Content
Evergreens, which are small in size, are always an integral element in the landscape design process. Due to the fact that Thuja Bowling Ball takes up a small amount of space and is relatively unpretentious in care, the culture always has an attractive appearance, regardless of the time of year. In the process of growing thuja of the Bowling Ball variety, it is quite important to choose the right planting location and then provide proper care.
Description of Thuja Bowling Ball
Thuja variety Mr. Bowling Ball is a dwarf crop with a fairly dense and spherical crown. If you look closely, the width and height are the same and vary from 0.6 to 0.9 m. The annual growth of the thuja is 5 cm. The crown is spherical or cushion-shaped, the shoots are quite thin and graceful, and they are covered with thick scaly needles.
Depending on the time of year, the color of the needles changes. For example, in summer it is a bluish-green hue, in winter it is bronze in color.A distinctive feature is winter hardiness; the crop can withstand frosts down to -40 °C.
Thuja occidentalis Bowling Ball is shown in the photo:
Application in landscape design
Just look at the photo of the thuja Mr. Bowling Ball, and it will be impossible to take your eyes off the tree, because this variety attracts with its unusual appearance. That is why the plant is so loved by many landscape designers. A spherical shrub can become a worthy decoration of a plot of land both in a single planting and in a group. In addition, thuja can be used as a hedge, to decorate alleys and alpine slides. You can often find Thuja Bowling Ball on the sides of garden paths in gardens.
Features of reproduction
Thuja can be propagated in several ways - vegetatively, by cuttings. If necessary, the plant can be grown from seeds, but you should understand that the result may be completely unexpected: most often the crown takes on an unusual shape, so this option is practically not used.
Landing rules
Before planting thuja western Bowling Ball in a permanent place of growth, it is recommended to pre-fertilize the soil. For these purposes, humus, peat and a small amount of sand are used. Planting must be carried out in accordance with all agrotechnical standards, taking into account existing features and nuances, otherwise the crop may die.
Recommended timing
If you plan to grow thuja of the Mr. Bowling Ball variety on a plot of land, then it is important not only to correctly carry out the process of planting the planting material, but also to choose the right time for this. Experts and experienced gardeners recommend planting in spring or early autumn. For these purposes, seedlings that are already about 3-4 years old should be used. If you are planning a group planting, then it is worth considering that there must be a minimum distance of 0.5 m between the bushes (the maximum distance is 3 m).
Site selection and soil preparation
Thuja occidentalis Mister Bowling Ball grows mainly in well-lit areas. It is not recommended to plant the crop in the shade, since in this case the needles become loose and the shade becomes dull. In addition, the selected plot of land must be protected from strong gusts of wind and cold.
An excellent option would be to plant the crop on loamy soil; you can use any fertile soil. The main thing is that the soil must be fresh, loose, moderately moist, slightly acidic.
Landing algorithm
Once the site has been selected, you need to dig a hole. The depth of the planting hole is about 60-80 cm; the root system of the thuja along with a lump of earth should be placed in it. If the soil is heavy, you should first take care of a drainage layer, the thickness of which should be at least 15 cm. When the thuja is planted, it is recommended to water it abundantly and mulch the ground.
Rules for growing and care
Undoubtedly, the description and photo of the Bowling Ball thuja are important to consider before planting; it is also necessary to understand exactly how the crop should be cared for. After the planting material is planted in a permanent place of growth, the thuja must be watered regularly, as it does not tolerate drought. After each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil, remove weeds, and apply fertilizer as necessary. To ensure that moisture evaporates as slowly as possible, the soil around the plant is mulched. For these purposes, you can use wood chips or peat. The mulch layer varies from 5 to 10 cm.
Watering schedule
In the process of growing thuja Mr. Bowling Ball, it is worth taking into account that the crop loves a lot of moisture. If the earthen ball is overdried, this will have a negative impact on the plant - the needles will begin to thin out, and growth will slow down significantly. Starting in early spring, it is worth watering the plant regularly - at least once a week. In dry summers, it is recommended to irrigate the crown; warm, soft water is used for this purpose.
Top dressing
Thuja variety Mr. Bowling Ball grows mainly in sunny and fertile lands. During the growing process, it is recommended to fertilize at least once a year. Fertilizers are applied in spring or in the first half of summer. For these purposes, special formulations designed for thujas of all varieties and varieties are perfect. You can use complex fertilizers of the Kemera-universal brand.
Trimming
Many experts recommend taking into account not only the description of the western thuja Mr. Bowling Ball, but also the process of pruning and crown formation.Most experienced gardeners claim that this type of crop does not need pruning for a long time - the spherical crown will be perfectly preserved. However, do not forget about sanitary pruning.
Preparing for winter
According to the description, thuja is a fairly frost-resistant plant; the Mr. Bowling Ball variety does not need shelter for the winter period. However, in the spring the plant may suffer from sunburn. It is for this reason that it is recommended to cover young plants for the winter. To do this, many experts recommend carefully tightening the crown with tape, which will further prevent damage to the crown from large amounts of wet snow. You can use plastic film or coniferous tree branches as shelter.
Pests and diseases
According to reviews from many experienced gardeners, the crop is rarely susceptible to disease. In particular, thuja is not afraid of fungal and bacterial diseases. Plants are also quite vulnerable to the spring and winter sun, which can result in burns. When the first signs of disease appear, it is recommended to treat the plant with chemicals.
Conclusion
Thuja Bowling Ball is considered a rather attractive variety, which is facilitated by its unusual appearance, namely, a spherical crown. Each variety has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into account before purchasing planting material. Thuja Mister Bowling Ball will be a worthy decoration for any plot of land.With proper care, the shrub will delight you with its appearance for many years.
