El Ze Blues: description, planting features and care requirements

Ze Blues spruce is a weeping variety with heavily drooping branches. At the same time, the tied main shoot is characterized by vertical growth. With free development, it has a horizontal arrangement. The lower branches of the plant practically lie on the ground. The culture is characterized by bright blue needles. Due to its excellent decorative properties, the plant is suitable for single plantings and rocky gardens.

Description of the tree

The parent of this crop is a well-known variety of spruce - Glauka Pendula. At the same time, the Ze Blues variety has many features.It is characterized by medium size and fairly active growth. Every year the tree increases by 10-15 centimeters. By the age of 10, the culture reaches 3 meters. By the age of 30, the culture can grow up to 3 meters. Moreover, its diameter is 2 meters.

The appearance of the plant depends on the method of cultivation and the characteristics of the formation of the crown. This variety is considered creeping and resembles a weeping cascade. If the shoots are not tied up, they differ in horizontal growth and are quite strongly lowered. At the same time, the lower shoots practically lie on the ground.

Ze Blues variety is characterized by needle-like short needles. It is quite prickly and has a rich blue color. At the same time, the shade is preserved only if there is a sufficient amount of sun. Growing in well-lit areas helps maintain the plant's decorative appearance. In the shade, the decorative effect of the tree is reduced.

Another feature of the culture is considered to be rather large cones of a cylindrical shape. They reach a length of 5-10 centimeters and have a diameter of 2-3 centimeters. Immature cones are characterized by a green-yellow color. As they mature, they turn a light brown hue.

Ze Blues variety is considered quite unpretentious. Spruce normally tolerates gassed and smoky air. Thanks to this, it can be grown in urban areas. An important advantage of this variety is its resistance to strong winds, which is not typical for all spruces. In addition, the culture belongs to the third zone of frost resistance and can tolerate a rather strong drop in temperature - up to -40 degrees.

At the same time, this variety has some disadvantages. The tree is subject to a number of dangerous pathologies. Among them, it is worth noting fusarium, necrosis, rust. Also, the Ze Blues variety can suffer from weevils, moths, spider mites, and sawflies.Therefore, plants need to be inspected and monitored from time to time.

Ze Blues spruce can be used to decorate gardens and parks. The culture is used as a tapeworm or to create various compositions. This is an unusual weeping spruce that can grow on a trunk or in the usual way.

Planting instructions

In order for The Blues spruce to develop normally, it is important to carry out planting work correctly. At the same time, it is important to choose the right site depending on the preferences of the crop, observe the deadlines, prepare the soil and adhere to the planting technology. The choice of planting material is also of great importance.

Experts advise using plants with closed roots. At the same time, during landing, it is impossible to destroy an earthen clod. In case of accidental exposure of the roots, open places should be treated with special substances - "Kornevin" or "Heteroauxin".

For planting spruce, a large and open sunny area that is protected from the wind is suitable. When planting in the shade, there is a risk of a significant decrease in the decorativeness of the culture and a significant reduction in its life expectancy.

When planting spruce, it is important to maintain a distance of 2.5 meters from other crops and buildings. Planting work is recommended to be carried out in April or September. The crop can be planted only when the weather is warm. That is why it is so important to wait until the risk of returning frosts has passed.

Which land to plant

For this spruce, sandy loam and loam are most suitable. However, the culture can also be grown in sandy or wet rocky soil. Peat bogs are also suitable for her.

Preparing the soil is necessary a few weeks before planting. In this case, it is required to dig a recess measuring 50-70 centimeters. To fill the hole, it is worth preparing a composition of turf, leafy soil, sand and peat. These components should be mixed in a ratio of 2:2:1:1. At the bottom of the recess, a drainage measuring 15 centimeters should be placed. It may include sand or crushed brick.

