These evergreen Christmas trees have always been considered the most the best decoration garden, because their decorative forms are ideal for landscaping and creating various garden compositions.

The most popular coniferous tree in our time is considered to be Canadian spruce and its low-growing conic form.

This tree is sure to be a highlight garden plot, thanks to the color of the needles and the surprisingly regular shape of the crown. Konica can grow both in open ground and in a pot, delighting you all year round with its beauty.

Botanical description

Gray conika spruce is decorative form, a popular Canadian type of spruce. This tree has several more names that can often be found in the literature: white conic, glauca conic, gray conic. All these names extremely accurately describe the appearance of the spruce, which has bluish-colored needles.

This tree is considered a small copy of the gray spruce and great for landscape design . In 1904, the first mention of this coniferous tree was recorded, when a similar konica spruce was found in the mountains of Canada.

After that, it quickly spread throughout the world. And not in vain. After all, planting a huge conifer tree It’s quite difficult in your own area. Therefore in similar situation the best solution will decorative spruce, which fits perfectly into absolutely any landscape design.

Description of the Canadian Christmas tree:

1. This type of spruce belongs to the evergreen coniferous trees.
2. Decorative form of a Canadian dove-gray Christmas tree. Decorative value This tree is usually considered to be its height and correct form crowns
3. Konik spruce reaches one meter in height, which is very convenient for home use. Under such growing conditions it can grow up to three meters.
4. Can reach two meters in diameter.
5. It grows quite slowly. During the first 10 years of life, it grows only 6 or 10 centimeters per year. At the end of this period, the growth decreases significantly - to 3 centimeters.
6. Konica is considered a long-liver, as it can grow in one place for 300 to 500 years.
7. Decorating form Canadian spruce It has the correct original shape of the crown, which looks like a narrow cone. The most main feature tree - the crown does not require any care, since it takes its shape naturally.
8. The crown is extremely dense, consisting of short needle-like needles reaching one centimeter in length. The color of the needles is bluish-green. Spruce needles do not prick at all, so it is completely safe for children and pets.
9. It is quite rare to see cones on Canadian spruce. They are characterized by a conical oblong shape, which reaches a length of 6 centimeters.
10. Root system superficial, so you need to be careful when loosening the soil around the spruce.

The Canadian Christmas tree has several mutant varieties:

• "Dwarf".
• "Alberta Globe".
• "Elegance Compacta".
• "Laurin."

Konika spruce: planting and care

Landing technology. To get beautiful and healthy coniferous evergreen tree, you need to prepare carefully.

First you need to select and purchase high quality seedlings or prepare, grown with your own hands. It will also be important to find a suitable place for landing.

Selection of seedlings. In most cases, spruce seedlings are purchased in special nurseries, and much less often they are grown at home. When purchasing, it is important to follow some rules:

1. It is best to purchase a seedling in a pot with a closed root system. In this case, you will have the opportunity to plant it at any time from autumn to spring.
2. If you bought seedlings with an open root system, you need to plant them immediately.
3. With all this, do not lose sight of the root system; it should be with a clod of soil and carefully covered with burlap. This will help prevent damage to the roots.
4. Look carefully at the seedlings. They should not have dried or damaged branches.
5. It is recommended to buy seedlings from special nurseries, so you will be confident in what you are buying.

Choosing a landing site

This tree likes to grow in open, well-lit areas with little shade because it can be susceptible to sunburn. If you plant a coniferous tree in the shade, it will quickly begin to lose its decorative characteristics and the color of the needles.

In addition, it is very important that the chosen location is well protected from the wind, and there was no close groundwater underneath it, because the Canadian fir tree is not able to tolerate stagnant water.

Please note that near Huge trees didn't grow. Otherwise, the spruce will not have enough space and may lose its decorative characteristics.

The choice of area for planting depends on the desired garden composition and your landscape design. It is important to remember that there is no need to plant a Canadian Christmas tree within the city limits - it cannot tolerate polluted air and therefore may die.

Soil preparation and planting process

Konik spruce unpretentious tree and will grow virtually anywhere. But to save its decorative distinctive features and eye-catching crown color, you need to choose a grassy area.

