Transplanting
Transplanting must be executed within the spring after the bottom is workable or within the fall.
Dig a gap twice as huge 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 outlet.
Give the plant a great soaking to settle the soil.
Pests and Illness
Junipers are sturdy, and so they don’t usually fall sufferer to illnesses or pests. They’re additionally proof against lots of the herbivores that plague different vegetation.
That mentioned, you would possibly bump up in opposition to some points at times. Right here’s what to observe for:
Herbivores
I do know, you’re most likely pondering that you simply’ve heard junipers aren’t interesting to herbivores equivalent 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 carry you unhealthy information, however animals will take a chunk out of juniper shrubs, particularly if different meals is scarce.
Harm can vary from no massive deal to devastating, relying on the species, cultivar, and the age of the plant.
A tiny sapling is extraordinarily susceptible, whereas a longtime shrub often received’t be bothered a lot in any respect.
After I was dwelling in Utah, deer (and rabbits) would repeatedly 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 confused bushes, 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 in contact with them.
Junipers could also be attacked by a number of varieties of aphids from totally different genera, however there may be one group of species often called the large conifer aphids (Cinara spp.) which are usually discovered feeding on these shrubs particularly.
Aphids received’t kill a longtime juniper, however they’ll make the foliage flip yellow or brown. A secondary difficulty is that they depart behind a sticky substance referred to as honeydew that draws sooty mildew.
Fortuitously, they aren’t onerous to do away with. Spray your plant with a blast of water to knock the little pests unfastened. They not often discover their manner again to a plant.
Monterey Horticultural Spray
You may also 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 understand how bagworms (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis) obtained their identify? The caterpillars create massive baggage in the course of the fall that look rather a lot like conifer cones.
These baggage are stuffed with tons 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 confused or younger shrub might be utterly defoliated and killed, particularly if it’s attacked yr after yr.
In case you spot the luggage, take away and get rid of them.
A sprig containing the helpful micro organism Bacillus thuringiensis can also 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 onerous 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 general look of being dry and wilted. Later, branches die off, adopted by your complete plant dying.
These bugs suck the juice out of needles, forsaking sticky honeydew.
Prune away infested branches. Be certain your plant is getting sufficient water and fertilizer, if vital, since a wholesome plant is best capable of stand up to this pest.
You may also use horticultural oils to suffocate the bugs. Alternately, insecticidal cleaning soap will kill them off.
Bonide Tremendous Cleaning soap
Strive Bonide’s Tremendous Cleaning soap, obtainable at Arbico Organics.
You’ll possible must reapply a number of occasions all through the rising season. Examine the producer’s suggestions for software timing.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are a typical backyard pest, and spruce spider mites (Oligonychus ununguis) particularly take pleasure in a nibble on vegetation within the Cupressaceae household.
These tiny arachnids are too small to see, until you get in actually shut. However for those who discover superb webbing in your plant and tiny yellow spots on the needles, you possible have an infestation.
In contrast to different mites, spruce mites want cool climate, so look ahead to them within the spring and fall.
As with aphids, a robust spray of water can knock the pests unfastened.
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 considered in utilizing it, as it may possibly kill off helpful bugs as nicely.
Illness
I do know we spent numerous time speaking about how junipers are survivors, however that doesn’t imply they’ll’t fall unwell at times.
Hold a watch out for the next:
Cedar Apple Rust
Gymnosporangium clavariiforme and G. cornutum trigger cedar apple rust in juniper shrubs, notably J. virginiana.
In the summertime, watch for giant two-inch galls forming close to the guidelines of the branches.
Within the following spring, these galls produce lengthy, jelly-like growths often called teliohorns which are stuffed with spores simply ready to blow away to contaminate different bushes.
Junipers which are contaminated have stunted development, might change into weak, and may ultimately die.
Apples, crabapples, hawthorns, and quince bushes function alternate hosts for this illness, and when the spores depart the juniper, they go searching for these different bushes to finish their life cycle.
Prune away any galls that you simply spot. They appear like small walnuts or wrinkly bulbs on the ends of branches.
Needle Forged Fungus
Needle solid is a illness that causes the earlier yr’s needle development to show reddish brown and fall off the shrub. This sometimes occurs in late winter.
The contaminated needles on the bottom launch spores that may go on to reinfect the tree the subsequent yr.