The juniper is very adaptable and robust. However, it only thrives if properly cared for. The most important thing here is watering and fertilizing correctly.
The juniper (Juniperus) is mostly native to the northern hemisphere and is particularly adaptable. Juniper also grows in desert areas, for example, and is therefore used to longer periods of drought. The plant also thrives very well on dry sandy soil. Even right at the tree line, juniper species are often found.
The juniper belongs to the cypress family and can be found in Central Europe in two different species in nature, the common juniper and the sallow tree. The evergreen shrubs are widely recognized as a garden plant because they are adaptable and require little maintenance. The requirements with regard to fertilization and irrigation are correspondingly low. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to a few things in order to have he althy and strong plants in the garden and to protect the juniper from diseases and pests through appropriate care measures.
Water the juniper properly - that's what matters
Water requirements depend on location
How much water the juniper needs depends largely on the location in the garden. A bright location is particularly important for even growth. The plant prefers a sunny location. The light should hit the plant from all sides. This ensures species-appropriate development. Juniper also thrives in semi-shade, but a few hours of sunshine a day should be granted.
The plant usually adapts to the soil without any problems. It thrives in all conventional garden soils. However, a permeable soil is important. Too heavy soil is always a risk of waterlogging and this is the biggest enemy of the otherwise easy-care plant. Therefore, choose a sandy or clay soil as the location. Even calcareous or acidic soils do not pose any problems for the plants.
How to water correctly
How and how often the juniper has to be watered depends on the age of the plant and onthe planting time. Young plants first have to get used to their new location and need more water than plants that have been growing in the same location for several years and have adapted well to the circumstances. Therefore:
- Young plants need more water than older plants.
- Let the soil dry before the next watering.
- Only water older plants in extreme heat and drought.
- Juniper tolerates dry bulbs.
- Plants that are too dry are prone to fungal attack and pests.
- Waterlogging is not tolerated.
Even longer periods of drought have little effect on the juniper, but you should make sure that the soil does not dry out completely. This could cause the roots to die off. In contrast, waterlogging causes the roots to rot. It is therefore important to water with care. On hot days, the juniper can also take a shower with tap or rain water.
Potted plants have an increased water requirement. To prevent prolonged drought, the tubs can take a soaking bath until the plant has absorbed enough moisture. To protect the juniper from waterlogging, you should then dry the plant well before it receives the next watering.
Fertilize juniper - this is how you do it right
As a robust and easy-care plant, the juniper does not usually depend on regular fertilizer application. However, it makes sense to upgrade the soil in spring and autumn. The easiest way to do this is to add compost. To do this, you need to loosen up the area around the trunk and work in the compost. If you have chosen an ideal location, the plant will develop well and do without additional fertilizer.
How to prevent nutrient deficiencies
If the soil is particularly hard, dry and poor in nutrients, you can counteract this by fertilizing the juniper. This ensures that the plant is adequately supplied with nutrients, even if the external conditions are not ideal. No special juniper fertilizer is necessary for this. You can also use a fir fertilizer, since coniferous plants have the same requirements and nutrient requirements as junipers.
You can also feed spruce, pine, arborvitae or other conifers with a commercially available fir fertilizer. The supply of magnesium is particularly important. A magnesium deficiency can cause the needles of juniper to turn brown.
➜ WhichDoes fir fertilizer have ingredients?
Fir fertilizer is tailored to the special needs of coniferous plants and, in addition to sulphur, iron and magnesium, also contains a higher proportion of:
than conventional fertilisers.- Potassium
- Sodium
- Phosphate
You have to take the exact proportion of the ingredients from the information provided by the manufacturer.
➜ How to use fir fertilizer?
Fir fertilizer can be used all year round. However, it is advisable to only fertilize until late summer. From September, the plants prepare for the winter and no longer need fertilizer. The fertilizer should be dosed according to the size of the juniper. A tablespoon of the solid fertilizer dissolved in water should be enough for an average sized juniper. How the fertilizer is absorbed then depends on the condition of the soil and the general weather conditions. A new dose can be given after about eight weeks. Proceed as follows:
- Distribute fertilizer loosely around the juniper.
- Incorporate fertilizer flat into the soil.
- Pour the soil.
Important note: The manufacturer's information usually refers to fir or spruce. You must reduce the amount of fertilizer accordingly. Otherwise the juniper can be over-fertilised.
➜ Epsom s alt instead of fir fertilizer
Juniper has a high consumption of magnesium. If the mineral has been used up at the location, the plant will indicate this by slower growth and yellow discoloration on the leaves. The irrigation water and rain ensure that around eight grams of magnesium per square meter are washed out of the ground every year. If you want to be sure, you should have a soil analysis carried out. If there is a magnesium deficiency, you can take targeted action and counteract it with Epsom s alt. Epsom s alt is:
- Magnesium Sulfate
- solid, odorless, water soluble
- commonly used in horticulture or medicine
- needed for the formation of chlorophyll
Simply dissolve the Epsom s alt in the irrigation water and spray it on the plant. Alternatively, you can also work the solid granules into the soil and then water them.
Tip:
Juniper should only be supplied with Epsom s alts during the growth phase. Otherwise the substrate remains ineffective and only represents a burden on the groundwater table.
Juniper as bonsai - this is how you water and fertilize it properly
Junior is also known asBonsai popular. You can place the plants in a bright and sunny spot in the garden all year round. Here, too, it is important not to reach for the watering can too often. The plant tolerates drought better than waterlogging. After watering, the soil should also dry well before you water it again. Since juniper appreciates high humidity, you can also spray the plant more often.
Organic fertilizer is advisable for fertilizing the bonsai. Fertilize every four weeks, but only during the growth phase. In the spring there is a high nitrogen requirement. If you want the plant to sprout lushly, you must select an appropriate fertilizer.