I used to be fortunate. I’ve by no means made that specific mistake. However that is to not say I’ve by no means killed a Juniper.
I’ve already written just a few posts in regards to the Juniper Mint Julep I purchased as a candidate for Reddit’s nursery inventory contest in March 2018.
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| As bought – March 2018 |
Having seen many individuals on Reddit advising first time Juniper growers to not do an excessive amount of work directly, I attempted to be light with my tree and although I eliminated plenty of the highest, I left a few undesirable low branches to keep away from stunning the tree an excessive amount of.
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| April 2018 |
It made it via the Southern hemisphere winter with none hassle.
My massive mistake was taking it to a membership assembly in September 2018. I did not even plan for it to go on the desk for critique, simply to investigate from an knowledgeable whether or not it was protected to take away these low branches. Sadly a few of the members had different concepts, and I got here residence with this:
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| September 2018 |
I used to be actually upset with this new styling and felt it was now not “my” tree. And I used to be extraordinarily involved about its survival. The suggestion that I repot it instantly seemed like a foul thought, and I made a decision towards it.
Maybe at that stage it nonetheless stood an opportunity of surviving, although it will have been a very long time earlier than it grew branches that I’d have been completely satisfied to work with. Sadly, when discussing the tree with one other skilled grower just a few weeks later, I used to be informed it was okay to repot it, so I did. The foundation pruning concerned was the final straw, and by December 2018 it had misplaced all its foliage, although I discovered indicators of hope within the type of one tiny inexperienced bud rising from the part that was meant for use as lifeless wooden.
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| Indicators of hope – December 2018 |
And my hopes had been lastly dashed when that bud died just a few weeks in the past.
If I ever purchase one other Juniper (unlikely), I am going to positively take my recommendation from Reddit and stick with the precept of 1 insult per season. Maybe they’ll survive extra, however there are certain to be issues alongside the way in which.
That was actually the case with a Juniper I labored on after I attended a newbie’s course again in 2007. The tree was pruned, wired and planted in a bonsai pot, all around the interval of two days. It survived, however the high died and a makeover was required inside months. It has been restyled just a few occasions since then, however to today I am not pleased with that tree and I am decided to seek out it a brand new residence at some point. If I can get somewhat cash for it, I am going to most likely spend it on one other ficus!
