Juniper Strickt

Juniper Strickt (stricta) was bred in the last century by Dutch breeders. But it is still very popular with gardeners. His crown is elegant, and the colors of the needles are unusual. Therefore, landscape designers around the world love to decorate their gardens with this shrub. In this article, we will tell you about the rules for caring for this Chinese juniper, the main features of the variety, the specifics of plant reproduction. In any case, this information will definitely help you if you decide to grow this evergreen tree in your summer garden.

Juniper Strickta: description of the variety and characteristics

Juniper Strickt: photo of the variety

Juniper Strickt belongs to Cypress. A coniferous tree has a small height, which is why it is sometimes called a dwarf tree. His crown is slender, conical. Has the correct shape, always symmetrical. The shoots of the plant are straight, grow at a slight acute angle, vertically. The needles are always soft, green-blue. But in winter, they are usually gray-blue. The Chinese juniper Strickta is very beautiful, the plant is dioecious, it should be noted that in females the crown is more spreading, and in males it is columnar.

By the end of summer, small cones, usually of a dark blue color, begin to ripen on junipers. They also have a beautiful waxy coating. The cones are usually small, each contains about 3 seeds, but you should immediately make a reservation, these fruits cannot be eaten, they are not edible. Due to the fact that the needles have an unusual color, this juniper is loved by landscape designers. In addition, this Chinese variety is considered very unpretentious. It is often planted in a chaotic manner in plots, thus creating an interesting composition. The plant perfectly tolerates frosts, but they are not at all demanding to the type of soil. In addition, this juniper can be planted in a big city, because, in addition to everything else, it also cleans the air of harmful toxins, while it does not suffer at all.

In height, the Stricta juniper usually grows up to 2 meters, with a crown about one and a half meters in diameter. But sometimes the plants are more voluminous, so they often form beautiful hedges. They look great near paths and flower beds. Often, the root system of this juniper even strengthens the eroded soil. This is due to the climbing of the rhizome. However, remember, it is best when buying seedlings to give preference to container plants, as they adapt better to new conditions. In addition, due to the fact that the root system of a juniper is quite vulnerable, it often dies in the open air, so choose plants in pots.

As we noted earlier, the Chinese strickta juniper is excellent for purifying the air, as it inhibits the growth of bacteria. It is thanks to these properties that it is advised to use the juniper in medicine. You have probably noticed that in many sanatorium resort areas these trees are planted near the paths. Juniper enriches the surrounding space with phytoncides, which have a good effect on the nervous system, and also restore the body after pulmonary diseases. However, not all so simple. Juniper Stricta tends to accumulate a small amount of toxins in its needles and fruits, therefore, with a long close contact of the skin or mucous membranes with the juice of the plant, you can harm yourself.Therefore, you should always be careful when working in the garden and use gloves. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that small children, walking in the garden, do not play with this plant, remember that this juniper is considered conditionally poisonous.

Plants are considered very unpretentious, but the shoots grow slowly. This is especially true for young seedlings. Mature trees grow much faster. However, the growth usually does not exceed 7 centimeters per year. This juniper is very attractive and frost-resistant, so it can be planted in almost all regions of our country. But in too harsh winters, plantings should be covered, remember that too heavy snowfalls often lead to injury to the shoots. Landscape designers love planting the Chinese Strickt Juniper, so any Japanese and Chinese style arrangement usually includes this picturesque tree. Strict juniper is often used for landscaping the territory. Sometimes this plant can be seen on alpine hills; juniper is interestingly combined even with barberry. It is considered a wonderful background for creating bright spots, accent. Sometimes the juniper is also the central spot of the composition. Due to the fact that the needles have an unusual color, the juniper can revive even a very simple unassuming flower arrangement.

Chinese strickt juniper: planting and care

Juniper Strickt in landscape design: photo of the variety

It is quite easy to grow a Stricta juniper on your backyard, since it is an unpretentious plant, and if you follow all the rules for planting and caring for a tree, it will not lose its decorative effect and attractiveness. Before planting a juniper, you will need to select a planting site. Remember that juniper is considered a light-loving crop, however, too bright sun negatively affects the needles. Therefore, it is best to plant plants in an openwork shade. Choose well-ventilated places, however, the juniper also does not like drafts. If we talk about the type of soil, then it should be noted that this variety loves slightly acidic or neutral soil. If the acidity level on the site is increased, then you will need to calcify the soil. Buy Strickt Juniper seedlings from either garden centers or nurseries, it is best to choose plants that are sold in a container or along with a soil ball. An open root system is often damaged during transportation; such plants do not take root well in new habitats. Each seedling must have young shoots, and the branches must be alive and not brittle. The crown of a seedling is usually dense, so plants with rare needles should immediately alert you. In addition, naturally, there should be no damage or defects on the plant. The Strickt juniper is planted either in the fall or in the spring. If you purchased a seedling with an open root system, then you will need to plant it immediately, if the root system dries up, then the juniper may not take root. Do not allow the trunk of the seedling to dry out, so be sure to water the plants that are in containers before planting. The planting hole should be several times larger than the earthen lump. Observe the distance between plants, the distance between seedlings should be at least one and a half meters. At the bottom of the planting pit, it is advisable to fill in large pebbles or broken brick. The soil must be nutritious, it is advisable to add sand, peat or humus to the soil. The root collar must not be buried, remember this. It is advisable to shelter young seedlings from the sun and water abundantly. Remember, Strickta juniper cannot be transplanted many times, so decide on a permanent habitat right away.

