Care

Despite being solely an outdoor species, the Green Mound Juniper possesses a remarkable resilience and adaptability to diverse circumstances, making it a hardy and dependable option with the right care and attention.

WATERING

A useful guideline is to water the plant once the top layer of soil, approximately one inch deep, has dried out. To water your bonsai, pour water over the top of the soil and wait a few minutes before repeating the process several times to ensure thorough watering. You can also increase the humidity around your bonsai by using a humidity tray filled with stones and water. Place your bonsai on top of the stones, and misting it once a day may also help, although misting is not a substitute for watering.

LIGHTING

It’s recommended to place your Juniper bonsai in a location where it will receive filtered or shaded sunlight, with the best option being low intensity morning sunlight. At least four hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal for this species to grow optimally, thriving in either full sun or semi-shaded conditions.

FERTILIZING

The Green Mound Juniper requires fertilizer in early spring for best results. A high-quality fertilizer should be used at this time. During the growing season, from spring to fall, you should also fertilize your bonsai every two weeks. You can use an organic liquid fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed fertilizer, or organic pellets, such as rice cakes, along with regular fertilizers for optimal results. By following these steps, you can help your Green Mound Juniper bonsai thrive and become a healthy and beautiful tree.

PRUNNING

The branches of the Juniper bonsai are highly responsive to wiring and reshaping techniques, though the stiff bark can make this process difficult. It’s best to perform major pruning during the spring or early fall, and to maintain pruning throughout the season by pinching off young shoots with your fingers. Avoid using scissors as cut needles will turn brown. Prune unwanted branches during repotting or the growing season and consider the low, spread form of the Juniper for cascade and semi-cascade styles.

When wiring, use the thinnest wire that will hold the desired shape, making sure to wind it in the direction of the bend. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly as this may cause scarring. Start at the base of the tree and anchor the wire around the trunk, continuing along the branch to be trained. After around 6 weeks, the branch should hold its shape and the wire can be removed by cutting it carefully. Wiring is best done in the autumn or early winter when the tree is dormant, but if done at other times, be mindful of wire cutting into the bark and remove it promptly. If necessary, re-wire after removing the old wire.

REPOTTING

Young Junipers (less than five or six years old) should be repotted every two years, while older trees should be repotted every three to five years. The ideal time for repotting is during the spring or fall, but Junipers can be repotted throughout most of the year. Begin by removing the plant and root ball from its container, cutting any wires if necessary. Using sharp scissors, carefully trim the root ball, reducing its size by about one half inch while preserving at least two-thirds of the roots. Place the Bonsai in a clean pot filled with well-drained soil, and water thoroughly. After repotting, protect the tree from wind and direct sun for several weeks to allow for new root growth.

Additional Information:

Junipers have a rich cultural history, including use by Native American tribes such as the Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Crow, and Ojibwa. They made tea from the hard berry-like fruits of the Juniper and used infusions of it to treat kidney diseases, colds, and sore throats, and also burned creeping juniper in ceremonies as incense. In modern times, essential oils from the related J. communis are used by herbalists and Naturopathic Physicians to treat urinary tract infections and conditions such as rheumatism, arthritis, and gout. The use of Juniper for medicinal purposes dates back to early Greek and Arabian physicians.