The soil must be light and loose, excellent air and water permeability. It is very good if the soil is generously enriched with organic matter. In addition, the area needs to be thoroughly dug up before planting.

Planting a Canadian Christmas tree in open ground Can summer, autumn and spring. But you need to know a few rules, since planting differs depending on the time of year.

• In autumn and spring, seedlings must be planted with bare roots. In the summer planting material must be with a clod of earth, because there is a possibility of damage to the roots, since the spruce root system does not tolerate dry, hot air.
• It is necessary to start planting by preparing the land. For spruce, a soil mixture of leaf and turf soil, sand, and peat in equal proportions is suitable. You can also add organic matter.
• Next, you need to dig a planting hole, the volume of which will depend on the size of the seedling itself and its rhizome.
• The bottom of the pit can be covered with a drainage layer, which consists of crushed stone or broken brick.
• Next, pour out some of the prepared soil, to which you can add complex fertilizer.
• We place the seedling on this ground and sprinkle it with the remaining soil.
• After planting, do not forget to water the tree; one seedling requires approximately 10-12 liters of water.
• After this, you definitely need to mulch trunk circle to save water. Peat is used as mulch.

Features of care

The upcoming care of the spruce does not require special efforts or any labor-intensive actions. But you need to pay attention to the tree so that in the coming time it will amuse you with its luxurious crown and eye-catching coloring of the needles.

Watering rules. Canadian spruce prefers regular moderate watering, especially when it’s hot outside. In this case, young trees need to be watered 2 times a week, using 10 liters of water for each seedling.

This tree, among other things, prefers sprinkling, therefore, using a watering can or hose, you should spray the needles several times a week. But be careful not to flood the root system.

Loosening and mulching

From time to time you should loosen the tree trunk circle, but this must be done extremely carefully, since the spruce rhizome is close to the surface and you have the opportunity to damage it.

After loosening, be sure to mulch the soil. Used as mulch peat or compost. This mulch perfectly protects the tree from the appearance of a huge number of weeds and drying out.

Shelter

Young tree seedlings need protection from direct sunlight, because they can get burned and die. Cardboard and burlap are used as protection. It is necessary to cover in the fall for the entire period of cold weather, while leaving the lower part of the spruce open.

Top dressing

When complex fertilizers and organic matter are added to the ground during planting, at first the seedlings do not need additional feeding. Next, with the arrival of summer, you can feed the tree with various organic fertilizers, which are diluted with water.

Trimming

The Canadian Christmas tree is famous for its regular conical crown shape, which virtually does not require pruning. In spring and autumn, you can carry out sanitary pruning, during which you remove all dried, broken and damaged branches.

Canadian Christmas tree in landscape design

Canadian spruce is extremely popular among landscape designers due to its decorative features, so it is often found in areas. Methods of using wood in landscape design:

Konica is a decorative Christmas tree that grows at home no more than 30 cm, and in gardens up to two meters. Konica was discovered at the beginning of the last century. This spruce was born in North America, where it reaches a height of three to four meters. Although it is unpretentious, before purchasing this species, you should study a species such as spruce Canadian Konica, in particular its planting and care.

This type of spruce has a cone-shaped shape. The branches are fluffy, the crown is dense, as the internodes are small. The needles are light green, soft, reaching from 6 to 10 mm in length. The diameter of the spruce can reach 80 cm. The roots of the Konika spruce do not go deep into the soil; the main part of the root system is located closer to the soil surface.

As for the growth rate, it is quite slow. An adult spruce grows two to three cm per year. Until 10 or 15 years, the tree grows actively, adding 6-8 cm per year. The life expectancy of this spruce is very high - from three hundred to five hundred years. Konica is suitable for growing in the middle zone.

Growing at home

Growing Konica at home is quite difficult. It's all about . Spruce can't stand it high temperatures in winter. Maximum permissible temperature for her – 10 degrees. For the winter, it is better to take the pot with the Christmas tree out onto the balcony. Constantly maintaining the required level of humidity to avoid drying out.

Water decorative spruce in a pot no more than once a week, otherwise the needles may acquire a dark purple hue, which indicates an excess of moisture. If you water the tree very rarely, the needles will turn yellow and begin to fall off.

