Content
Larch on a trunk has relatively recently become popular in landscape design. It was created on the basis of a common tree - larch. According to the classification, it belongs to the class of Conifers, division of Gymnosperms.
Description of standard weeping larch
Standard larch is formed in the process of pruning and cutting shoots. The second method of formation is special vaccinations. The result is a plant with a straight woody trunk and a mass of branches pointing downwards. Standard larch grows from 1 to 8 m. The dimensions depend on the grafting site. After it, the trunk increases in size by 10 or 20 cm. Every year, the diameter of the crown will increase by 20 cm, the height - by 30 cm. The width of the trunk reaches 1.5 m.
In spring, larch forms bunches of needles on the shoots. The soft needles have different shades of green. It depends on the type of trunk. The shoots are thin and uneven. There are many tubercles and processes located on them. During adulthood, male and female cones are formed. Women's ones are especially beautiful. They are painted in bright colors, similar to miniature roses. In autumn the needles turn yellow and fall off.
Weeping larch on a trunk in landscape design
Standard larch has universal application in the design of any site. Serves as decoration:
- alpine slides;
- gazebos;
- flower beds;
- hedges;
- entrance to the house.
Looks great when customized. It is used for group plantings with dark coniferous crops. The standard gives a good combination with various ornamental plants.
Varieties of larch on a trunk
In gardening, low-growing varieties of weeping larch are used. They take up little space and attract attention with their appearance. Varieties of the Pendula form are common.
Repens - has branches pointing downwards. Sometimes they creep along the surface of the earth.
Bullets - forms a mass of shoots descending to the ground. The color of the needles is light green.
Kornik - a low standard plant that forms a crown in the form of a ball of emerald color.
Krejci – a dwarf variety, up to a meter tall. The crown is irregular and fluffy.
Next, varieties based on Japanese larch.
Gray pearl - has a dense crown. Its shape is spherical. Grows slowly, up to 2 m.
Blue Dwarf - low-growing variety. In 10 years it reaches 60 cm. The shoots are directed in different directions.
Bambino - the shortest variety. Each year it grows by 2 cm. It grows up to 20 cm. It is a ball consisting of bluish-green needles.
Wolterdingen - dwarf variety. In 10 years it gains a height of up to 50 cm. The needles are colored blue-green.
How to grow larch on a trunk
Specialists are engaged in growing larch on a trunk.Gardeners purchase ready-made seedlings. Those who like to experiment can form the standard themselves. The rules for its design are simple.
The standard is created by cutting the crown. The seedling is placed on the site and tied to a support. As they grow, cut off all shoots. When the desired height is reached, its top is cut off. As a result, side shoots begin to actively grow. They need to be pinched to form a thick crown.
Weeping larch is obtained by grafting. Select a standard onto which shoots of a different variety will be grafted. Grow to a certain height, cut off the top. Make a vertical incision with a sharp knife. The lower part of the grafted cuttings is cut at an angle. Insert it into the cut of the standard and tie it with polyethylene tape. The upper part of the cutting is smeared with garden varnish. After a month, the buds of the cuttings will begin to grow. The shoots are periodically pinched to form a dense crown.
Planting and caring for larch on a trunk
Larch is an unpretentious plant. Having acquired a standard form, they carry out preparatory work on the site. An ornamental tree is planted in early spring, before the buds open. In autumn, planting is done before the leaves begin to fall, in the first half of the season.
Preparing seedlings and planting area
A sunny or partial shade location is suitable for planting larch on a trunk. Choose an area with light, well-drained soil. In conditions with heavy acidic soil, drainage and liming are required. On sandy soil the tree does not feel well and may die. Excessive moisture is undesirable for larch.When planting a certain type of tree, its natural habitat conditions are taken into account.
Use seedlings no more than 2 years old. They are sold in containers with a closed root system. When planting, all that remains is to remove the seedling from the container and place it in the prepared planting area.
Landing rules
When landing, adhere to the following rules:
- A hole is prepared for planting the trunk. Its dimensions make it 2 times larger than an earthen clod.
