Juniper and Sunlight

[one_bonsai]

Do Junipers require direct sunlight? I have a bright spot outside which registers 7/10 on a light meter for most of the day, but the sun will actually shine on the leaves for about two hours per day in the afternoon.

 

[Adair M]

That may be enough to keep it alive, but it will be looking for more. So, it will grow leggy. Trying to extend itself out, looking for more sun.

Most juniors prefer sun 24 hours a day! Lol!!!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

the sun will actually shine on the leaves for about two hours per day in the afternoon.

Two hours per day now? In the Australian summer? Does that mean that in your winter it won't get any sun at all?

I agree with Adair that it may not die, but junipers will change appearance based on how much sun they receive. In addition to growing longer, leggy growth, the foliage will become more sparce. Inner branches will die back, and you will lose all of your interior growth. They don't require sun all day, but 50% sun or more is really best.

 

[mattspinniken]

8 hrs or more of sun per day is best.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

even in Australia, 2 hours a day of sun is probably insufficient for good, tight growth.

Junipers really do require ''full sun''. A full 8 or more hours of sun has proven sufficient, less than that you will have issues getting growth that can be trained to foliage pads.

In hot desert areas, good air movement is essential to keep leaf temperature below 45 C. In extreme heat, over 40 C you should move all living plants to shade. But this shade is temporary, only until the extreme heat passes.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

18 hours of bright cool white LED!

They're not thriving, but not going leggy either. Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata, I'm only keeping them indoors because.. Well they germinated now, and it's winter here. Their native winters are 17 degrees C, whereas my winter can be -15 degrees C.

All of my outdoor junipers get as much sun as they can get.