Konik should be protected from direct sunlight. Otherwise, burning is inevitable.

It is recommended to spray the spruce crown with water during dry periods to restore the moisture balance. In order for the spruce to receive sufficient quantity nutrients, you should add special fertilizers for conifers: Zircon, Khol, Epin and others. At home, spruce should be grown only for... How indoor plant it is only suitable for “wintering” on the balcony.

Transplantation into open ground

Before planting Konica in open ground, the roots are grown for three or four years in a pot. The soil for planting should consist of two parts garden soil, two parts turf, part peat and part sand.

The place for planting Konica must be chosen carefully. It is advisable to choose a shady corner where the soil is not waterlogged and is not located on a hill. Proximity to groundwater can also negatively affect the growth and appearance of Canadian spruce. It is also worth choosing a place protected from the wind.

Ate with open system root can be applied in spring, summer and autumn. WITH closed system- only in spring or autumn. It is best to do the replanting on a cloudy day, and cover it with material for a couple of days so that the needles, unaccustomed to the sun, do not get burned.

Care, diseases, pests and treatment

Konica does not require special care. All she needs is timely hydration and protection from sunlight. As a result of poor quality care, various diseases can appear and deteriorate. appearance. Restoring Konica spruce can take a long period of time.

Diseases that can affect Konica:

The Canadian spruce Konica Picea glauca is a spruce and therefore does not reach particularly high growth. But, as is typical for conifers, Konica is frost-resistant and unpretentious. Therefore, it is suitable for growing in the middle zone.

Such a beautiful cone-shaped tree will become a decoration in any garden, or even in an apartment, provided it is kept moist and temperature regime. And for the New Year you can decorate it and dance round dances around Konika.

The subtleties of planting Canadian spruce on video:

Canadian spruce is a decorative form of spruce. Its height is up to 1 meter, but under certain conditions, the spruce can reach 3 meters. Its appearance is quite original: cone-shaped, bluish-green color, the tree is characterized by softness and short shape, a weak tap root and the root system is located close to the soil surface. As a result, loosen the soil very carefully.

Canadian spruce Konica

Features of growth

Konika spruce grows slowly, only 3-4 cm grows in a year. There are certain species that grow up to 10 cm. When the spruce is 5 years old, its height is approximately 20 cm, at this age it already stands out for its decorativeness. At 10 years old, Canadian spruce reaches a height of 80 cm. It grows for 10-15 years and reaches a level of 1 meter. IN next years Spruce growth is characterized by some slowness, only 2-3 cm per year. When the spruce reaches twenty years of age, its height is 1.5 m, and the diameter of the base of the roof is 1 m.

Caring for Canadian spruce

Konik spruce requires minimal care. The tree crown does not require pruning. It has enough natural precipitation. But still, at least minimal care is required.

If there is a drought outside, then spruce must be irrigated through the crown. A few days later, it is recommended to slightly loosen the soil. When summer comes, it is necessary to fertilize the conika spruce. To do this, take 5 kg of rotted organic matter and mix it with the soil in the root zone. When October comes, you need to lay a layer of peat compost 5 cm thick. As a result, the tree will better withstand the winter. To prevent spring browning, you need to wrap the conika spruce with burlap. This will serve as a protective element from the sun and will not interfere with ventilation.

Spring browning of spruce is not a disease. In this way, Canadian spruce reacts to solar activity after winter. We can say that this is a seasonal growing season. Soil that has not melted cannot fully saturate the roots with the necessary nutrition, as a result of which the spruce begins to turn brown. When the juice begins to flow and the conika spruce has sufficient nutrition, its color is restored.

Planting Konica

Canada spruce can be replanted during the growing season. Planting Canadian conika spruce is not very difficult, however, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules:

Application of Canadian spruce

Konica is often used in landscape design. The tree looks great in single form, as well as in the group. As for flower beds, it is planted there very rarely due to its slow growth.

Spruce is used for various compositions. It is planted on terraces, near the house, in containers, and is also used to decorate the garden. An excellent option for conics is a smooth, mowed lawn. Wood is used for background flower arrangements , are also combined with other conifers that are short in stature.

