Needle Juniper

[Mitchell]

G'day guys and gals!!

Picked up this stock from Nesci's, don't often see them with this size trunk unless it's grafted so I was happy to grab it.
It was planted 18 years ago by ray with two others. He used them for cuttings to graft to various other varieties. When the three were dug, the other two died.

I guess he is not interested in grafting from it any more, and thus it begins its new adventure.
I was after it anyway regardless of the back story, as its form stood out to me.
Ray was saying he wasn't particularly impressed with the root setup when it was dug three years ago, perhaps things may have changed since life in a confined container begun. Can't wait to get a look at them though.

Would love to here what you would do to it, if it were your own. A lot of thought shall go into this plant, it shall no doubt be fun and challenging at the same time.
I am very chuffed with this purchase as it now equates to my most advanced stock.

[Mitchell]

Feel free to rip it apart people.
I know it's not great stock. I'm not going to cry no matter what the suggestion.
Feel free to contribute, no matter what your skill level, all input is indeed appreciated. Please add your comment.

[Jamie]

hi mitchell

I think you should try grafting some twigs down low on the trunk to get some shoots to work with down there, or you put an air layer on and get the top section, the bottom lot of foliage not included, (so you get two trees).

or the other option is a literati type tree.

jamie

[ozzy]

Hey Mitchell are you the plants version of the RSPCA?, rescuing neglected and abused flora and re housing them in a more loving and caring enviroment so they can be rehabilitated

[Mitchell]

Hey Mitchell are you the plants version of the RSPCA?, rescuing neglected and abused flora and re housing them in a more loving and caring enviroment so they can be rehabilitated

Something like that mate, I enjoy a challenge that's for sure.

[Mitchell]

hi mitchell

I think you should try grafting some twigs down low on the trunk to get some shoots to work with down there, or you put an air layer on and get the top section, the bottom lot of foliage not included, (so you get two trees).

or the other option is a literati type tree.

jamie

Like the idea of grafting down lower. Was also thinking of taking out a couple of wedges, from the lower section of the trunk and bending it back on itself.

Tried doing a search, not much info on site 'bout needle junipers. Just one Leigh posted about...

[kcpoole]

good Literati material I think
Either that or a candidate for a big compression job like skippy tried

Ken

[Mitchell]

good Literati material I think
Either that or a candidate for a big compression job like skippy tried

Ken

Not sure how much bend the trunk has in it, I have a radiata of the same trunk thickness but much younger. I have been the radiata to hell and back several times. JUst by appearance I do not believe I could do a Skippy job as it looks too set. Might need to remove some wedges to achieve some movement.

I bought it with the intention of a literati, so that may be the direction I keep following till I hit a wall, then I'll bend it if I can't create a lit.

[Mitchell]

Hmmmm, how terribly chaotic.

Well at least there are now, no more mature curl grubs... Wasn't too happy about that find, I know they can get into pots easily, but curl grubs would have to be the last thing you'd want to find, in a stock plants pot. I know the seller would look after me if I went back, but I wish to pursue this plant.
I'll treat it with Munns grub powder in a few months when the eggs have matured. According to the manufacturers of the available products at Buzzings, they will not kill the eggs too.

Off to finish the re-pot, it's soaking in seasol now.

[Jake]

its looking perfect for literati, thats what id be doing with it buddy.
good find u got there mate

[Mitchell]

And back in mix. No more grubs! Yay! I can sleep tonight, without thinking about the lil' blighters nibbling away.

[Jamie]

Mitchell,

when you say needle juniper. are you talking bout juniperus ridgida or juniperus conferta?

or is ridgida and conferta the same?

[Mitchell]

I believe it is a juniperus ridgida, I couldn't tell you if that is a conferta.

Normally when you think of a Rigida it is a graft, even many of the Japanese plants you see are grafts of this.

18 years of growing a Rigida gives a 1 inch trunk, I don't actually think there are many/any of this size in Australia. I know Leigh has one ( viewtopic.php?f=131&t=1258&hilit=needle+juniper ), but I would love to find out how many more un-grafted specimens there are around the traps.

Have you seen many of these, I am still struggling to find much info?

[Jamie]

hi mate

like you said there ist many around, i havent seen any that are grafted or not. if i were you i would be getting a heap of cuttings going when you start to style the tree, then once they have struck you can send them up to me

i would have to hazard a guess at care would be similar to J. conferta which i treat as the same as any juni. it shouldnt be that hard to keep mate

jamie

ps. i was serious bout the cuttings, i would love to get my hands on a couple of the buggers

[Mitchell]

Thanks mate.

I think the curl grub have nailed it for the next year, but after that definitely, I'll send cuttings your way.



Can anyone say "bored"