Spruce Little Jam: description, planting and care, application in landscape design

Little Jam spruce has an unusual appearance. The plant has a spherical shape and beautiful green needles. Because it is often used in landscape design. In order for the culture to constantly remain attractive, it is important to properly plant it and provide quality care. The plant is recommended to be watered and pruned in a timely manner. Winterization is also important.

History of origin and description

Specialists say that this variety appeared by accident. It mutated naturally from the Nidiformis dwarf spruce.It happened in the middle of the last century in one of the nurseries in the Netherlands. Breeders appreciated the appearance of the plant and made every effort to secure valuable characteristics.

Evergreen dwarf variety Little Jam spruce more like a shrub. The culture does not have a central shoot, but at the same time it has many branches that rise obliquely from the middle. Shoots form a dense nest-like crown, which becomes rounded with age.

The plant is characterized by thin and short needles. They do not exceed 3-9 millimeters in length. The Little Jam variety is distinguished by its compact size and prickly needles, which is why it is often compared to a hedgehog. The needles have a rich green color and a young growth of a pale green hue. Due to this, the plant looks decorative.

The culture is characterized by a superficial root system. Therefore, powerful gusts of wind can pull the plant out of the ground.At the same time, due to the presence of many suction roots, the culture is able to independently extract moisture in dry weather. At the same time, moisture stagnation is contraindicated for a tree.

Little Jam variety is characterized by slow development. During the year, the culture increases by 2-3 centimeters in height and by 3 centimeters in width. By the age of 10, the plant reaches 30 centimeters. In this case, the crown in diameter is 30-50 centimeters. After reaching a size of 50 centimeters, the development of the culture stops.

Another feature of this variety is the lack of flowering. Therefore, the culture does not have fruits and seeds. At the same time, the tree also has certain advantages. The variety is considered unpretentious and shade-tolerant.

How to plant a tree

Little Gem spruce is considered an undemanding plant. However, when growing it, you still need to follow some rules.

Preparation and selection of seedlings

To improve the survival of the culture, it is recommended to buy a seedling with closed roots. Such plants are sold directly in containers. Such trees are provided with nutrients for a long period of time.

Planting work should be carried out from the beginning of March to the end of November. When buying a seedling, it is important to ensure that it has green needles. It should not have yellow blotches. In addition, it is important to ensure that the plant does not have dry shoots.

Where to plant and how to prepare a hole

This spruce variety is recommended to be planted in a well-lit area. Despite the fact that the plant perceives penumbra well, it still needs several hours of sunlight. This favorably affects the decorativeness of the culture.

In addition, the garden plot must have reliable protection from the wind, since the roots of spruce are very close to the surface of the earth. Strong gusts can damage the plant.

Culture needs loamy or sandy loamy soil. When choosing a substrate, it is worth giving preference to neutral soil. A little acidity is also acceptable. It is important that the land is loose and fertile.

With increased soil density during planting, it is recommended to create a drainage layer in the recess. It may consist of sand or expanded clay. The thickness of this layer should be 2 centimeters. In order for the tree to develop well, it is recommended to prepare a nutrient substrate. To do this, mix forest and garden soil in equal proportions and add peat and sand to it.

Like other conifers, Little Jam spruce does not withstand stagnant moisture in the root system. Therefore, for planting, it is recommended to give preference to areas with a deep location of groundwater.

Seating algorithm

To plant spruce of this variety, you need to do the following:

1. Dig holes that match the size of the root system of seedlings. Usually the depth of the landing pit is 50-70 centimeters. When planting several crops, it is important to maintain the interval between them. It should be 2 meters.
2. Prepare a nutrient substrate and make small mounds out of it in the center of the recess.
3. Set the seedlings on the mounds and straighten their roots.
4. Sprinkle the root system with nutrient substrate. It is important to ensure that the root neck of the plant is on the same level with the ground.
5. Water each seedling with 2-3 buckets of water.
6. Mulch the trunk circle. For this, it is permissible to use crushed peat, sawdust or dry humus. This procedure will help to avoid rapid evaporation of moisture.

Aftercare

Little Gem spruce is considered an undemanding crop, because it does not need careful care. However, experts advise adhering to a number of rules. This will help maintain the decorativeness of the culture and provide reliable protection against diseases and pests.

