Content
- 1 What is better to plant on the site: thuja or juniper
- 2 When is it better to plant thujas: in spring or autumn?
- 3 How to properly plant thuja in open ground in spring
- 4 How to care for thuja in the spring at the dacha, on the plot, on the street
- 5 Pests and diseases
- 6 Conclusion
Thuja is one of the main representatives of the Cypress family. The culture is distinguished by its long life expectancy and evergreen color. Planting and caring for thuja in the open ground in the spring is a fairly popular topic among gardeners: despite the unpretentiousness of the conifer, there are many nuances and rules for maintaining it on the site.
Thuja can most often be found in gardens as part of flower beds or as a single planting.Moreover, the tree is widely known for its medicinal properties, which makes it even more valuable.
It is important for everyone who wants to purchase such a plant to know how to properly plant thuja on the site, carefully study the photo and rules for caring for the tree.
What is better to plant on the site: thuja or juniper
Both thuja and juniper are characterized by a wide selection of species and decorative varieties for planting on the site. However, there are significant differences between plants:
- Form. Many varieties of thuja are characterized by an ideal spherical shape, in contrast to juniper, which is better used as a creeping plant.
- Mode of application. Juniper is practically unsuitable for creating a hedge. Thuja seedlings are ideal for this purpose. Juniper is often used in single or group plantings; moreover, the plant has a rather long growth period and is much more expensive.
- Growing conditions. Despite the fact that both conifers are classified as picky plants, they react differently to external conditions. Thus, thuja is able to grow and develop well even in a smoky and gas-polluted environment. For juniper, such factors can be fatal. This is why thuja is perfect for planting in city conditions, while juniper can only adapt normally to a summer cottage.
- Demanding requirements for soil. Thuja prefers rich, moist soil in a well-lit area. Juniper has higher resistance to drought and frost and adapts well even to poor soils.
- The amount of phytoncides that destroy bacteria in the air and fill it with a characteristic pine aroma.The content of substances in juniper is much higher, which is why the plant has value for the environment.
The choice of conifer for a site should be based on the location of growth, the quality of the soil and the purpose of planting the crop (garden composition, hedge, single planting, etc.)
How tall does thuja grow?
The height of the conifer directly depends on its variety, which is also important to consider before planting a plant on the site: for example, there are thujas up to 6 m high (Folded, or Gigantskaya), and the height of some can exceed 20 m with a trunk diameter of 70 cm (Western ).
It is worth considering that tall varieties of thuja have a lower decorative value and a slow growth rate, so it is better to use them for planting in the spring in a botanical garden, park or nursery.
In open ground, at the initial stages of development, thuja grows quite slowly, its growth rate does not exceed 40 cm per year. Over time, this indicator increases, and the shoots gradually change their flat shape to a lush and rounded one, acquiring a red-brown hue.
Decorative forms of coniferous plants can grow 55–60 cm in 3 years, and in adulthood reach more than 2 m in height. The growth rate of a crop depends significantly on the latitude of its place of growth. In polar forest areas, the tree reaches no more than 40 cm at the age of 6 years (annual growth is only 5–8 cm). And in the southern regions, in a short period of time, the ephedra can become a real giant.
When is it better to plant thujas: in spring or autumn?
Due to its unpretentiousness, planting the plant in open ground is allowed in any season.However, most gardeners prefer planting thuja in the spring: it is the spring period that has a beneficial effect on the open root system of the conifer and allows young seedlings to better adapt to new conditions. Moreover, trees planted in the spring will be able to better connect their life cycle with the biological clock, as well as prepare for the first winter.
When to plant thuja in open ground in spring
The most optimal period for planting thuja is early spring, before the process of sap flow begins. The period of active growth of the conifer begins in May, so it is best to plant the tree in mid-April, as soon as the period of severe frosts ends.
It is correct to plant thuja in the spring after the ground has first warmed up, depending on the weather of the region. It is during the period from April to May that both the ephedra shoots and its roots begin to actively grow. In spring, thuja tolerates planting most easily. In addition, a slightly frozen earthen lump will retain its integrity. And by winter, the tree will grow a strong root system.
Thuja has a large number of varieties, the most popular of which for planting in spring are the western (varieties Smaragd, Danika, Brabant, Teddy), as well as the eastern.
In the Leningrad region, thujas are common only with a closed root system, which is why seedlings are planted exclusively in the warm period, preferably in mid-spring (April - early May).
How to properly plant thuja in open ground in spring
Despite the fact that caring for thuja in the spring is not particularly difficult, the process of planting conifers in the ground on a personal plot has its own characteristics, which are important to become familiar with when purchasing a seedling.
It is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Experts advise postponing planting in the spring, as this may harm the plant’s adaptation process in a new location. The youngest seedlings take root much easier and faster in new surroundings and conditions.
- In the process of planting a plant from a pot, it is extremely important to leave the earthen lump intact.
- When planting a crop in the spring, it is necessary to simultaneously provide complementary feeding using a mixture of turf, sand and peat.
- During the planting process, experts recommend adding 50–60 g of nitroammorphoska to the soil. The volume of the added substance can be increased, depending on how many trees need to be planted.
