How pine blossoms: how it happens in nature and how long it lasts

Pine is a widespread coniferous crop that looks very attractive and is characterized by originality. It differs from ordinary deciduous trees in long needles and decorative cones that do not look like flowers and fruits. At the same time, many people have an urgent question of how exactly the pine blossoms. This process is characterized by a number of important features.

Can a pine blossom

The flowering of deciduous trees in nature does not raise questions for anyone. However, the course of this process in conifers has a number of features.On these thorny plants, beautiful and delicate petals do not appear. They are supplemented only by similarities of inflorescences in the form of cones and spikelets, which ensure the continuation of the genus.

These elements are fragrance-free because they do not require the attraction of insects. Therefore, they are devoid of bright colors. Wind is enough for pollination, which carries pollen from one inflorescence to another.

Pine is characterized by heterosexual flowers, which allows the culture to form seeds. Male flowers form light yellow spikelets, and female flowers form cones. The second ones include the axis and the rod to which the scales are attached. On them are the rudiments of seeds with eggs. That is why plants are called gymnosperms.

Each male cone includes pollen sacs from below, in which pollen ripens. In essence, male spikelets are clusters of small cones, but they are smaller than female spikelets.At the same time, seed buds are characteristic of female cones, remaining dots.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionThe abundant flowering of male inflorescences literally transforms the tree, because during this period lush spikelets appear on it. In sunlight, they resemble small yellow candles.

Female flowers are less attractive. At the same time, the shape of the cones is somewhat different depending on the variety of culture. However, most often they look like elongated curved cones. Their shade is different and depends on the stage of maturation. So, there are green, brown, light pink, red inflorescences.

When it happens

Most often, the arrows of future inflorescences are formed on a pine tree in the middle or at the end of April.They bloom within a month until the air temperature exceeds +20 degrees. Usually by mid-June flowering stops. Since spring temperatures vary by region, flowering pine trees can be observed at different times. In the north, flowering ends later - at the end of June.

The flowering process continues before the leaves on ordinary trees bloom. Due to this, the process of distribution of pollen of wind-pollinated pines is not disturbed. This is considered an important manifestation of the balance mechanism in nature.

How different varieties bloom

The characteristics of flowering of different types of pines often coincide. However, this process also has some peculiarities.

Ordinary

Scotch pine blooms from late May to early June. The plant is characterized by bare monoecious flowers that form fruits. In the process of flowering, young needles also bloom on the pine.Male inflorescences form a kind of spikelets, and female ones form small oval-shaped cones. It should be borne in mind that male and female inflorescences are located on different branches. However, they are at the very ends. Due to this, the needles do not interfere with the pollination process.

Weymouth

This crop grows in the highlands. Its flowering begins in the first half of April, and ends by the end of May. The cones of culture are like small cylinders. They resemble spruce inflorescences, but are characterized by slightly larger sizes. Weymouth pine has many subspecies that differ in the appearance of cones, spikelets and needles.

Cedar

This large noble tree blooms in the middle of autumn. Both male and female cones may be present on the same plant. At the same time, male fruits resemble small barrels surrounded by needles, while female fruits are large and form bunches.Their dimensions are 10 centimeters. In the process of flowering, the scales of female fruits open. Thanks to this, pollen penetrates inside and ensures the fertilization process.

Mountain

The flowering of this crop is observed from May to June. The mountain pine blossoms in the same way as the ordinary one. Male spikelets are yellow in color, and female spikelets are purple. The cones are characterized by a round and ovoid shape and a light brown color. On 1 branch there are 3-4 cones that open in winter. The flowering of the tree begins quite early - at 6-9 years. At the same time, it is characterized by annual fruiting. Seed development starts at +18-20 degrees.