There is no person on Earth who would not see a spruce at least once in his life. For many, the first meeting with this tree of wonderful beauty took place on New Year's Eve, for some on Christmas. The forest beauty did not leave anyone indifferent, but not everyone would risk planting her in her garden.
If, nevertheless, you wish that a blue spruce settles in the courtyard of a country house or in a summer cottage, you need to approach this issue very carefully and by all the rules of planting. They were developed as a result of many years of work by gardeners.
Description of blue spruce
Blue spruce, or prickly spruce, is the most beautiful slender tree that has the right conical shape. For thirty years, it grows to fifteen meters. Branches are located at right angles to the trunk. It seems as if nature itself has worked to create such an amazing form of this tree.
Blue spruce blooms from May to the end of June. Coniferous branches, painted in saturated blue – green color, turn it into an ornamental plant, making the tree a decoration of the garden. As they grow, the branches become silver-blue. New Year and Christmas are not complete without this beauty. Blue spruce will be a great attribute of fun. She will be able to create an atmosphere of magic and a
festive mood. You can even buy a seedling to grow spruce on your site, even a beginner gardener. The tree is not demanding on moisture and soil. It is quite frost-resistant. Air pollution is not dangerous for him. In many cities of our country, blue spruce grows to the joy of the owners.
How to choose a seedling?
First you need to purchase a seedling. Many shopping centers and nurseries are at your service. It is better to buy small seedlings of blue spruce (60 cm in height). The percentage of survival of tall plants is much smaller, and their cost is higher.
No need to strive to find a small tree with a perfect shape, culling with a slightly curved trunk. Young spruce seedlings are sometimes compared to the ugly duckling, which, as it grows, turns into a beautiful swan. What you need to pay attention to is the "visiting card" of the tree - the structure and color of the needles.
What soil is needed for planting?
To plant a seedling, it is necessary to choose the right soil. Nourishing soil is suitable for large varieties. A stunted blue spruce, when planted in a ground that is excessively saturated with nutrients, will form the crown incorrectly. She will turn into a tall tree. If the soil on the site is calcareous, before planting the seedling, it must be acidified with ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate. For normal plant growth, a slightly acidic soil will be needed, so acidification should be done in moderation.
It is possible at the place where the planting of blue spruce is planned, in advance to bring soil taken from a pine forest. This will give positive results when growing prickly beauty. Forest soil has the right acidity. In addition, it is inhabited by mushrooms, which assist the tree in the absorption of nutrients from the soil. To prevent root decay, you need good drainage from broken bricks or gravel. Its thickness should be at least 20 cm. Drying of the soil is also unacceptable.
How to plant a spruce?
The blue spruce intended for planting should have a closed root system. That is, the plant must be in a container. A distance between trees of 2-3 meters can be considered the most suitable. According to experts, blue spruce seedlings need to be planted in pits 55–65 cm deep. During planting, the soil in the planting holes should be loosened by 10 cm. The root neck of the coniferous plant should be at ground level. It is impossible to bury it underground. After planting, the spruce seedling should be watered using 10–20 l of water for this. The next day, the near-stem circle must be mulched with peat, sawdust or compost with a layer of about 7 cm. This is especially necessary when planting spruce in the autumn. Every three to four years, the root system of the tree is fed.
The place of planting seedlings of blue spruce
The place of planting a seedling is of great importance for the further growth of the plant. It is necessary to choose the best option. How to plant a spruce tree, where is it better to do - such questions are raised by the farmers in early spring and late winter. Their anxiety is explained by the fact that at this time the ground under the tree freezes to a great depth. And the root system does not contribute to the flow of moisture to the needles, in addition, the sun ruthlessly dries it.
So, you need to plant a seedling of blue spruce in open places. Young plants in the first three years after planting in order to avoid burns must be protected from sunlight.
Spruce seedlings: price
Before you buy a blue spruce, you need to get expert advice about all the features of a tree. Many ornamental plants are very demanding on illumination, climatic factors. Their price depends on it. Typically, the cost ranges from 150 to 200 rubles per item. Purchased spruce seedlings will feel great in urban conditions, in areas with constant winds and variable temperatures. For any site, it will become the best decoration. Shoots can be trimmed to give the tree an even cone shape. Planting spruce seedlings in a row is a wonderful decoration of the alley. A single plant will become the center of the decorative composition.
Fans of blue spruce need to know that its cost is high. The price also depends on the seller. Therefore, before buying a seedling, you should find out about its cost in several nurseries and choose the most suitable option for yourself.