Transplanting
Transplanting needs to be achieved within the spring after the bottom is workable or within the fall.
Dig a gap twice as extensive and the identical depth because the container your juniper is rising in.
Take away your plant from its container by squeezing the perimeters to loosen the soil, then gently pull it out and loosen the roots.
Place it within the floor and fill in round it with the soil you faraway from the opening.
Give the plant soaking to settle the soil.
Pests and Illness
Junipers are sturdy, and so they don’t usually fall sufferer to ailments or pests. They’re additionally immune to lots of the herbivores that plague different vegetation.
That stated, you may bump up in opposition to some points every now and then. Right here’s what to look at for:
Herbivores
I do know, you’re most likely pondering that you simply’ve heard junipers aren’t interesting to herbivores akin to rabbits and deer.
There are many articles on the web touting these hardy vegetation as deer and rabbit proof, and it’s true that they’re not usually their first selection.
I hate to be the one to deliver you unhealthy information, however animals will take a chunk out of juniper shrubs, particularly if different meals is scarce.
Injury can vary from no massive deal to devastating, relying on the species, cultivar, and the age of the plant.
A tiny sapling is extraordinarily weak, whereas a longtime shrub normally gained’t be bothered a lot in any respect.
Once I was residing in Utah, deer (and rabbits) would commonly devour my juniper saplings, and one harsh winter, the deer ate all of the foliage on my older Rocky Mountain junipers (J. scopulorum) from about six toes down.
Pests
There are just a few widespread pests that assault junipers.
Pests usually tend to have an effect on burdened timber, so do your finest to maintain your plant wholesome with good watering and feeding practices.
Aphids
Aphids are not possible to keep away from, and sooner or later, each gardener will are available contact with them.
Junipers could also be attacked by a number of varieties of aphids from totally different genera, however there’s one group of species generally known as the enormous conifer aphids (Cinara spp.) which are usually discovered feeding on these shrubs particularly.
Aphids gained’t kill a longtime juniper, however they will make the foliage flip yellow or brown. A secondary problem is that they go away behind a sticky substance known as honeydew that pulls sooty mildew.
Thankfully, they aren’t arduous to eliminate. Spray your plant with a blast of water to knock the little pests free. They not often discover their means again to a plant.
Monterey Horticultural Spray
You can even apply horticultural oil spray, like this one from Monterey, which you’ll be able to decide up at Arbico Organics.
Want extra information? Our information to coping with aphids has tons extra suggestions.
Bagworms
Wish to know the way bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) bought their identify? The caterpillars create massive baggage through the fall that look quite a bit like conifer cones.
These baggage are stuffed with lots of of eggs.
When the larvae hatch within the spring, they crawl out and feed on the foliage.
Whereas a longtime plant can most likely survive an infestation, a burdened or younger shrub could be fully defoliated and killed, particularly if it’s attacked yr after yr.
If you happen to spot the baggage, take away and eliminate them.
A twig containing the useful micro organism Bacillus thuringiensis can be efficient if utilized within the spring when the larvae are rising.
Monterey Bt Spray
Monterey makes a liquid spray obtainable at Arbico Organics.
Juniper Scale
Juniper scale bugs (Carulaspis juniperi) are two millimeters lengthy, with arduous shells. In small numbers, they aren’t an excessive amount of of an issue, however massive infestations can kill vegetation over time.
The primary signal is yellowish-brown foliage and an total look of being dry and wilted. Later, branches die off, adopted by all the plant dying.
These bugs suck the juice out of needles, forsaking sticky honeydew.
Prune away infested branches. Make certain your plant is getting sufficient water and fertilizer, if mandatory, since a wholesome plant is best in a position to face up to this pest.
You can even use horticultural oils to suffocate the bugs. Alternately, insecticidal cleaning soap will kill them off.
Bonide Tremendous Cleaning soap
Attempt Bonide’s Tremendous Cleaning soap, obtainable at Arbico Organics.
You’ll doubtless have to reapply a number of occasions all through the rising season. Verify the producer’s suggestions for utility timing.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are a standard backyard pest, and spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis) particularly get pleasure from a nibble on vegetation within the Cupressaceae household.
These tiny arachnids are too small to see, except you get in actually shut. However in case you discover high-quality webbing in your plant and tiny yellow spots on the needles, you doubtless have an infestation.
In contrast to different mites, spruce mites choose cool climate, so look ahead to them within the spring and fall.
As with aphids, a robust spray of water can knock the pests free.
If that doesn’t work, a broad-spectrum insecticide like Bonide Mite-X can kill them off.
Bonide Mite-X
Arbico Organics carries this potent spray. Simply be even handed in utilizing it, as it will possibly kill off useful bugs as properly.
Illness
I do know we spent a whole lot of time speaking about how junipers are survivors, however that doesn’t imply they will’t fall ailing every now and then.
Maintain a watch out for the next:
Cedar Apple Rust
Gymnosporangium clavariiforme and G. cornutum trigger cedar apple rust in juniper shrubs, significantly J. virginiana.
In the summertime, watch for giant two-inch galls forming close to the information of the branches.
Within the following spring, these galls produce lengthy, jelly-like growths generally known as teliohorns which are stuffed with spores simply ready to blow away to contaminate different timber.
Junipers which are contaminated have stunted development, could grow to be weak, and may ultimately die.
Apples, crabapples, hawthorns, and quince timber function alternate hosts for this illness, and when the spores go away the juniper, they go searching for these different timber to finish their life cycle.
Prune away any galls that you simply spot. They seem like small walnuts or wrinkly bulbs on the ends of branches.
Needle Solid Fungus
Needle forged is a illness that causes the earlier yr’s needle development to show reddish brown and fall off the shrub. This usually occurs in late winter.
The contaminated needles on the bottom launch spores that may go on to reinfect the tree the following yr.
