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Thuja foldata Vipcord is a slow-growing dwarf ornamental shrub belonging to the cypress family. The plant is distinguished by its compact (up to 100 cm in height and 150 cm in width) size and original spherical crown shape.
Description of folded thuja Vipcord
This variety of folded thuja has long, hanging shoots that resemble ropes, which is how it got its name - “whipcord”, which means “twine” in English. The shoots are covered with shiny needles in the form of scales, tightly adjacent to each other. In summer the needles are green, but in cold weather they become an unusual bronze color. The shrub has a shallow root system that is sensitive to soil compaction. The description of thuja Vipcord notes its unpretentiousness.
The use of folded thuja Vipcord in landscape design
The Vipcord variety is widely used in landscape design.It can be used to create hedges and complement rock gardens, mixborders, and rockeries. Thanks to its excellent compatibility with other ornamental plants, Thuja Vipcord looks good in a variety of compositions. This thuja looks no less successful in single plantings. It becomes especially attractive when grown near small ponds and rocky areas. It is often used in container plantings. According to reviews from gardeners, Thuja Vipcord looks unusual in topiary.
The photo of thuja folded Vipcord shows how harmoniously it combines in landscape design with architectural elements made from various natural materials and with other coniferous plants.
Features of reproduction
Thuja of this variety is propagated mainly vegetatively. The reproduction algorithm consists of the following points:
- dig up the ground in the area where the cuttings will take root, add peat, and pour a layer of sand on top;
- at the end of June, break off shoots from the plant, soak them in a root formation stimulator;
- plant the cuttings to the depth of the sand layer at a slight angle;
- Cover each cutting with a transparent plastic bottle or glass jar like a greenhouse.
Next spring, the rooted plants can be transplanted into open ground.
Propagation by seeds of this variety of thuja is used very rarely - this complex process can take up to 6 years. In addition, not all young bushes obtained from seeds inherit the varietal characteristics of the original plant. In early spring, the seeds are left in a container with water for 12 hours, after which they are laid out on damp sand.As soon as the sprouts appear, they are transplanted into individual containers and grown until planted in open ground.
Planting and caring for folded thuja Vipcord
There is nothing complicated in planting thuja Vipcord: it does not have any special requirements for light or soil composition. Cuttings with a closed root system usually take root well if simple planting techniques are followed. In general, the cultivation of thuja Vipcord is subject to the same rules as the cultivation of other varieties of this crop.
Recommended timing
The most suitable season for planting thuja is spring. Planting can begin in April, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently, and already in May the young seedlings will actively begin to grow. However, the unpretentious variety Vipcord can be planted throughout the season until mid-autumn. In regions with cold winters, it is recommended to avoid autumn planting so that the plant has time to take root and gain strength for wintering.
Site selection and soil preparation
Thuja Vipcord is quite unpretentious - it grows equally well both in illuminated places and in shaded conditions. However, you should avoid exposing the crown to direct sunlight. The shrub does not suffer from strong winds and tolerates winter frosts well. It can grow on any soil, but fertile, water- and breathable, moderately moist substrates are best suited. In conditions of insufficient humidity, the crown thins out.
The area for planting thuja Vipcord is dug up, sand is added to too heavy clay soils. It would also be useful to enrich the substrate with peat and add leaf or turf soil.
Landing algorithm
Planting thuja Vipcord is not difficult and is carried out using the following technology:
- dig a planting hole 2 times larger than the size of the root ball;
- water it daily for two weeks;
- prepare a mixture of peat and sand;
- place the seedling in the hole and cover it with soil mixture;
- water well.
Rules for growing and care
The agricultural technology for growing this variety of thuja is very simple: the plant needs regular watering, infrequent feeding, minimal pruning, loosening or mulching and preparation for winter. Thuja Vipcord can grow on its own, but with good care its crown looks especially picturesque.
Watering schedule
The superficial root system of Thuja Vipkord is very sensitive to drying out of the soil, so watering is the most important part of caring for the plant. Young bushes are watered once every 7 days at the root. Within 30 days after planting, the seedling needs to sprinkle the crown. It is carried out in the evening, when direct sunlight does not reach the wet shoots. Older bushes are watered less often, once every 10 days is enough, and sprinkling can be done only from time to time.
Top dressing
During the first three years after planting, thuja Vipcord does not need to apply fertilizers, then it is enough to feed the plants with potassium and phosphorus compounds. They are applied twice a year during active growth - in spring and summer. It is also good to use special complexes for coniferous plants. Fertilizers are dissolved in water for irrigation, scattered on tree trunk circles or applied during regular loosening.
Trimming
Like all thujas, the Vipcord variety tolerates pruning well. In the spring, sanitary pruning is done - all damaged, dried and frozen shoots are removed. Due to its slow growth and natural spherical crown shape, this shrub usually does not need formative pruning. However, plants of this variety can be given the desired appearance using decorative pruning. Most often, the crown of standard forms of folded thuja Vipcord is formed, for example, as in the photo:
Preparing for winter
The shrub of this variety tolerates frosts well down to -8 °C, so in mild winters, adult thuja Vipcord plants do not need to be covered. Regardless of the climate, the trunk circles are mulched before winter so that the surface root system of the thuja is not damaged. Spruce branches, large wood chips, and leaves are suitable as mulch. The best shelter for thuja will be a thick snow cover, but in winters that are too cold or with little snow, the shrubs are hidden under burlap, cardboard boxes or other insulating material.
The covering material is removed at the moment when the spring sun begins to warm up. If night temperatures can damage the needles, cover the plants every evening.
Pests and diseases
One of the most serious diseases of thuja is late blight. The fungus infects the plant and leads to its slow death. This disease is extremely difficult to treat, so most often diseased bushes are burned and the soil is changed to avoid infecting other crops. Plants whose root system does not receive enough air and rot from excess moisture are susceptible to late blight. To prevent this disease, the soil is loosened or mulched.
Like all types of thuja, Vipcord can develop rust, which causes the shoots and needles to turn brown. The plaque is cleaned off or the affected parts are removed, and the plant is treated with fungicides.
If the thuja is attacked by insects, Karbofos or other insecticides will help to cope with them. In the description of Thuja Vipcord, it is noted that of all the pests, the cockchafer is especially dangerous. As soon as the first insect is noticed, the crown should be treated with special preparations, which include imidacloprid. Such treatments are repeated every 1.5 months throughout the spring-summer season.
A good preventative measure is to periodically spray the plantings with Bordeaux mixture.
Conclusion
Thuja foldata Vipcord is an excellent choice for gardeners who want to enliven their plot with an unusual evergreen shrub, grow a hedge or create an original landscape composition. Of particular value is the plant’s unpretentiousness, its resistance to adverse weather conditions and ease of care.
