Dwarf coniferous shrub with a domed crown, graceful spreading branches - this is the description of one of the most common garden crops. Juniper Blue Star really looks like a pretty blue star. It can be planted in gardens and parks, recreation areas. This is a relatively unpretentious plant. How to choose the shoots of the blue-gray juniper Blue Star? Planting and plant care is the topic of this article!
Description
This variety owes its name to the unusual color of young shoots - they are bright turquoise. Growing, the needles acquire a deeper and quieter shade, but the color remains. The plant, due to its shape and color, is actively used by landscape designers to create amazing compositions. Usually in the group, in addition to the dwarf juniper flake Blue Star include creeping and horizontal varieties. This is the most common decoration on rocky gardens. And its miniature allows you to create fancy compositions on roofs, balconies, terraces and loggias.
Blue Star grows extremely slowly. In a year, its growth rarely exceeds 6–8 cm in height and 10–13 cm in width. The height of an adult plant is usually about a meter, and its diameter does not exceed two meters. The needles of this juniper are short, prickly and poisonous.
Soil selection and planting
Have you decided to purchase Juniper Blue Star for your site? Planting and caring for this plant will not be difficult even for beginner gardeners.
The first thing to do is to choose a place for the bush. Blue Star prefers light areas. In the shade, it loses color, and the needles become loose. When planting more than two junipers on a site, it is very important to maintain a distance of 0.5 to 2 m between the bushes. The pit for a young plant should be twice the size of an earthen coma, and for an adult crop, you need to dredge 70 cm. It is recommended to lay out sand or broken brick. The ideal earth mix for juniper: 2 parts peat and one part fertile soil and sand.
Juniper Care
Juniper Blue Star is resistant to drought and frost. But in dry times, the bush needs abundant watering. In gratitude for proper care, he will delight with a thick crown and rich color. One adult juniper needs about 15-25 liters of water, it is better to water the plant 3-4 times a season. And once a week, Blue Star can be sprayed, it is best to do it after sunset.
In the first two years, juniper must be sheltered for the winter. In the third year of life, this procedure is already optional. If heavy snowfalls are expected, it is worth neatly bandaging the branches with twine.
Breeding
Juniper Blue Star, the planting and care of which you are now familiar with, can be propagated by cuttings. For these purposes, a plant of 8-10 years is excellently suited.
From the end of April to mid-May, young cuttings with a height of 10 cm must be cut. A piece of wood should remain on them. The lower half is cleared of needles, the bark is cut with scissors. After that, you can put the cuttings in a growth stimulator for a day. Then you need to plant the branches in a pot, in a mixture of sand and peat (in a ratio of 1: 1), cover with a film and leave for a month in a shady place. When the root system develops near the shrub, it must be planted in the ground. After three years, you can transplant the plant to a permanent place.
Juniper Blue Star: Description of Diseases and Pests
The most common disease of all junipers is rust. The needles become unattractive, red, the bush "bald". The reason for this may be adverse ecology, waterlogging of the soil, raids of cats and dogs on the site. At the first signs of this disease, it is necessary to put Blue Star away from other shrubs, remove all damaged branches. The plant should be treated with immunostimulants. Experts recommend three-time spraying with "Arceride". For 10 liters of water you will need 50 grams of this product.
The threat to juniper of this variety is represented by aphids, scabies, spider mites and mining moths. To get rid of pests will help such funds as Fitoverm, Decis, Karate.
Now that you are familiar with Juniper Blue Star, planting and caring for this shrub, you can create a real paradise in your garden!