Did I collect infested cuttings!?

[Desert O'Piñon]

So I know. I know to check the mother tree overall health first. But was excited about native Alligator Juniper. My neighbor gave me permission to take a few cuttings, but I didn't look closely until I was ready to put them in the substrate. I'm pretty sure it's a scale of some sort, if it's anything.

Also, I didn't see a category for tree diseases, infestations, or other such issues, so I hope this is the right place for this thread.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Not sure about that. Thus whitish areas look way too regular for fungus…. Could spray/soak with 3% H2O2 jic.

However just looked image up on line and they seem to have similar appearance.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Thanks. I wasn't sure of my best course of action. I really want this species! Juniperus deppeanna is the best option for Chihuahua Desert native juniper IMHO. The aged bark is spectacular.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Could spray/soak with 3% H2O2 jic.

What should I suggest to my neighbor to save his tree? A systemic insecticide?

 

[KateM]

If you look uo their foliage images on the internet, it seems to be normal appearance for them...

@markyscott has one, maybe he can shed some light on this

 

[MrFancyPlants]

What should I suggest to my neighbor to save his tree? A systemic insecticide?

I don’t think it’s bugs. I think that is just how the alligator grows, but could be wrong.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

If you look uo their foliage images on the internet, it seems to be normal appearance for them...

I don’t think it’s bugs. I think that is just how the alligator grows, but could be wrong.

Oh, nice. That's good news. Chalk it up to newbie apprehension?
I was dosing them with H²O² before I read these posts. It shouldn't hurt the cuttings. If anything, it will eliminate or reduce any potential pathogens.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

I also gathered a dozen berries, although they probably are immature. They are fairly large, and I selected the bluest berries I could find, but ideal harvest time is late fall through winter.

 

[KateM]

Also, get a magnifying glass and take a closer look. You should be able to tell plant structure from an insect. Try to separate them and see if they are part of the plant body while still under magnification...

 

[Paradox]

When you examine them with a magnifying glass, try to lift one of those white spots with a finger nail or pair of fine tweezers. If it comes off and isnt part of the plant structure then I think you have a really bad case of scale

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Looked it up.

The white spots or dots you see on alligator juniper foliage are typically resin deposits that are a natural characteristic of the plant, not a sign of infestation or disease.

Similar to Bristlecone pines

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Thank you all for your help. There are certainly other opportunities to get cuttings, but I'm really wanting to get as many desert natives as possible. You've put me at ease a bit.