Prickly spruce Glauca Globosa (Glauca globosa): description and photos, reviews

Glauca globosa spruce (Glauca globosa) prefers a Western climate, but adapts well to Russia. The plant belongs to the thorny variety. This is a dwarf variety known in America, distinguished by decorative blue needles. Wood is used to decorate public and private areas.

History of origin

Glauca Globosa was obtained through selection in 1937. The originator was the Dutch scientist Ant Kluis Boskuul. The botanist noticed an interesting specimen in his nursery and selected it for further work. The seedling had a non-standard shape, so it was not clear whether it could take root.

Due to its small size, Glauka Globoza spruce can be planted in flower beds

The first official mention was made in 1949, while the variety appeared on the market only in 1955. Since then, the culture has not lost public interest. New plants are still being bred at its base.

Description of blue spruce Glauka Globoza with photo

Spruce has spread throughout the western United States, preferring mountainous areas and river banks.Depending on the growing conditions, the crown may have a different shade. The most common are specimens with bluish needles, but sometimes it is possible to obtain dark green and silver Glauca Globosa, and Picea pungens glauca globosa is the general name of the varieties, and not the species designation.

Since the spruce was obtained using seeds, it is propagated in the same way. This approach increases the lifespan of the plant. In one place, a crop can grow for more than 100 years. Due to the fact that the spruce is young, the maximum indicator has not yet been recorded.

Among gardeners, Glauka Globosa has become famous for the long bluish needles that make up its crown. They reach up to 1.3 cm in length and 1 mm in width, are strong and curved. One of the main advantages is that the color of the needles does not depend on the time of year.

In Russia, spruce begins to bloom in early summer. First, male cones appear (at 10-12 years), then female cones are formed (at 20-22 years). The seeds are quite large, up to 4 mm in diameter. They ripen the next year. The cones are small, light brown in color and oval-cylindrical in shape. Once every few years, larger (up to 12 cm) fruits ripen.

Glauca Globosa is surrounded by a light brown bark. During the growth process, the roots spread over long distances. Spruce is not afraid of pruning and tolerates planting well within the city.

Attention! The crop does not suffer from air pollution, which makes it possible to green roadside and industrial areas.

Dimensions and height

Glauca Globoza is a dwarf variety and is therefore characterized by a low rate of development. The plant grows more in width than in height. The average growth rate for one year is 6.5 cm. By the age of ten, the spruce will barely reach the waist.The crown does not immediately acquire decorative qualities. At first it looks sloppy, but with age it becomes more powerful and symmetrical. During development, the crown turns from flat-round to wide-pyramidal.

There is a clear division into tiers in the branches of the spruce Glauca globosa

Frost resistance

As a variety of thorny spruce, Glauka Globosa is adapted to harsh climates. The plant can withstand negative temperatures down to -45 °C. This makes landing in various regions of Russia possible. For example, the variety is common in Siberia and the Moscow region. Abroad, it is grown in the USA and Scandinavia.

Advantages and disadvantages

Spruce is unpretentious in care and adapts well to the Russian climate.

In the northern regions of Russia, the Glauka Globoza spruce requires shelter only for the first two years of life.

Pros:

  • decorativeness;
  • not afraid of precipitation;
  • can grow within the city;
  • frost resistance.

Minuses:

  • low growth rates.

Planting spruce Glauka Globoza

The variety is planted in open ground, placing the root collar at the same level as the ground surface. Add store-bought or dug-up substrate, compacting the root area. A low roller (about 12 cm) is formed from the remaining soil so that the water is retained longer during irrigation. Mulch with peat or dry bark.

Spruce care Glauka Globoza

After planting, the Glauka Globoza tree needs care. At an early age, spruce needs watering. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but there is no need to flood it either. Upon reaching a year, watering is reduced. Spruce is fed with compounds typical for coniferous plants. The main thing is that they contain a sufficient amount of phosphorus, potassium (in autumn) and nitrogen (in spring).

It is useful for the root system to loosen the soil after each watering. Shovels are deepened to a distance of no more than 9 cm so as not to damage the shoots. Pruning is not necessary. If necessary, you can remove old branches or give decorative shape to young ones.

Attention! If the prickly spruce Glauka Globoza was grafted onto a trunk, it requires regular pruning.

Spruce can be given any shape - ball, cylinder, cone or square

Reproduction

This variety is difficult to cultivate on its own, so this is mainly done by botanists. If you have experience, you can try to grow a spruce using seeds, grafting or cuttings. When propagated by seeds, Glauca Globose will have more stable immunity.

Diseases and pests

Spruce suffers from the following diseases - bark necrosis, rot, spruce spinner and shutte. Glauka Globoza can be attacked by bark beetles, Hermes, mites, aphids and scale insects.

It is important to periodically inspect the spruce in order to have time to treat the plant in time.

Blue spruce Glauka Globoza in landscape design

As already mentioned, Glauka Globosa is a dwarf crop, so spruce is suitable for planting in any garden plot. With its help, designers zone the territory or use it as a background.

Diseases and pests can affect the decorative qualities of a plant, turning it into a kind of shrub

The main feature of the species is the bluish tint of the needles, which remains unchanged throughout the life of the variety. When in contact with the sun's rays, Glauka Globoza shimmers slightly.

The plant is suitable for rockeries and flower arrangements.

Conclusion

Spruce Glauka Globoza is a bright variety of thorny coniferous trees.The variety is quite complex for propagation by cuttings or grafting, so it is purchased as ready-made seedlings. Otherwise, this is an unpretentious plant that will fit into the design of any garden.

Reviews of prickly spruce Glauka Globoza

Svetlana Malyshkina, Nizhnevartovsk
In my region, only frost-resistant crops can be grown. The rest can only be reproduced indoors. I bought two Glauka Globoza seedlings and planted them on my plot. The spruce grows beautifully, the needles are bluish-green. Last spring I started replanting it to a more favorable location. It has taken root well.
Yulia Prosvirina, Moscow
I have always loved conifers, so I enjoy taking care of a small garden. There was also a place in it for the Glauka Globoza spruce, which I purchased at the store. Be careful with additives, as excess magnesium may cause the needles to change color. Initially, mine was turquoise, but after feeding it turned into green. But it seems to be okay, it’s being restored.

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