Juniperus chinensis (Chinese Juniper)

$3.75

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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).

  1. After scarification, place seeds in sandwich bag(s) with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
  2. Warm stratify for 60 days.
  3. Next cold stratify. Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 90 days.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.