Hampi mountain pine: variety description, planting and care rules, application
The Hampi mountain pine is a dwarf ornamental plant that has a cushion-shaped crown and is devoid of cones. The culture is considered very unpretentious and can develop even in poor soil. With the advent of winter, the dark green needles of the plant acquire a brown color. In the spring, the bushes are covered with decorative anthers. To grow a plant successfully, it is important to follow a number of rules.
Variety description
Pinus mugo Humpy is the botanical name for a new small grafted variety of mountain pine found in Switzerland. Culture has a number of benefits. These include the following:
- slow development - the tree grows literally by 3-4 centimeters per year;
- compact size of an adult culture - its width does not exceed 1.5 meters, and its height is no more than 80 centimeters;
- neat round shape.
The Hampi variety is characterized by a dense cushion-shaped crown. In the first 8-10 years, the culture reaches a height of 30 centimeters and has the shape of a slightly flattened ball. More mature shrubs increase in width and form a mound. This is what the name of the culture is connected with.
Humpy variety is characterized by densely growing shoots that are directed in different directions and upwards. They branch quite strongly in different directions. The bark is brown or dark gray. The tree is characterized by shiny dark green needles, which reach a length of 5 centimeters. It forms bundles and is arranged in pairs. With the advent of winter, the needles turn brown.
In winter, beautiful red-brown buds cover the bush. With the advent of spring, attractive male inflorescences appear on it, which have yellow anthers. Also, the variety is characterized by branched roots, which are quite close to the surface of the soil.
Humpy plants are considered very hardy. They are able to withstand moisture deficits and short periods of waterlogging. Also, these crops can tolerate the influence of the sun and wind. They belong to the fourth climatic zone. This means that the plants are able to withstand temperatures as low as -34 degrees. They easily endure winter and do not need shelter.
Planting instructions
Pine of this variety grows well in well-lit areas. Despite this, the shrub is able to withstand partial shade. In this case, there is a risk of reducing the saturation of the crown. In addition, the lack of light negatively affects the size of the plant.
Shrub form is considered undemanding to the composition of the soil.Therefore, it can be planted in clay soil with high acidity parameters or in rocky soil. The Hampi variety is a culture that is able to withstand the influence of industrial emissions in large cities and not lose its decorative effect.
Buying seedlings is required in nurseries that comply with storage conditions. This will help avoid acquiring a plant that has lost its varietal properties.
It is important to consider that Hampi pine can hardly withstand stagnant waterlogging. Therefore, at the stage of preparation for planting, it is required to apply drainage, and to introduce a small amount of sand into dense nutrient soil.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionWhen choosing seedlings, they need to be carefully examined for damaged areas and signs of disease. If there are cracks, plaque or stains, it is better to refuse such a purchase. Plants affected by frost or diseases die already 2-3 years after planting.Preparing the landing site should be started in the fall. After digging up the site, it is required to remove all weeds and introduce humus. For 1 square meter, 20 kilograms of a substance are used. This saturates the soil with valuable elements and improves the development of the shrub.
After a couple of weeks, you can start preparing the holes. Their depth should be 60 centimeters, and the width - 70. Planting work is recommended from August to September. To plant a crop, do the following:
- Pour 15 centimeters of drainage onto the bottom - expanded clay or crushed stone.
- Place 20 centimeters of nutrient soil on top.
- Install a seedling in the recess and distribute its roots over the surface of the hole.
- Leave the root neck above the ground, as it is considered a conductor of useful elements and oxygen to the roots.
- Sprinkle with soil and tamp. This will help prevent voids from forming.
- Pour 30 liters of water under the seedling.
- Cover the trunk circle with a mulch layer. To do this, use peat, humus or straw.
How to care for a tree
Humpy plants do not need specific care. At the same time, it is enough to carry out standard procedures that will help maintain the he alth of the shrub. To care for the plant, it is enough to water, cut and feed it in a timely manner. You also need to loosen the soil and protect the bush from the cold.
Water and fertilize
When determining irrigation rates, the climate of the region must be taken into account. With a small amount of precipitation and a dry summer, it is recommended to irrigate the pine tree every week. In wet areas, this is done once a month. It is recommended to pour at least 30 liters of water under each plant.
Adult bushes over 2 years old need to be watered 3 times during the season.At the same time, 50 liters of water should be used for each shrub. Pine crown responds well to sprinkling. To do this, the greens need to be sprayed from a spray bottle. This should be done every week in the evenings. Thanks to this, it will be possible to make the needles of the plant brighter and get rid of pests.
Before watering and fertilizing, the soil needs to be loosened. This will saturate the soil with useful substances and air. It is recommended to feed the pine tree several times during the season:
- compost should be used in spring - 200 grams of the substance should be used per 1 square meter;
- in the summer it is recommended to apply nitroammophoska - it is recommended to use 300 grams of the product per 1 square meter;
- superphosphate is used in autumn - 100 grams of the substance is enough for 1 square meter.
Loosening
During the first 5 years after planting, the pine requires proper care.It affects not only he alth, but also the life expectancy of a culture. Once a week, it is recommended to loosen the topsoil near the plant. In this case, it is permissible to deepen the tool by a maximum of 5-7 centimeters in order to avoid damage to superficially located roots. You should also get rid of weeds. This will help prevent the development of diseases and parasite attacks.
After each watering, the soil should be covered with a mulch layer. This will help maintain optimal soil moisture parameters and keep warm during a sharp cold snap. It is permissible to use straw, sawdust or peat as mulch. The size of the protective layer should be 20 centimeters.
Pruning and shaping the crown
Formative pruning is required in these cases:
- the crown has a one-sided shape;
- individual branches are out of shape.
To form a crown, you should use a sharp pruner. In this case, it is enough to get rid of branches that are knocked out of the contour. Equally important is the annual sanitary pruning. To do this, in the spring you need to remove dry and injured shoots of the plant. This should be done before bud formation begins.
What diseases are characteristic of a tree
When growing Hampi pine, it needs to be systematically inspected for stains and damaged areas. Such symptoms may indicate the presence of diseases or pests. Most often, the culture suffers from rust and shute.
When rust appears, the plant becomes covered with orange spots and swellings. To cope with the pathology, it is required to use a solution of Bordeaux mixture. To prepare it, you need to mix 10 grams of the substance with 10 liters of water.
Schütte is accompanied by the formation of brown spots on the needles of the plant. This disease is characterized by rapid development. Already after 1 week, the needles acquire a yellow color and crumble. To cope with the pathology, you need to use a solution of 1 tablespoon of colloidal sulfur and 10 liters of water.
Use in design
Dwarf conifers are often used in landscape design. Hampi mountain pine is used to decorate heather gardens, rock gardens, rockeries. It can also be grown in containers and pots. In this case, culture is used to decorate patios, balconies and terraces.
The Hampi mountain pine is a common conifer that has many benefits. This plant fits well into landscape design and does not need specific care.
