Japanese Juniper Care - How To Grow A Japanese Juniper Plant

They don't need fertilizer if planted in rich loam but feed once in spring if the plant is in low nutrient soil. Water during extreme drought and keep evenly moist the rest of the year. Junipers respond well to pruning. Wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt, as the scaly foliage can cause contact dermatitis.

How do you take care of Japanese junipers?

Junipers prefer soil that is slightly dry, but it should not be exposed to prolonged dryness. It is best to water the plant well, allowing for proper drainage, and then allow the soil to become dry before watering again. The juniper bonsai tree needs a certain level of humidity for optimal growth.

Can a Japanese juniper bonsai grow indoors?

Most bonsai experts recommend against growing Japanese junipers indoors. They are an outdoor species and require sun throughout the day. ... The ideal indoor winter environment for Japanese juniper includes moist air or frequent misting. Place a tray of water under the plant's container, and water it from above.

How do you take care of a juniper plant?

Water young shrubs well and mulch with pine needles or bark mulch to keep the soil evenly moist and weeds at bay. Fertilize in spring with a layer of compost and an organic plant food for evergreens. Prune junipers in spring after a spurt of new growth to shape the plant and remove dead, broken or diseased branches.

How do you grow a juniper bonsai tree indoors?

With a little planning, a juniper bonsai can be successfully grown indoors. If you wish to keep yours indoors, make sure that it gets at least 4 hours of sunlight per day. If possible, place it outside for a few days a week, so that it is not inside for more than a couple days at a time.

How long do juniper trees live?

Junipers typically live from 350 to 700 years, with some even passing the millennium mark. Despite their longevity, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or three feet in diameter.

How fast do juniper trees grow?

Fast-growing trees can grow up to 25 inches or more per year, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Which Juniper is best for bonsai?

Japanese Needle Juniper (Juniperus Squamata)

Also known as the Himalayan juniper, it's one of the most striking bonsai trees!

Are junipers hard to grow?

Juniper is low maintenance and easy to grow. The plants need full sun and a well drained soil. These drought tolerant plants do not like wet soil. They can suffer, if over watered.

How long do juniper bonsai trees live?

Trees can grow for thousands of years. Bonsai trees, if well kept, can also become very old. How long does a bonsai tree live for? Some of the oldest Bonsai in the world are over 800 years; the result of many generations of patience and hard work.

Are junipers poisonous?

All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. ... The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption.

Do junipers need a lot of sun?

Plant juniper shrubs in a location with full sun or light shade. When they get too much shade, the branches spread apart in an effort to let more sunlight in, and the damage to their shape can't be repaired. Junipers grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

Do junipers need a lot of water?

Watering. Evergreen junipers are extremely drought tolerant and prefer their soil on the dry side. ... Water newly planted junipers twice a week when there is no rainfall for the first two months. Junipers need weekly watering for the first summer to develop an extensive root system.

Can you top a juniper tree?

All junipers have dead zones at their center so severe pruning, including topping, is never a good idea. Instead, prune lightly and regularly, just before new growth begins in spring. The key to pruning juniper is to leave areas with dormant bud on each branch you trim.

How often should I water my juniper bonsai?

In most conditions you will water every two to three days, but could be as little as once a week or as often as every day, depending on your climate. When it needs watering place it in a container of water or your sink for about 5-10 minutes to saturate the roots.

How do you revive a juniper bonsai tree?

You can trim away the parts of your bonsai tree which are dead to encourage and nurture future growth and development. Pinching away brown and wilted leaves from the stems, and using pruning shears in trimming away any dead leaves, stems or branches are helpful for the survival and revival of your bonsai tree.

Do juniper trees have deep roots?

The root system of a Juniper tree might grow 2 to 3 feet deep but the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 12 to 18 inches of soil.

Do junipers kill other plants?

Junipers are evergreen trees or shrubs of more than 40 species that are widely used as landscape plants. ... Certain trees and shrubs -- including junipers -- secrete a toxin into the soil called allelopathy that kills nearby plants.

Are juniper tree roots invasive?

2. Skyrocket Juniper. An extremely tall, skinny tree, the roots under the ground resemble the tree itself – they go deeper, but they aren't invasive and won't spread out. This tree has been the number one choice of many landscapers because it is easy to control, easy to trim, and even easier to just let be.

Is Juniper poisonous to dogs?

The University of California - Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.

What are juniper trees good for?

Current Uses. Juniper berries are most famous for flavoring gin and have also been recently used to flavor liquors and sauces. As an evergreen, juniper is a popular residential ornamental plant, used in shelterbelts and wildlife plantings. Its aromatic wood is used for furniture, paneling, fence posts and pencils.

How big can juniper trees grow?

Junipers vary in size and shape from tall trees, 20–40 m (66–131 ft) tall, to columnar or low-spreading shrubs with long, trailing branches. They are evergreen with needle-like and/or scale-like leaves. They can be either monoecious or dioecious.