Mountain pine Ophir: variety description and characteristics, planting and care, application
Ophir mountain pine is a coniferous shrub that naturally grows in the mountains of southern Europe. One of the main advantages of the plant is its excellent adaptive properties and the ability to withstand different climatic conditions. In addition, the culture has excellent decorative qualities, which helps to actively apply it in landscape design. In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs to be properly looked after.
Detailed description
Representatives of this variety belong to dwarf trees. At the age of 10 Ophir barely reaches 70 centimeters.Sometimes its height does not exceed 50 centimeters at all. The maximum size is 1.5 meters. At the same time, the crown of culture reaches 1 meter by the age of 10. The highest figure is 2 meters. This pine is considered a long-liver. In favorable conditions, she can live up to 100 years.
Mountain pine Ophir is characterized by a superficial root system with strong branching. The culture has a rounded pillow-shaped crown. However, over time, it becomes wide cone-shaped. From above, the trunk is covered with brown bark, which has a grayish color. As the tree matures, it becomes covered with small light brown scales. Ophir pine is characterized by densely branched shoots. At the same time, the lower branches spread and bend upwards.
Pine has hard glossy needles. In this case, the length of the needles does not exceed 4 meters. In one sinus there are 2 needles, which are twisted towards the shoot in a crescent-shaped way. The needles have a rich green color.At the same time, in winter, they become lemon yellow. The tree is characterized by elongated brown egg-shaped buds. They are quite sharp and have a length of 6 millimeters.
Cones are formed on the grown culture. This happens only at 6-7 years. They hang singly, but sometimes they form 2-3 pieces. Each fruit is up to 4 centimeters in size. The color of the cones varies from dark brown to hazel. It takes 2 years for them to mature. With the advent of winter, the fruits open. Inside the cones are winged seeds resembling black nuts.
Advantages and disadvantages of wood
Ophir variety has a number of important advantages. The main advantages of culture include the following:
- easy care;
- an unusual decorative color that changes throughout the year;
- resistance to significant temperature drop;
- healing coniferous aroma that helps purify the air;
- neat shape - the tree does not tend to grow chaotically.
At the same time, culture also has its downsides. It should not be placed near the roadway. The plant is highly sensitive to air pollution. In such an environment, it can weaken and even die.
Application
Pinus mugo Ophir is considered an excellent plant for forming decorative compositions. This plant is perfect for solving such problems:
- creating borders;
- landscaping of terraces, squares and parks;
- creating rockeries;
- strengthening slopes and slopes;
- creating compositions with herbaceous and coniferous plants.
Mountain pine of this variety can be used as a tapeworm or to form group compositions with its participation. However, it is important to consider that the culture can hardly withstand air pollution. Therefore, it should not be located near roads with heavy traffic.
Boarding Requirements
Pine Pinus mugo Ophir prefers open sunny areas that do not have stagnant moisture. Perennial culture develops well on the slopes. A substrate of turf, peat, sand and gravel is suitable for the plant. However, in general, any type of soil will be suitable for the culture, except for heavy clay and clean peat bogs.
It is recommended to plant conifer at the end of April. In this case, you need to choose a cloudy day or work late in the evening. The interval between the bushes should be 90-140 centimeters. It is important to consider that the pine grows in breadth.
At the bottom of the planting hole, you need to pour a layer of crushed stone or gravel. Its thickness should be 20 centimeters. A drainage layer is required to protect the root system from excess moisture during snowmelt and heavy precipitation.
It is recommended to add a combined mineral composition for conifers to the soil when planting. For this, such means as "Pocon" , "Fertika" , "Buyskoye" are perfect. It is important to strictly observe the dosage.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionThe seedling must be immersed in the ground in such a way as not to sprinkle the root neck with earth. After planting and abundant watering, the trunk circle should be covered with a mulch layer. It may include peat, pine bark or needles. Thanks to this, it will be possible to retain moisture in the soil, avoid overheating in the summer and prevent the development of weeds.Proper cultivation
Mountain pine Ophir is considered undemanding to care and resistant to frost. It is not very susceptible to diseases and parasites, but does not perceive prolonged drought well and is characterized by sensitivity to air pollution.
To maintain the decorative effect and strengthen the immunity of the plant, it needs to provide quality care. Ophir variety is considered to be very moisture-loving. Therefore, the culture needs to be watered systematically.In the heat, it is recommended to do this once a week. It is also recommended to sprinkle the crown with cool water.
Pine Ophir does not require frequent fertilization. In the spring, it is permissible to feed the tree with nitrogen substances that are intended for conifers. Thanks to this, it will be possible to stimulate the growth of greenery. At the end of summer, it is worth using mineral products that strengthen the immune system of the crop and increase its resistance to diseases and pests.
When growing pine of this variety, it is imperative to loosen and mulch the soil. The first procedure saturates the soil with valuable substances and thereby accelerates the development of root processes. Mulching the soil is recommended when planting a crop. In the summer, it is worth using mowed grass, compost or peat for this. In autumn, spruce branches or crushed bark are used as mulch.
Cutting
This dwarf variety does not require systematic radical pruning. In early spring, the culture needs a sanitary procedure, during which it is worth getting rid of broken, weakened and dry branches.
If necessary, it is permissible to engage in the formation of the crown. Ofir perfectly withstands a haircut. In this case, it is worth removing protruding shoots and branches growing inward. It is also recommended to get rid of elements that interfere with creating the correct form.
Methods of reproduction
It is permissible to propagate the culture by seed, cuttings and grafting. However, the first method is usually used only by professional breeders. This is a very time-consuming process that requires specific knowledge. Beginning gardeners will most likely not be able to get a plant with mother qualities.
This variety also does not tolerate cuttings very well. This tree has too little strength for the formation of roots and high-quality rooting. If the gardener still decides to carry out cuttings, it is recommended to take annual pine branches no larger than 10 centimeters in size. Seedlings should be cut in such a way that the heel is located at the bottom of the sprout.At the same time, a gardener can use a special substrate for planting - peat, sand, garden soil.
Propagation of culture by grafting is considered the most reliable way. As a rootstock, 4-year-old sprouts of a wild tree should be used. However, it is important to consider that this method is considered quite complex.
The Ophir mountain pine is an attractive ornamental crop that fits well into a variety of landscape compositions. To grow a tree successfully, it is important to provide it with quality care.
