Overview
Needle Juniper Bonsai (Juniperus rigida) is a Japanese needle juniper with sharp dark needles and dramatic rugged conifer character. It is best suited to traditional conifer bonsai, literati, windswept and deadwood styles. For UK growers, treat it as: Outdoor only.
Placement
full sun and very good airflow
Watering
allow slight surface drying before watering; avoid constantly wet roots
Feeding and fertilising
feed in the growing season
Pruning and wiring
thin and trim carefully; do not remove all green from a branch; wiring needs care around sharp needles
Repotting
repot every 2-4 years in early spring
Propagation
cuttings, seed or nursery material
Pests, diseases and common issues
spider mites, scale, needle browning, rust and inner dieback from dense growth