Content
- 1 Origin story
- 2 Description of the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata
- 3 Advantages and disadvantages
- 4 Planting the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata
- 5 Caring for the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata
- 6 Reproduction
- 7 Diseases and pests
- 8 Photo of Iseli Fastigiata spruce in landscape design
- 9 Conclusion
- 10 Reviews of blue spruce Iseli Fastigiata
Prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata is a popular representative of evergreen plants. Thanks to its good frost resistance, it can be grown almost throughout the country.
Origin story
The variety appeared as a result of a mutation of prickly spruce trees, which grow in large numbers in the western part of the American continent. Since the middle of the 19th century, they began to attract the active attention of breeders. That is why these species have become “parents” for many varieties. Including the blue spruce Iseli Fastigiata.
The variety has been known since 1965. The birthplace of blue spruce is the Iseli Nursery, founded by Jean Iseli. It is located in the US state of Oregon. The mutated seedling was chosen from many others. Breeders were attracted by the unusual blue color.
The tree was later named Iseli Fastigiate (Picea pungens Iseli Fastigiate)
Description of the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata
The Iseli Fastigiate spiny spruce is an evergreen coniferous tree with blue needles.It has a narrow-conical crown, which lacks symmetry for the first 5-7 years of life. During these years, its lower part is too wide, but the spruce is gradually leveling out.
The variety is characterized by fairly active growth. On average, about 20-30 cm are added annually. In the first 10 years of life it reaches 3-4 meters. In the future, its height can reach up to 12 m. The width of the crown of an adult plant is about 4 meters.
When grown in summer cottages, blue spruce rarely reaches large sizes
The branches of the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata grow mostly upward at a strong angle. The trunk is straight, there are short and fairly strong branches on it, which are closely adjacent to each other. This distribution makes the tree look compact.
The tree is abundantly covered with thorny needles. The needles are quite rigid, their length can reach up to 2.5 cm. It is painted in a gray-blue tint. The color does not change throughout the year. Small cones form on the branches. They are colored brown and have an elongated shape.
Cones can remain on the tree for several years in a row
Advantages and disadvantages
To grow spruce of the Iseli Fastigiata variety, it is better to choose well-lit areas. In this case, the shade of the needles will be brighter and the crown will be uniform.
When planting in groups, it is worth leaving a distance between trees of at least 2-3 meters
Advantages:
- fast growth;
- good resistance to frost;
- interesting color;
- good immunity;
- ease of care.
Flaws:
- the first years may look asymmetrical;
- prickly needles.
Planting the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata
The tree grows well in any conditions.However, for planting Iseli Fastigiata blue spruce, it is better to choose places with fertile acidic or slightly acidic soil. It is advisable that there is no groundwater nearby. The best time to transfer seedlings to open ground is spring. In this case, the spruce will have time to take root before the onset of frost and it is better to overwinter. The process of planting seedlings consists of the following steps:
- Dig a hole measuring 50 by 70 cm. Place a drainage layer consisting of fragments of brick, expanded clay or sand on the bottom.
- Place the seedling in the center of the hole. It is necessary to ensure that the root collar is located flush with the ground.
- Cover the planting with soil. The earth should be compacted well. Water the planting. One seedling requires about 50 liters of water. After this, you can fertilize the blue spruce with Kornevin.
If desired, the tree trunk circle can be mulched. Peat, tree bark, and mown grass are suitable for this.
Caring for the prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata
Spruce variety Iseli Fastigiata is an undemanding plant. However, for better growth, you need to follow several recommendations. Blue spruce does not need frequent watering. It tolerates drought well. In hot weather, one watering per week is sufficient. About 10-12 liters of water are consumed at a time. Under normal conditions, you can water the spruce once every two weeks.
It is advisable to fertilize the tree twice a season. If you do this more often, the spruce will grow very much. It is better to use special fertilizers for coniferous plants.
Periodically, the soil in the tree trunk circle needs to be loosened. The tool should not be inserted deeply into the soil, about 5 cm. The roots are close to the surface of the earth, so they are easy to damage.The soil around the tree can be mulched. This will allow the blue spruce to retain moisture better and add some organic fertilizer to the soil.
It is recommended to renew the mulch layer a couple of times a season.
Iseli Fastigiata spruce can be pruned periodically for aesthetic purposes. For example, when it is grown in group planting as a hedge. Pruning should be done in late spring or early summer. If necessary, you need to cut off dried and pest-infested branches. If you want the tree to grow slightly in height, then you can periodically cut down the top. The cut area needs to be processed.
In winter, the Iseli Fastigiata spruce feels good. However, young plants and mature trees grown in harsh climates require shelter. Spruce branches are well suited for this. They need to tightly cover the trunk circle of the blue spruce.
Reproduction
The Iseli Fastigiata spruce variety is propagated in the two most common ways. You can get a new plant from seeds or by cuttings.
Seeds
This is a long process. For this, you can use purchased or collected seeds yourself. The best time for planting is the end of winter or the beginning of spring. To grow Iseli Fastigiata spruce from seeds, you need to do the following:
- Keep the planting material in the potassium permanganate solution for a short time.
- Place the seeds in containers filled with peat and limestone flour. Add nitroammophoska in a small amount. Keep the container with seeds in a warm place. The soil should be loosened periodically.
- Emerging seedlings should be treated with a weak solution of insecticidal preparations.
At the end of spring or early summer, seedlings can be transferred to open ground.For the first week after planting, it is recommended to cover them with cut plastic bottles. They need to be ventilated daily. After rooting, the bottles should be removed.
Cuttings
This method is the easiest. Cuttings can be carried out both in spring and autumn. To do this, you need to cut off a shoot 15-20 cm long from the top branch. After this, it needs to be disinfected in a solution of potassium permanganate and planted in open ground.
For the first two weeks, the plants should be kept under film. In summer, cuttings should be watered on time. Shading should be done over the seedlings. With the onset of autumn, the sun canopy should be removed.
Diseases and pests
Blue spruce has good immunity to diseases and pests. However, it can be affected by pine needle rust, weevils, sawflies, and spruce budworms. To combat them, you can use folk remedies or special preparations according to the instructions.
To prevent damage, you should follow the care recommendations and prevent the soil from drying out. Treatments with insecticides and fungicides should be carried out periodically according to the instructions.
Photo of Iseli Fastigiata spruce in landscape design
Blue spruce is popular among landscape designers. It looks good both in city parks and in summer cottages. It is great for both single and group plantings. Blue spruce harmonizes well with plants of contrasting colors.
Tree looks good as a central element of a composition
Compact size allows it to be grown in small areas
Conclusion
Prickly spruce Iseli Fastigiata is an unusual tree that will perfectly complement any site. It is unpretentious in care; even a novice gardener can cope with its cultivation.
Reviews of blue spruce Iseli Fastigiata
