Juniper in distress

[Altariel17]

A couple of weeks ago, I came home to find my poor juniper in distress. It became the victim of a particularly intense rain storm while I was at work, The poor thing got washed out of its pot, and the rain took most of the soil it had been potted in with it. Thankfully, the plant itself was rescued by my roommate, who scooped it up and brought it inside. When I came home, I quickly re-potted it in the only soil I had available: a pumice, calcinated clay, turface, and lava rock mix.

Since then, I've noticed a pretty steady decline in its health. I'm assuming this is the result of the wash-out incident, as I can't find any indication of pests or disease. The foliage is pretty crispy, and I'm fairly certain that the branches at the far end of the plant are dead. The trunk itself though is still green under the bark. I'm hoping that there is a way to save this juniper. Should I try to change the soil its in? I'm afraid that would create more stress for it. What else can I do? I would really like to be able to save this poor tree.

 

[Altariel17]

Here is one more picture of the branch that is pretty much dead.

 

[GrimLore]

A couple of weeks ago, I came home to find my poor juniper in distress. It became the victim of a particularly intense rain storm while I was at work, The poor thing got washed out of its pot, and the rain took most of the soil it had been potted in with it. Thankfully, the plant itself was rescued by my roommate, who scooped it up and brought it inside. When I came home, I quickly re-potted it in the only soil I had available: a pumice, calcinated clay, turface, and lava rock mix.

Since then, I've noticed a pretty steady decline in its health. I'm assuming this is the result of the wash-out incident, as I can't find any indication of pests or disease. The foliage is pretty crispy, and I'm fairly certain that the branches at the far end of the plant are dead. The trunk itself though is still green under the bark. I'm hoping that there is a way to save this juniper. Should I try to change the soil its in? I'm afraid that would create more stress for it. What else can I do? I would really like to be able to save this poor tree.

First lesson to be learned from this is wiring your plants into the pots... Even if they tip over backfilling the substrate is a hell of a lot easier on a Juniper.

Also, they really don't like full repot, bare root or near bare root but in this case you had no option.

So if you are satisfied it is strapped in do nothing... Serious. It has been through more then they normally can withstand BUT I could survive. If so it will not be pretty and take a lot of time. For starters I would suggest just afternoon sun for a couple of weeks and never letting it dry out but never wet. A misting or two daily may help as well. No Fertilizer or any treatments until you see new growth. What is dying will not come back to life so don't freak out and finish it off. Leave it be and whatever lives will show growth, the rest can be trimmed away.

If it lives I believe that will be its best chance. Good luck with this one and be patient for certain

Grimmy

 

[Altariel17]

Wiring plants into pots...now there's an idea Unfortunately, I didn't even think of that when I repotted it. I saved as much of the original soil as I could, and mixed it in with the new stuff.

When you say "finish it off," you mean cut off the dead portions, right?

I have it in a spot right now where it late afternoon sun, and shade the rest of the day.

We will have to see what happens. I have a good feeling it will pull though.