Juniperus monosperma (single seed juniper)

[plantmanky]

I have been working on a single seed juniper that I collected a few years ago and would love to hear form anyone out there that has worked on one. I know it's not a common juniper in the Bonsai community but I have found it to be very responsive to bonsai cultural techniques so far. Anyone have one out there?

Picture is from June 2010

J_monosperma_0610_sm.jpg (112.16 KiB) Viewed 2675 times

[lewisjk]

Have fun with that one!

BUT . . . I'm amazed that it survives in KY. There can't be a wider difference in native habitats than AZ/NM and KY.

[plantmanky]

Have fun with that one!

BUT . . . I'm amazed that it survives in KY. There can't be a wider difference in native habitats than AZ/NM and KY.

Your right on the differences in climate!!!!! I've been quite happy the way it has settled into the KY environment. I collected it in 2005 and am just now getting around to doing something on it. It's been ready to work on for a few years but it just wasn't high on the list. I'm still deciding wether to remove the large lower branches (one on each side) and let the top just fill in more. It has a large root in the rear that needs to be removed too. I hope it's got enough roots that I can do that to put it into a smaller container. If I can just get that done I'll be a happy camper!

[lewisjk]

It has a large root in the rear that needs to be removed too. I hope it's got enough roots that I can do that to put it into a smaller container. If I can just get that done I'll be a happy camper!

Don't be in a hurry. I'm a desert native (AZ), and it probably is taking its time making roots. You may have to take that large one down in stages rather than just chopping it off.

[plantmanky]

Don't be in a hurry. I'm a desert native (AZ), and it probably is taking its time making roots. You may have to take that large one down in stages rather than just chopping it off.

oh I understand that completly. I'v actually been quite suprized that they will grow pleanty of root when they have settled in. I only plan on bare rooting it this spring and seeing the lay of the land down there. I'm actually hoping that the large root has only grown minimally and others have become dominant but we'll know about once all that soil is out and we can really see what's going on.

[Dwight]

Any progress on this guy ? J. monosperma is almost a local and I'm trying to get more info on it.

Dwight

[plantmanky]

Any progress on this guy ? J. monosperma is almost a local and I'm trying to get more info on it.

Dwight

Dwight,

No new progress to report yet. I neglected getting around to repotting it this last February in favor of giving it one more year to grow foliage and strenthen up. I will definately be doing the repotting next year though and will be sure to snap some progression pictures during the the process and post them here. If they are almost local to you, you should definately think about collecting one. They are a bit difficult to get out of the ground in most locations but if you can find them in something other than granite and more like regular soil they will be much easier on your back and have a good chance of survival. I have found them to be quite nice to work on once they have settled into container growing and respond quite well to a regular feeding which makes them grow like crazy. I also like the fact that the foliage will not turn brown if you shear them, it just makes them sprout new growth and continue on like nothing happend. One of the trees that I collected and sold was recently worked on by Ryan Neil and is doing just great. There is a picture of that one after Ryans work in the ABS gallery of reference images.

[Dwight]

My vet owns a ranch about 50 mi away that has one-seeds and alligators. I tried collecting this year but with no sucess. Ours are usually foung in gocky clay soil. I know I got plenty of roots but probably didn't water the roots enough , just concentrated on misting the foilage/ This seems to work on Callies but definately not on alligators or one seeds. This year I'll water them on the same schedule as my established trees and see what happens.

Dwight

[fharris]

Hello,
I have been collecting one seeds and aligator junipers for 15+ years and would be interested in discussing them with you. I look forward to hearing from you. Frank

[Dwight]

Frank , where are you located. I tried my hand at collecting alligator and one seed last year and managed to kill everything. I'm trying again this March but changing my techniques in hopes of better success.
Dwight