Juniper health check, opinions plz

[Myrki]

Hello, I know there is no shortage of juniper browning posts, but this is peculiar as some of the brown is in between green, some brown is at the tips, etc. it’s wide spread but not every branch. I do not overly wyaer but it the substrate is broken down a bit and sandy under the top layer so maybe it’s holding too much water this over watered? Unless I’m underwatering but I’ve been paranoid from overwatering and I do water when the top is dry.

Perhaps it’s stress from wiring? I did that about 3 weeks ago

Thank you for any help I don’t want to lose this one

 

[Myrki]

Oh and I have other junipers right next to it with no signs of mites or anything. Different soil though so perhaps this one retains water differently than I’m used to.

 

[Kodama]

Hmm... can you send pic of whole tree as well? Have you tried the chopstick to monitor watering needs? Since i have been using it my watering practices have changed.

 

[Myrki]

I’ll send a full photo tomorrow. I have chop sticks but haven’t utilized for watering

 

[bwaynef]

This tree is incredibly weak. I would've guessed it was a lack of sun, but if you have trees next to it that have adequate vigor that might not be the case. Still though, how much sun is it getting? If its not sun, it's almost surely root-related. Share a full photo, and a photo of the soil. Meanwhile, it probably could benefit from tilting the pot to improve the drainage as its unlikely that its draining TOO quickly.

 

[Myrki]

This tree is incredibly weak. I would've guessed it was a lack of sun, but if you have trees next to it that have adequate vigor that might not be the case. Still though, how much sun is it getting? If its not sun, it's almost surely root-related. Share a full photo, and a photo of the soil. Meanwhile, it probably could benefit from tilting the pot to improve the drainage as its unlikely that its draining TOO quickly.

It’s in full sun with late afternoon shade that then turns into sun prior to evening (backyard tree provides some shade later). It gets most of the day full sun. I will share a photo of the soil. As I dig into it it’s pretty sandy like broken down soil. I was thinking of perhaps pulling it up and putting fresh soil without disturbing the roots. Not sure if that is the best move or just let it dry more. In any case I’ll take photos tomorrow

 

[akillas]

It’s in full sun with late afternoon shade that then turns into sun prior to evening (backyard tree provides some shade later). It gets most of the day full sun. I will share a photo of the soil. As I dig into it it’s pretty sandy like broken down soil. I was thinking of perhaps pulling it up and putting fresh soil without disturbing the roots. Not sure if that is the best move or just let it dry more. In any case I’ll take photos tomorrow

'pretty sandy like broken down soil'- no oxygen, wet feet all day

you have answered your own problem! Just repot into inorganic.

 

[Myrki]

Ok so I pulled it out of the pot and the soil was quite broken down and clearly retaining too much water, not to mention it was extremely pot bound. I know this is not the optimal time to do root work so I didn’t cut any of the roots, I just got rid of the old soil and loosened up the roots just a bit to free up oil soil then I put it on a fresh mix and gave it a thorough watering. I also noticed some small gnat type bugs on the surface of the soil so I sprayed the soil and bark with neem oil. Not sure if they are doing root damage or not.

Fingers crossed it survives!

Adding some additional photos

 

[River's Edge]

The colour of the bark seems to indicate a lengthy period of overwatering. The foliage is weak with New juvenile foliage in areas indicating stress response.
I suggest you place in full sun and allow the tree to strengthen and recover for the next two growing seasons without any work. I would not fertilize for at least six weeks and then only very diluted Kelp or Fish fertilizer once or twice this fall. I would also provide winter protection due to the trees condition.
Start using the chopstick method to determine when it has dried out sufficiently before watering.
Based on the pictures you posted in August the tree was already weak and the subsequent work completed will have compounded the situation. A lengthy recovery period before any further work is the best course of action I believe.

 

[Myrki]

The colour of the bark seems to indicate a lengthy period of overwatering. The foliage is weak with New juvenile foliage in areas indicating stress response.
I suggest you place in full sun and allow the tree to strengthen and recover for the next two growing seasons without any work. I would not fertilize for at least six weeks and then only very diluted Kelp or Fish fertilizer once or twice this fall. I would also provide winter protection due to the trees condition.
Start using the chopstick method to determine when it has dried out sufficiently before watering.
Based on the pictures you posted in August the tree was already weak and the subsequent work completed will have compounded the situation. A lengthy recovery period before any further work is the best course of action I believe.

Thank you. I will not be touching it any longer for as long as it takes and be sure not to overwater. I have removed the fertilizer pellets I had in cages as well

 

[Myrki]

Well it’s been almost two weeks, so far seems to have bounced back fine from repotting, although like I said I only removed the old soil and didn’t cut any roots. In person it looks much healthier, even if photos aren’t doing it justice. I sparingly water only after ensuring it needs it. My new soil is much easier to tell when it’s wet still.

There are still some residual brown bits as it was before, but nothing advancing which I’m happy about. One dead small branch I’ve yet to remove but otherwise it’s holding on.