Description
Juniperus chinensis (Chinese Juniper) Seeds
Zones: 4 to 8.
Native to northeastern Asia.
The Chinese juniper is a very popular landscaping plant in gardens and parks and multiple cultivars of the plant are widely sold in garden centres. It is very suitable as a bonsai specimen. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but is very adaptable.
Shape can vary from an upright conical tree to a shrubby or spreading form. It has scale-like dark green foliage and a brown bark that can peel on older trees. Female plants produce fleshy, berry-like seed cones that are initially whitish blue before maturing to dark blue in their second year.
Size: Height 20 to 50 ft; Width 20 to 40 ft.
Germination Instructions
Scarification: Chinese Juniper Seeds have a hard coat that should be lightly sanded and / or nicked with a file to help make it permeable to moisture to germinate. Next place the seeds in a container with warm water and let them soak for 24 to 48 hours.
Stratification: Provide about 60 days warm stratification followed by 90 days cold, moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- After scarification, place seeds in sandwich bag(s) with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Warm stratify for 60 days.
- Next cold stratify. Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 90 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1/4 inch deep and cover lightly. Water gently so as not to wash away the seeds. Keep soil moist but not wet.
- Do not throw out any seeds that have not germinated, but repeat the warm-cold stratification again and be patient for more seeds to germinate. Some seeds may germinate a few years after the original sowing date, so be patient.