Canada spruce can be grown in a pot. To do this, you need to purchase it in a store, dig it up in the forest, or grow a seedling from seeds. This the seedling must be carefully transplanted into a pot, the root collar of the spruce should be at ground level. In this case, the root system should not dry out. If you bought Canadian spruce in a store, you need to replace the soil.

To create soil for spruce, you need to take turf and leaf soil, sand and peat, the ratio should be as follows 2:2:1:1. Place drainage at the bottom of the flowerpot, which has a layer of 10 cm. When you plant or replant spruce trees, it is recommended to make fertilizer. Twice a season you need to do general fertilizing.

For normal functioning of the conic spruce you need:

• set the light mode to normal;
• in winter it is necessary to provide the necessary humidity (80-90%) and normal temperature (+5-15 degrees);
• To prevent drying out or waterlogging, mulch with peat, its layer should be 5-6 cm. Mix this layer with the ground from time to time, and put a new layer on top.

Canadian spruce is characterized by slow growth And no need to trim it. Only dry and diseased branches should be removed.

When summer comes, take the container with the spruce outside under the trees. Do drip irrigation. Replant it in a larger pot every year.

At good conditions konica can live in a flowerpot for a long time than an ordinary spruce, which can only exist in a pot for 3-4 years.

Canadian spruce for the holiday

Due to modern trends Decorating a spruce tree in a flowerpot for the New Year is considered very fashionable. Installing this plant as a New Year tree, you need to find a place that will be remote from different sources heat. The best option It would be possible to place the container on a cold window, however, if you use a spruce as a Christmas tree, this is not very possible. In no case should you place the flowerpot on a south window, as there is a lot of sunlight there, and the tree does not tolerate direct sunlight. In any place where you place a flowerpot, you need to turn it towards the light from time to time.

If the Canadian spruce is placed in a heated room, then you need to spray the crown from time to time. The best option would be if the air humidity is higher near the konica spruce. To do this, you can place a bowl of water near the flowerpot. Or you can also do this: put one edge of a towel in a bowl with water, and place the other on the radiator. If you use the latter method, then do not forget to regularly add water to the dishes because it evaporates quickly.

When all the holidays are over, move the conika spruce to the loggia or balcony, if it is glazed. In this room, cover the flowerpot with the spruce with a cap, this will give the plant the necessary humidity. As a cap, you can take a five-liter bottle that has no bottom. Wrap the flowerpot warm material so that the ground does not freeze. But don’t overdo it with insulation, create optimal winter weather for spruce, because it is not a tropical plant.

If it happens that the root system completely fills the entire pot, it needs to be transferred with lumps of earth into a larger pot.

If you follow and adhere to all the rules for caring for spruce, create for it the necessary conditions, then the Canadian conika spruce will delight you with its beauty for many years. It will perfectly decorate a room in the house, and will also create the uniqueness and originality of landscape design.

Spruce Glauka konica is an evergreen coniferous tree popular among landscape designers. Natural hybrid (mutant) of Canadian spruce. The plant develops slowly. The crown is cone-shaped, the needles are soft, fragrant, bluish-green in color, and do not require cutting. At correct landing and minimal care, the culture looks decorative and lives up to the age of 300-500 years. Used alone or in group compositions.

Description of the plant

Canadian spruce, Glauca conica, is an evergreen coniferous plant. It is considered a dwarf hybrid of gray spruce, resulting from a natural mutation. The first specimen was discovered in Canada in 1904. Scientists carefully studied the find, and dwarf spruce began to be cultivated artificially.

Experts have given a clear description of the hybrid. When grown in open ground, the height of an adult tree is up to 3-4 meters. It reaches these sizes in 50-60 years. It develops very slowly. For the first ten years, annual growth is 3-4 cm per year, then 1.5-2 cm. Life expectancy is 300-500 years.

The crown is fluffy, dense with a diameter of 1-1.5 meters, has the shape of a regular cone, forms independently, and does not require pruning. The needles are bluish-green, non-thorny, with pleasant aroma currant leaves. Cones are formed rarely, their size is about 6 cm. The root system is superficial.

At home

Glauca conica is often found in flower shops before New Year holidays. It is bought as a replacement for a Christmas tree. At home, the plant most often dies. All conifers need low temperatures during the dormant period (winter), high humidity, diffused light. You can try to save the spruce until spring and replant it in open ground. The culture should be carefully looked after.