It is equally important to familiarize yourself in detail with the technology of planting thuja in the spring and carefully study the step-by-step description of the process.
Where to plant thuja on the site
If planting thuja in the spring is carried out in a garden plot, then it is best to do this in a semi-shaded area that will not be illuminated by the sun all day. Constant exposure to direct rays can lead to dehydration of the plant or increase the risk of disease during periods of severe frost. It is best to use turf soil with the addition of a mixture of sand and peat. Planted in spring, thuja can also develop well in other types of soil: swamp, clay or sandy loam are well suited for it.
What can you plant thuja next to?
To beautifully plant thuja in the spring in a garden or summer cottage, you can combine ephedra with other types of plants: this will give the composition more decorative, and, in addition, will help enhance its beneficial properties.
Thuja feels best near deciduous shrubs and flower beds:
- spirea;
- acacia;
- larches;
- cypress;
- ate;
- dwarf juniper;
- hosts;
- dicenters;
- hydrangeas;
- astilbe;
- hybrid petunia.
You can find out more information about caring for thuja in the spring and the peculiarities of growing conifers in the garden from the video:
At what distance from the fence can thujas be planted?
In adulthood, thuja can reach more than 3 m in height, so even the smallest trees are best planted at a distance of 1 - 1.5 m from the fence. Proper distancing will help ensure healthy growth of the conifer and its proper development throughout its entire life.
What to plant between thujas along the fence
When planted in the spring along a fence, thuja can be combined with other types of coniferous plants: spruce, juniper, pine, etc. Often, designers, combining different heights, textures, shapes and shades of tree needles, create unusual combinations and landscape compositions.
As a non-standard solution, you can use a combination of thuja with climbing plant species or flower vines: the ephedra will act as a support for smaller plants without harming the development of their root system.
Is it possible to plant thuja near the house?
Despite the ease of maintaining conifers, gardeners categorically do not recommend planting thuja near the house: due to its high growth rate, after a few years the tree can block most of the site. In addition, planting a thuja near a house in a flowerbed in the spring can harm the flowers growing nearby, which is why the conifer will have to be uprooted.
Moreover, thuja is popularly considered a tree of grief and sadness, so it is believed that it should not be placed near a home, especially if there is a young girl in the house: the tree can scare away all suitors and bring on loneliness.
Selection and preparation of seedlings
Nurseries and specialized stores offer a fairly wide range of thuja seedlings of different varieties and decorative forms, which differ in both age and size. There is an option to purchase a small tree that can be placed on the site in the spring after growing. It is best to give preference to the selection of young seedlings, since they have a higher level of adaptation.
If you want to complete the design of your site faster, then you should choose mature, mature trees.
When choosing a seedling, it is extremely important to evaluate the appearance of the plant, paying attention to two main factors: the level of soil moisture in the container and how tightly the needles adhere to the shoots.
A high-quality and healthy seedling has strong and elastic branches, without unidentified spots and physical damage from pests and diseases. The needles should fit tightly to the shoots and under no circumstances fall off.
It is best to plant the plant in the ground in the spring immediately after purchase.
How to plant thuja in spring
Planting thuja in open ground in the spring significantly reduces the risk of diseases in the conifer. In addition, this increases the speed of the tree’s adaptation to new conditions.
When planting thuja in the spring, you must follow simple rules:
- The depth of the planting hole should be at least 80–100 cm, and its exact size directly depends on the volume of the root system of the planted conifer. The roots of the plant, as well as the preserved soil ball, should freely enter the hole and fit completely into it.
- The width of the hole is on average 35-40 cm, and its depth is 30-40 cm more.
- The bottom of the planting hole must be sprinkled with loose soil filled with fertilizers. For this purpose, wood ash, humus or compost are often used. Adding these substances will greatly simplify further thuja care. The next feeding of the plant can be done only after 2 - 3 years.
- If the roots of the conifer begin to dry out, they must be placed in water for a short time.
- After immersing the seedling in the planting hole, it must be sprinkled on top with a mixture of sand and earth in equal proportions.
- If a thuja with a closed type of root system was chosen for planting, it should be carefully removed from the container along with the substrate, then placed in a planting hole and covered with earth. The soil around the plant should be lightly compacted and watered well (1 - 2 buckets of water).
- If the tree is planted correctly, its root collar should be flush with the soil.
- The soil in the tree trunk area needs mulching: peat, compost or crushed pine bark are often used for this. Mulch should only cover the soil; it should be removed from the lower branches of the plant, as well as from the trunk, to prevent damping off.
- The arrangement of trees on the site also depends on the selected type of tree. Tall conifers should be planted at intervals of 4 - 5 m, the distance between low-growing trees is on average 1 - 1.5 m. This planting distance is also used to create a hedge or shady alley, regardless of the size of the plants.
How to care for thuja in the spring at the dacha, on the plot, on the street
When planting thuja in the spring in the garden or at the dacha, it is important to carefully study all the features and possible difficulties in caring for the plant.
