Do Junipers Need A Lot Of Water?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do junipers need a lot of water?

Once established, Juniper bushes require little to no supplemental watering

. They are more likely to get diseases from overwatering rather than underwatering. Newly planted bushes will need watering every week or two until the roots have developed.

Can junipers be overwatered?

Juniper plants like to dry out between watering.

Overwatering is typically more of a problem for Juniper than underwatering

. The branches may become brittle and dry out if the plant needs water. The tips of the branches may turn brown or yellow if the Juniper is overwatered.

Do junipers like wet soil?

Junipers tolerates a wide range of soils and soil conditions,

except for constantly soggy or wet soils

. When growing in containers use a good potting soil, potting mix, or combination of thereof.

Why are junipers turning brown?

How much water does a juniper tree take?

I would love to see outdoor columnist Jack Elbert (April 6 column) prove a juniper tree can soak up

50 gallons of water every day

. Springs dry up naturally and come back at times with a wet season.

How much should you water junipers?

Once established, Juniper bushes require little to no supplemental watering. They are more likely to get diseases from overwatering rather than underwatering. Newly planted bushes will need watering

every week or two until the roots have developed

.

How do you know if your juniper is overwatered?

  1. The area around the tree is constantly wet.
  2. New growth withers before it’s fully grown or becomes light green or yellow.
  3. Leaves appear green but are fragile and break easily.

Where do junipers grow best?

Junipers grow especially well in

well drained, sunny locations

. Although some selections can be grown in full shade, most junipers will become more open and leggier if they don’t get enough sun. The only spot where a juniper won’t be happy is in poorly drained, boggy conditions.

Do junipers like full sun?


Plant juniper shrubs in a location with full sun or light shade

. When they get too much shade, the branches spread apart in an effort to let more sunlight in, and the damage to their shape can’t be repaired. Junipers grow in any type of soil as long as it is well-drained.

Do junipers turn brown in winter?

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are low-maintenance evergreens and

maintain their color throughout the cold winter months

in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10. A brown discoloration on the branches of a juniper plant can indicate fungus, disease or injury.

How often do you water juniper shrubs?

3. Water the juniper shrub in thoroughly at the time of planting and

twice weekly for a month following planting

. Decrease the frequency of watering so that you only irrigate the juniper once every week or two during periods of extended drought.

Can you use Miracle Grow on junipers?

Answer:

Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food is one of our most popular recommendations for acid loving plants like Junipers

.

How much sun does a juniper need?

You can keep junipers indoors as well as outdoors. Make sure that they receive enough sun exposure. Typically, a juniper needs

more than four hours of sunlight every day

.

Why do junipers turn yellow?


A lack of magnesium, sulfur, potassium or nitrogen

causes foliage to yellow. Magnesium, potassium and nitrogen typically cause the lower-half of the juniper to yellow, while sulfur causes discoloration along the upper-half of the foliage.

How do you revive a brown juniper?

Cutting all the branches of a juniper at once can leave the plant shorter and more sparse than you may like in the short term. For a less drastic look, revive your juniper over the course of three years by

cutting back only one-third of the shrub’s branches each spring

.

Do you water juniper in the winter?


There is no need to water junipers growing in the ground during the winter months after the soil has frozen

. Container-grown junipers will not need additional moisture unless they are placed under a covered area or moved indoors. The natural rain or snowfall is enough to keep them alive during their dormant period.

What does a dying juniper look like?


Affected plant’s leaves turn bluish gray. Leaves eventually turn brown

and the plant dies. Die back may happen only on a part/side of Juniper.

How do you save an overwatered juniper?

Established junipers are very sensitive to over-watering and rarely require supplemental irrigation beyond whatever rainfall your area may receive. However, if your juniper starts to exhibit the color symptoms of drought stress,

apply irrigation immediately and moisten the soil to a depth of 20 inches

.

How do you know when a juniper is dying?

How long do juniper bushes live?

Junipers grow very slowly. A juniper standing only five feet tall may be 50 years old. Junipers typically live from

350 to 700 years

, with some even passing the millennium mark. Despite their longevity, junipers rarely exceed 30 feet in height or three feet in diameter.

How long does it take for juniper to spread?

Creeping junipers usually expand their width by

one to two feet each year

.

Do junipers need fertilizer?


Junipers respond well to a balanced fertilizer at planting

such as two teaspoons of 10-10-10 per 1 gallon plant. Incorporate fertilizer into the soil or spread it around the plant, but avoid directly placing fertilizer into the planting hole.

Are juniper drought tolerant?

In general,

junipers are quite drought tolerant

, particularly those species that are adapted to hot, dry climates.

Can juniper survive in shade?


Junipers cannot thrive in full shade, but many varieties can survive in partial shade with varying degrees of success

. Generally, the plants will need at least full morning sunlight with only light or dappled afternoon shade. Junipers grow better in slightly dry soil.

What is the prettiest juniper?

  • Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) …
  • Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) …
  • Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis) …
  • Nana (Juniperus procumbens)

Why do my junipers keep dying?

Entire branches dying back especially on larger shrubs or juniper trees may be due to

twig blight

. This is caused by cankers. This disease can also cause foliage on infected branches to turn yellow or brown and wilt. According the UC, IPM site: “A canker is a localized dead (necrotic) area on branches, trunks or roots.

Should junipers be covered in winter?

During the winter or whenever outdoor temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, juniper bonsais planted in a container will need to be placed in a greenhouse or cold frame or placed under a Styrofoam cover to protect the roots.

Can junipers handle snow?


In most cases, yes

. That is because many of our evergreens are resilient. Evergreens, such as boxwood, arborvitae, false cypress, yews and junipers took a beating from the heavy snow and ice. The good news is these plants have very flexible branches.

How do you water juniper bushes?

How can I make my junipers grow faster?

What kind of soil do junipers like?

Juniper trees tolerates a wide range of soils, including clay, however prefer a

well-drained sandy clay or loam

. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. So make sure to plant your Juniper in a well-drained site.

Can you over fertilize juniper?

What kind of juniper do I have?

A helpful way to perfect juniper tree identification is by

looking at its cones

. Juniper cones on male trees are small and either yellow or tan. The female plants produce colorful berries, which are actually modified cones. Northwest species berries turn blue at maturity, but some species have red berries.

Can I trim juniper in winter?


Pruning juniper in winter should be avoided

, but you can remove broken, dead or diseased branches at any time of the year. If you want to shear junipers to create shapes, this can be done in the late spring and early summer. Try pruning just one branch at a time, though, as opposed to shearing evergreens.

How often do you water juniper shrubs?

3. Water the juniper shrub in thoroughly at the time of planting and

twice weekly for a month following planting

. Decrease the frequency of watering so that you only irrigate the juniper once every week or two during periods of extended drought.

What does a dying juniper look like?


Affected plant’s leaves turn bluish gray. Leaves eventually turn brown

and the plant dies. Die back may happen only on a part/side of Juniper.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.