How often to water juniper bonsai
An article about how often to water juniper bonsai and related maintenance methods for juniper, continue reading for more green plant care experience!
Juniper is also known as green cypress, belonging to the Cupressaceae juniperus, an evergreen small tree, often used for landscaping. Due to its dense leaves, evergreen throughout the year, and relatively soft branches, it can also be grown as a bonsai. With careful planning and shaping, it has excellent ornamental effects. Juniper does not have high requirements for the growing environment, is heat-resistant and cold-tolerant, and is relatively easy to maintain. Next, let's talk about some issues to note when growing juniper in a pot, hoping it helps fellow flower enthusiasts.
One, choosing the "right" soil makes management easier
Juniper has few requirements for soil, and general garden soil is suitable for planting without any pressure. Adding some humus soil is even more beneficial for the plant's growth. However, due to the limitations of the pot, the soil in a potted juniper is less, nutrients are limited, aeration is poor, and it is prone to waterlogging, which can inhibit the growth rate and state of the juniper. Therefore, it is best to choose a loose, well-draining soil for potted juniper, which is beneficial for its growth and also facilitates later maintenance.
Potted juniper can use two parts of decomposed leaf soil, one part of garden soil, and two parts of coarse river sand, mixed with an appropriate amount of coarse river sand. Decomposed leaf soil is loose and well-aerated, rich in nutrients, and improves the drainage ability of the potting soil, making it very suitable for juniper growth.
Two, controlling watering well promotes strong root growth
Juniper prefers a moist soil environment but has strong drought resistance. In daily maintenance, we should follow the principle of "not watering until dry." During the growing season, watering frequency can be higher, while in cooler environments, it is better to keep it on the drier side. There are many ways to kill a plant, and overwatering is often the main cause. Even the easiest plants to grow require control in watering. The first skill to master in plant care is to learn to determine if a plant is short of water, considering both the plant's growth habits and seasonal changes. For drought-tolerant plants like juniper, being a bit dry is not a big issue, and it should be prevented from being "drowned" in water.
Three, a good environment promotes healthier growth
The maintenance environment is crucial for any plant. Without a suitable environment, even the most skilled techniques cannot grow a healthy cactus. Juniper prefers a sunny growing environment. If kept indoors for a long time, it will not thrive. Also, a good ventilation environment is vital for plants, as without fresh air, it is difficult to grow any plant well. If possible, it is best to place the juniper pot in a location with plenty of sunlight and good ventilation, or at least on a south-facing open balcony or windowsill.
How often to water juniper bonsai
Four, applying fertilizer well promotes strong and fast growth
No plant can grow without a supply of fertilizer. Only with adequate nutrient supply can plants grow more vigorously. Although juniper is tolerant to poor soil, long-term lack of fertilizer will slow down its growth or even stop growing. Fertilizing any plant should be done during its normal growing season, and incorrect timing of fertilization is also not advisable. Finally, the control of fertilizer dosage is important, as excessive fertilization can burn the roots. Juniper has shallow roots and does not like heavy fertilization. Fertilizing juniper should follow the principle of "less fertilizer, less often," applying a multi-element compound fertilizer once every two months, or a high-quality organic fertilizer once in each of the spring and autumn seasons, without overdoing it.
This article shares a comprehensive explanation of how often to water juniper bonsai and related maintenance methods, hoping to solve your green plant problems and serve as a starting point for further discussion.