Spruce Push: description, planting and care, application in landscape design

Push spruce is considered one of the most popular varieties of ornamental dwarf plants. She was brought out by an employee of the University of Berlin, Push Werder. This happened in 1975. The culture was the result of a mutation of the Acrocon spruce. The resulting plant became known as the "witch's broom". Today, this variety has gained wide popularity. Due to its excellent decorative properties, it is often used in landscape design.

Variety information

According to the description, Push spruce is an evergreen dwarf variety. The tree usually lacks a leading shoot. It is characterized by many hanging and randomly located short branches that form a loose asymmetrical crown.By the age of 8-9, it becomes denser and takes on a hemispherical shape.

The branches are often covered with frequent prickly needles 1-2 centimeters in size. It has a characteristic tetrahedral shape. Old needles are dark green in color, young ones are light. Needles change at intervals of 6-10 years.

The culture is characterized by large resinous buds that are ovoid and orange-brown in color. They form at the ends of the shoots. With the advent of spring, fresh growth appears from such buds. From the age of 6, spruce of this variety begins to bloom.

Unique cones are considered a distinctive feature of the culture. They affect the decorative properties of the plant. During the flowering period, the cones acquire a very unusual color - raspberry, pink, red. As they ripen, the fruits turn purple, and in mid-summer they turn brown. The cones look especially attractive against the background of needles of a rich green hue.During flowering, the tree seems spectacular and attractive.

Slow growth is characteristic of miniature spruce. During the year, its height increases by a maximum of 2-6 centimeters. By the age of 10, the size of the Push spruce does not exceed 30-50 centimeters. In this case, the diameter of the tree crown is 60 centimeters. A mature spruce aged 25-30 years grows up to 80 centimeters. At the same time, its circumference is 100-120 centimeters. The life span of spruce exceeds 50 years.

Area

Unusual spruce with pink or raspberry cones is a relatively young culture that has already gained recognition from gardeners. The plant is characterized by high resistance to frost. It is able to withstand temperatures down to -42 degrees. This makes it possible to grow crops in the harsh climate of Russia and other countries located in the northern regions.

The southern borders of the spruce distribution range are determined by the temperate climate. It is worth noting that the culture can hardly withstand the effects of heat and increased dryness of the air.

Growing a crop requires following a number of rules. Only by the age of 20 does the plant acquire the necessary decorative effect. Therefore, producers are not too willing to breed Push spruce. Mature plants are expensive. Usually on sale are seedlings aged 5-6 years, which are already sold with cones. Stamp types of culture look very impressive.

Landing

To make spruce with unusual cones look attractive, it is important to strictly adhere to the agrotechnical rules for growing it. Of particular importance is compliance with the recommendations for planting plants.

This conifer needs acidic soil. It does not withstand the influence of s alty soils. It is also permissible to plant a plant in the ground with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. For planting a crop, it is worth using a well-lit area with full moisture. It is important to bear in mind that excess or stagnant moisture can lead to the death of spruce. In the presence of such threats, at least 20 centimeters of drainage should be placed at the bottom of the landing recess.

It is important to consider that small penumbra is best for young trees. The constant influence of direct sunlight is badly reflected in the quality characteristics of the needles.

Spruce Push is not too demanding on the nutritional composition of the soil. The plant is more suitable for sandy or light loamy soil. Before planting a crop, it is important to prepare the site. To do this, it is recommended to add organic matter to the ground. For this, compost, peat or rotted manure is suitable. Such substances must be mixed with the soil.

At the same time, you should not use mineral fertilizers, since it is organic matter that gives the earth the required friability. Mineral preparations are more suitable for plants during the subsequent growing season.

How to care for a tree

Like the Norway spruce, Push is sensitive to dry weather and can hardly withstand prolonged temperature drops. Therefore, after planting, it is worthwhile to mulch the plant well with any suitable substance.

In hot weather, the tree needs to be watered frequently. It is recommended to do this every 2-3 days. At the same time, about 10 liters of water should be used for 1 plant.

When growing Push spruce, it is necessary to carry out formative and sanitary pruning from time to time. Crown formation is recommended in the spring. This will help give the plant the desired decorative effect. Sanitary pruning should be done at any time of the year. In this case, the plant is recommended to be cleaned of dead branches and cones.

It is not required to warm the tree for the winter, because the culture winters well under or without snow. The culture is distinguished by strong immunity and a high degree of frost resistance. At the same time, in autumn, the tree needs deep watering.

When growing a crop, it is important to consider that it does not withstand soil compaction well. Therefore, it is imperative to systematically loosen the soil and remove weeds.

Like other ornamental varieties, Push spruce is not seed bred.In this case, it is not possible to maintain a dwarf form and a rich shade of cones. For cuttings, it is worth using special equipment or a complex rooting process. Qualified gardeners propagate the plant by grafting.

