home I bonsai

home I bonsai | suiseki | pots | singing bowls | photography | writings | the artist | contact | links

CRYPTOMERIA

The Japanese cedar Cryptomeria Japonica'- 'SUGI'
An introduction to Cryptomeria as Bonsai

What is a Cryptomeria?

The Cryptomeria is a single species with a number of varieties. The genus is Taxodiaceae. The tree in the wilds of Japan can grow to around 80 metres and have the typical Christmas tree look. In some ways they resemble the Giant Redwoods such as Sequoia or Wellingtonia with the flaky bark and needle structure, but although they both have flaking bark, Cryptomeria have a much harder wood than Sequoia and the needles are longer in growth.

Varieties

The most common varieties in cultivation is as follows:

Japonica as the initial species and then, Elegans, Lobbil, Pyramidata

And slow growing short bushes are: Elegans Nana, Globosa Nana, Pygmaea, Sekkan-Sugi, and Vilmoriniana.

Although I keep many of the varieties, I was working on NANA.as a variety for the large group completed at Bonsai 2000 in Wales. The problem about all slow growing trees is that they are 'slow'. What you should realise is that a compact growth with no visible surge is not suitable for Bonsai. Quoting from the Hillier Manual of species and varieties is the paragraph on 'Vilmoriniana'. "A specimen attained 0.6x1 metre in 30 years".

What we as Bonsai growers really need is fast growth and lots of it. This allows us to style develop and structure a Bonsai in about three years while letting us develop it over the following ten years.

Growing

From seed, cuttings, layering, grafting and nursery stock. Preferably nursery stock as the trunk is established. Cuttings grow readily from soft or hardwood. I use a little rooting hormone powder and stick the cutting in a mix of Akadama and Peat based compost or pure peat. Fats growth needs to be in large boxes with good depth to encourage root growth and subsequently foliage growth.

Pruning

Pruning is like the plucking explained in the article on Larch.
Constant plucking out the growing tips will encourage dense growth but allowing the branch to grow will thicken the branch. It's your choice.
Pluck or cut out the inner growth near the trunk as this weakens the branch.
Do not use scissors across the growth but carefully cut the twigs below a bud growth. Trim the tree back using scissors but be prepared for slight browning. If cutting to hard prune then cut on the brown or mature areas of the branch.
Start bud plucking from mid Spring until the end of mid summer (Spring to start of Autumn.)
Wiring

Spring to late Spring is the overall time but optimum time is late spring.

Late Spring to Summer. Use anodised aluminium or copper. The branches will grow quickly while being grown as Bonsai so remember to cut off the wire sooner than later.

Repotting

Late spring is best as the growth needs to be in flush before potting. Pot colour for me is still in the rust or brownish shades. The pots need to be deeper than shallow as Cryptomeria likes a good root run for health. Pots with a nice soft mid to dark brownish glazes go very well with Cryptomeria. Potting mix is peat and grit but I like 50%Akadama and Peat (or peat based compost) with 50% sharp Grit.

Feeding

When potting it is fine to use Osmocote as a general fertilisers it is a reasonable well balanced NPK of 14-13-13 except that Osmocote can suddenly give an overfed after a dry spell followed with heavy rain. That can damage your fine roots. So be real careful.. However if you wish to really push your crypts then you also need regular weekly feeds to build the growth up. The tree must also be in a grow box with plenty soil depth to encourage root development. The old days of sticking a tree into the soil is long gone (unless its in my soil where I have replaced much of the old soil with great soil to develop growth and as it is three feet above solid rock this acts as a water runoff- lesser mortals should use Boxes as the alternative!) Feed low nitrogen fertiliser from late summer onwards to strengthen the roots.

Placement

The Cryptomeria needs good ventilation, slight shade (it is not good in bright constant sunlight) and away from winds. Like most trees in fact.

Roots

They will grow from anywhere on the Cryptomeria and you need to cut these off. This will tell you that the Cryptomeria is good for cuttings. Roots need to be strong so feed low nitrogen fertiliser from late summer onwards.

Watering

Lots. The Cryptomeria likes humidity but well ventilated humidity. Regular twice or three times daily spraying is good and twice daily watering with a sprayer or automatic watering devices. Hence the large Grit component of the soil mix.

Pests and diseases

Red Spider Mite as on all close needle trees, Scale and die back.

Spray for RSM and check and remove by hand the scale insect. Spray die back with Copper fungicide and cut out the affected branch.

Ease as Bonsai

This is difficult as the constant requirement of plucking can be a discipline some growers wish to avoid. Yes it is work but the results are great.

home I bonsai | suiseki | pots | singing bowls | photography | writings | the artist | contact | links