Juniperus oxycedrus aka Cade Juniper

Taxonomy

Juniperus oxycedrus, also known as Cade, prickly juniper, or sharp cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree native to the Mediterranean region, from Morocco and Portugal to southern France, westernmost Iran, Lebanon, and Israel. It grows up to 5-10 meters in height and can be found on rocky sites from sea level up to 1,600 meters in elevation. The crown is ovoid-conical, and the bark is light gray, smooth, and reddish or yellow-brown on one-year-old shoots. Juniper scratchy or red, or pencil tree, is a dioecious plant with leaves that are close, protruding, dense, linear with a long pointed tip, and 15-20 mm long and 1.3-2 mm wide. The fruit is almost spherical, glossy, and red-brown, with 2-3 seeds in a cone. Some believe that this species may have been the original cedar or cedrus of the ancient Greeks. Large-Fruited Juniper is a rare houseplant that needs regular watering and direct light to thrive. It should be less than 1 foot away from a window and planted in well-draining soil. No added fertilizers are needed if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Cade Juniper, Prickly Juniper, Red Berry Juniper

How to care for Cade Juniper

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Cade Juniper is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Cade Juniper should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Cade Juniper loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Cade Juniper requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Prickly Juniper is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Cade Juniper. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Cade Juniper is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

Cade Juniper’s native range is the Northern Hemisphere.


More info:
Wikipedia