The use of this method helps to preserve all the characteristics of the variety. The procedure should be carried out in early spring or summer. During this period, the temperature and humidity parameters are considered the most suitable. To perform the vaccination, you should do the following:

1. Select and prepare stock. For this, it is permissible to use an ordinary spruce aged 4-6 years. Its height can be 40-50 centimeters. In this case, the diameter of the trunk of the top should be 8 millimeters. You can grow the plant yourself.
2. Cook the scion. For spring grafting, cuttings are recommended to be prepared before the snow melts, and in summer - before grafting. From the upper tier of spruce at the side shoots, last year's shoots of 7-10 centimeters in size are required to be cut.
3. Prepare the tools. This will require a sharp knife and winding. It is also worth using an alcohol-based liquid.

To perform the vaccination, you need to do the following:

1. Clear the trunk of the rootstock from needles and branches.
2. Clean the cutting from the needles. At the same time, they should be left only on top - around the kidneys.
3. Make an incision on the scion. At the same time, you need to cut the bark from below and make a tongue. It is worth filling a scion under it.
4. Attach the graft to the rootstock and securely fasten with a winding. Unclosed places are recommended to cover with garden pitch.

It is also acceptable to use another method that differs in cut. At the same time, it is worth making a wedge-shaped cut on the scion, and on the other hand, remove the bark to the cambium. On the root, the angle of the cut should be sharper.In this case, the tongue is left longer. It is placed with a wedge in the cut of the rootstock and fixed.

On large spruces, it is permissible to do several vaccinations at once. This increases the likelihood of their survival. A grafted tree needs to create optimal conditions so that the influence of wind, elevated temperatures and other negative factors does not interfere with the adaptation of the cuttings. To speed up survival, high air humidity and a temperature of +10-22 degrees are recommended.

The cuttings that didn't survive shed their needles. When the shoot begins to grow, it is recommended to unwind the winding and wind it looser. Completely removed in a month. It is not required to warm the grafted tree for the winter. It is enough to protect it from a large amount of snow.

Rootstock branches should be removed gradually. They form the products of photosynthesis, which are required for the development of the scion. The first time pruning should be done next spring. In this case, it is recommended to remove the upper whorl completely, and shorten the upper lateral ones.The bottom part should remain unchanged.

For 3-4 years, it is worth trimming the ends of the scion crown. A year later, only part of the branches are cut into the ring so that large wounds do not appear on the trunk. Then you need to get rid of the rest. If the crown of the rootstock is gradually removed, the grafted cutting does not suffer and does not lag behind in growth.

Pest control

Push variety is a mutation of the common spruce, but can also be grown on a bole. This culture is characterized by natural immunity to a variety of parasites. However, violation of the rules for caring for a plant entails the development of fungal infections.

The most common pathologies that this culture suffers from include the following:

1. Schütte - at the same time, longitudinal stripes of a brownish-brown hue appear on the needles. After some time, the needles become brown.To get rid of signs of pathology, the affected branches must be removed and burned. After that, spruce must be treated with preparations containing copper. For this purpose, it is permissible to use Hom, Abiga-peak, Bordeaux liquid.
2. Rust - at the initial stage of the development of the disease, the needles are covered with orange spots, in which spores ripen. When opened, fungi infect the entire plant. This entails yellowing and falling of the needles. In this case, saving the tree will no longer work. To avoid the spread of a dangerous pathology, at the first signs of its occurrence, it is recommended to remove the affected branches and burn them. After that, the tree should be sprayed with copper-based preparations. After 2 weeks, the treatment must be carried out again.
3. Fusariosis - diseased fruit trees are the source of infection. With the development of pathology, the needles turn yellow, dry out and fall off. To cope with the disease, it is worth removing the affected areas. It is also recommended to treat the crown and soil under the tree with fungicides.In this case, you need to use "Topsin-N" and "Fundazol".

As for parasites, Push spruce is more prone to attacks by spruce aphids, which are spread by ants. This pest absorbs the juices of the needles and leads to a weakening of the culture. To cope with aphids, first of all, you need to destroy the ant nests on the site. At the same time, it must be sprinkled with garlic water or other folk remedies should be used. If these methods do not work, it is worth using insecticides - Aktar, Aktellik, Iskra.

Another dangerous pest is Hermes. This parasite provokes deformation of the needles and the appearance of white sticky lumps on the back of the needles. Also, crimson galls are formed on spruce trees, which quickly increase in size. Near the kidneys there is a cluster of Hermes females. In this case, the needles are covered with brown or yellowish larvae. The plant can be saved only with systemic insecticides. In this case, conventional spraying will not give results.

Application in landscape design

Pusch spruce looks very original. Because it is often used in landscape design. This culture looks great in rock gardens, heather gardens, as a retaining wall. The plant can also be grown in a container. Thanks to this, it will become a wonderful decoration of the terrace or balcony.

Culture looks great in a rocky garden. Also, spruce of this variety can be grown on a trunk. Such forms are used as a second tier, combined with undersized coniferous crops.

Spruce Push is a wonderful ornamental plant that fits perfectly into a variety of landscape compositions. In order for a culture to develop normally and retain its attractiveness, it needs to provide quality care.

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