"Blue Star" Juniper?

When I recently purchased a bonsai at a pre-bonsai nursery,
I was told it was a "blue-star cypress"
but, I don't find much when I look up "blue star" cypress
does anyone know of a more specific or scientific name?
it's foliage seems to resemble that of a Japanese Cedar and looks, upon researching, like a "white" cypress, which is native to Florida which is where my cypress is from, but I'm not sure
I'll try and get a picture up
but, in my family that never seams to be easy
thanks,

Justin

Try Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star'. Also try Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Blue Moss', or Blue Moss cypress. Just guesses...

Does it look like this? Click Here

It usually goes by the name blue moss cypress. The botanical name is Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard.' For the anoraks, it is named after the Boulevard Nursery, where it originated.
Iris

no, it doesn't really look like that
I'm going to try to get a picture up in a couple days
I think if I got a picture up somebody could identify it
and I read -blue moss cypress- is native to Japan and my cypress was grown along 30 others in south Florida
and -Dave- it kinda make sense with the juniper -blue star-
but why would it be labeled cypress and not juniper?
like I said I'll try and get a picture up
thanks,

Justin

but why would it be labeled cypress and not juniper?
like I said I'll try and get a picture up

Pardon my cynicism here, but it is called a cypress because that's a fancier (AKA snobbier) name than juniper and horticulture is all about SALES. In the world of common plant names, there are no rules.

You have a juniper. (Just like the 'red cedar' is a juniper.)

Thanks, Jim
it's interesting when I first saw it at the nursery I thought Juniper
but, when the guy told me cypress I was kinda surprised
but, they're both Conifers
so I guess that makes sense
but, I don't think the guy was trying to get a sale off me by saying it was a cypress and not a juniper
I guess, because there both conifers that sometimes certain species resemble each other
such as how you a say a "red cedar" is a Juniper

Justin

sitarbonsai wrote:Thanks, Jim
it's interesting when I first saw it at the nursery I thought Juniper
but, when the guy told me cypress I was kinda surprised
but, they're both Conifers
so I guess that makes sense
but, I don't think the guy was trying to get a sale off me by saying it was a cypress and not a juniper
I guess, because there both conifers that sometimes certain species resemble each other
such as how you a say a "red cedar" is a Juniper

Justin

Junipers back bud on old wood cypresses don't

Try this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Juniperus_squamata_Blue_Star_2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Juniperus_squamata_Blue_Star_2.jpg&usg=__g4sZf_EplaCY8Fif3MxQVeLVZ5g=&h=685&w=922&sz=186&hl=en&start=3&sig2=bPHIGko0f9_vnDLcmuzyQg&tbnid=hUX6u0oxEhMm3M:&tbnh=109&tbnw=147&prev=/images%3Fq%3DJuniperus%2Bsquamata%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DWZPA,WZPA:2006-10,WZPA:en&ei=zhdBS6-uM4zflAf80LCeBw

'Blue Star' juniper is a cultivar of Juniperus squamata. It is a recommended species for bonsai. The nursery worker may not have been trying to sell you anything. He probably doesn't know the difference between a cypress & a juniper.
Iris

And it wasn't him, anyway. It was the company that planted, grew, and potted the plant and put the label on it.

Rick Moquin wrote:

sitarbonsai wrote:Thanks, Jim
it's interesting when I first saw it at the nursery I thought Juniper
but, when the guy told me cypress I was kinda surprised
but, they're both Conifers
so I guess that makes sense
but, I don't think the guy was trying to get a sale off me by saying it was a cypress and not a juniper
I guess, because there both conifers that sometimes certain species resemble each other
such as how you a say a "red cedar" is a Juniper

Justin

Junipers back bud on old wood cypresses don't

thanks, can you explain in further detail?

and thanks -Iris- my foliage does resemble that

thanks, can you explain in further detail?

Can't be any simpler than that. Cypresses what you see is what you get, you can grow out but not in. On the other hand with Junipers you can force the tree to back bud on old wood (move foliage closer to the trunk).

Let's call it by its right name. How do you plan to style it?
I am not familiar with 'Blue Star' but I have experience with the popular 'Prostrata.' You need to pinch it frequently during the growing season. Keep it in full sun, although in Florida, a little shade probably won't hurt.
This may shock some purists, but if you live in the North and grow under lights, once it has a month or so dormancy, you can put J. squamata right under the lights for the rest of the winter (with adequate humidity).
Iris

Hey, thanks Rick and Iris
to be honest i actually did a pretty good pruning in winter which I know is wrong
but, the day I got it was like 75
and if you live in South Florida you know you don't really get much of the "seasons"
but, I guess it's more about time to recuperate before spring
But, I kinda am happy with my first styling
It kinda grows out of proportion
you really need to see to understand
But, once I get a pic up I hope to have your guys input and some advice!
thanks,

Justin

finally a picture of the tree:


I'm sure now it's Juniper squamata
but, feel free to give any advice concerning the tree!

thanks,

Justin

Can you get a close up of the foliage. Looks like a cryptomeria.

will baddeley wrote:Can you get a close up of the foliage. Looks like a cryptomeria.