Chinese juniper Strickt: photo of the variety

It is not necessary to water the plants too intensively, the juniper practically does not need watering. And if you still mulch the soil, then the plants will not need water at all. However, the first months after planting should be watered regularly and abundantly. If the summer is dry, then a couple of tens of liters of water will have to be poured under each tree, but this will need to be done no more than two or three times per season. Excess moisture negatively affects the culture, so do not overmoisten the soil and observe the irrigation regime. However, dry air is more harmful to plants, so do not forget to spray the crown of the tree with a spray bottle. It is best to do this either early in the morning or late in the evening, so that water droplets do not focus the sun's rays on the needles, creating a lens effect. Thus, you cannot avoid burns. Plants are also fertilized infrequently, no more than 1 time per season. It is best to use complex mineral fertilizers, and adult plants do not even need them. Juniper has enough of what is contained in the available soil. The soil will need to be mulched so that moisture does not evaporate, and the top layer of the soil does not dry out. It will also be necessary to water the plants less often, the weeds will not actively grow on the site. Gardeners use sawdust, straw and dry grass as a mulching material. The juniper has a well-developed root system, so when working in the garden, do not damage the roots. Loosening of the soil should be done shallowly. In order for the juniper bushes to always be beautiful, you will need to shape the crown. Pruning should be done regularly, if you will create a hedge, then you will need to remove only dry and diseased shoots. Moreover, this will need to be done in early spring. If the plants are not trimmed, the juniper will look untidy. To prevent the plants from getting sick, you should periodically treat them with fungicides for prevention. This variety of Chinese juniper is quite frost-resistant, but young trees should be prepared for wintering. In late autumn, the trunk circle should be mulched with peat, and the outer part of the plants can be covered with spruce branches. In order for the plant not to suffer from heavy snowfall, it is recommended to tie the branches to the tree trunk. Juniper Strickt also in a harsh winter should be covered with burlap or any other material. This is done as a preventive measure. Do not forget to remove the structure in early spring, it is best to do this on a cloudy day, so that the juniper has time to get used to the heat and sun. Juniper is often planted as a houseplant, but this culture is quite demanding in terms of temperature. Therefore, at home, you need to take special care of the juniper. Many gardeners, constructing compositions from indoor flowers, create real masterpieces using this culture. Since the strickt juniper grows for a very long time, it is very convenient to grow it on a windowsill. However, in order for this plant to please you, you need to follow these recommendations. Firstly, after you buy a seedling, you will need to immediately transplant it into a larger box. This is necessary in order for the plant to immediately adapt to new conditions. If we talk about the type of soil, then you need to choose peat soil, you can buy a special mixture for conifers. Usually, drainage is poured at the bottom of the box in order for moisture to better move away from the roots, since waterlogging of the soil negatively affects the development of the plant. The top layer of the earth should also be mulched, in order to rarely need to water the juniper. Throughout the winter, this should be done no more than 2 times every 4 weeks, and in the summer, independently monitor the moisture content of the soil and water the plant as needed. It is best to spray the needles several times with a spray bottle.Remember, if the leaves dry up, then the juniper will lose its decorative, beautiful appearance. Do not place plants next to heating appliances, as this will also negatively affect growth. If we talk about fertilizers, it is best to use mineral complexes that are previously diluted in water. Be sure to place the Strictt juniper on the windowsill so that the sun shines on the plants well. However, direct sunlight is contraindicated for juniper. The optimum temperature for growth should not be above 25 degrees in summer and below 13 in winter. The plant should be transplanted into a new pot every season, and it must be of a larger volume. However, this should be done very carefully so as not to damage the root system of the tree.

Reproduction of Strickt juniper by cuttings, diseases and pests of the variety

Juniper Chinese Strikta: photo of the variety

It is best to propagate Strickt Juniper by cuttings. It is very difficult to grow a new plant from seeds, so gardeners do not like this method. The shoots are usually cut off from well-formed shoots, their length should be about 10-15 cm, then the branches are rooted in a mixture with the addition of sand. Juniper can also be propagated using cuttings. To do this, you will need to dig in the lowest lateral shoot, pouring nutritious soil on top of it. However, do not forget to pre-clean the shoot from the needles. Over time, the branches will take root, and after about a year you will be able to separate them from the mother bush, transplant them to a new habitat. These will already be independent plants.

If we talk about pests, it should be noted that aphids, scale insects, and sawfly often settle on the plant. To prevent insects from attacking soft needles, you will need to treat the plants with insecticides. If we talk about diseases, then the juniper is susceptible to the influence of fungal infections. Most often they affect the root system, as well as the green parts, if the needles of the juniper turn yellow, it means that you either do not water the plant at all, or the juniper is sick. Most often these are fungal diseases, as well as rust, fusarium. You will need to be sure to remove all diseased parts of the plant, with severe damage. The tree should be treated with fungicides. Remember to check your juniper bushes periodically.

Conclusion.

Juniper Strickt in landscape design: photo of the variety

Chinese juniper Stricta (stricta) is a very interesting plant, the needles of juniper are soft and beautiful, therefore these trees are often planted in personal plots, in parks and recreation areas. You can create a very interesting composition with this plant, it looks great next to flowering bushes. It fits perfectly into almost any design, both oriental and European. Rest assured, Strict Juniper for landscaping is a win-win.