The lush needles of a tree can evaporate a large amount of moisture, which is why you need to carefully monitor the condition of the soil and prevent it from drying out, regardless of the season. In the spring, at the initial stages of growth, you need to water the conifer more often, and also spray the crown. This will help wash away accumulated dust, open the stomata of the leaves and ensure a more intensive course of all physiological processes.
For the first 3–4 years, trees need to create shelter to avoid burns from active sunlight.
Mature trees have a fairly high level of frost resistance, but in winter their branches are tied together with twine to avoid injury to the crown during heavy snowfalls.
Watering schedule
Thuja is classified as a moisture-loving crop. It is necessary to water the plant once a week in spring, depending on weather conditions. On average, one young seedling should require up to 10 liters of water. If there is heavy rainfall in the spring, the frequency of watering can be reduced, and in the summer in open ground conditions it can be increased (with an interval of 3–4 days). On especially hot days, moisturizing the thuja should be done every 2 to 3 days. The volume of water consumed increases by 1.5-2 times.Mature trees need more moisture, while young seedlings should be watered a little more often.
It is equally important to irrigate the crown to give the branches greater elasticity and the leaves a bright and rich color. In spring, the procedure can be carried out twice a day, in the morning and evening.
Loosening and mulching the soil
Loosening of the soil in spring is carried out during the growing season to 8 - 10 cm in depth (thuja has a superficial root system). Tree trunk circles need mulching using peat, wood chips, bark or compost. This helps protect the root system from overheating and drying out in the summer, as well as from freezing in the winter.
Feeding schedule
As soon as the thuja is planted in a permanent area in the spring, its first feeding should be done immediately using a growth stimulator solution. The components in its composition contribute to the rapid rooting of the tree, and also significantly increase overall immunity. In the spring, an adult plant needs fertilizing containing potassium and phosphorus. It is carried out twice, with an interval of 10–15 days.
The development of thujas in the spring is positively influenced by the use of organic and mineral fertilizers, as well as special preparations for coniferous trees (Fertika, etc.) or compost. They must be applied twice a season (in spring and summer), after loosening the soil in the area around the tree trunk. In summer, trees will also need to be watered using a fertilizer solution.
Crown formation
Thuja is characterized by rapid adaptation to shaping, which allows designers to give it almost any shape: pyramidal, spiral, spherical or columnar. In order for the tree to maintain its ideal crown in the spring, it must be trimmed regularly, removing damaged, dried or too long branches. Moreover, pruning helps to make the crown denser and give the tree a beautiful and healthy appearance.
The formation of thuja in spring is especially important for the proper growth of conifers.
To properly prune the crown in spring, it is important to consider several points:
- The best periods for the procedure will be spring or summer (early April and end of June).
- It is necessary to trim all dry branches in order to effectively thin out the crown of the conifer. This will significantly improve air circulation and reduce the likelihood of diseases.
- To shape the crown you need to use special garden shears or pruning shears.Important! The scissors must be sharp enough to ensure a perfectly even cut during the cutting process.
- To encourage the tree to grow wider, in the spring it is necessary to trim the upper area of the thuja. If the crown of the tree is spherical in shape, long branches extending beyond its limits should be trimmed.
- Tree trimming in spring is carried out only on a dry sunny day.
- It is necessary to cut off the conifer root a few days after removing the protective cape that covered the plant in winter. At the beginning of spring, you need to wait a little and allow the crop to take its natural shape, and then start pruning the tree.
- It is very important not to overdo it and not to thin the crown of the plant too much, so as not to spoil the shape.
- Trees growing in shaded areas in spring require little pruning due to little sunlight exposure.The crown of such thujas rarely has a lush and dense shape.
- It is important not to be late with timely formation, as this will reduce the risk of disease and pest infestation.
Pests and diseases
Most diseases of thuja in the spring occur due to the action of dangerous pathogens: fungi of the genus Fusaruim, Foma, Cytospora, etc. They can affect both the crown and needles of the plant, as well as its shoots. A disease such as brown schutte affects only thuja needles.
To eliminate fungal diseases on a tree, it is best to use Bordeaux mixture or Kartotsid solution. It is necessary to treat conifers in the spring with an interval of 10 - 15 days, until the thuja is completely cured.
The most common pests of conifers are considered to be thuja aphids and false scale insects. When a tree is infested with aphids, the needles begin to turn yellow and fall off over time. To eliminate it when spraying in the spring, use a solution based on Karbofos, Rogom or Decis. No less dangerous for the tree is the thuja false scale insect, which is found on the needles and branches of the plant.
In the spring, before the buds open, the plant must be sprayed with Karbofos, and at the end of June, treated twice with Actellik, Rogor or Chlorophos (with an interval of 1 - 1.5 weeks).
Conclusion
Planting and caring for thuja in the open ground has many features that are important to study before purchasing a tree for your site. The most optimal season for planting is spring, since it is during this period that the conifer can most quickly adapt to new conditions. In this case, it is extremely important to choose the right seedling, paying special attention to its appearance and the absence of physical damage. Planting thuja and caring for it in the spring is quite simple.However, it is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with all the features of conifer maintenance: the watering schedule, the rules of loosening, mulching and fertilizing, as well as the prevention of typical diseases that can interfere with the healthy growth of the tree.
