In addition to the slim shape, the gray-blue needles of the columnar juniper catch the eye. In addition, it reaches a height of up to 8 m, with a diameter of no more than 0.80 cm to 100 cm. The rocket juniper is therefore very popular in creative garden design, either from a specimen plant or in the form of a hedge.
Table of Contents
Plant columnar junipers
Granules or pottery shards. A weed fleece is also well suited. The excavated earth is ideally mixed with some damp peat and a few handfuls of horn shavings. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. A weed fleece is also well suited. The excavated earth is ideally mixed with some damp peat and a few handfuls of horn shavings. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. A weed fleece is also well suited. The excavated earth is ideally mixed with some damp peat and a few handfuls of horn shavings. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. The excavated earth is ideally mixed with some damp peat and a few handfuls of horn shavings. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. The excavated earth is ideally mixed with some damp peat and a few handfuls of horn shavings. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. In order to give the rocket juniper additional stability to the pin-straight growth, it is advisable to drive a support pole into the ground before the tree is planted. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm. The earth is trodden on and covered with water so that the young juniper grows quickly. The columnar juniper is tied to the support post with the help of a ribbon made of bast. So that the freshly tilled soil around the tree does not dry out so quickly from the sun and wind, a layer of bark mulch is finally spread over it. If you plan to form a group with the rocket juniper or a hedge, the ideal planting distance is between 0.70 cm and 100 cm.
Undemanding in care
The columnar juniper is the perfect tree to give beginners among the hobby gardeners a sense of achievement, because it can withstand summer heat just as well as icy cold in winter down to -30 ° Celsius. If you observe the following information on care, you will receive a splendidly growing rocket juniper, even without much previous knowledge:
- water regularly;
- In the spring, if necessary, provide with slow release fertilizer;
- work fresh garden compost into the soil;
- Special juniper fertilizer is available in stores;
- check regularly for brown needles;
- Cut brown discolored parts immediately.
The rocket juniper does not necessarily need fertilizer. However, growth can be accelerated a bit in this way, especially if it is to form a hedge as a privacy screen or wind protection.
To cut
The columnar juniper develops its straight growth growth by itself. Nevertheless, it is easy to cut and can be brought into the desired shape. Artistically gifted hobby gardeners have the opportunity to transform it into a sculpture of nature. There is nothing wrong with planting the columnar juniper in a tasteful container and using a creative cut to create an individual decoration for the terrace, balcony or house entrance. The best time to prune the rocket juniper is from May to September. Cutting in autumnal wetness or winter frost could damage the tree. In young trees, at most the outer shoots are cut, which encourages the plant to grow even more densely and prevents the branches from becoming bald from the inside. Regular cutting also works as a preventive measure against fungal and pest infestation. Column junipers that are getting on in years often give off a slightly frayed appearance. In this case, the tree can withstand a strong pruning into the old wood.
Wintering of the columnar juniper
This sturdy tree is extremely hardy and does not require any special protection. If you still want to arm especially young trees against the icy temperatures, you can wrap them with jute or weed fleece. Foil is not well suited for this purpose because condensation could form, which promotes rot. Only in the case of heavy snowfall is it advisable to shake the trees free of the white load so that there are no breaks. So that the rocket juniper does not dry out during the cold season, it is given some water in frost-free periods.
Diseases and pests
Most pests avoid the rocket juniper. Even so, it is not completely resistant to all diseases. If the young shoots turn brown, this is an indication of a fungal attack. In this case, the affected areas must be removed immediately to prevent the infection from spreading. If you fail to do this, you run the risk of killing the entire tree. The columnar juniper is most susceptible to attack by pear rust. This is a host-changing fungus, which means that it needs two different host plants in order to develop fully. The pear grate uses the juniper as an intermediate host for the winter or nests there for years. It causes knotty swellings inside the tree, which turn orange from the beginning of March to April and are easy to spot during this time. However, this “bloom” only lasts for a maximum of 10 days. If the tree is sprayed with a copper-based agent during this time, with a little luck the infestation of the columnar juniper will be eliminated. Otherwise, the fungal spores swarm out to infect the young leaves of the pear tree, their real goal.
