Mountain Pine Mugus: description, tree height, planting and care rules

Mountain pine Mugus is an ornamental shrub that originates from the Balkans and the Eastern Alps. In botany, the culture is called Pinus Mugo Mughus. This culture is very popular among the owners of summer cottages. This is due to its high decorative properties and undemanding care. The tree is often used in landscape design as a tapeworm or in combination with other plants.

What a tree looks like

Mugus pine is a coniferous evergreen shrub, which has a compact size, and therefore belongs to dwarf crops.This plant reaches a maximum of 2-3 meters in height. However, sometimes there are larger crops that grow up to 10 meters. The diameter of their crown is 3-4 meters.

Mugus pine is characterized by slow development. During the year, the plant increases by 10 centimeters in height and 12 centimeters in width. The shrub has a spreading crown. Her shoots spread along the ground, after which they rise up. Due to this, it is possible to obtain a spherical plant.

The Mugus variety is distinguished by thick and stiff needles. The needles are slightly twisted and form bundles of 2 pieces. They are characterized by a dark green color and reach a length of 3-4 centimeters. Their life expectancy is 3-5 years.

The plant is very effectively complemented by cones. They are yellow-brown in color and directed upwards. As a rule, fruits appear only at 6-8 years. Their length reaches 3-6 centimeters. In addition, the Mugus pine is characterized by a taproot, well-branched root system.

Growth area

Culture Pinus Mugo Mughus was bred in 1779. Today, the shrub has become widespread in the mountains of Southern Europe. In most cases, it is found in France and Greece. At the same time, the Mugus pine mainly grows in the highlands.

In Russia, culture is grown in different regions - in the central zone, in the north and in the south. The plant develops normally in Siberia and the Urals. The average lifespan of a culture is 1,000 years.

Correct fit

Pine Pinus Mugo Mugus requires compliance with the rules of planting. It is best to do this in the spring. Thanks to this, the culture will be able to take root and put down new roots by the onset of cold weather. If possible, avoid landing in hot weather.

Mugus develops well in clay, sandy, loamy soil. Pine can be planted in acidic and alkaline soil. It is important that the land is well-drained. Most pine roots are near the surface of the soil.

Despite the fact that the plant can withstand partial shade, it is best planted in well-lit areas. When grown in the south, partial shade is more suitable.

To plant a pine, you need to dig a big hole. It should be twice the root ball. If necessary, the excavated soil should be mixed with sand or fine gravel. It is also acceptable to use peat moss for this purpose.

To plant a pine tree, it is recommended to take the seedling out of the container, gently loosen the root system and place the bush in the hole. After that, it can be sprinkled with the prepared substrate and compacted. Then the plant should be carefully watered. Since the shrub has a shallow root system, the trunk circle needs to be mulched.

Germination conditions and care

According to the description, immediately after planting, the crop needs to be systematically watered.This will speed up its adaptation to new conditions. During the first 3 months, it is required to moisten the soil every week. Subsequently, this can be done with an interval of 15 days. Shrubs older than 1 year require watering only when the soil dries to a depth of 50-60 millimeters.

In the summer, the culture perfectly perceives sprinkling. Thanks to this procedure, mountain pine will look more attractive. In addition, this procedure will help to avoid damage to the culture by parasites.

When growing Mugus pine, it is important to consider that it is characterized by a superficial arrangement of roots. To avoid damage to them, the trunk circle needs to be loosened by a maximum of 50 millimeters. After completing the procedure, the bush must be spudded and sprinkled with sawdust mulch.

Pine needs to be fed only after it reaches the age of three. As fertilizers, it is worth using substances that strengthen the immunity of the shrub.In the spring, it is recommended to use nitrogen products. In summer and autumn, pine is more in need of phosphorus fertilizers. To increase the effectiveness of the fertilizer after its application, the shrub needs to be watered.

Also, Mugus pine perfectly perceives foliar feeding. They should be carried out several times during the season. For this purpose, it is recommended to use the Epin-Extra solution.

Sanitary pruning is recommended in early spring. This requires removing all branches affected by frost or disease. It is also necessary to get rid of dry stems that are directed inside the crown and cause it to thicken.

In order for a young plant to endure the winter normally, it needs to be insulated. Before the onset of frost, the trunk circle should be sprinkled with a layer of mulch or peat. After that, the branches need to be bent to the center and tightly wrap the shrub with burlap.To avoid damage to the barrel by rodents, it is recommended to wrap it in a film. Older plants are able to winter normally under a layer of snow.

Pest control

Mountain pine Mugus often suffers from attacks by aphids, scale insects and spider mites. For the destruction of insects, it is recommended to use specialized means. The most effective substances include Decis, Fundazol, Actellik.

If the rules of care are violated, pine can suffer from dangerous pathologies. With the development of rust, the needles are covered with orange-yellow spores. If timely action is not taken, there is a risk of death of the culture. Fungicidal preparations help to cope with the pathology.

Also in the summer, the culture may suffer from brown shyutte. In this case, there is a risk of yellowing of the needles. With the advent of autumn, the needles are covered with black dots. To eliminate the pathology, it is required to remove the affected shoots and spray the tree with a solution of vitriol.

How to propagate a tree

It is permissible to propagate culture in many ways. But gardeners most often do this with seeds or cuttings. To get the desired result from vaccination, the procedure must be carried out by a specialist. Otherwise, the probability of death of sprouts is high. Because summer residents rarely use this method.

Growing pine by seed is used much more often. Before planting, the seed must be stratified. To do this, it should be placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator and kept there for 30 days. After this period, the seeds are recommended to be placed in a solution of potassium permanganate, after which you can start planting.

To do this, you need to take a container and fill it with a substrate with the addition of peat. Seeds are recommended to be planted in the soil with an interval of 5 centimeters. After that, the container needs to be covered with a film with holes and wait for the formation of leaves.It takes 2 years for the seeds of this crop to mature.

To carry out cuttings in the spring, it is required to perform sanitary pruning of pine. During this procedure, cuttings can be cut. Ready material for planting should be planted in a peat-sand mixture. After that, the soil needs to be watered, and covering material should be placed on top. Then you need to water the plants, ventilate and remove weeds. It is permissible to plant cuttings in open soil after 1.5-2 years.

Useful properties of wood

Mountain pine Mugus is characterized by branched and well-developed roots. Thanks to this, it is able to easily withstand wind and drafts. This allows the shrub to be used to protect the soil from erosion. In addition, this crop is often planted on artificial slopes.

Application in landscape design

Pine of this variety is characterized by high decorative qualities.Because the shrub is often used in landscape design. It is recommended to use it for creating group compositions. Mugus pine can be an excellent hedge base. Also, this culture is often placed along alleys and curbs.

However, the plant is rarely used as a tapeworm. Most often, landscape designers combine this culture with other conifers. Mugus pine looks great with firs and junipers. A composition of trees of different sizes will perfectly complement any garden plot.

Mugus pine goes well with other ornamental plants. It is permissible to place it near roses, hydrangeas and cereal perennials. This mountain culture is used even to decorate small spaces. It looks very impressive near the front entrance to the house.

Mountain pine Mugus is a fairly common ornamental plant that fits well into a variety of landscape compositions.In order for the shrub to always remain attractive, it needs to be properly looked after. To do this, it is recommended to regularly moisten the soil, loosen, and carry out sanitary pruning. Timely pest control is essential.

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