Ensuring root growth during recovery of valued Sierra Junipers

Goal is to hydrate through the foliar mass while few roots need time & conditions to grow..
Technique varies, and the tree and climate dictate environmental adjustments.
Gleaning best practices and journaling response for increased success.
Thanks to all who shared their personal technique and recommendations.

Initial set up

Collected: late October, mostly partly sunny and highs of 70’s.
Humidity tent, 100% rinsed pumice, side yard with limited direct sun light (partial shade cloth directly above foliar mass.
Initially using heat mats for root growth, but may hold off until temps dip at night.
Direct misting, then low humidifier during the day—constant 7 hrs.

Signs of mold on box due to too much moisture (see below)
Remove plastic barrier on the bottom, humidity mostly above and we overdo it. Remove cardboard that holds moisture.
Open up to air during the day (as I am doing).
Bigger juniper looks good and perky, more reserves. Likes sun. Good set up.
Smaller juniper looks drier, possibly put under partial shade cloth for the right side of the greenhouse. Some signs of new buds. Lower, shaded branch looks healthiest. Okay if everything but that one branch makes it.
Normal to lose 1/3 or foliage around now. Do not worry.

“Potted up into 100% pumice (rinsed/sifted) in the smallest possible containers they would fit into, then wrapped the pots in a plastic bag and set them under my back porch where it only gets about 1-2 hrs of late afternoon sun. I then built a make shift humidity tent over the trees and set up three spray nozzles for misting.”
“Concerned with mold/mildew/rot, so I think I will plan to further reduce the [hourly misting] watering and maybe open up a bit of ventilation along the sides.”
“I'd really recommend Govee Wifi Humidity monitors. They're absolutely amazing for tracking moisture stats throughout the day.“
“I would only worry about mildew and rot if you can't provide air flow. Otherwise, I'd keep it humid and if possible, cool too. A tent can turn into an oven fast…. Even though there are few roots in there, they do need a wet-damp cycle to develop nicely. Air is very good at preventing root issues.“ [WiresGuyWires]
Consider covering the pumice —so that excess water can flow away freely from the bottom and the pumice doesn't drown from the heavy misting.
Our boy @wireme came across an unpositive idea about mist closing the stomata and not allowing transpiration, perhaps this method falls into this reasoning.

At about 11:00 Tom talks about his collection aftercare for California and Utah junipers. Keep the soil from getting too wet - particularly with misters. Tom mists about 6x per night for 10 minutes each. He does not mist during the day.
Open yard, shade cloth. Let’s breathe during the day, mists periodically at night.
Cover soil so misting does not cause root rot. Waters soil ~4 days/week, not every day.

For years I have collected Utah junipers in October, with about 50% survival.... Last year I went at the end of May and all five trees I dug are growing strong. I'm a convert. [BonsaiNut, PaulH]