Mountain Pine Pug: mini-variety description, planting and care, dimensions and height
Mountain Pine Pug is a popular crop that is often grown as a shrub. However, in the natural environment, it can also grow in the form of a tree. A distinctive feature of the plant is the correct umbrella crown. This conifer has excellent decorative properties, and therefore it is often used in landscape design. It is used to decorate rock gardens, rockeries and rocky gardens.
What kind is this
This coniferous culture is ubiquitous. According to the botanical description, it is characterized by a high degree of resistance to frost and can withstand the effects of wind and drought.In addition, the culture is considered undemanding to the composition of the soil. These features make it possible to grow pine in the middle lane and in more severe climatic conditions.
Appearance
In appearance, the plant resembles a slightly flattened ball. Its characteristic feature is considered to be approximately the same dimensions in height and width. Culture lends itself perfectly to pruning and shaping. This dwarf shrub is characterized by a rather slow development. For 1 year, the pine grows in size by literally 2-4 centimeters.
The main advantages of the plant include the following:
- wind and frost resistant;
- no need for a lot of moisture;
- good air pollution tolerance;
- low requirements for care, soil composition and growing conditions.
The full Latin name of the pine is Pinus mugo Mops. The culture reaches a height of 1.5 meters. At the same time, the color of its needles is different - from green to blue. Needles are changed every 3-5 years. The Pug variety is distinguished by brown cones that are ovoid in shape and 2-7 centimeters long. The culture is also distinguished by resinous buds, which are characterized by a fairly dense arrangement.
The root system of a shrub forms an extensive network near the surface of the earth. Thanks to this, the pine is perfectly kept on alpine slides and inclined surfaces.
Distribution area
This mini-pine tree is highly resistant to frost and easy to care for. These characteristics allow you to grow a crop in any climate. It can be planted in Moscow, Moscow region and in central Russia.
Landing
In order for the plant to develop normally and retain its decorative properties, it is important to carry out planting work correctly.
Seedling selection
Seedlings should be bought in specialized nurseries. They should be already grown up and have not very small sizes. Equally important is adaptation to the local climate. This planting material is more expensive, but adapts quickly.
Ephedra can be sold in different forms - with open and closed roots. It is better to give preference to the second option. As for age, it is worth buying young trees that are 4-5 years old.
Soil preparation
Mops dwarf pine can be grown anywhere. However, the tree grows worse in shady places. For full development, the plant needs full lighting.
Ephedra has well-developed roots. Therefore, it is allowed to be planted in sandy and sandy soil.Pug pine will also develop well in poor soil, which contains a minimum of nutrients. As for acidity, any options are acceptable. However, Pug pine is best suited for a slightly acidic substrate.
For planting a plant, it is recommended to prepare a special substrate. To do this, the turf must be mixed with sand or clay. These components are recommended to be taken in a ratio of 2:1.
Step by step planting guide
When planting a plant, it is imperative to provide a drainage layer. For this, it is recommended to use crushed stone, coarse sand or gravel. The thickness of such a layer should be 20 centimeters.
Deepening for planting needs to be done in advance - about 2-4 weeks in advance. When planting several crops, the interval between them should be 2-4 meters. The width of the pit should exceed the root ball by 15 centimeters, and the depth should be 0.7 meters.
It is recommended to add coniferous litter to the soil. This will help saturate it with nutrients and start symbiotic processes. It is permissible to use nitroammofoska as a fertilizer. For 1 recess, it is recommended to use 100 grams of such a substance.
When transplanting, the root neck should be left level with the ground or slightly raised. After that, the seedling needs to be watered abundantly. During the first 5 days after planting, the ephedra is recommended to be shaded from the sun. For this, it is permissible to use spruce branches or spanbond.
Features of care
For the normal development of culture and the preservation of its decorative effect, it is important to observe some agrotechnical norms.
Water and fertilize
The first month is considered the most difficult for a seedling. During this period, it needs to be watered very carefully. This is done at intervals of 3-4 days. The specific frequency depends on weather conditions.
Mountain pine requires mandatory fertilization. To do this, it is permissible to use the following:
- Nitrogen fertilizers - applied during planting along with the main soil. At this stage, it is permissible to use 40 grams of nitroammophoska.
- Mineral substances for universal or special purposes - added to the trunk circle within 2 years after planting. For this purpose, it is permissible to use 30-40 grams of "Kemira".
Mulching
It is recommended to use peat for mountain pine mulching. This procedure helps protect the root system and improve soil characteristics. This material needs to be poured with a layer of 5-6 centimeters. After some time, the peat mixes with the lower layers and saturates the soil.
Crown formation
Initially, this variety is characterized by a regular spherical shape. Therefore, pruning is practically not required. If necessary, it is recommended to remove young branches. In this case, it is allowed to cut no more than a third of the entire crown. This manipulation helps to slow down the development of the shrub and make the crown denser. In the spring, dead and dry branches should be removed.
Preparing for wintering
Adult plant is resistant to frost and normally perceives the effects of low temperatures. 2 years after the planting of the culture, it can not be covered. At the same time, young plants should be insulated with spruce branches. It is especially important to cover shrubs planted in autumn.
Removing insulation is required in the spring. This is done after a stable positive temperature is established. Additionally, pine should be watered with warm melt water. This will help activate the vegetation processes.
How to propagate pine
Pug pine can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or grafting. Growing a crop by the seed method helps to preserve its decorative effect and get a hardy shrub. Seeds can be planted in separate containers or directly in open soil. This must be done in the spring - after the stratification.
Cuttings are considered the most difficult and time-consuming way. Planting material is taken from young annual shrubs. In this case, the shoots must be cut with a heel - part of the bark. After that, they are placed in a solution of a root formation stimulator for 12 hours, and then in plain water for 3 days.
To prepare the substrate, you need to mix peat, soil and sand in equal proportions. The lower part during landing should be treated with "Zircon" or "Epin". The plant will take root six months after all manipulations.
Propagate Pug pine by grafting is even more difficult. This requires the use of shrubs aged 4 years. The grafted culture adopts the properties of the mother culture. However, the procedure is considered quite complicated. Therefore, this method is used very rarely.
What can make a pine tree sick
Culture has strong immunity, but if the rules of care are violated, it can suffer from such pathologies:
- Shutte fungus. In this case, the needles become dark brown and covered with a white coating that looks like a cobweb. Plants that lack moisture or are planted too densely usually suffer. Copper-containing drugs help to fix the problem.
- Rust fungus. With the development of this pathology, the needles are covered with a yellow coating. To eliminate it, it is permissible to use chemical or biological means. Lepidocid is considered an effective drug.
- Scleroderriosis. This is a fairly common disease, which is accompanied by drying of the branches. Trimming the affected area will help to cope with it.
Application
This culture is often used in landscape design. It can be placed in the central part of the rock garden or grown in the bonsai style. Near the mountain pine you can plant flowers with large rosettes.Also, the culture goes well with other conifers. It can be planted with deciduous or heather plants.
Mountain pine Pug is a fairly common culture that fits well into a variety of compositions. In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs to provide full and high-quality care.
Recommended
Black pine: description, height and dimensions, planting rules and tree care
Black pine is a fairly attractive plant that has dark needles. It is often used in landscape design for the design of summer cottages.
Mountain pine: description, varieties and species, planting and care, how to propagate a tree
Mountain pine is a common plant that has many interesting varieties. Thanks to this, each gardener can choose a variety for cultivation.
Mountain Pine Mugus: description, tree height, planting and care rules
Mountain pine Mugus is an ornamental shrub that is often used to decorate garden plots. At the same time, it is important to properly land and provide care.
