Secrets of planting and caring for the elegant Elwoodi cypress ephedra
Elwoodi cypress is an evergreen coniferous plant that is popular among gardeners for its fluffy, showy needles. Compact size allows you to grow ephedra both on a home windowsill and in a garden flower bed. Planting and caring for Elwoodi cypress trees will not cause much trouble. In order for the plant to retain its attractive appearance not only in summer, but also in winter, a number of rules for its cultivation must be observed.
Elwoodi cypress - species features
Key features of Elwoodi cypress:
- Elwoodi is a type of cypress tree, the height of which can reach 3-3.5 m.Dwarf varieties grown at home grow up to 30-35 cm.
- The plant is characterized by slow growth - no more than 5-10 cm per year.
- The crown is compact, neat, conical. The average crown diameter is 80-100 cm.
- Shoots upright, growing tightly to each other and covered with short needles with a pronounced coniferous aroma.
- Depending on the type of needles of the cypress, Elwoodi can have a different color - from golden yellow or cream to emerald blue.
Lawson's cypress Elwoodi has a high winter hardiness, which makes it an excellent option for growing in almost all regions of Russia.
Ephedra tolerates frost and sudden temperature changes well, therefore it feels great in the open field.
Planting and caring for Elwoodi cypress
When planting and caring for Elwoodi cypress, it is best to use strong and healthy seedlings purchased from specialized nurseries. This will ensure good growth and decorative appeal of the ephedra.
For planting, it is advisable to choose seedlings with a closed root system - this will protect the roots from drying out before planting. The needles must be healthy and firm.
It is better to give preference to grown seedlings, since small shoots most often cannot adapt to a new place and quickly die.
Site selection and preparation
Low-lying areas with poor air circulation and high groundwater levels are not suitable for growing Elwoodi cypress. It is best to choose a well-lit area for the ephedra with light shade and good drainage... At the same time, you need to ensure that the plant is not exposed to direct sunlight all day.
Cypress grows best on sandy or loamy soils with neutral acidity. When growing in a flower bed, the planting hole must be prepared in the fall by pouring a mixture of peat and humus into it.
To grow cypress Lawson Elwoodi at home, you need to prepare a nutritious substrate from river sand, leafy soil and sod, taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 3. A drainage layer must be poured into the bottom of the pot.
Preparing the pot
Indoor cypress Elwoodi is planted in a large and wide pot, since the plant has a powerful and spreading root system. The container with ephedra is best placed on the windowsill on the west or east side of the room.
The cypress pot should not be left in a too shaded place, since with a lack of sunlight, it will stretch upward, losing its neat conical shape. It is also undesirable to place it in direct sunlight - this will lead to burns and yellowing of delicate needles.
Landing scheme
You can start planting Elwoodi cypress immediately after the soil warms up to + 15 ° C. The ephedra planting hole should be prepared in the fall. Its diameter should be at least 2 times its root system.
Cypress planting scheme:
- At the bottom of the planting hole, fill in a layer of drainage - fine gravel, brick chips, pebbles or expanded clay. The layer height should be at least 20-30 cm.
- 10-15 days before planting, fill the hole with water and let it fully absorb.
- Prepare a nutrient substrate from river sand, leafy soil, turf and peat in a 2: 2: 2: 1 ratio.
- Dip the seedling into the hole and gently spread its roots. Make sure that the root collar is flush with the ground.
- Fill the well with the prepared substrate without tamping and pour abundantly.
When planting several Elwoodi cypress trees in the garden, it is imperative to leave a distance of at least 1 m between the plants.
Elwoodi cypress care
When planting and caring for the Elwoodi cypress at home, it is very important to provide the coniferous plant with an optimal microclimate. The air temperature in summer should not exceed + 25 ° С, and in winter it should fall below + 10 ° С. Ephedra can be gradually hardened by lowering the temperature to + 7 ° C.
In summer, the cypress pot is best carried out to the balcony or terrace. Leave in soft, diffused sunlight.
Ephedra needs high humidity. Therefore, it needs to be sprayed every 2-3 days with pre-settled water.
To maintain its decorative appeal, the cypress must be shaped. In early spring, remove all dried, frozen and diseased shoots. It is also advisable to remove all branches growing inside the bush. They do not let in sunlight and create a favorable breeding environment for insect pests.
Watering
Elwoodi cypress has special requirements for irrigation. Do not allow the soil under the plant to dry out. However, it does not tolerate stagnant moisture. Watering frequency depends on weather conditions and air temperature.
When grown outdoors, watering should be done every week, and in dry weather - every 3-4 days. Under each plant, pour a bucket of clean, settled water at room temperature. Additionally, you can spray the needles from a spray bottle.
On hot summer days, you can arrange additional moisture for the cypress tree. To do this, pour expanded clay or small pebbles into a wide basin, pour water and put a pot of ephedra.
Adult ephedra are drought tolerant. But with a prolonged lack of moisture, their needles begin to turn yellow, and the decorative qualities decrease.
Top dressing and pruning
Elwoodi cypress does not need frequent feeding. Fertilizer is enough to apply once a month. For young conifers, the frequency of feeding increases to two per month. For this purpose, you can use Kemiru, Aquarin coniferous or other complex mineral fertilizers intended for ornamental coniferous crops.
Fertilizers need to be applied only from March to the end of August. Top dressing can be applied by root and foliar method. Young conifers can be additionally fed with Epin's solution by spraying the plants 1-2 times a month.
To preserve the visual appeal and rich color of the needles, Elwoodi cypress can be fed with a solution of magnesium sulfate. The mixture is prepared from 10 liters of water and 1 teaspoon of the drug.
Elwoodi cypress is a plant that enjoys the attention of many gardeners.If the minimum maintenance requirements are met, you can grow an elegant and attractive ephedra. It will become a luxurious decoration for any window sill or garden flower bed.