"Stoner" Gets Potted

Jan 19, 2026

I've been itching to use that headline all day... this morning, I re-potted the Italian Stone Pine, in a training pot, after finishing de-needling of the trunk & partial de-needling of the major branches, stopping well back of the growing tips, which (I think) will become candles as the tree grows.     Click Here to see Update                                                                                                                                                    

Updates

 Jan 18, 2026

Creeping Fig: Update

Blue Star Juniper:Update

Fremont Cottonwood:Update 

Cape Honeysuckle:Update

Welcome Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)

Leyland Cypress, often referred to simply as leylandii, is a fast-growing coniferous evergreen tree, that can grow 3 - 5 ft./yr.  It is a cross between the Monterey Cypress & Nootka Cypress; usually sterile, it is most often reproduced from cuttings, according to the literature.

Leylandii are one of those trees sold around the holidays as "living Christmas trees" and as such have a bad reputation. However, they are commonly marked-down 50% or more, making them attractive to hobbyists, such as myself, which is exactly why I acquired this little tree.

Acquired: Jan 2026; major Home & Garden center; Cost:$6.50

Unpruned

 

These trees will tolerate full-sun to partial shade, given well-drained   soil & proper watering. They like damp conditions, but not "wet   feet", which can lead to problems with root rot.

 I had not intended to prune the leylandii this hard, but as the trunk &   branches appeared out from under the shubbery, it was hard to stop.   So, I went ahead & potted him in a training pot; I did some minor   pruning to the roots (this cultivar known for shallow roots) &   removed the tap-root.

  (As with all of our trees, you can follow his growth & development     over time by accessing his dedicated page from menu on RH side     of the page.)

  

Pruned & Potted

UPDATED: Blue Star Juniper Not Doing Well

Jan.2026 - Update

Not the greatest pic in the world, but maybe you can see that the Blue Star Juniper is not doing well..or maybe he is & I'm just projecting..                                                                                                           if you look closely, you will see that his "tips" are browning, leading me to think that he is dying back..OR this is normal winter behaviour for this Juniper cultivar. Although I have another juniper, it is a so-called "common" juniper, (which is a fancy way of saying mongrel) unlike the Blue Star, which is a named cultivar.                                                                                                                                     

Here is a closer view of what I'm concerned about.      Consulting with knowledgeable & more-experienced than I, the consensus (as I suspected) is "over-watering", which is not surprising considering the rainfall that we received here in so. Cal over the last 30-40 days.                                                                                                                                             I will make a real effort to get the Blue Star dried-up & then we'll go from there..stay tuned for details.

Jan 12 - Update

It was suggested, by wiser heads than I, that once the Blue Star is dried-out to use a tablespoon of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in the watering..no fertilizer, no plant food; the theory being "The oxygen and reactiveness of it will help prevent some infections and degrade a couple phenolic plant exudate compounds that delay recovery."

Sure sounds like he knows what he's talking about, so I will try it today & see if it helps mitigate the tip browning.

Jan 18

I applied the 3% Hydrogen Peroxide diluted in water on 1/15/26, after letting the Blue Star dry out for several days. Still don't know if this treatment will reverse the damage done, but, as of this morning, it isn't getting any worse! I will take that, for now & continue "watchful waiting" to see if it has any long-term effect.

Jan 24

Now, over a week since I used the 3% Peroxide, it seems like the browning has not progressed or, at least, not getting any worse. It is hard to see (apologize for the crappy pic), but it looks like there are some bright green needles, indicating new growth, starting to appear on a few inner branches.                                                                                                                                        This might be wishful-thinking on my part, but only time will tell.  I don't expect the plant to fully recover..the tip browning is irrevocable..those needles are dead, but if I can see new growth, it may signal that the roots are again starting to deliver nutrition to the plant. 

(to see the full history of this plant, click-here or access through the Tree Inventory Menu on the right-hand side of the page)