Help - Hollywood Juniper

[Bearhat9000]

Hey guys,

So two years ago I bought this Hollywood Juniper that had been transplanted into a mix of organic soil and high fired clay pellets, and since then have taken it across the country (twice), watered it about once every 3 weeks if not longer, and kept it in spots that are shady most of the day, but get a decent amount of sunlight as well (~ 6 hrs). I just moved to a residence and now have it sitting on a balcony that faces West, and gets direct sunlight from around 1:00pm til ~ 7:00pm.

Some of it's sections have turned pale, while others are still semi vibrant (I feel like the color should be deeper), and as my experience with Junipers goes, once they turn pale, its too late... So please tell me what I can do to save this guy before its too late!?

 

[sorce]

You be in the City?

I mean THE city?

Sorce

 

[Bearhat9000]

lol, I guess so. Southside Chicago

 

[Daluke]

My guts say-

1) not enough water
2) not enough sun (do you rotate?)
3) needs feed (when healthy)

How big are the clay pellets? Have they broken down? When you repotted it did you clear out all the old soil?

 

[sorce]

South

South

South

side

All Day, All Day!

Soil Looks a little retentive. ?

If so, I would water less, but mist it a lot if possible.

Seems roots may be compromised.

Sorce

 

[Bearhat9000]

My guts say-

1) not enough water
2) not enough sun (do you rotate?)
3) needs feed (when healthy)

How big are the clay pellets? Have they broken down? When you repotted it did you clear out all the old soil?

Ok, so how often should I water it then would you say? I've been told it's easy to over water Junipers. Also, would you suggest moving it to the East balcony instead? Should I rotate it to get sunlight on those spots that are less vibrant?

 

[Daluke]

Ok, so how often should I water it then would you say? I've been told it's easy to over water Junipers. Also, would you suggest moving it to the East balcony instead? Should I rotate it to get sunlight on those spots that are less vibrant?

More trees get lost from underwatering than over watering. There isn't a set number of times you should water - but once every three weeks I'd say isn't enough (unless you have heavy rain). If the soil is dusty to the touch you need to water. If the soil is slushy you can cut back. If the soil feels damp to the touch it's just right.

Remove the pale, yellowing and dead leaves. They aren't contributing to the health of the tree.

If you don't rotate the tree so that all sides get even sun the shaded parts die off. Once every two weeks for a rotation should be alright. I know a guy who has his conifers growing on his roof so that all sides get all day sun. He has them in water trays because the roof gets hot and the summer temperatures do too.

Is where the current placement of the tree anywhere near an air conditioner, heater vent, hot water service etc? Maybe the air temp where it is isn't the best?

With your new soil mix is the water actually penetrating the root ball or just following the path of least resistance (like running past the roots down through to the base through the pellets)?

What are the clay pellets? Could the PH be not appropriate to the tree?

What's the situation like with the holes at the base of the pot?

I also see some juvenile foliage - the tree is stressed by something. Maybe so many changes in micro climates.

Maybe what you are seeing is the result of older errors with placement. The fact that you have green and SOME dying parts is a good sign. If the tree was dead you'd have more dead bits.