One-seed juniper plays an important part in the local ecology, providing a home for wildlife with its shrubby form and its shade provides a microclimate for plants that cannot handle the harsh temperature of the full sun. The one-seed juniper is adapted to handle the brutal desert climate. It can stop its growth when not enough moisture is available and begin growing again when it is once again available.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Juniperus monosperma is a species of juniper native to western North America, in the United States in Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado, western Oklahoma (Panhandle), and western Texas, and in Mexico in the extreme north of Chihuahua. It grows at 970–2300 m altitude.
It is an evergreen coniferous shrub or small tree growing to 2–7 metres (6+1⁄2–23 feet) (rarely to 12 m) tall, usually multistemmed, and with a dense, rounded crown. The bark is gray-brown, exfoliating in thin longitudinal strips, exposing bright orange brown underneath. The ultimate shoots are 1.2–1.9 millimetres thick. The leaves are scale-like, 1–2 mm long and 0.6–1.5 mm broad on small shoots, up to 10 mm long on vigorous shoots; they are arranged in alternating whorls of three or opposite pairs. The juvenile leaves, produced on young seedlings only, are needle-like. The cones are berry-like, with soft resinous flesh, subglobose to ovoid, 5–7 mm long, dark blue with a pale blue-white waxy bloom, and contain a single seed (rarely two or three); they mature in about 6–8 months from pollination, and are eaten by birds and mammals. The male cones are 2–4 mm long, and shed their pollen in late winter. It is usually dioecious, with male and female cones on separate plants, but occasional monoecious plants can be found. Its roots have been found to extend to as far as 61m below the surface, making it the plant with the second deepest roots, after Boscia albitrunca.
Frequently, cones can be found with the seed apex exposed; these were formerly sometimes considered a separate species as Juniperus gymnocarpa, but this is now known to be due to insect damage to the developing cones (and can affect many different species of juniper); the seeds from such cones are sterile.
It is very rare or even extinct in Mexico, with only a single herbarium collection from 1880 verified; more recent searches have failed to find the species there. A closely related species Juniperus angosturana was however formerly considered a variety, as J. monosperma var. gracilis Martínez; it differs from J. monosperma in its slenderer shoots 1.0–1.3 mm diameter.
Other vernacular names occasionally used include single-seed juniper and cherrystone juniper.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
This plant grows in the desert, so it is no stranger to bright glaring sun. It can adapt enough to also deal with part shade. You can thank the high-walled desert canyons and cliff faces for providing the shade to allow the one-seeded juniper to adapt to multiple conditions. When a plant must contend with triple degree temperatures, 60° temperature swings, and months without rain it needs to be adaptable.
Temperature and Humidity
The one-seed juniper is a desert native, It enjoys hot dry climates with occasional rain. It is frost-hardy and will do well in Zones 5-8 but its native range is hot.
Watering
Right after planting, water once every other day, as ample water helps it adapt to the new environment. A week later, the watering frequency can be reduced, because one-seed juniper is a drought-tolerant plant that may grow poorly in excessive water. In hot summers, it can be watered more to avoid dehydration.
Soil
The ideal soil for this plant is a loose inorganic mix that is neutral to slightly alkaline. A sandy, gravel pumice mixture is perfect if you are looking to add to your soil to make a more hospitable mix. Again, this tree is adaptable, and it is not particularly picky.
Fertilizing
One-seed juniper grows very slowly and doesn’t require much fertilizer. Too much can result in spindly branches and leaves ruining the plant’s good looks. To make the plant lush, healthy, and robust, use base fertilizer at planting. Add diluted organic fertilizer 2-3 times every spring, and 1-2 times every fall.
Planting Instructions
To transplant, dig a planting pit with a layer of 4 to 6 cm organic manure on the bottom as the base fertilizer. Next, add a layer of soil on top of the manure to avoid the one-seed juniper roots coming into direct contact with the fertilizer, so the highly concentrated fertilizer doesn’t dehydrate the roots. Place the plant into the pit, backfill the soil to fully cover the roots, and press the soil firmly. Water thoroughly.
Pruning
One-seed juniper doesn’t need much pruning. For a plumper look, prune top buds in daily care to promote the growth of lateral buds. In the winter, when the plant is dormant, prune old, dry, pest- and disease-infected branches. Trimming excessively dense branches can improve the plant’s internal ventilation and light permeability, and reduce the chance of pests and disease.
Propagation
While not an easy feat, it is possible to propagate one-seed juniper1 to create new plants. One seed juniper can be propagated by cuttings. Here’s how:
- Take cuttings at the end of winter or beginning of spring.
- Take cuttings off the main branch. Remove any needles from the bottom 2 inches of the cutting.
- Mix half peat, half soil and plant in containers at least 5 inches deep with ample drainage.
- Make sure that your mixture is slightly moist, then plant the cuttings with 1/3 to 1/2 of their length buried. Water 2-3 days after planting.
- Place in bright, indirect light and water lightly.
- New growth generally won’t appear until summer and can take up to a year for successful growth. At this point, transplant outdoors.
Growing From Seeds
It’s possible to grow one juniper from seeds. Here’s how to do it:
- When the berries are ripe, collect them and extract the juniper seeds from inside. Softening in warm water first can help with this process.
- Once the berries are collected, simulate natural conditions by soaking seeds in room temperature water for 48 hours.
- Place the seeds in a mixture of sand, soil, and peat-free compost in a container with drainage holes.
- Leave the container outside for three months and then in the refrigerator for another three. Keep the soil most.
- If roots appear after six months, plant in another container.
Potting and Repotting
Though notoriously hard to transplant, with luck and some know-how, one-seed junipers can be potted and used in the art of bonsai. To do this, purchase a seedling or sapling and plant it in a pot just large enough for its roots. Use a premixed bonsai soil that usually consists of pumice, vermiculite, and crushed lava. Once established, you can repotting by removing the soil from the roots and moving into a larger pot, and trimming and shaping the tree as you feel inspired.
Overwintering
When grown in the ground within its hardiness range, no special care is required as this tree goes dormant in the winter. If grown in a pot in a porous pot, move indoors to a spot that is not heated. If planted in a non-porous container, it can remain outdoors throughout the winter.
III. Uses and Benefits
Historically, the Navajo ate the ripened cones in the fall or winter and made a dye from the bark and cones. They used its wood for various purposes. Among the Zuni people, a poultice of the chewed root was applied to increase the strength of newborns and infants. An infusion of the leaves was also taken for muscle aches and to prevent conception. An infusion of the leaves was also taken postpartum to prevent uterine cramps and stop vaginal bleeding.
A simple or compound infusion of twigs was used to promote muscular contractions at birth and used after birth to stop blood flow. The wood was also used as a favorite and ceremonial firewood, and the shredded, fibrous bark was specifically used as tinder to ignite the fire sticks used for the New Year fire.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
When one-seed juniper branches are harvested and placed in vases for viewing, they can last for 2 months. Early-morning harvest is best to avoid branches withering due to dehydration. Cut the branches off at a 45° inclined angle with a pair of sharp gardening scissors and quickly put them in clean water to prevent water loss.