They create houses for the tree comfortable conditions, as close as possible to the natural environment:

• A store-bought plant needs to be replanted. A special soil for conifers is suitable. The procedure is not carried out during the rest period.
• High air humidity is important, otherwise the needles will fall off. The plant is sprayed 5-6 times a day and placed next to containers of water.
• Do not allow the soil in the pot to dry out.
• Diffused light will help avoid sunburn. The pot must be constantly turned.
• In winter, during the dormant period, choose the coolest place ( glazed loggia, the space between window frames, veranda). The lower the temperature, the greater the chance of saving the specimen. The temperature of the water for irrigation should be equal to the air temperature.
• Do not allow the earthen clod to freeze and damage the roots. The pot is wrapped in a warm cloth. The crown does not need shelter.

In the open ground

Dwarf conifers are often used for decoration personal plots. Konica is planted singly or used to create complex compositions: flower beds, rock gardens, rockeries. This species does not take root well in contaminated areas; spruce can only be planted in suburban areas.

Planting in the ground is carried out in the spring. Choose a cool, cloudy day, early in the morning or in the evening.

Choosing a spruce seedling

You need to buy a tree only in special nurseries. How younger tree, the more likely it is that it will take root. If you managed to save a seedling bought in a store for New Year they sit him down:

1. 1. The crown is bright, without yellowness or bald patches.
2. 2. The root system is healthy, without damage or rot. Select specimens with closed roots (with a clod of earth). This spruce will take root easier. The roots should tightly entangle the soil.
3. 3. The branches are elastic.

Preparing the site

Choose a lighted place, protected from drafts and direct rays of the sun (near buildings and fences). The plant prefers well-drained, loose, slightly acidic soil ( perfect option loams). It is best to bring soil from coniferous forest, acidity increases with the addition of peat. Flower shops offer ready-made soil mixtures for conifers.

Prepare a hole twice the size of the earthen clod. Drainage is poured onto the bottom (expanded clay, gravel, brick chips). The root system does not tolerate stagnant moisture and the plant dies.

Suitable soil is made from the soil of a coniferous forest and a special substrate purchased in a store.

Planting stages

Spruce does not tolerate frequent transplantation. You need to carefully prepare the place and follow the planting rules:

• The plant is taken out of the container.
• Immerse the roots in water at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
• In the planting hole, make a hill of soil and place a seedling on it. The soil around the roots is preserved.
• The pit is being filled up fertile soil, lightly tamp.
• Abundantly moisturize.
• If the soil has settled too much, add more and water again.
• Apply a layer of mulch under the bush (pine needles, bark, small branches, sawdust, crushed cones). Everything you need can be collected in the coniferous forest.

The root collar remains above the surface.

Seedlings younger than 4 years old do not require fertilizing during planting. The rest need nutritional formulas.

In the first 2-3 months after planting, the needles may fall off. This is a reaction to stress. After rooting, young branches will begin to grow.

Coniferous plants are very sensitive to fertilizing. They are suitable for special complexes corresponding to their species and age.

Rules of care

Young seedlings look ugly, they begin to grow upward, but later the crown expands and takes on the correct shape (does not need pruning).

In the first year, the tree needs watering and shading from the bright sun and spraying of the crown. It is advisable to make a spraying system and turn it on every 6 hours. In the spring, the needles are treated with the growth stimulator "Epin". In dry summers, adult spruce trees are also watered.

Starting from 3 and 4 years of age, the tree is fed with special complexes (at the root) once a month - from early spring until mid-summer. In the future, the plant prepares for a period of winter dormancy, watering is reduced, and fertilizers are not used.

It is important to loosen the soil in a timely manner (shallow), remove weeds and old twigs. In October, the root circle is sprinkled with a layer of mulch 8-10 cm to avoid freezing of the roots. In winters with little snow, an additional snowdrift is made.

Crown Glauka konica does not need shelter.

Diseases and pests

Coniferous plants are not immune to diseases. It is necessary to carry out processing in a timely manner. A tree can get sick from non-compliance with planting and care rules: