With the advent of winter, when the period of the New Year holidays begins, almost every person dreams of installing a beautiful and magnificent spruce in his home. But few people think that this tree can be planted in its garden. This article will discuss the basic rules for growing, which are not so difficult to follow.
Botanical tree description
A variety of common spruce Picea abies Barryi refers to slow-growing crops. In young trees, the crown is round, but with age acquires a broad conical shape. The height of the dwarf plant is not more than 2 m, and the diameter is 70 cm. The annual growth in spruce is about 7 cm.
Important! The life span of a tree is 200–250 years. Winter hardiness of the crop is high (up to -25 ° C).
Short description:
- needles - a dark green shade, shiny;
- powerful branches upward;
- young shoots have a light brown tint;
- the length of the needles is about 4 cm;
- cones grow up to 3 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width.
Landing
Since Barry ordinary spruce does not tolerate excessive moisture, when choosing a seat, you need to pay attention to the depth of groundwater. The aquifer should lie 3-4 m below the surface of the soil. If the groundwater is closely located, the root system will rot, which will sooner or later lead to the death of the plant. To preserve the decorativeness, seedlings must be planted in lighted areas.
Did you know? J. Cook, during a long stay on a sea voyage, treated scurvy with tincture of pine needles. It contains a high concentration of ascorbic acid, which enhances human immunity.
But even in the shade, plants will develop without stopping. Choose a landing place that is protected from strong gusts of wind and drafts. Given that the root system is close to the surface of the soil, the plant can uproot. Barry spruce prefers to grow on loamy or super-sandy soils.
When choosing planting material, consider the following features:
- lack of spots and cracks on the surface of a young plant;
- optimal seedling height - 100 cm;
- developed root system;
- the presence of an earthen coma, which preserves the optimal moisture level of the rhizome.
You need to start landing in September or October. Soil temperature should be in the range from + 7 ° С to + 9 ° С.
A step-by-step landing procedure is as follows:
- Dig holes of size 70 × 100 cm.
- The distance between plants should be 2 m.
- Pour crushed stone or expanded clay (about 10 cm) into the bottom of the hole. This is necessary to ensure drainage.
- Sprinkle the drainage layer with a mixture of sand and fertile soil (in a ratio of 1: 2).
- Place planting material in the center of the pit and sprinkle it with earth.
- Pour 20 liters of water.
- Mulch the near-stem circle with an organic mixture of straw and peat.
Spruce care
In order for the Barry trees to develop evenly, it is necessary to provide them with full and high-quality care. It is important to water the plants properly so that the optimum level of humidity is maintained. A very important stage in caring for the crop is feeding. Also do not forget about loosening the soil, mulching the trunk circle, pruning and protection from diseases and pests. If all the actions are carried out correctly, then after 5 years a beautiful and healthy tree will grow.
Watering and feeding
In summer, when periods of extreme heat prevail, plants should be watered every week. Pour 15 liters of cold water under each tree. When the age of spruce reaches 5 years, you should increase the amount of liquid to 30 liters of water.
Did you know? The oldest spruce, called Old Tikko, grows in Switzerland. The tree is over 9500 years old.
In the second year after planting, in the middle of spring, they feed the spruce with a solution of potassium nitrate (40 g per 10 liters of water). In autumn, it is necessary to use the Kemira Universal mineral fertilizer (100 g per 5 l of water). The entire cooked volume is poured under 1 plant.
Video: how and when to fertilize conifers
Loosening and mulching
Before watering and top dressing, you need to loosen the upper part of the soil. Deepen gardening equipment by 7-8 cm so as not to damage the root system. You need to mulch the trunk circle every year, in mid-October. To do this, mix humus or peat with straw and lay out a 30-cm layer. This not only protects the plants from frost, but also preserves the optimum level of moisture in the soil.
Pruning
In order for Barry ordinary spruce to be compact and symmetrical, it is necessary to trim the tree in a timely manner. The first time this should be done a few weeks after planting. Trim the crown so that it matches the roots in size. Also, a similar procedure gives the young plant the necessary shape.
Important! Pruning in the fall can negatively affect the development of the tree. Shoots will be more affected by frost and deform.
Sanitary pruning is carried out at any time. As soon as you notice spots, cracks, dryness and damage on the tree, you immediately need to remove them. Formative pruning is carried out in the spring, before the sap flow begins. In the process, shoots that grow inside the crown are removed. You also need to shorten the long branches, so that the shape of the crown takes a more compact look.
Video: cutting a ball in the shape of a ball
Possible diseases and pests
One of the most dangerous pests of Barry ordinary spruce is a false shield. Spraying it with Aktara (50 g per 10 L of water) or Angio (60 g per 5 L of water) solutions will help to destroy it. Against the spider mite, "Actelik" is used (100 g per 10 liters of water), which is sprinkled. Against aphids, it is recommended to use "Mospilan" (20 g per 10 liters of water), which need to spray trees.
A dangerous disease is the turning of needles. A fungal infection manifests itself in the form of a yellow color of needles, which eventually acquires a brown hue. The fungicide “Chorus” (40 g per 6 l of water) or “Quadris” (100 g per 10 l of water) is used against the disease. In the fight against necrosis, which manifests itself in the form of drooping and drying young trees, use Amistar Trio (8 ml per 10 liters of water).
Beating of needles.
The use of wood in landscape design
Ordinary spruce is often used in the decoration of the local area. Trees can be planted as a frame for garden paths or to equip an alpine hill. Since the spruce has a rich green crown, bright plants need to be planted next to it.
Red tulips or lilacs are considered ideal. Designers advise forming spruce tree stands in the shape of a square or circle to give the garden a more presentable look. Some gardeners prefer to use this culture as a hedge to create a cozy atmosphere.
So, now you know that growing ordinary spruce at home is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. If you follow all the rules for planting and care, then there will be no problems, and in just a few years you can enjoy the light shade from the plants for hanging out in the garden.
