A couple days ago, on impulse, I purchased a decently sized Juniper. I don't know much about this particular plant, expect that I often see them in landscaping around my city.
An employee at the nursary I went to told me they are suitable to be grown indoors as well. I've never cared for a bonsai before - and this plant is just a larger version...so I assumed the employee knew what he was telling me.
Now...stupid me...I'm doing online research about the plant AFTER purchasing it. I am discovering that this plant needs a dormancy period in order to survive. So, my-ignorant-self is attempting to discover a way to place this plant outside in a way which isn't going to kill it.
It seems to be in a state of growth at the moment. If I immediately place it outside, I'm concerned over whether the plant will die. Currently in Halifax the temperature is around - 5*C during the day (23*F).
Temperate Junipers are not suitable for indoor culture at all. Even with a cold room, most people fail miserably at trying to keep them alive. They need a lot of moisture, a lot of light, and a defined dormancy period. I do not know of any readily available tropical or subtropical Junipers, and I do not think there are any, really, but I could be wrong there. It's possible that this is not the ubiquitous J. procumbens nana that is usually seen as a mall or mass market bonsai. Juniperus horizontalis does well down to zone 9 or 10, and so could possibly be considered somewhat subtropical, I guess. This is probably your best shot at an indoor Juniper, but like I said earlier, it's an endeavor almost guaranteed to be doomed to failure. I would put it outside in a sheltered area for now. If it came from a nursery, it should have been outside anyway.
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- Location: Northern VA USDA Zone 7A
Keep it out of the wind and on really sunny days, put it into partial shade.
If it gets hot, Junipers really like it if you mist them with some water. Something like a Windex bottle should do good. But don't use one with chemicals that have previously been in it. That could kill your tree. So just go out to a store and buy a misting bottle.
Take Care and Good Luck
If it gets hot, Junipers really like it if you mist them with some water. Something like a Windex bottle should do good. But don't use one with chemicals that have previously been in it. That could kill your tree. So just go out to a store and buy a misting bottle.
Take Care and Good Luck