Spruce Belobok (Picea pungens Bialobok) is a popular beauty with a spectacular color of needles. In the thirties of the 20th century, a Polish breeder named Bialobok noticed and fixed an interesting mutation of the blue Colorado tree. In honor of him, the variety was named (although many people associate the name of the Christmas tree with its "white sides").
Colorado spruce Belobok is a unique plant with an unusual color of needles
Brief information about the species
- Colour: silvery-bluish, with light growths in spring.
- Height: 3-5 m.
- Crown width: up to 300 cm.
- In which regions is it growing: in the zone of frost resistance 4 and warmer.
- Landing features: in a sunny or partial shade.
- Immunity: tall.
- Life span: 400-500 years.
General characteristics
Herringbone Belobok grows slowly, but reaches a fairly large size. The height of the tree is 3-5 m, the width of the crown is 200-300 cm. The shape is wide, conical, not always symmetrical.
The needles are bluish-silver in color in the middle, and at the tips they stand out, where they are bright, white-yellow - this gives it elegance. The growth appears in the spring.
The needles are dense and hard, up to 30 mm in length. Young cones are red and then turn brown (in size - from 6 to 10 cm). The branches are directed horizontally. The life span of this species is 400-500 years.
Growing regions
The herringbone is highly winter-hardy. It is recommended to grow it in the regions of the 4th frost resistance zone and in warmer areas (at temperatures down to -34 ° C).
In Russia, these conditions are met by Moscow and the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, Smolensk, Bryansk, Astrakhan regions, etc.
Landing
You need to choose seedlings with a closed root system. In this form, they are better preserved and take root, and in addition, they can be planted at any time.
The soil in the container should be sufficiently moist, and the tree itself should have dense needles, firmly attached to the branches, and a healthy natural color.
Landing place
Spruce Beloboka loves sunny areas, but it can grow in partial shade. In the latter case, its needles are less bright.
The tree thrives on drained, moderately moist, acidic loams. Poorly tolerates soil salinity, excessive dryness and waterlogging.
Landing technology
A planting hole is dug out one and a half to two times more than an earthen lump of a seedling. Garden soil is mixed with peat, sand, fertilizers for conifers. A drainage layer (15-20 cm) of broken brick, expanded clay or sand is laid in the pit. Pour in water and let it soak.
In the sun, the needles will appear in all their glory
The plant is installed so that the root collar is at ground level, sprinkled with a part of the substrate, watered abundantly. Then they again fall asleep with earth, gradually compacting so that the roots come into contact with the soil. The trunk circle is mulched with peat, dry leaves or needles.
Care
The thorny tree is not too whimsical to care for. She needs regular watering, mulching, feeding.
There are very few rules, but it is better not to neglect them in order not only to promote the growth of the Christmas tree, but also to create a natural prevention of diseases.
Watering
The Christmas tree is watered weekly, using 10-12 liters of water for an adult plant and 6-7 for a young seedling. When watering, you need to focus on the weather and soil moisture: in the rainy season, they are done less often, in the dry season - 2-3 times a week.
The plant responds well to evening sprinkling of the crown.
Top dressing
The tree is fed 2 times a season - in early spring and in August. The easiest way is to use special complexes for conifers. If there is a deficiency of a specific mineral, foliar dressing is used.
Gardeners often turn to drugs like Epin, which not only nourish, but also strengthen the plant's immunity.
Mulching and loosening
The tree has an extensive, but superficial root system, so the soil is loosened shallowly (up to 5-6 cm). Mulching is an important part of maintenance, as it allows you to normalize the level of humidity, gives access to air, maintains acidity, and reduces the number of weeds.
The trunk circle can be mulched with peat, dry leaves, needles, sawdust or chips, small cones, bark.
Pruning
The herringbone needs annual sanitary pruning, which is carried out in the spring, before the buds begin to grow. At the same time, dry and damaged branches are removed. A shaping haircut is best done in late summer or September.
Formation should be moderate - the tree should not be deprived of more than a third of the total green mass.
Preparing for winter
Spruce prickly Belobok is distinguished by strong, tough and moderately short shoots that do not break under the weight of snowballs. Given the good frost resistance, an adult tree needs only minimal protection - a thickened layer of peat in the trunk circle.
However, it is better to hide young seedlings from snow, wind and possible burns by wearing burlap or special covers.
Reproduction
Spruce can be propagated by seeds and cuttings
Herringbone can propagate by cuttings and seeds. Sometimes cuttings are grafted onto the stock of other conifers. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages.
Spruce with the desired varietal properties does not always grow from seeds. Vegetative propagation allows you to preserve the characteristics of the variety, but judging by the reviews, about 40-50% of the planted cuttings take root.
To increase the chances, it is necessary to use growth stimulants (Kornevin) and special nutrient substrates.
Diseases and pests
Of the insect pests, the spruce sawfly and aphids are most often annoying. The tree should be frequently inspected for an invasion, and at the first sign - washed with a solution of laundry soap. In serious cases, insecticides must be used.
Waterlogging of the soil can provoke fungal diseases - rust and Schütte. For prevention, sprays are sprinkled with Bordeaux liquid. Having found a disease, copper-containing preparations and other fungicides are added to it.
In landscape design
Due to its beautiful contrasting color, the Belobok Christmas tree is very popular in landscape design. In addition, new growth appears only in the spring, which allows it to successfully change its appearance.
The tree is in perfect harmony with flowers and is often used in rockeries. It is better to plant it among monochromatic green trees, assigning the role of a bright accent and not distracting attention.
For the first 10 years of its life, a spruce can grow in a container and serve to decorate terraces or facades. It looks very beautiful in rock gardens, rocky gardens, compositions with reservoirs.
Picea pungens Bialobok (Colorado spruce Bialobok) came from Poland
Colorado spruce "Hoopsie". Picea pungens "Hoopsii"
Colorado spruce MAIGOLD (Maygold) Picea pungens
Reviews
The Christmas tree attracts the sympathy of the majority of conifer lovers, it is distinguished by its spectacular appearance, slow growth and unpretentious care. According to the description, it tolerates winters, pruning and replanting well, but is sensitive to waterlogging.
Some note that the tree grows no more than 2 m (but it is worth considering that with such a long lifespan of the plant it can still be).
Some gardeners complain about the rarity of this variety and the relatively high price. Small seedlings (up to 50 cm) cost about 5-7 thousand rubles, and are not found in all nurseries.