How to grow Juniperus procumbens? Cultivation methods and precautions

Juniperus procumbens is a plant commonly used for bonsai, so how do you grow Juniperus procumbens? Let's take a look!

I. Basic introduction to Juniperus procumbens

Juniperus procumbens is an evergreen small shrub of the Cupressaceae family and Coniferopsida class, with dense, soft branches, growing prostrate on the ground. The bark is reddish brown and peels off in scales, and the cones are spherical, bluish, and contain 2 to 3 seeds.

In China, Juniperus procumbens is mainly distributed in Sichuan and Guizhou. Juniperus procumbens generally has no upright main trunk, with dense branches and leaves, distinct layers, small emerald-green leaves, evergreen throughout the four seasons, an elegant posture, a long lifespan, and it is easy to shape. Juniperus procumbens has strong adaptability and can grow well in both the north and the south, making it a good material for making bonsai.

II. How do you grow Juniperus procumbens?

Before growing Juniperus procumbens, it also needs to be shaped. When shaping Juniperus procumbens, you should do more wiring and less pruning. The wiring material can be metal wire or palm fiber.

Summer and early autumn are the vigorous growing seasons for Juniperus procumbens. After pruning, the sap tends to overflow, which is unfavorable for growth, so shaping and pruning should be done in late winter and early spring. Juniperus procumbens generally needs about 2 years of wiring to take shape; if the wiring material is removed too early, the branches often return to their original state. After the shape is set, the metal wire should be removed in time, because if the wiring is left too long, the metal wire cuts too deeply into the branches. This is not only unfavorable for plant growth, but the remaining marks are also unsightly, and it takes about two years for the marks to disappear. The branches and leaves of Juniperus procumbens bonsai are mostly processed into cloud-like or natural forms.

The specific growing methods are:

1. Soil

Juniperus procumbens is suitable for growing in fertile, moist, well-drained neutral, slightly acidic, or slightly alkaline soil.

2. Watering

Water frequently in summer, spraying the leaves once in the morning and once in the evening; in winter, water less.

3. Light

Juniperus procumbens likes light and tolerates shade, so it can be placed in a spot with scattered light for growing.

Among these, the growing soil can be made by mixing 2/3 humus soil and 1/3 sandy surface soil. Planting is best done in March to April.

Different pots should also be chosen according to different shapes. For the cliff-hanging style, a purple clay tall cylindrical pot is suitable, and the main root should be left somewhat longer to bear the pulling force of most branches and leaves hanging out of the pot; for the curved-trunk style, an oval purple clay pot or glazed ceramic pot can be used; for the slanting-trunk style and lying-trunk style, a rectangular shallow purple clay pot is best, to display the graceful posture of the trunk.

In addition, during the growing process of Juniperus procumbens, attention should also be paid to fertilizing and pruning. In its growing season, applying liquid fertilizer once about every 20 days is enough; during the care process, Juniperus procumbens sometimes grows overly long branches that ruin the tree shape, and these should be cut off in time. To make the branches and leaves short and dense, pinch the tips appropriately to promote the growth of side branches.