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Lawson's cypress Columnaris is an evergreen coniferous tree that is often used to create hedges. The plant is beautiful, but growing it is not as easy as it seems. Lawson's cypress requires a lot of attention from the gardener and special care.
Description of Lawson's cypress Columnaris
Cypress is native to North America. In its natural habitat it can be found in the mountain valleys of California and Oregon. Lawson's cypress became the progenitor of the Columnaris and Columnaris Glauka varieties.
Lawson's cypress Columnaris is an erect evergreen tree up to 5 m high, less common up to 10 m. The crown is narrow, columnar. The shoots are elastic, thin, and grow straight upward. The branches are short - up to 10 cm, densely located. The needles are scaly, green-brown, pressed tightly to the shoots. Lawson tree with strong roots and good growth. The annual growth in height is 20 cm, in width - up to 10 cm. In a short time, the crown grows in diameter up to 2 m.
The variety Columnaris Glauka differs in the color of its needles. The scales are bluish-blue and turn gray in winter. The tree grows quickly, in a year it gains up to 15-20 cm in height and only 5 cm in width. An adult tree reaches 10 m. The crown is dense and dense.
Lawson's cypress is not frost-resistant, so it is difficult to grow it without additional shelter in the Russian Federation. The plant feels good only in the southern regions. In addition, an evergreen tree is demanding not only of the climate, but also of the soil.
Planting and caring for Columnaris cypress
Lawson's cypress tolerates air pollution well and can be grown in urban environments. The tree is wind-resistant, prefers well-lit areas or partial shade. In full shade, the shoots thin out and the crown becomes loose. The plant may become bald on one side.
For planting, it is better to buy Lawson Columnaris cypress seedlings in containers. Thus, trees quickly adapt to their new habitat.
Location
Lawson's cypress is a moisture-loving plant, especially the variety Columnaris Glauka. Trees do not tolerate drought, but the soil should not be over-watered either. For planting, you need to choose a bright place, but without direct sunlight. Lawson's cypress does not like strong winds that dry it out, so they place the seedling in a secluded corner of the garden.
The soil
Lawson's cypress is especially demanding when it comes to soil. It can be successfully grown only on moisture-intensive fertile soils with an acidic or neutral reaction. Lime-rich soil is not suitable for planting.
Columnaris cypress is planted in early spring, the site is prepared in the fall:
- In October, dig up the soil well, remove weeds, and add mineral complexes.
- The planting hole is made with a diameter of 60 cm, its depth is not less than 90 cm. The bottom is well drained with expanded clay or brick chips to a height of 20 cm.
- The hole is filled with nutritious soil, pre-mixed with mineral fertilizers. Peat, humus, turf soil and sand are added. The components are mixed in a ratio of 2:3:3:1.
- During the winter, the pit is covered with film so that the soil is well rotted and settled.
If time is lost, then the site for planting must be prepared according to this plan 14 days before the proposed work.
Landing rules
Before planting, a Lawson cypress seedling is inspected and prepared:
- The roots should not be dry or bare.
- The shoots are normally flexible, elastic, brightly colored.
- The plant, along with a lump of earth, is placed in water so that the roots are well saturated with moisture.
After these manipulations, they begin planting the California cypress Columnaris. The seedling is carefully placed in the hole and covered with soil. If several plants are planted, then leave 1 to 4 m between them. When creating a hedge, the distance can be reduced to 50 cm.
Watering and fertilizing
Immediately after planting, the seedling is watered abundantly. The soil around it is mulched with dry sawdust, humus or bark. In the future, watering the Lawson cypress is carried out as needed. As a rule, the soil is moistened at least once every 7 days. An adult plant consumes up to 10 liters of water. During the period of active growth, young seedlings are watered more abundantly, especially if it is hot.However, unlike old trees, they only need 5 liters of water per plant.
Lawson's cypress responds well to spraying, which helps maintain the required level of air humidity. After planting, the seedlings are sprayed daily until they take root. In the future, it is enough to moisten the crown once a week.
