Weimutov's pine Blue Sheg (lat. Pínus stróbus) is a rather decorative look of mountain pines, due to the small size of the crown, as well as soft blue needles. This species is completely undemanding to growth conditions, but does not like polluted air. Detailed specifications are later in the article.

Description and structure of the plant

This species of conifers is a native of North America. It is in those places that it grows in forests of a mixed type next to oak and maples. In height, it can reach 30 cm or more. At a young age, the crown has a pyramidal shape, in the older one, it acquires a more spherical shape. For the first time on the European continent this species of plant was introduced by the English Lord Weymouth at the beginning of the XVIII century. He liked her because of the long and beautiful needles. The length of the needles can reach 13 cm.

Important! If the climate is unstable, the temperature always fluctuates, it is necessary to stratify the seeds, and plant them in boxes closer to spring.

Needles of a blue (grayish) shade, have a soft structure. Over the years, the bark of pines becomes more wrinkled, and red cracks appear. Cones can only be seen in trees whose age has reached 25 years. They grow in the shape of a cylinder and have a curved appearance. The thickness of the cones varies from 4 to 20 cm. Weimutova Blue Sheg has a rod root system, is able to adapt to growth in almost any soil. It does not impose special conditions on the amount of sunlight and the amount of moisture, but prefers areas with moist soil.

Landscape design application

This type of evergreen is quite common in landscape design. Weymouth pine variety is often found in parks or alleys. They are very beautifully combined with tall trees, such as beech, oak, spruce, fir, etc. Also, this dwarf species can be planted next to cereal crops, in rocky gardens on stone placers.

From small pines you can form hedges, and you can also trim the trees to any shape and size. Pines are also used in the Japanese style; they form bonsai trees. Small-sized pine can be grown in containers, and then placed them anywhere and even put in the house, for decoration and smell.

Landing

Landing consists of two stages: preparatory and main. The preparatory phase includes: the choice of seedlings and location. The main stage includes the direct process of planting seedlings.

Did you know? Recently, doctors have begun to appreciate the volatile production of pine trees. They have a very beneficial effect on the respiratory system, especially with asthma, tuberculosis, etc.

Seedling preparation

You need to be very careful about the choice of planting material. It is not recommended to purchase planting material in the market from an unknown seller. By doing this, one cannot be sure that the purchased plant has the necessary varietal traits.Buying in unverified places is fraught with planting the wrong grade. Therefore, it is recommended to buy seedlings only in large special shopping centers.

This type of conifer is quite common, so finding it in stores will be quite simple. It is best to purchase a plant with a closed root system. The roots of the plant should be stored in a humid environment before planting, and the needles should have a bluish tint. The purchased seedling is best planted immediately after purchase.

Seat selection

When choosing a landing site, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions to which a mature pine will grow. This type of plant is best planted in a large area so that it is spacious. It is also necessary to consider the placement of other plants and trees.

As a result of the fact that weymouth pines do not tolerate such a disease as bladder rust, it should not be planted next to hawthorn. When planting this type of pine, it is necessary to maintain the distance between the trees. When planting dwarf pines, the distance should be at least 1.5 m.

Step-by-step landing

When landing, follow these instructions:

1. It is necessary to dig a place well where it is planned to plant a tree. Thoroughly remove weeds, stones and similar debris.
2. This species loves sandy loam or loamy soil. The plant does not tolerate too wet clay areas. Since the Blue Sheg Weymouth pine is a dwarf species, you should dig a hole 70 cm deep, and the width will depend on the size of the root system.
3. At the bottom of the pit for planting, it is necessary to place a layer of drainage (pebbles, broken brick, etc.). A drainage layer is necessary to prevent unnecessary stagnation of water near the root system.
4. The soil in which the plant will be planted must be improved by adding sand to it. In the event that the soil is acidic, lime is added.
5. Planting material must be immersed in the pit for planting. With one hand you need to hold the plant, and with the other - gradually add nutrient soil to the pit.
6. After planting, the root neck of the plant should be level with the surface of the earth.
7. The planted pine tree must be watered and shaded for several days from direct sunlight.

Care

Care consists of several stages: mulching, loosening the soil, watering and top dressing, pruning and preparing for winter. The process of mulching the soil is important enough for the growth of conifers, as it slows down the evaporation of moisture and reduces the appearance of weeds. As a mulch, it is possible to use sawdust or peat. It is necessary to change the mulched layer every autumn. To loosen the soil is also necessary, since this procedure saturates the soil with enough oxygen.

Watering and feeding

Mature pine trees almost do not require additional watering, as their root system is quite well developed and is able to find moisture from the depths of the soil. Small pines cannot yet provide their root system with water so well, so they need help in this.

Did you know? Conifers are widely used in cosmetology, due to essential oils they stimulate skin regeneration, rejuvenate, remove dandruff.

There are some recommendations regarding the watering of weymouth pines:

• watering must be done either early in the morning or late in the evening so that the scorching rays of the sun do not burn the plant;
• sufficiently large watering of pines must be done in spring and autumn. In the autumn period, you need to support the plant, since it only suffered the winter period, and therefore the root system is weakened. Under each pine tree you need to add about 10-15 liters of water. Young trees need to be watered every 2-3 weeks;
• during the irrigation period, it is necessary to ensure that the water is fresh, not stagnant, otherwise soil salting will occur;
• for weymouth pines it is better to use drip irrigation or spraying;
• This type of pine tree responds quite well to dressing, but can grow without it. Top dressing is necessary at the time of planting a pine. It is necessary to add humus or nitroammophoska to the landing pit. Also, young plants can be fed with any complex fertilizer, mature pine trees can not be fed.

Pruning

Usually weymouth pines do not require circumcision. Small trees almost always grow with a beautiful dense crown, in the form of a ball or oval. If pruning is still necessary, you need to pinch the small shoots in order to give the crown a beautiful and even shape.

Winter preparations

This species has a high level of winter hardiness, and it does not require additional shelter. However, it is better to cover the young trees with a burlap cloth or other similar material. Frost resistance zone - 4.

Diseases and Pests

The most dangerous enemy for this species of conifers is a rust mushroom. In order to avoid the disease, it is necessary to plant trees away from plants that are direct "sources" of this fungus. Such plants include: currants, gooseberries.

Important! High humidity and gas contamination will not allow the plant to develop at full strength, as a result of this the plant may die.

It is necessary to carry out continuous inspection of pines. In the event that the disease has already been noticed, then you need to conduct treatment with Bordeaux fluid. Another dangerous enemy is the disease of young Schütte seedlings. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to water and feed the plants with organic fertilizers, fallen and yellow needles must be removed. In mid-summer, you need to spray with a two percent solution of colloidal sulfur.

Among the pests, the May dodgers can cause the greatest harm; they are dangerous for the root system. Young plants are exposed to such pests, therefore, during the planting period, it is necessary to carefully check the soil so that it does not have larvae. If they have already appeared, then it is necessary to stop planting and completely treat the soil with a special preparation from Pembek Khrushchev.

This kind of pine, like the Weimutova Blue Sheg, is very easy to care for, but great for decorating a garden or yard.