Juniper pollen levels are rising in the Seattle area right now. It makes me wonder when the best time would be to collect some juniper berries. I needed more information. In my mind, I thought I knew what juniper meant, but I wasn’t entirely sure. My lack of clarity was partly due to how juniper leaves change from adolescence to adulthood. Also, it ends up that the word juniper does not refer to a single tree. Instead, juniper refers to an entire group of conifers, or evergreens, in the Juniperus genus. The juniper family There are more than 50 different junipers. They are found everywhere, from the African plains to the Himalayas. They can be low, spreading shrubs, tall, skinny columns, or the classic Christmas tree shape. Some junipers grow 130 feet tall, but most are significantly smaller. This group is part of the cypress family, cousins to sequoia and cedar trees. Some junipers are monoecious (distinctly male or female), and others are dioecious (both male and female). Apparently, some types of juniper pollen can be a serious problem. Male monoecious juniper pollen is considered the worst. Then again, female monoecious juniper pollen ranks the lowest. Juniper cones Junipers do not produce fruit or flowers, but they do make seeds. Those seeds are protected inside cones. That’s because they are gymnosperms. Unlike familiar pinecones, juniper cones are the “berries” in question. Botanically, those berries are female seed cones called galbuli. Instead of being berries, these structures have tiny, fleshy scales that fuse together. Galbuli take 6 to 18 months to mature after being pollinated. And I will still call them berries, even though I know they’re not. Male juniper cones look a little more familiar but are softer than pine cones. The seeds inside the galbuli take 1 to 3 years to mature. Most junipers bloom in autumn and pollinate from early winter through late spring.
So, why would someone want juniper berries?
I know they are used to making gin, which is beyond me. They are also used when making game and other meat dishes, sauerbraten, sauerkraut, and an intriguing juniper berry spiced chocolate hazelnut cookie recipe that I must try. And how do I know when they are ready to harvest? Juniper berries are ready to be picked when they reach their full color. Most often, they are blue, but can also be orange or reddish-brown. The trick is finding junipers that have not been sprayed with chemicals or are too close to road traffic, where they will absorb unwanted fumes. Growing your own is the best way to protect yourself. How to grow juniper Junipers can be grown from seed, but it’s a slow process that requires stratification and patience. It’s easier to start with a certified pest- and disease-free seedling. As always, put your juniper into quarantine while you figure out the best place to put it. Most junipers need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Each species is unique, so read the label. Dig a hole that is wide enough to allow the roots to spread out. Be sure that the trunk’s flare is above the soil level. Improper planting depth is one of the most common reasons trees fail to thrive. Cover the roots with soil and resist the temptation to tamp it down. This damages valuable root hairs. Instead, mud in your young juniper with water. This eliminates drying air pockets and provides valuable moisture. Junipers are drought-tolerant once established. Avoid overwatering or fungal disease will become problematic. Juniper pests and diseases Junipers are susceptible to root rots and cedar-apple rust, so keep them away from your apple trees. Several moth and butterfly caterpillars feed on juniper, including juniper carpet, juniper pug, pine beauty, and tortrix moths. Junipers come in so many shapes and sizes that there’s bound to be one that would be lovely in your landscape. Comments are closed.
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