Juniper Meyeri

Juniper Meyeri is characterized as a frost-resistant and durable shrub that will decorate any garden and vegetable garden. This plant has received great love and fame due to its beauty, and it is also completely not capricious in its care. Meyeri's juniper looks like a very large evergreen shrub. This tree can grow up to 4 meters tall. Let's take a closer look at this beautiful plant and figure out how to plant and care for it, as well as what troubles may await it.

Juniper Meyeri: variety description

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Meyeri juniper is a prominent representative of the Cypress family, a ground cover shrub. The plant has an irregularly formed bowl-shaped crown with a diameter of about 3 meters. An interesting fountain-like shrub, due to its lateral branches falling down. Juniper Meyeri belongs to crops with very slow growth, as it grows 15 centimeters in one year. As mentioned earlier, this is a coniferous plant, its flexible shoots are covered with coniferous needles up to 10 millimeters long. Juniper has an interesting color of needles, delicate blue-gray, due to which it has become more popular. It is endowed with such an interesting color of needles during its active development, this is approximately in the second half of May. The root system of this shrub is well branched and is not deep from the surface, so the landing site should not be close to surface groundwater. This coniferous plant has fruits of a dark bluish color, which in their evil form are very poisonous, it is absolutely impossible to eat them. Meyeri fruits grow in a single-seeded type and are similar in shape to cones.

The Meyeri juniper has several varieties. Here they are:

• Blue carpet... Ground cover plant. It got its name from this feature: its silvery-blue branches spread along the ground, forming a carpet-like covering.
• Compact. A brand new scaly juniper species that has delighted and loved gardeners. It grows small, up to about 50 centimeters in height. the crown of the shrub is very dense, has a silvery-blue color, closer to heavenly. Refers to frost-resistant species. Growing requires a sunny, open area as well as sufficiently drained land.
• Blue Star. The main feature of this subspecies is that its needles form the shape of very small stars.

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Juniper Meyeri: planting and care

The scaly juniper of the Meyeri variety is considered a rather unpretentious coniferous crop, which can please anyone with its appearance with proper and conscientious care. In the beginning, for excellent growth and development, it is required to correctly choose a seedling, and only then, accordingly, observe planting and care measures.

Preparing the site for sprouting and seedling.

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Before you go to choose and buy a Meyeri juniper, read the description and characteristics of the species for cultivation very carefully. It would be better to purchase a seedling in a specialized nursery and from conscientious sellers. The seedling is chosen correctly if it has:

• The root system is entwined with an earthen ball and is quite well developed,
• The needles have a uniform color,
• The bark is also uniform in color and free of various damage, cracks, or signs of disease infection.

A young shrub takes root very quickly and well in a new place, usually at the age of two, so it is better to acquire and plant its seedling during this period.

Before planting a scaly juniper Meyeri's seedling, its root system should be treated with Kornevin, this will help it quickly settle down in a new place and exclude the possibility of infection with the disease in the future.

For the remarkable growth and development of this coniferous culture, a sufficiently illuminated planting site is required, since in the shade this plant can lose its decorative qualities. In this case, irregularities appear in the bark of the shrub, the crown itself thins, and the color of the needles becomes faded. Unlike lighting, the plant is less demanding on the composition of the earth. The best option for him would be a fairly fertile land with neutral acidity, fairly well drained. If heavy soil is present at the landing site, then it should be diluted with peat or sand, and also, alternatively, with coniferous soil. In general, this shrub is not capricious to weather conditions, it is not afraid of either strong winds or drafts, therefore it is allowed to grow it in an open area.

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Landing.

Planting and subsequent care of the Meyeri juniper variety does not need huge efforts. The most important thing is to follow the usual advice of experienced gardeners and gardeners in a timely manner.

In the spring, after the air warms up to about +7 degrees, you can start planting a juniper. The planting scheme for this plant is as follows:

• the hole for the seedling is prepared in advance, it is made twice as much for the roots of the bush,
• when planting several shrubs at once, a distance of about one and a half meters or more is left between the pits,
• Drainage from expanded clay, sand, pebbles is laid at the bottom of the hole. Its layer should be about 15 centimeters,
• The seedling, along with a lump of earth, is placed in the center of the hole,
• Next, it is covered with nutritious soil, while tamping each layer, so that there is space with air,
• After the soil is sufficiently compacted, it is mulched and watered,

Experienced gardeners advise to hide it from direct sunlight for the first time after planting the Meyeri juniper.

If the root collar of the seedling is at ground level, then you have planted the plant correctly.

Be sure to carry out high-quality and timely care of the shrub after planting, so that it can quickly take root in a new place and grow actively. You do not need special skills and abilities for this.

Watering and feeding rules.

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Meyeri's scaly juniper is endowed with the ability to tolerate dry periods calmly. So during the rainy season, the shrub can do without watering. And in drought and heat it is watered once a week. Each plant takes one bucket of water, which must be settled and warm in advance. A good option for this coniferous shrub would be an irrigation procedure in the form of a sprinkler method. This method will help remove dusty deposits from the needles and increase humidity, in addition, thanks to this procedure, the air will be filled with a delicate scent.

If you have planted the plant in nutrient soil, then you need to start feeding only after about 2 years. An adult, grown shrub is fed in the autumn and spring. In the spring, fertilizers with a nitrogen content are used for top dressing, for good growth and development of the plant. And in the autumn, fertilizers based on phosphorus and potassium are used to increase endurance in the winter.Never use fresh manure and bird droppings as top dressing for Meyeri juniper, as they can cause a serious burn to the roots of the plant, and, up to the death of the entire shrub.

