Content
Soil for coniferous plants has its own characteristics. Therefore, the use of ordinary soil for planting fir, pine and spruce is not permissible. The secrets of preparing soil for coniferous plants are discussed later in the article.
Features of soil for coniferous plants
The optimal soil composition for all coniferous representatives is considered to be a mixture of the following components:
- peat (can be replaced with marsh duckweed);
- sand (preferably using river sand);
- humus;
- turf land.
There are a number of nuances that should be taken into account when choosing soil for conifers:
- An important factor is the soil structure. The ideal option is a “sponge” state, so that at least a quarter of the soil is occupied by pores. Calcium will help achieve this.
- Each type of coniferous plant has its own requirements regarding substrate moisture. For cypress and fir trees, the same proportion of humidity and air permeability is important, and junipers are demanding in terms of filling the soil with air. Fir trees can endure many hardships, but excess moisture in the substrate can be detrimental to these coniferous plants.
- Most representatives of conifers can grow safely only in a substrate with a high acidity level, and some of them, on the contrary, prefer a calmer acidic “atmosphere”. Therefore, this fact must also be taken into account when choosing soil.
The correct choice of soil for each species will help you avoid numerous problems associated with growing coniferous plants.
Soil for spruce trees
The main condition for caring for evergreen spruce is the correct selection of soil. The plant is a mycotroph (it has the ability to form symbiotic relationships with the hyphae of earth fungi, which facilitate the absorption of microelements from the soil). In view of this, the acidity of the substrate suitable for planting spruce should be in the range of 4.5 - 6.0 pH. At higher values, the soil is enriched with bacteria that suppress the growth of fungi that are beneficial to the plant.
Another important condition that the spruce substrate must meet is good aeration. Spruce can grow safely on sandy and poor soils, but it does not tolerate stagnant moisture. One rainy season is enough for a tree to die.
Soil for pine trees
The soil for conifers, which includes pines, should be sandy or sandy loam. When planting pine in clay soil, additional drainage will be required. You can use broken bricks, expanded clay crushed stone, and river sand.
Before planting coniferous seedlings, it is also necessary to add nitrogen fertilizer. It will start working after a couple of weeks.
The acidity of the substrate is also taken into account when planting types of pine such as Weymouth and black. These representatives of conifers prefer neutral or alkaline soil. Acidity can be reduced by using ordinary lime, which is added to the planting substrate. The amount of lime should be in the range of 200 - 300 g.
Soil for junipers
Juniper is not so picky about the composition of the soil; it can grow in loamy areas that have a weak drainage system, rocky soil and sandstones. But for young seedlings it is better to give preference to the following mixture of components:
- peat – 1 part;
- turf soil - 2 parts;
- river sand – 1 part.
You can also add a universal fertilizer (nitroammophoska) to the mixture, which can be used for most garden and vegetable crops.
If this representative of conifers is planted in loamy soil, it is best to organize additional drainage for it using improvised means - brick chips, pebbles, etc.
When planting a coniferous plant in rocky soil, you need to pay attention to the surrounding vegetation. If there are many around the intended landing site weed, then it will become a favorable option for placing juniper seedlings. This trick is used not only by Russian gardeners, but also by American specialists in growing coniferous plants.
Land for larches
Like junipers, larches can live in almost any soil. Representatives of conifers, whose natural habitat is sphagnum bogs, will benefit from soil with high acidity (pH 3.5 - 5.5). Species growing in mountainous areas will thrive on alkaline substrates (pH 7.0 and above).For the rest, a substrate with neutral acidity is suitable.
Despite the fact that in nature larch can grow in wetlands (the exception is American and Japanese larch, as well as Griffith), where the substrate has poor drainage and aeration, selected species are more demanding. “Domesticated” varieties can suffer from excess moisture, even to the point of complete death. Drainage equipment made from brick particles, expanded clay crushed stone or pebbles will help reduce the risk of unfavorable situations.
The soil considered optimal for larch can be loamy or contain sandy loam. Acidity can be normal or weak, humidity - medium or high.
Soil for cedars
Soil for conifers, the composition of which varies depending on the type of plant, almost always contains a large amount of sand. Cedar prefers sandy or loamy substrate, in which even young seedlings take root well. If it is clayey at the planting site, then to improve the growth of the tree, it is recommended to dilute it with sand and peat (2 parts of soil require the same parts of sand and 1 part of peat).
Many gardeners add a number of fertilizers to the soil:
- wood ash;
- humus;
- coniferous soil from the forest.
Soil for coniferous plants such as cedars can be brought from their natural habitats. If the seedling was taken from a specialized nursery, then there is a possibility that the young plant is accustomed to more tolerant growing conditions.It is important to take this point into account when purchasing cedar, since this factor affects the proportions of the components that make up the soil. For pampered individuals, the amount of sand must be doubled.
Soil for thuja
Another representative of coniferous plants is thuja. It prefers soil that contains a lot of microelements, moisture and drainage. The optimal substrate option is a mixture of peat and sand (1 part each) with soil (2 parts). Its acidity should not exceed pH 5 - 6.
If there is loamy soil on the site, then a year before planting a coniferous plant it must be brought to the appropriate parameters by adding the above components to the soil. As a drainage system, it is permissible to use coarse sand, pebbles or small crushed expanded clay, as well as fragments of baked brick.
Soil for fir trees
Fir is quite whimsical compared to its fellow conifers. Well-drained loamy soil that does not retain moisture is suitable for it. In a dry place, a coniferous plant can quickly die, just like in a waterlogged one. The best option is a site located near a reservoir, where the soil will meet all the necessary parameters.
Land for cypress trees
Experienced gardeners prepare soil for conifers, the composition of which can be called ideal, on their own. Despite the availability of balanced mixtures in stores, those who want to start growing cypress make a substrate from the following components:
- 3 parts of turf land;
- 2 parts of pine humus;
- 1 part sand.
In the absence of coniferous humus, it can be replaced with peat, but the quality of the soil will significantly decrease. To improve performance, it is recommended to add a small amount of clay and vermiculite to the mixture.
If making your own soil is not possible, then azalea soil will be the best option for this coniferous plant. It contains the necessary components that ensure the necessary acidity of the soil.
Soil for yews
Yew prefers light soil. Despite this, it should contain a large number of microelements. Gardeners have their own opinion regarding the composition of the substrate for yews:
- 3 parts of turf or leaf soil;
- 2 parts of pine humus or peat;
- 2 parts coarse sand.
Soil for conifers must be selected depending on the type of plant. Thus, yew berry can feel comfortable only on alkaline and slightly acidic soils. Pointed yew prefers soil with a neutral pH. For medium yew, it is better to choose slightly alkaline or neutral soil.
The main enemy of this coniferous plant is high humidity of the substrate, as well as a polluted environment. If the first point regarding the moisture level can be easily corrected by mixing more peat into the soil and drainage equipment, then even additional application of vitamin supplements will not help in the fight against environmental pollution. Therefore, yew is never planted within the city.
Conclusion
Choosing soil for coniferous plants is not always as easy as it initially seems.Since there is no optimal soil composition, when choosing a substrate for each specific species, it is recommended to take into account not only its preferences, but also the existing natural conditions.