Columnaris cypress is fed only in spring and at the very beginning of summer. During other periods, fertilizers are not applied, otherwise the tree will not have time to prepare for winter. Feed according to the following scheme:
- young seedlings - 2 months after planting;
- adult plants - every 2 weeks as they grow.
They use special compounds for coniferous and evergreen trees. To feed newly planted plants, the concentration is 2 times less.
Loosening and weeding
These procedures are mandatory for Columnaris cypress. Loosen the soil after each watering or rain. It should always remain in this state. But you need to loosen it carefully, since the roots of young plants are close to the soil surface.
Weeding and control weeds are vital for the cypress tree, since it cannot tolerate such a neighborhood. Due to the abundance of weeds, the tree often gets sick and is affected by pests.
Trimming
The procedure begins in the 2nd year of cultivation in early spring. Just before the start of active growth, dry and damaged shoots are cut out, the rest are shortened by a third. Lawson's cypress tolerates crown formation well; branches growing in the wrong direction can be removed.
Preparing for winter
Lawson's cypress is well covered for the winter.First, the crown is tied together with twine, and with the onset of stable cold weather, it is covered with a special film or spunbond. In winter, the tree is additionally insulated with snow.
Reproduction of the cypress plant Lawson Columnaris
Lawson's cypress can be propagated in only 2 ways:
- seeds;
- cuttings.
Both methods have their own characteristics that you need to remember.
Seed propagation of Lawson's cypress is a complex process. Seed material from the Columnaris variety can be collected independently, as shown in the photo.
However, for germination the seeds need stratification:
- In February, the seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator for 8 hours, after which they are planted in damp river sand.
- The pot with plantings is placed in a cold place where the temperature does not rise above +5°C. You can lower it into the cellar or take it out to a cold veranda or loggia.
- The soil is periodically sprayed with a spray bottle.
- After a month, the pot is brought into a warm room for the seeds to germinate.
The germination process is quite lengthy and takes a lot of time. The first shoots may appear after 3 months. Next, they wait until the sprouts get stronger and dive them into separate containers. Care for young seedlings as for an adult plant. They are moved to a permanent place only after a year.
Experienced gardeners use the most convenient method of propagating Lawson cypress - cuttings.Seedlings can be obtained quite quickly, and you don’t have to make any special efforts.
Cutting technology:
- In the spring, cuttings are cut from the top of the tree, the length of which is at least 15 cm.
- The bark from the bottom of the shoot is carefully removed, and the branch itself is kept in a growth stimulator for at least 8 hours.
- The cuttings are planted in moist nutrient soil and buried to 5 cm. To prevent them from rotting, you can sprinkle the top layer of soil with sand.
- The plantings are covered with a bag to create a greenhouse microclimate, so the cuttings of the Lawson Columnaris cypress take root well.
It takes about 1-1.5 months for roots to appear. Success can be judged when young needles appear. The seedlings are transferred to a permanent location next spring.
Diseases and pests
Lawson's cypress naturally has good immunity, rarely gets sick, and is practically not affected by pests. However, if it is not properly cared for, it suffers from various fungal diseases. A weakened plant is attacked by scale insects and spider mites.
An infected plant is immediately visible - the needles turn yellow and fall off. To prevent the spread of insects, spray with acaricidal preparations. The treatment is repeated after 10-14 days. It is better to use complex means.
The root system suffers from improper watering or poor planting location. Stagnation of water causes it to rot. The seedling is dug up, carefully examined, and all affected parts of the roots are removed down to healthy tissue. Then they are treated with fungicides. You need to plant Columnaris cypress in a new place, taking into account all the rules.
Conclusion
Lawson's cypress Columnaris is the best decoration for the garden. It pleases the eye with its bright needles all year round and looks good in group and single plantings. Although this is a whimsical plant, you can learn how to properly care for it.
