We grow evergreen dwarf cedar on the territory of a country residence
For millennia, people have been striving to recreate the famous Garden of Eden on their site. To embody the idea, modern designers often use dwarf cedar in a company with perennials and trees. With the help of various combinations, magnificent oases of pleasure appear on the territory of the country house. It is in such green areas that you can hide from the daily hustle and bustle and reunite with nature.
Take a closer look and see
One authoritative book says, "The earth is full of your works." Indeed, we are surrounded by many different plants. And often they seem to be just a green mass. However, looking closely, we can appreciate each of them at their true worth. So, dwarf cedar is a compact culture with a bowl-shaped or tree-like crown. Because of this, it is considered a shrub or undersized tree. It belongs to the Pine family.
The trunk of the plant is covered with dark brown bark with slight peeling and light blotches. Underneath it hides resinous wood with a coniferous aroma. The branches are decorated with a glossy gray bark, and the young shoots have a green tint and many red hairs. Over time, they take on a brown tint. Typically, the branches are pressed against the surface of the soil, and the tips are directed upward.
The triangular needles of the cedar dwarf pine grow to about 8-10 cm. On the branches they are placed in compact bunches of 5 needles in a "bouquet". Full ripening of cones occurs one year after the so-called "flowering". They are of two types. Female specimens are located on the upper tier of the bush and are colored light green. Male cones grow on earthy shoots. They are recognized by their purple or reddish tint. In shape, they practically do not differ from cedar cones. The length is about 4-6 cm. The fruits fall to the ground without opening, together with the planting material. Full maturation occurs in late summer or early autumn. Next, we will find out where the cedar dwarf tree grows in nature and the scope of its application for humans.
Coniferous crops produce many brownish nuts. They have an oval shape and a lignified bark. Fruit length up to 9 mm, width about 6 mm.
Growth area and application
In their natural environment, coniferous shrubs are found in the vast territory of the Far East and Siberia. Its landings extend beyond the Arctic Circle. And in the southern latitudes, the culture forms dense thickets at an altitude of 1 km above sea level. In deciduous forests, dwarf pine shrubs serve as an independent lower tier.
The cultivated plant is widely used for the formation of green spaces on the territory of the backyard residence for the following purposes:
- registration of rock gardens;
- rocky gardens;
- hedge;
- exquisite framing of flower beds;
- background for lawns.
In addition, dwarf pine wonderfully takes root in bulky pots. Therefore, it is grown as an ornamental crop for landscaping terraces, gazebos, winter gardens.City dwellers grow shrubs on loggias and balconies.
The famous whole pine nuts are eaten. They also receive:
- butter;
- halva;
- filling for sweets and pastries.
Wood is used to make various souvenir crafts. And from the branches, trunk and roots they make fragrant resins and turpentine. The substance is used in folk and traditional medicine. It is believed that the plant releases a large amount of phytoncides into the environment, which destroy pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, every gardener should place such a useful coniferous culture on his site.
We grow dwarf cedar from seeds
Biological observations have shown that the plant takes root wonderfully on any soil, including poor and stony ones. Therefore, he will be pleased with sandy, clayey and loamy soil, which is often found in the suburban areas of the middle lane. The only condition is a spacious area. After all, the culture has a superficial root system.
It is propagated in three ways:
- sowing seeds;
- with the help of offspring;
- vaccinations.
If you wish, you can buy a ready-made seedling in a specialized nursery.
When choosing a suitable instance, they pay attention to the following points:
- root system without damage;
- earthen lump up to 30 cm;
- flexible branches without dry elements;
- the length of the shoots is not less than 35 cm.
The process of growing cedar dwarf from seeds begins with the preparation of planting material. It is purchased in a store or collected independently. Ripe buds are stored in a cold basement or balcony. 6 months before planting pines, seeds are extracted from them and sent to the refrigerator for stratification.
If the fruits have been kept in the cold for a long time, the seeds are planted directly into the container.
The containers are filled with soil, which is taken in the garden or bought in the store. Slightly compact and carefully spread dwarf cedar seeds directly on its surface and cover with a layer of wet moss. After about 2 months, green shoots appear. When the seedlings reach a height of 10 cm, they are transferred to open ground. At the same time, part of the earthen coma and the moist layer of moss are preserved.
The culture can be propagated with the help of offspring that appear in the places where the branches touch the soil. Rooted specimens are carefully transferred to a new site.
Planting scheme of a finished seedling
Dwarf cedar pine wonderfully takes root on the garden plot, provided that all the rules for growing a crop are met. The procedure begins in spring (April-May) or autumn (late August, early September), if the weather is dry and warm. 2 hours before planting, the root part of the seedling is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate. Due to this, pathogenic fungi that cause infectious diseases die.
Then a landing hole is prepared according to a simple scheme:
- the depth is 2 times the height of the seedling;
- the width is more than the root system and the earthen coma by about 3 times;
- drainage, consisting of fine gravel or gravel, is poured to the bottom.
The cedar dwarf planting is carried out very carefully, trying not to damage the earthen ball and roots. The neck is placed at ground level. The voids are filled first with sand (about 20 cm), and then with garden soil. Each layer is watered with water (not less than 10 liters). The surface of the hole is slightly tamped, two more large buckets of water are poured. Finally, mulch with sawdust or pine bark. The height of the layer is up to 8 cm.If several specimens of shrubs are planted on the site, the distance between the seedlings is made about 3-4 m.
When planting a coniferous culture, the root system should not be allowed to dry out.
Conditions for planned care
As you know, in its natural environment, dwarf cedar pine easily tolerates extreme weather conditions. Therefore, it is easy to look after her. A rooted plant is watered once a month using 10-15 liters of water.During a sultry period, the dose of one-time moisturizing is increased by 1.5 times. Young needles are periodically sprayed.
The first top dressing is carried out in April, and then monthly nitroammofosk is added to the soil (40 g of the substance are used per 1 m²). In addition, the plant is watered with Kemira Universal fertilizer. Place 20 g of the preparation on 10 liters of water.
Sanitary pruning is done in the spring. Damaged or diseased specimens are removed. To create landscape design, the procedure is performed on the tenth of April. All places where the cut was carried out are lubricated with a special garden pitch.
Although the dwarf cedar is wonderfully resistant to low temperatures, it is carefully prepared for winter. The root area is covered with straw or peat. The thickness of the layer is not less than 8-10 cm. In places where a lot of snow falls, a pyramidal-shaped wooden frame is erected to preserve the crown. It is made from ordinary bars. After installation, cover with any dense material.
As you can see, planting and caring for dwarf cedar includes several simple rules. The culture is grown using seeds or propagated by layering. When planting, they dig a spacious hole. Drainage is poured to the bottom, a seedling is installed, watered, the surface is mulched with pine bark or sawdust. In a few years, a semblance of a paradise with an amazing coniferous aroma will appear in the country.