How to do it

When planting spruce, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Water the crop generously the day before planting to make it easier to remove from the pot.
2. Pull out the seedling with a clod of soil.
3. Set the plant in the center of the hole.
4. Fill voids with prepared soil.
5. Make a furrow along the entire diameter in the trunk circle.
6. Pour a bucket of water into it.
7. Lay a mulch layer. It may consist of peat or pine bark.

Care Requirements

Spruce The Blues is a low maintenance plant. At the same time, in order to preserve the decorative properties of the culture, it is still necessary to adhere to some rules.

When and how to water

Only young trees need systematic watering. Immediately after planting, they need to be moistened every week. For 1 seedling, it is recommended to use 5-12 liters of water. The specific volume depends on weather conditions.

As the culture matures, the frequency of moisturizing is reduced to 1 irrigation every 2-4 weeks. Mature plants can not be watered. They have enough rainfall. Like the rest of the conifers, Ze Blues spruce perfectly perceives sprinkling. The plant is recommended to be watered along the perimeter of the crown with a scattered stream of water.

Loosening

After each watering and rain, the soil in the trunk circle needs to be loosened. This procedure helps to avoid the formation of a hard crust on the surface of the earth. Due to regular loosening, it is possible to increase the permeability of the soil for water and air. This has a positive effect on the development of culture.

Spruce has a superficial root system. Therefore, loosening the soil is required carefully and not very deep to prevent damage to the roots. This should be done to a depth of 5-7 centimeters.

Mulching the soil in the trunk circle is considered an obligatory part of plant care. Thanks to this procedure, it is possible to reduce the number of watering and loosening. In addition, it helps maintain optimal soil moisture parameters.

Pine bark, peat, sawdust should be used as mulch. Pine bark is also a great option. The size of the mulching layer should be 5-9 centimeters. Mulch needs to be replaced before winter sets in.

Do I need to trim

This crop is pruned as needed. In spring and autumn, dry and frozen branches should be removed, which deprive the crown of decorativeness. Spruce Blues takes pruning well and recovers quickly after this event.

When carrying out the manipulation, be sure to use disinfected garden tools. After cutting, the sections of the cuts must be treated with copper sulphate and garden pitch. Also, for this purpose, you can use a special drug "RanNet".

Disease and pest control

This culture is characterized by strong immunity. It has a high degree of resistance to pathogens and pests. However, violation of the rules of agricultural technology can cause certain problems. To avoid this, it is important to adhere to the rules of prevention:

• in autumn, thoroughly clean the area from plant residues;
• dig up soil in the near-trunk area;
• spray plants with copper preparations in spring and autumn.

Spruce Blues most often encounters the following diseases:

1. Bringing needles. With this pathology, the needles first turn yellow, and then acquire a brown color. They also form oval fruiting bodies. Subsequently, the needles completely crumble. To cope with the pathology, the trees should be sprinkled 2-3 times with Falcon, Quadris or Horus. The interval between treatments should be 2 weeks.
2. Necrosis of apical shoots. In this case, the shoots wilt, and then completely dry out. For the treatment of this pathology, phased processing is required. At first, it is recommended to use "Amistar Trio", then - to use "Antrakol", and at the end - "Falcon" in combination with "Epin" or "Lignogumate".Simultaneously with these procedures, it is required to introduce a root former into the soil.

As for pests, spruce of this variety is most often affected by these insects:

1. Spruce false shield. When a tree is damaged, honeydew appears on it. In addition, the shoots are covered with black bloom. To cope with pests, three treatments are carried out with Engio, Calypso, and Aktara preparations. Such funds should be applied at weekly intervals.
2. Spider mites. When these pests attack, a web appears on the needles. At first, the needles turn yellow, and then they become brown. After which it completely crumbles. Landings should be processed with Mospilan, Aktara, Confidor Maxi.
3. Spruce hermes. These insects depress trees. When they attack, a white fluff is formed on the kidneys. In this case, it is required to use systemic drugs - "Caesar" or "Calypso".

The Blues Spruce is a popular ornamental plant that blends in beautifully with landscape design. In order for the culture to always look attractive, it needs to be properly looked after.

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