Nutkansky cypress - a tree from the cypress family. One of the most famous species of this family, distinguished from the other by drooping branches. The conifer is very unpretentious in care, so it is popular with gardeners. The tree goes well with other cultures and can decorate rock gardens and rocky gardens. Cypress, like any other coniferous trees, produces volatile, which purify the air from harmful impurities. This helps to strengthen the immunity of a person located in the area where conifers are planted.
Description and Features
The nutkansky cypress has ascending shoots, which, as the tree grows, bend to the ground, become drooping. In the wild, this species is found on the Pacific coast. Here the tree reaches an incredible size - 70 m. The cypress tree has a brown-gray bark, leaves the trunk in large layers, a lush crown. Dark green needles produce an unpleasant harsh smell, if rubbed with her hands. The bumps are in the shape of a ball. Seeds ripen late; this is why the Nutkansky cypress differs from other varieties. The culture is characterized by good winter hardiness, endurance to adverse weather conditions. He loves sunny areas and moist soil.
Popular varieties
They are as follows:
- Weeping (pendula). The most spectacular tree of this species. Drooping branches in combination with dark green needles looks very impressive. A mature tree reaches a height of 15 m and a diameter of 6 m. The coniferous tree is resistant to drought and adverse environmental conditions (dust and smoke). The winter hardiness of the nutkansky cypress (Pendula) is good.
- Glauka. Tree up to 6 meters high. The crown is narrow, conical in shape, the branches are short and flexible. The needles are greenish-blue. To preserve the emerald color, it is recommended to plant the Nutkan Glauka cypress in sunny areas. The bark is gray-brown, prone to cracking.
- Aurea. Ephedra with a graceful dense crown and hanging branches. The needles are bright yellow, lanceolate. The Nutkan cypress Aurea needs moist soil; its drying out must not be allowed. Compared with other varieties, it is most resistant to frost.
- Jubilee. A slender tree of a columnar shape does not take up much space on the site. It reaches a height of 15 m, a width of 5 m. It gives an annual growth of up to 20 cm. The branches are drooping, the needles are bright green. Used for tapeworm plantings.
- Nutkan Lutea. It is part of the Lawson cypress group - the most popular conifer for decoration in landscape design. Tall weeping tree. The needles are green in various shades, from light to dark, always yellow at the ends of the shoots.
Landing
Most often, gardeners purchase ready-made seedlings in special nurseries for their summer cottages. Planting is carried out in the middle of spring, when the soil is thoroughly warmed up, but the place is prepared in advance. For cypresses, areas in partial shade, but not lowlands, where cold air stagnates, are preferred.
Varieties with light blue needles need less sun, and for trees with a yellow-green crown, open, well-lit areas are chosen. It is better to prepare a pit for planting (60 cm wide, 80 cm deep) in the fall, during which time the soil will settle slightly.
In the spring, when it thoroughly warms up, a 20 cm drainage layer of broken brick, coarse sand or expanded clay is laid at the bottom of the pit. Then the pit is filled to half with soil, in which the turfy soil, humus, peat and sand are mixed (ratio 3: 3: 2: 1).
If several seedlings are placed in a row, it is necessary to dig holes at a distance of at least one meter, since the roots of this tree greatly expand in width.
Reproduction and care
The Nutkansky cypress (Pendula et al.) Propagates mainly by cuttings and seeds, less often vaccinations and layering are used for this. Cuttings root easily and grow quickly. Prepare planting material in the spring, cutting off the lateral apical shoots and planting them separately in pots.
It is necessary to use fertile soil. It is recommended to purchase it in gardening stores. After planting the cuttings in the ground it must be abundantly poured with warm water and covered with plastic wrap. In areas with a warm climate, cuttings can be immediately planted on the street, but it is also necessary to create greenhouse conditions for them.
The seeds for propagation are first stratified (pre-germinated), this contributes to greater germination. In the fall they are sown in a box and carried out into the street under the snow. In the spring, the box is transferred to a warm room, where the seeds sprout rapidly.
The tree is little susceptible to disease and adapts well to various conditions. Crohn annually cut to make it more accurate. The soil around the trunk circle must be regularly weeded. This allows the roots to breathe freely and protects the cypress from harmful insects.
Watering
Any cultivar of Nutkansky cypress grows well on fairly moist soil. Regular watering is the most important step in growing this tree. Once a week, each instance is watered with ten liters of water. In a dry summer, watering should be increased to two times a week.
Also, for a cypress, regular spraying is necessary. Young trees are irrigated every day, and adults, already formed specimens, once a week is enough.
Spraying is carried out in the morning or evening hours. Drip irrigation systems equipped at the summer cottage are well suited for this.
Top dressing
Fertilize the cypress from spring to early June. In summer, they do not feed, at this time the tree begins to prepare for winter, and fertilizer will cause rapid growth. This will not allow the plant to adapt to winter, and it can freeze in severe frosts.
Young trees are fed two months after planting. It is necessary to correctly calculate the concentration of fertilizer. The dose calculated for an adult plant is halved. Use the mineral complex "Kemira".
Fertilizer is carefully scattered around the trunk circle, sprinkled with soil. Then the tree is carefully watered with a bucket of water, preventing the leaching of fertilizing from the soil. Adult trees fertilize twice a month, use 100 grams of powder.
Pests and diseases
Sometimes the Nutkan cypress is affected by the scabbard and spider mite, insecticides are used to combat them. Among the diseases there is root rot affecting the tree with excessive stagnation of moisture in the soil. In this case, it is necessary to transplant it to a new place. The diseased roots are cut off, and the remaining ones are soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. If the root system is severely affected by rot, the tree must be destroyed so as not to transfer the disease to healthy plants in the garden.
The nutcracker cypress Pendula and other varieties will be able to decorate any part of the garden. It originally looks in a solitary landing in the middle of the lawn. It will not be lost in a mixed composition with deciduous trees. Against the background of its dark green needles, beautifully flowering shrubs.