Repotted old nursery juniper

[brentwood]

So this guy has obviously been in the same soil for years and years... I pulled him out, did some root work, and put back in the same, shortened pot. I used a mix of Boon's and the original soil, maybe 70-30, not sure I can explain that logic, question is, is the new looser mix ok? Do I dump that and go full inorganic before it starts rooting?
Thanks!
Brent

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I think it'll do fine in this mix.

 

[brentwood]

Thank you, I will keep it in this another year or two, work it down a pot size from there... Did his 'brother' yesterday, look so much better out of the nursery containers..

B

 

[brentwood]

It's been two months, and I'm looking for some feedback... I see new growth, and I've lost some needles, twig branches.. is that about par for doing root work on a plant that had been in the same pot for a long time, untended?
There is a lot of foliage that had been buried, expected to lose some - anything I should do to keep this progressing vs backsliding? Full sun, some sun, any fertilizer, etc...?
Thanks!
Brent

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Maybe it’s the photos, but it looks like it has some spider mites damage? Dull gray foliage is usually an indicator, but it could just be the lighting.

 

[Paradox]

Yea I'd check for mites. Treat if necessary.

Water, fertilizer, sun, leave it alone this year so it can recover and get stronger

 

[brentwood]

I blasted the foliage with my watering wand and hit with some insecticidal soap, will check for mites when it dries up here (couple days of rain coming)... I just assumed rooting, didn't consider pests, thanks - I'll keep after it.

B

 

[Japonicus]

will check for mites when it dries up

That's good, but better to check prior to any action to pin down or eliminate possibilities.
Should normally expect better health, or appreciation reflected in the plants vigour when
roots get fresh soil, air water and feed. Check all your other plats as well for pests.

 

[brentwood]

This guy is still languishing, not convinced I have mites - maybe root issues? This mix holds water more than my other trees, worry I've started damage under the soil. Short of repotting to look at them, any way to check? Would it hurt to hit with hydrogen peroxide?

Brent

 

[Japonicus]

This guy is still languishing, not convinced I have mites - maybe root issues? This mix holds water more than my other trees, worry I've started damage under the soil. Short of repotting to look at them, any way to check? Would it hurt to hit with hydrogen peroxide?

Brent

IDK about the peroxide, but if you're concerned with looking at the root ball
it wouldn't hurt to slip it out to see. Several on here promote Summer potting
and we have a cooler spell with rain going into this weekend, waning moon past Summer solstice, sure
I'd take a look.

If however you're wanting better water flow and do not want to inspect, you can pass a large penny nail
(or I use a nail like tent stake with large head for my palm) through the root ball all over between roots as you find them
to aerate the soil. Can be done again in Fall if necessary. I've had to do this with pines that were passing water fine
in early Spring, then the roots filled the pot after the potting window.

 

[brentwood]

I decided to pull it, biggest problem is a lack of roots.. I removed some dead, put into a new pot with more rigidity to it, and I did not put the pile of lava back in the bottom.. I suspect I'll lose more, hopefully it stabilizes and I'm left with a good strong branch or two. Very wet, left some mucky soil behind, remnants of original root ball dirt...

Thank you,
Brent

 

[HENDO]

I decided to pull it, biggest problem is a lack of roots.. I removed some dead, put into a new pot with more rigidity to it, and I did not put the pile of lava back in the bottom.. I suspect I'll lose more, hopefully it stabilizes and I'm left with a good strong branch or two. Very wet, left some mucky soil behind, remnants of original root ball dirt...

Thank you,
Brent

If it's still wiggly in the container it might not hurt to add some support too, even if it's ugly guy wires etc.

I find that any of my junipers not anchored very well end up benefitting a lot from being secured further. Those roots have been disturbed so wouldn't hurt to do it.

 

[Japonicus]

I decided to pull it, biggest problem is a lack of roots.. I removed some dead, put into a new pot with more rigidity to it, and I did not put the pile of lava back in the bottom.. I suspect I'll lose more, hopefully it stabilizes and I'm left with a good strong branch or two. Very wet, left some mucky soil behind, remnants of original root ball dirt...

Thank you,
Brent

I hate that you had to work on the roots again. I would expect an energetic juniper to slow considerably
but if...

worry I've started damage under the soil.

I removed some dead

...then best to catch it with a fighting chance, than with none at all.
Hopefully you got all the dead roots out. If it survives, no root work for 2 years at least.

Expect winds with the change of weather coming. You said it's more rigid. If it's not tied in well
the new roots that form continually are being "slip potted" or slipped out of place.
These new feeder roots supply the bulk of the lifeline, yet I in the same breath will tell you
when I repot, I attack the soil in the crown, or nucleus of the crown over years of repotting.
Still, the new roots need to grow without wobbling around with every wind that comes through.
Now you have a situation where the Sun can work against you more than Springtime.
Springtime I put all conifers in direct Sunlight after repotting. Not so much in the Summer.
A single drying out in baking heat could wreak havoc, and you need a balance of drying
to overcome any decay issues, hopefully not root rot. I have bare rooted a nice procumbens in late Summer
with a garden hose just fine, but was healthy, and coming from 3g nursery can.
Keep your mister on hand

 

[brentwood]

It took a pounding, but I think it's stabilized - the remaining foliage has more normal color, will start over next spring with fertilizer and a long calendar... Maybe it backbuds some day, if i'm lucky
Thanks for the help, all -
B