Moisture

When moistening the soil, it is important to monitor the water balance. Spruce does not perceive drought well, therefore, in hot weather, it needs to be watered every week. For 1 plant, it is recommended to use at least 10 liters of water. In the evening, it is worth sprinkling the crown.

It is important to bear in mind that the plant hardly perceives stagnant moisture near the roots. Excess water increases the likelihood of tree damage by fungal pathologies.

Cutting

During the first 10 years of growth, Little Jam spruce perfectly retains its spherical shape and requires almost no pruning. After that, spruce branches begin to grow unevenly. To maintain a symmetrical shape, you need to regularly prune too long shoots. This procedure should be performed in late spring or early summer. At this time, sap flow becomes less active.

Preparing for cold weather

An adult plant of the Little Gem variety can withstand frosts down to -40 degrees. At the same time, it is not required to cover it for the winter. However, young plants need additional warming. Otherwise, in the spring they will be covered with yellow spots, which indicate local frostbite.

In addition, young seedlings are required in crown supports. Such structures help to avoid breakage of fragile branches under the weight of the snow cover.

Pest control

Spruce Little Jam is considered a resistant plant, which is characterized by strong natural immunity. In order for the culture to grow and develop normally, it needs to be properly planted and provided with quality care. The risk of fungal infection increases in conditions of high humidity, thickening with old branches, drying out or flooding of the root system, and improper fertilization.

According to the descriptions of specialists, one of the most common pathologies is the schütte. When spruce is affected, longitudinal brown stripes appear on the needles. If measures are not taken in time, there is a risk of browning and falling of the needles. As a result, the plant dies.

Another common pathology of coniferous plants is rust. With the development of this disease, bright orange pustules appear on the culture. As they grow, they affect the entire plant.

From fruit trees, spruce of this variety can become infected with Fusarium. In this case, the root system first suffers, after which fungal spores provoke blockage of blood vessels. As a result, the bush loses life-giving substances. In this case, the needles acquire a reddish tint. Then it dries up and crumbles.

With high humidity, planting in a shady place or high crown density, there is a risk of damage to the culture by various types of rot. At the same time, mycelium spores infect branches and needles with a gray web. Needles may be black, brown or gray.

At the first signs of pathology, it is required to eliminate the causes of its appearance. It is important to get rid of infected branches and burn them. It is also imperative to shed the soil with biological products. For this purpose, it is permissible to use Gamair, Fitosporin-M, Alirin-B.

The processing of spruce with copper-based products is of no small importance. With a significant spread of infection, the bush should be dug up and burned. To combat the disease, it is required to use sulfuric solutions and Bordeaux liquid. Also, Hom, Abiga-peak, Fundazol are highly effective.

Prevention of disease development is of great importance. To avoid the appearance of pathologies, it is important to use he althy Little Jam seedlings for planting. Plants with open roots need to be soaked in solutions of bactericidal agents. For this, it is permissible to use "Maxim" or "Baktofit".

In early spring or late autumn, it is required to treat trees and soil with fungicidal preparations and copper-based compounds. In case of extensive lesions, such procedures are also performed in the summer.

As for parasites, Little Jam spruce is susceptible to hermes attacks. These pests infect needles. After that, sticky pustules remain on its surface, resembling small pieces of cotton wool. Adults lead to kidney damage. Similar symptoms remain on trees when affected by mealybugs.

Also, Little Jam spruce often suffers from an invasion of spider mites. In this case, an almost invisible web appears on the shoots, which is clearly visible in the dew in the morning.

At the first signs of pest attacks, it is worth using biological products - in particular, Fitoverm. With a large number of parasites, it is recommended to use systemic chemicals - Actellik and Fufanon.

Application in design

Spruce Little Jam is often used in landscape design. It can be grown as a single plant or as part of a living border. The plant goes well with deciduous and flower crops.

This coniferous tree has a compact size, so it can be safely grown in flowerpots and containers. Culture is often used to create rockeries and rock gardens. It makes a wonderful addition to oriental and heather gardens.

Dwarf spruce is perfect for decorating balconies. It can be used to decorate roofs and front entrances. Ephedra goes well with meadow flowers and roses. Some gardeners prefer to shape the spruce like a bonsai. An important advantage of the culture is its small size. Therefore, it can be used to decorate even a small area.

Little Jam Spruce is an attractive crop that is often used to decorate a variety of spaces. In order for the plant to retain its decorative effect, it needs to be properly looked after.

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