I would like to, but as I stated it's hard to get pictures up online in my family
I already got a hold of my dad's camera once this year!
but, I will inform you that the foliage resembles that much more of a juniper than a cypress

kinda looks like this:


also:


Thanks,

Justin

Rick Moquin wrote:Junipers back bud on old wood cypresses don't

When speaking of cypress in Florida, more often than not, the subject is Taxodium distichum. Not Chamaecyparis obtusa.

Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) do sprout new growth on old wood... profusely. Not to muddy the waters, but young Justin is sure to come across a Bald Cypress before too long if he's half as motivated as he seems to be.

Ed

Ah, the curse of the common name. Taxodium distichum may be named Bald or Swamp Cypress, but it is not a Cypress at all. It is a deciduous conifer and like Larix and Ginkgo it does bud back on wood with no needles/leaves (when you think about it, it has to really). All other "evergreen" conifers are much more reluctant.

EdMerc wrote:

Rick Moquin wrote:Junipers back bud on old wood cypresses don't

When speaking of cypress in Florida, more often than not, the subject is Taxodium distichum. Not Chamaecyparis obtusa.

Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress) do sprout new growth on old wood... profusely. Not to muddy the waters, but young Justin is sure to come across a Bald Cypress before too long if he's half as motivated as he seems to be.

Ed

I am totally confused here. What does a "Bald Cypress" have to do with this particular thread? As Kevin stated a BC is not a Chamaecyparis but a Taxodium. Although certain Chamaecyparis cultivars will back bud on old wood, it is safer to say that none of them do. That way there we are not disappointed when they don't and just plain happy if they do. Having said that, the % is so small that it is negligible and hence why we can safely say that "Chamaecyparis" do not back bud on old wood.

Based on the photos provided (unclear) it sure does not look like a juniper to me. I have a Juniperus squamata "Blue star" and it doesn't look anything like the photo buddy posted. I also have a Chamaecyparis pisifera "Boulevard", once again does not look anything like the photo provided, mind you better lighting might help.

Yes the picture is very unclear but the growth habit does look like a Cryptomeria to me.

The poor earlier photo is not the same species, it has an entirely different habit. If you want an ID you will have to provide a better shot.

The later photo's are Juniperus squamata Blue Star. After Googling it, I find that the excellent close up photo posted is the Wikimedia commons licensed one of Juniperus squamata Blue Star!

It might be a dwarf Cryptomeria variety, as Will says, but it could be a number of others also.

After spending a few moments on Google, it could very well be a Cryptomeria Japonica, of which there are several cultivars.

Hey guys,
thanks for all the input and sorry i can't get a better picture, but like I stated it's hard to get a hold of a camera in my family
and the later pictures aren't my tree, just the closest foliage I could find resembling it
but, I'm sure now it's a juniperus squamata
it just makes sense. The guy at the nursery told me "Blue Star" Cypress and it has foliage resembling that of a "Blue Star" juniper
pretty simple
I don't really think it's a strange type of cypress
but, thanks again for all the help

Justin

Rick Moquin wrote: What does a "Bald Cypress" have to do with this particular thread?

I thought my post was clear. Why the confusion? Justin is new to bonsai, and as such, I imagine new to trees as well. When you you make the statement "Cypress don't bud back" this can easily confuse someone into thinking this includes bald cypress. The most common tree you are likely to find in a Florida nursery with the word "cypress" attached to it.

Had you said that Chamaecyparis don't bud back then there would not have been a clarification on my part. My post was not meant for you, but for the young mans edification.

Thanks,
Ed

[quote="EdMerc"]

Rick Moquin wrote: Had you said that Chamaecyparis don't bud back then there would not have been a clarification on my part.

I have one Chamaecyparis. In reading up on the specifics on this tree I was puzzled to find Chamaecyparis is listed as not budding on old wood. The reason I'm puzzled is because mMine has budded on the main truck. Once up by the bottom 2 branches and one by the base of the trunk. Now I'm not one to argue with them what knows their trees better than moi... but I do remain puzzled!

I'll see if I can find photos.

Jay