The pear grate does not cause any life-threatening damage to the columnar juniper itself as an intermediate host, apart from a possibly increased needle fall. However, the issue repeatedly causes lively discussions among hobby gardeners when columnar junipers are cultivated on one property and pear trees grow on the other. In this case, close cooperation is required to stop the fungal attack. The most common pest to tamper with the rocket juniper is the juniper moth. If the shoot tips turn brown and, on closer inspection, are hollow on the inside, this is a sure sign that the 5 mm butterfly is the cause. It hatches between May and June, lays its eggs in the shoot tips, whereupon the larvae eat their way through there. Cutting away the diseased shoots is an effective control method. In addition, there are various plant strengtheners for sale in stores that can also be used in the hobby garden against the juniper moth. It is good to know that birds are the main predators of these pests. If you design your garden in an inviting way, for example with a bird feeder, you will receive eager feathered support in the fight against the juniper moth. The parasitic wasps also have larvae of these pests at the top of the menu. These can now be purchased in well-stocked garden centers. There is a risk of confusion with the death of instincts, which presents a similar damage pattern. In this case, the cause of brown discolored, dying shoots in a soil that is too moist with waterlogging and a location that is too shady. In this case, with a bit of luck, vigorous pruning can save the columnar juniper.
This is how repotting works
Since columnar junipers can be admired as a container plant on many terraces and balconies, it may be necessary to repot them over the years. At the latest when the previous planter is completely rooted, the time has come for it. A root ball that is as dry as possible is easier to pot. The experienced hobby gardener uses this opportunity to examine the roots carefully and remove any dead pieces. The new bucket is no more than 10 cm to 15 cm in diameter larger than the previous vessel, because otherwise the rocket juniper will put all its energy into the roots and growth slows down. A drainage made of gravel, granulate or broken pottery shards is distributed over the drainage hole in the new planter. A layer of fresh substrate is spread on top and then the root ball is completely inserted in the middle. The fresh potting soil should end a few centimeters below the edge of the tub so that nothing spills over when watering.
Propagate columnar juniper
If you want to propagate your rocket juniper, it is best to choose the cuttings method. A woody piece of the tree with 4 to 6 leaves is cut off in late spring and all needles are removed. The leaf nodes must not be damaged in the process. Various experts advise tearing the cutting off instead of cutting it off. In this case, a small piece of scrap wood remains on the cutting, which could accelerate the rooting process. Whichever method the hobby gardener decides on; the cuttings are placed in a growing container with a loose, nutrient-poor substrate and covered with foil. In this way, a warm and humid climate is created so that the cuttings quickly take root. The substrate is permanently kept slightly moist, a drainage hole in the bottom of the cultivation vessel prevents waterlogging. To prevent mold from forming under the film, it is briefly aired every few days. As a rule, by late summer the cuttings are so deeply rooted that they can be repotted or immediately planted in the garden. Propagation with seeds requires a lot of patience, because the columnar juniper is one of the slow-growing trees.
Conclusion
The rocket junipers, growing straight as a pin, serve as eye-catchers in creative garden design. Since they look similar to column cypresses, they also create a Mediterranean ambience. Because they are easy to cut, they can be given a variety of imaginative shapes. Whether as a solitary plant, in a stylish planter, in small groups or as a hedge; the columnar juniper always cuts a fine figure. Since this tree is also easy to care for and hardy, it is very popular with hobby gardeners. It can cope with almost any soil, as long as the location is sunny and no waterlogging can form. Vital and healthy rocket junipers are also remarkably resistant to disease and pests. The tree only causes discussions among neighboring hobby gardeners when the pear grate has nested on a tree and pear trees are cultivated on the neighboring property. If in this case everyone pulls together and jointly eliminates the danger posed by this fungus, the columnar juniper even promotes good neighborliness.