- Peat, humus or compost is added to the soil taken out of the planting hole. For 1 part of soil take 1 part peat and 2 parts humus. If there is a large amount of clay, sand is added.
- Pour some prepared soil into the hole and place the root system along with a lump of earth.
- Fill the hole with the seedling with the prepared soil mixture and compact the surface. Watered.
- The root system is buried to 80 cm.
- When planting several plants, make the distance between the trunks up to 2-3 m.
Further care of larch on the trunk is simple.
Watering and fertilizing
The seedling needs regular moisture. In dry weather, larch needs up to 2 buckets of water 2 times a week. There is no need to water during rains. Seasonal rainfall is sufficient for mature plants.
The growth of larches is activated after the application of potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. The tree responds well to compost. Fertilizing is done in the first years of growth. Nutrient mixtures are applied in the spring. It is recommended to use the special composition “Kemira”. In June, fertilizing with urea is carried out. Use 10 g per bucket of water. Stores sell special fertilizers for conifers.
Mulching and loosening
The tree trunk circle is mulched after planting and watering. This protects the soil from loss of moisture.Pine bark, peat, and humus are used for these purposes. When using humus, mulching and fertilizing are combined.
The soil around the larch seedling is weeded. Do not allow the formation of turf. The soil is loosened. Shallow loosening is carried out for 2 years - up to 20 cm.
Trimming and shaping
Caring for weeping larch involves annual pruning and crown formation. There are 3 types of pruning:
- Forming. Pruning is carried out in the spring. Remove excess branches and trim growth points. As a result, the tree becomes bushier. Young plants need this pruning.
- Rejuvenating. Pruning is performed in spring or early autumn. Remove all weak shoots. Mature branches are shortened by a third. Young shoots will appear on them.
- Sanitary. Perform pruning as necessary. The reason is the tree being damaged by pests and diseases. Remove dried branches.
Larch cannot be formed. Trimming to obtain a shape will not work. The shoots of weeping larch are thinned out so that the sun penetrates to each shoot. Thin ones are removed, the rest are cut to half.
Preparing for winter
Young larch is prepared for winter. They make a fence and cover it with non-woven or other material. Dried branches are first removed.
Reproduction
Larch seedlings on a trunk for your plot are bought in specialized stores or nurseries. They also engage in independent tree propagation. Methods used:
- cuttings;
- propagation by seeds;
- vaccinations.
The first method is used by specialists in nurseries. It is labor intensive.Cuttings take root and can be used to grow larch.
When propagated by seeds, mature cones are taken. The seeds are soaked for 2 weeks. Sow in a mixture of sand and sawdust. Well moisturizes. Maintain temperature conditions. After germination, they are planted in spacious containers. A year later they are planted in open ground.
Reproduction by grafting guarantees the preservation of the purity of the variety. A vertical cut is made on the seedling, a cutting with buds is placed in it, and it is bandaged.
Diseases and pests
Larch is resistant to diseases and pests. For preventive purposes, it is treated with a solution of copper sulfate.
Sometimes in the summer season the needles begin to turn yellow and fall off. The culprit may be aphids. She feeds on the sap of the plant. Its larvae overwinter on larch. With the onset of warm weather, females begin to reproduce. They lay numerous eggs. Larvae developing from eggs feed on pine needles. The presence of female aphids can be easily determined by their white coloration. To destroy overwintering larvae, preparations containing paraffin oil are used.
The moth also lays larvae in the needles. As a result, the shoots grow slowly, the needles turn yellow and fall off. Destroy the pest with insecticides.
Fungal infection of the shutte. Yellow and brown spots appear on the needles. The needles fall off. Spreads throughout the tree during high humidity. Diseased branches are removed and burned. Larch is treated with fungicides.
Conclusion
Larch on a trunk retains its decorative properties if all agrotechnical measures are observed. The young trunk requires more attention. Mature plants are unpretentious. With proper care they grow for a long time.
