Juniper Advice—SBBK
May 22, 2024 “What to do with this material?”
Steve Iwaki
Itoigawa Juniper
Round Valley Nursery (Ed Clark) develops great itoigawa as they take wiring more easily and flexible. Foliage is good but can turn juvenile when pruned and then scaled over time.
Compared with Kishu that is less flexible and may break under the same bending—use care. Better foliage.
Shimpaku is slow growing in general.
My nursery stock (est 7 yrs old).
Could make informal upright and cut off most of the long foliage or cascade. Went cascade and could always change later.
No foliage at the base so trim any small branches. Grows slowly so it will fill out over time.
I asked if I should Shari the trunk for contrast and highlight the movement. He did not think it was needed, or could be added later. Agreed to allow the trunk to grow fatter.
Jinned one lower branch, to wire at a downward angle than its natural upward angle. Compress bark, peel off. Grip or
Prune branches alternating and remove downward or upward growth.
Wire and add movement. Can leave wire on for up to a year.
Eventually pot in a square, round or hexagonal deep pot.
Apex is the foliage at the highest point. May wire the apex branches with finer wire.
