"Collected" Common Juniper

JRDillWFM · Mar 8, 2019

I wanted to start a progress thread for Big Bertha here.

Here is the original thread with collecting.

Seven months in and she is doing OK. We've had a WEIRD winter here in Houston and a lot of ups and downs in weather (R.I.P. Barbados Cherry). BB has been in the shade of a big oak tree for seven months and today I finally moved her out of the shade and into a spot with more sun light.

Really excited to see some backbudding happening in a few areas. The branches are really leggy so I'm hoping to get it to be nice and bushy over the next year or two.

My peanut is the best helper. She gets so excited around the trees, I think because they're her size.

JRDillWFM · Jul 18, 2019

Welp...she died. The Texas heat was just too much, I guess. Certain parts of it are still alive and well, but about 90% of it is dead. Bummer.

Dragon60 · Jul 18, 2019

Very much a bummer. Had a distinct look to it. That looks like a nice boxwood behind it?

sorce · Jul 18, 2019

90% is how the good ones start.

That will be some bitchin DW.

Keep it going!

Sorce

PiñonJ · Jul 18, 2019

Excellent helper! Are you sure it wasn't attacked by spider mites, or something? It's strange that some branches would die while the others look so healthy, if it was a heat issue. By the way, it's not a common juniper (not Juniperus communis). Looks like some variety of J. chinensis.

Dragon60 · Jul 18, 2019

sorce said:
90% is how the good ones start.

That will be some bitchin DW.

Keep it going!

Sorce

Sorce is right. Maybe all is not lost! It could still become something great.

chicago1980 · Jul 18, 2019

Looks like prostrata, put in the shade pot at and angle,water and give it a lot of time and space

JRDillWFM · Jul 19, 2019

Dragonmaster said:
Very much a bummer. Had a distinct look to it. That looks like a nice boxwood behind it?

It is! It is a nice nursery stock I found about a year ago for dirt cheap. Just letting it grow for now!

JRDillWFM · Jul 19, 2019

sorce said:
90% is how the good ones start.

That will be some bitchin DW.

Keep it going!

Sorce

I am for sure. I may just move it back into the shade. What should I do with all the dead foliage? Just leave it?

JRDillWFM · Jul 19, 2019

chicago1980 said:
Looks like prostrata, put in the shade pot at and angle,water and give it a lot of time and space

Possible, but I didn't think postrata grew berries?

JRDillWFM · Jan 30, 2020

So, I've been watering regularly as there is still foliage in a couple of spots and it's doing fine. I'm curious if it is worth it to try and do some grafts of foliage onto the tree? some bark came off and it looks like I still have a live vein going up. I've never done grafts, but at this point I feel like it's either that or the tree is pretty much done for.

leatherback · Jan 30, 2020

Do not do anything untill you have had a year of good healthy growth.

Leo in N E Illinois · Jan 30, 2020

Agree, don't do anything for another year. It will take time for the live veins to completely define themselves.

In the mean time, decide whether to use existing foliage, or do a complete change of clothes, changing 100% of the foliage out for a different variety.

If you want to keep the current foliage, start rooting cuttings from this tree to use for approach grafts. You will probably want to add at least 3 up to 9 branches, so start at least 12 cuttings, in case some don't root. You will then be able to do approach grafts in 12 to 24 months after striking the cuttings.

If you want to change foliage, time to get a collection of small junipers in 2 to 4 inch pots. I recommend 'Kishu' since you already have good diameter trunks to work with.

Either way, while letting it recover another year, you need to get your scion source set up for grafting.

JRDillWFM · Jan 30, 2020

Leo in N E Illinois said:
Agree, don't do anything for another year. It will take time for the live veins to completely define themselves.

In the mean time, decide whether to use existing foliage, or do a complete change of clothes, changing 100% of the foliage out for a different variety.

If you want to keep the current foliage, start rooting cuttings from this tree to use for approach grafts. You will probably want to add at least 3 up to 9 branches, so start at least 12 cuttings, in case some don't root. You will then be able to do approach grafts in 12 to 24 months after striking the cuttings.

If you want to change foliage, time to get a collection of small junipers in 2 to 4 inch pots. I recommend 'Kishu' since you already have good diameter trunks to work with.

Either way, while letting it recover another year, you need to get your scion source set up for grafting.

thanks for the input! I’ll just let it ride out for another year and hope for the best. Hopefully I can get some kishu for grafting.

Leo in N E Illinois · Feb 1, 2020

I believe Brent at Evergreen Gardenworks has 'Kishu' in stock. Check with him.

"Collected" Common Juniper

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