Content
Conifers, or coniferous trees, are common as ornamental plants. Countries with a dry climate are suitable for their growth. Coniferous plants are included in the regional Red Data Books, in the lists of rare crops with beneficial medicinal properties. Their cultivation is associated with the implementation of special accompanying measures, including fertilizing. Fertilizers for coniferous plants are selected depending on the characteristics of the soil and climatic conditions of the growing region.
Features of fertilizing coniferous plants
Conifers, or ephedra, have special features that determine the main directions in care and maintenance.
Evergreen shrubs, unlike deciduous trees, do not have leaf blades. The inability to shed leaves in the fall indicates that the plant has sufficient nutrients. To care for coniferous crops and determine what type of fertilizer they need, you should carefully study the main differences between conifers and deciduous species:
- due to the inability to shed leaves, conifers do not need additional autumn feeding to form a new crown;
- due to the inability to produce crops, they do not need to obtain material for the process of fruit formation;
- Thanks to the needles, such plants receive the necessary amount of nitrogen from the air.
These features make caring for conifers much easier. For feeding, a scheme is used that takes into account the basic needs of the crop. Double annual feeding is enough to ensure full development of plants.
The difficulty is in choosing the type of fertilizer, since the future existence of the coniferous plant depends on the components of the composition.
There are a number of signs by which experts determine that an ephedra needs additional help. The most common reasons are non-compliance with care rules or the peculiarities of the climate regime of the area.
Characteristic signs of nutrient deficiency for coniferous plants:
- growth arrest (the trunk stops growing in height);
- the diameter of a tree trunk or the central trunk of a coniferous shrub stops increasing;
- a rarer arrangement of branches in comparison with other representatives of this culture;
- yellowing, browning or blanching of needles;
- resin production exceeding the norm;
- the formed buds dry out or become rotten.
The main part of fertilizers for conifers enters the soil during the first planting. This complex fertilizer lasts for several years. Over time, the soil composition becomes depleted and begins to require additional help.
Fertilizers for conifers in spring and autumn are the key to annual weight gain, elongation and bud formation.
While deciduous trees need nitrogen, coniferous plants react to it differently. Nitrogen is not the main additional element for the growth of conifers for the reason that they do not form ovaries and fruits. The fact is that nitrogen triggers the rapid growth of young shoots. For slow-growing conifers, this can cause an imbalance.
Caution should also be exercised when adding natural organic fertilizers. They can burn the root system and cause plant death.
The main task when choosing fertilizer for a coniferous plant is to correctly calculate the composition and not oversaturate the soil with nutrients.
Types of fertilizers for conifers
Among all types of fertilizers for ephedra trees, preference is given to mineral mixtures. They can be single-component or mixed. The need for application is determined by the appearance of the needles.
Mineral fertilizers
Among the variety of mineral mixtures for conifers, simple superphosphates are chosen. These are phosphorus-based powder mixtures. The element may be present in this fertilizer as phosphoric acid or monocalcium phosphate. To facilitate use, gypsum and phosphorus compounds have been added to the composition.
One option is dolomite flour. It is a powder obtained from sedimentary rock. It contains more than 90% dolomite. Dolomite flour reduces soil acidity and also saturates it with calcium and magnesium. Conifers do not like acidic soil, so adding dolomite flour often becomes a preliminary step before the main application of the selected complex. Dolomite flour is also used when planting conifer seedlings.
Organic fertilizers
Coniferous fertilizing with organic fertilizers is intended to saturate the soil with potassium and related microelements. The property of organic fertilizer to actively influence the soil can harm conifers, therefore among organic fertilizers only two varieties are suitable for them:
- Vermicompost. This is a mixture that is formed as a result of the decomposition of the remains of soil worms. It is prepared artificially in biogas plants. The composition of vermicompost is rich in humic acids, as well as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
- Compost. It is a composition formed as a result of the self-destruction of complex waste products of plants and animals. The compost ripening period can last from 12 to 24 months. The period depends on the composition of the compost pit and composting conditions.
Organic fertilizers for conifers are not always useful. Feeding is carried out according to a strict scheme, observing dosages. Mulching the top layer is considered the optimal type of fertilizing.
Complex fertilizers
For coniferous trees, special compositions have been developed that take into account the characteristics of the crop and also combine the properties of several mineral elements at the same time.
Such compositions include:
- "Hello for conifers." It is used after the snow melts, in the spring. The product contains potassium and a small amount of nitrogen. Suitable for strengthening the root system and activating spring growth. To feed a tree, take 15 - 20 g of the composition, dissolve it in 20 liters of liquid, watering is carried out on a cloudy day;
- "Needle." It is used in the spring to promote the stretching of branches. The drug contains more than 10% nitrogen.;
- "Universal for pine needles." The product is used during planting, as well as during any growing season, if it is necessary to activate shoot formation;
- "Aquarin". In order to feed a coniferous plant, use 50 g of water-soluble emulsion. “Aquarin” promotes growth and prevents coniferous trees from becoming infected with fungal infections;
- "Green Needle". The composition of the drug contains an increased amount of magnesium. This element helps strengthen the root system and the active development of young shoots. In combination with phosphorus and nitrogen, the product is recommended to be used in the spring when the soil warms up to +8 °C.
How to feed conifers in spring
Spring is the beginning of the growing season, when conifers need fertilizing with minerals. At this stage, it is permissible to add nitrogen, since during the summer period the active growth of the tree is fully justified. The main element that should be contained in spring fertilizers is phosphorus. It helps to increase green mass and promotes the development of new needles.
In the spring, the soil around the trunk is loosened: this saturates the soil with additional air, making it lighter. Along with loosening in the spring, organic matter is added. Mature compost is suitable for these purposes.
How to feed conifers in the fall
In autumn, coniferous plants do not need additional nitrogen supply, like deciduous crops. They need potassium: during the winter it will promote the development of the root system.
Rules for applying fertilizers
Conifers are fed 2 times: in spring and autumn. Other fertilizing is applied in case of urgent need.
All types of fertilizers are divided into dry and liquid. In order not to destroy the trees, they adhere to the basic rules of fertilizing.
- Granular and powder fertilizers are distributed over the moistened soil in the area covered by the crown of a tree or shrub, then the soil is loosened. Thus, the granules are mixed with the top layer of soil. Gradually, with rainwater and moisture from irrigation, the granules go down to the root system, while simultaneously stabilizing the acidity level of the soil.
- Liquid mixtures. Solutions for conifers should be less concentrated than for deciduous crops. In order to feed plants with liquid compounds, prepare furrows at a distance of 8 - 10 cm from the trunk, fill them with solution, then cover them with soil and level them.
- Compost or vermicompost is added along with the top layer of soil after loosening. Organic fertilizers are considered one of the heaviest for any crop. For conifers, it is recommended to divide them into two equal doses.
Mulching is considered one of the additional methods of fertilizing. The top layer of soil is covered with selected materials, while an unprotected strip about 5-8 cm thick is left around the trunk.
Conclusion
Fertilizers for coniferous plants play the role of an accompanying element in care. The development and growth of coniferous crops depends on the choice of fertilizer complex. In this case, the characteristics of evergreen trees should be taken into account, avoiding oversaturation of them with nutrients.