Loosening and mulching.

After each watering procedure, Meyeri juniper is weeding and loosening the soil, mulching at the trunk of the bush. For mulching, hay, peat, pine needles or dry foliage are used. Thanks to this, the growth of weeds will stop, moisture will remain, and will also act as an additional organic fertilizing.

Pruning rules.

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Meyeri's scaled juniper is excellent for pruning and crown formation. This procedure is carried out in early spring and a sterile instrument is used. In the spring, the so-called sanitary pruning of diseased, broken shoots is carried out. After the pruning procedure, the shrub of this variety must be treated with fungicides.

Shelter for the winter.

The Meyeri juniper variety is considered a completely frost-resistant coniferous plant, and on this basis, it does not need certain protection for the winter. The only thing that must be done is to tie together his shoots, since they are curved and flexible, and can break in winter under the weight of the piled snow.

While the plant is considered young and immature, this is about 2-3 years after planting, it must be covered for the winter so that it can safely survive the cold. For shelter use:

• pine branches - remarkably allow air and moisture to pass through, and with this perfectly protecting it from very strong winds and direct sunlight in spring,
• non-woven fabric - They do not cover the whole plant, but only part of it, so that fresh air can pass to it,
• snow - it is thrown onto the associated shrub, making sure that it does not harm the plant and does not freeze.

There is also the option of digging up the shrub and transplanting it into a special container, after which it is brought in and kept in a cool room throughout the winter. This option is suitable for growing areas where a rather harsh climate and little snowy winters are raging.

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Reproduction

Meyeri's juniper is propagated by several methods, these are seeds, branches or cuttings.

Reproduction through seeds is a rather painstaking and difficult method, so it is better not to use this method, especially for a novice gardener.

The easiest breeding method is considered to be the method of using branches. To do this, a young, strong, lower branch is placed in a trench, after which it is covered with soil, while leaving the top above the ground. Then mulch and watered. After half a year, the shoot will completely take root and separate from the mother plant.

For the grafting method, the time of spring is considered ideal, after pruning and forming a bush. This is done by cutting cuttings from cut branches, with an approximate length of 10 to 15 centimeters. The seedlings are soaked for several hours in a solution of the drug "Kornevin" (or "Epin") for good root formation. After that, the seedlings are planted in the nutrient soil one and a half centimeters at an acute angle. So that the seedling can take root faster, something like a micro-greenhouse is made for it, in which the temperature will not drop +20 degrees. After three months, the cutting will completely take root, and after a year it will be able to plant in a permanent place of growth.

Diseases and pests

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

An important feature of the Meyeri juniper variety is that it has good immunity to many diseases and infections. Although there are exceptions, these are mainly growing areas where rather unstable and unfavorable weather prevails. And it also increases the chance of contracting a disease and being attacked by insect pests in a very young shrub. Here are the most common diseases and harmful insects for this coniferous crop:

• Alternaria... Fungal disease affecting the lower branches of the plant. If you notice a bright dark bloom on the bark of the shrub, and the needles have become brown, then your plant has overtaken this disease. The main cause of infection is considered to be the thickening of the plantings. The plant must be urgently treated, otherwise the branches will dry out. Treatment is carried out with fungicides.
• Fusarium... It is also a fungal disease. The most common cause of infection is insufficient lighting and excess moisture. The disease begins to attack from the root system, if you do not apply treatment, then the disease also affects the crown of the bush. At the same time, the needles of the juniper begin to turn yellow and dry, and, in the future, fall off.
• Drying of shoots. The reason is a fungus that hibernates in the bark of the plant, and, if you do not start urgently to treat it, it attacks with renewed vigor in the spring. With this disease, the bark of the bush dries up, and growths appear on it, plus yellowing of the shoots and falling of the needles go to this.
• Shield... A dangerous pest that affects the needles of plants and fruits. When attacked by this pest, the needles dry up and fall off, and the shrub itself stops growth and development. If you do not start treating the plant, then its needles will completely dry out and fall off, and the shrub itself will lose all its decorative appearance.
• Spider mite. When attacked by this pest, the needles of the plant are completely covered with a thin web, which leads to drying and further falling off.

In the fight against pests, special preparations will help, which can be purchased at any specialized store for gardeners.

Role in landscaping

Juniper Meyeri: photo of the variety

Due to its interesting and unusual needles, Meyeri's scaly juniper is widely used in decoration. It is very often used to decorate the garden and vegetable garden. And since this plant has a rather small increase in a year, they prefer to plant it in flowerpots and put it on balconies, verandas, terraces and even on roofs for decoration. Another application that he received is turning it into a small bonsai, because this type of juniper tolerates pruning excellently.

This type of juniper is an excellent coniferous plant, and even durable. It is ideal for decorating your garden and vegetable garden, thanks to its charming color and minimal maintenance.

Juniper Meyeri: reviews of the variety

• Meyeri's scaly juniper has been growing on my site for a very long time, about 12 years. I began to grow from a cutting. I cover Meyeri's juniper only when there is strong frost, but otherwise it is very unpretentious, does not need special and frequent watering. In a group planting with other decorative bright shrubs, it looks just amazing, thanks to its color. And what a scent it has after the rain, you can not describe!

Irina, 45 years old

• I love conifers and grow them on my site. Among them is the Meyeri juniper. I really like the fact that it is quite unpretentious and frost-resistant, and its color of the needles is simply gorgeous. A shrub with a delicate gray-blue color perfectly blended with other coniferous plantings and perfectly decorated my site.

Olga, 39 years old