Araucarioides' grows up to ten feet. Short, dark green needles, pressed close to the branch.
'Bandai' dwarf form.
'Compressa' dwarf form with compact, rounded habit. Foliage turns a purplish brown in winter.
'Elegans' Grows up to 40 feet in the landscape. Conical habit. Softer, needle like foliage. Plum coloured foliage in
winter.
'Elegans Nana' slow growing dwarf, up to six feet in landscape. Round, bushy habit with blue-green needles.
'Globosa Nana' dwarf variety, blue-green foliage and spherical habit.
'Jindai-sugi' Dwarf cultivar.
'Lobbii' grows to around 40 feet in the landscape. Disease resistant. Conical habit.
'Lobbii Nana' dwarf, grows up to 4 feet in landscape. Dark green foliage.
'Nana' dwarf form with mid-green needle foliage.
'Tansu' dwarf form, light green foliage.
'Vilmoriniana' only grows to around 12 inches. Bright green foliage and compact, rounded habit.
'Yatsubusa' Japanese dwarf cultivar.
'Yoshino' up to 50 feet in the landscape. Mid-green foliage.
Other Information:
true cedar, this hardy evergreen can grow up to 100 feet tall under ideal, landscape conditions. With it's tight
foliage, in tiny, wedge shaped dark green to blue-green spikes and reddish brown peeling bark, Japanese Cedar
make a handsome bonsai. Native to the high, wet mountains of Japan, these trees do best when you are able to
stimulate their natural environment, wet feet in well draining soil, high humidity and cooler temperatures. During
cold winters, foliage will turn bronze, returning the green in spring, though some cultivars remain green through
the winter.
Hardiness: Zone 6. Provide winter protection from drying winds and prolonged freezes.
Light: Full sun to light shade. Needles can dehydrate and turn brown in strong winds and hot summer sun, so
protect as needed.
Soil: Slightly acidic soil with high organic content. Insure good drainage.
Watering: Prefers humid sites. Water daily or as needed, never allowing the soil to completely dry out. Less in
winter, just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
Fertilizer: Balanced feed, once every two weeks, through growing season. Top off with a nitrogen free mix in the
autumn.
Pests and Diseases: Scale, red spider mites. Mildew if foliage is overly congested.
Repotting: In mid to late spring, every two to five years, depending on age and growth.
Pruning and Styling: Pinch out new growth through the growing season as needed to promote bushier foliage.
Scissor pruning will cause foliage tips to brown, use thumb and index finger. With frequent pinching, Cryptomeria
will backbud from almost any point on the tree. Remove growth near base of branches, on the underside of
branches and near the trunk to encourage good air movement as well as letting the character of the trunk and bark
show through. Avoid die back from over growth of foliage (encouraged by the pinching back of growing tips) by
clearing old foliage out as new shoots grow. Spring pruning with encourage new growth around the wound.
Heavy prune in summer, to allow maximum time for healing. Take care with pruning, using especially sharp tools
as the cambium layer of Cryptomeria can separate from the wood easily.
Wiring in spring, carefully. Though apparently flexible, branches can snap without warning if bent too far. Once
wired, bend only slightly, increasing the bend by a little every couple of weeks until the desired position is reached.
Propagation: Seeds outside in spring. Cuttings in summer and early autumn.
Styles and Forms: Formal and informal uprights, twin trunk, raft, group plantings, rock and tray plantings
Species and Cultivars: 'Araucarioides' grows up to ten feet. Short, dark green needles, pressed close to the branch.
'Bandai' dwarf form.
'Compressa' dwarf form with compact, rounded habit. Foliage turns a purplish brown in winter.
'Elegans' Grows up to 40 feet in the landscape. Conical habit. Softer, needle like foliage. Plum coloured foliage in
winter.
'Elegans Nana' slow growing dwarf, up to six feet in landscape. Round, bushy habit with blue-green needles.
'Globosa Nana' dwarf variety, blue-green foliage and spherical habit.
'Jindai-sugi' Dwarf cultivar.
'Lobbii' grows to around 40 feet in the landscape. Disease resistant. Conical habit.
'Lobbii Nana' dwarf, grows up to 4 feet in landscape. Dark green foliage.
'Nana' dwarf form with mid-green needle foliage.
'Tansu' dwarf form, light green foliage.
'Vilmoriniana' only grows to around 12 inches. Bright green foliage and compact, rounded habit.
'Yatsubusa' Japanese dwarf cultivar.
'Yoshino' up to 50 feet in the landscape. Mid-green foliage.
Other Information:
Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica)