How to grow Tuyu "Smaragd"

Today we will talk about the amazing variety of Western Tui - "Emerald". This beautiful miniature tree is widely used in Europe for decorating personal plots, creating green compositions and hedges. The main advantages of the Smaragd thuja are small dimensions and unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention. The tree grows very slowly and lives up to two hundred years, so based on it you can create evergreen parks that are limited only by your imagination.

How to choose seedlings when buying

To choose the best sapling is a whole science. When buying a Smaragd thuja seed, you need to pay attention to the size of the crown,color of the green part of the plant, inspect the trunk and branches. If thuja is not sold in a pot, then first examine the roots.

A good seedling should have elastic "leaves" of salad color. The height of the tree should be no more than 120 cm. The trunk and shoots should have a single color, without too light or dark areas. The bark should be solid. Check for different holes or damage to the bark, since a damaged bark can weaken a tree badly and it will not take root. Various holes - this may be the presence of pests in the cortex or bast. And such a neighborhood threatens not only the young thuja, but also other conifers in the garden.

If the aboveground part is in order, go to the roots. Ideally, the plant should be sold in a pot of soil (the soil should not be dry!). If the roots are not in the ground, then check their moisture and integrity. Too dry or damaged roots - the reason to refuse to purchase seedlings. However, if the root system is over-wetted and there is visible incomprehensible mucus, then the roots begin to rot and buy such a seedling is not worth it.It is important to understand that a weakened tree requires much more time and effort from the gardener to acclimatize and grow.

Best time to land

The sapling can be planted both in spring or summer, and in the fall. However, experienced gardeners recommend planting in late spring or early summer. This is due to the acclimatization period. If you plant a thuja in the fall, then it may not have time to settle down before the onset of frost and simply freeze. By planting in spring or summer (when the hike is warm and without sudden changes in temperature) you give the tree more time to “come to life” and get used to the new conditions.

The choice of location and soil for planting

In order for the sapling to start and quickly grow, you need to choose the right place for planting. The ideal option would be a sunny or slightly shaded place in the backyard.The green part of the thuja is not exposed to sunburn, so you can place this tree in open areas. It is recommended to take the soil fertile with good drainage properties and flowability. The following soil options are suitable for Tui: chernozem, peaty and clayey. In them, the tree feels best. If on your site there are heavy soils in which moisture stagnates, or groundwater is close to the surface, then you should take care of the drainage system. Soil acidity does not matter much for thuja, but it is better to stick to a neutral indicator with small deviations.

Preparatory work before landing

Before planting a tree, you need to carry out several preparatory stages, which not every novice gardener knows about. Therefore, let's start with how to plant the Smaragd thuja in the spring. To begin, prepare the site. If the tree was bought with a pot, then pour plenty of earthy water and leave for an hour or two to stand in order to make it easier to remove. Estimate the diameter of the pot and dig a hole for planting, which will be 2-3 times larger than an earthen ball.In the event that a sapling is purchased without an earthen coma, the pit for planting is dug out 3 times larger than the diameter of the crown in the widest place.

After this, the pit must be filled with fertile soil. There are several options for the “desired” soil: chernozem, sod land, compost, flower shop soil, peat, or any other soil that fits the described parameters. We recommend using the following mix: peat, sand, chernozem / floral soil in a ratio of 2: 2: 1. In this ground there are all the necessary substances for the initial stage. If the thuja has a height of less than 1 m, then you need to add complex fertilizer (“Kemira”, nitroammophoska or their analogs) to the planting soil.

How to plant thuja "Smaragd"

After preparing the soil mixture, the seedling is placed in a hole, filled with the prepared soil and compacted. There is no need to install additional support for the tree, but you should take care of soil mulching. The mulch will protect the root system of Smaragd thuja from drying out and overheating, and will also retain moisture in the soil.In the form of mulch, you can use sawdust, layers of humus, wet peat or specialized mulch material.

In addition to the above advantages of mulching, it is worth adding that the materials will give additional fertilizing to the tree when turning over, therefore, it is not worth refusing. The important point is that the root neck of the thuja should be at ground level, and the lower shoots of the tree should not touch the mulch. If the tree is planted in dry weather, then you should take care of moistening the crown of the tree and abundant watering (if you did not fit the mulch).

Care and cultivation of Smaragd tui

We turn to the subtleties of growing Smaragd thuja in the country or in the backyard. Unpretentious coniferous plant needs minimal attention from the owners. And if you follow a small number of rules and recommendations, your tree will have a spectacular view and will fit perfectly into the overall composition of the garden.

Shading a young tree

Care for thujas "Smaragd" should start with shading. Above, we described a landing site and indicated that the thuja feels great in an open place in direct sunlight, but in the first year or two after planting, the thuja needs to shade from the midday sun so that the fragile tree does not get sunburn. To do this, the thuja is covered with a white non-woven material that reflects the sun's rays well. If you cover it with dark material, then a greenhouse effect will be created under it, and the tree will simply “suffocate”.

Watering, weeding and loosening the soil

It is necessary to water a tree even after laying mulch. Depending on the soil moisture and the height of groundwater, irrigation is carried out either once a month or every week. For watering, you can use a watering can or a garden hose. A tree needs 10 liters of water to satisfy its moisture needs.

In addition to watering, thuja needs weeding. It is important to understand that if you mumble the ground, then we do not need to weed, because the soil does not dry out, which means that the air exchange does not deteriorate. If the mulch was not laid, then from time to time the soil around the tree should be weeded. It is important to remember this moment: thuja has superficial roots that can be easily damaged. Knowing this feature, weeding is carried out to a depth of no more than 10 cm. Loosening of the soil is carried out when a crust starts to form around the tree, interfering with air circulation.If the weather is hot, it is better to refuse weeding, since you risk overheating of the surface roots and a large evaporation of moisture from the ground. Weed the ground need to either early in the morning or after sunset.

When to feed

Soil fertilization with complex fertilizers during planting gives a short-term effect, and in the autumn of the same year it is necessary to carry out repeated fertilization. In September, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers need to be embedded in the soil, which will strengthen the tree before hibernation. It is important to understand that fertilizing for Tui Smaragd is important at the initial stage of growth and root formation. An adult tree does not need additional feedings.

After wintering, in March-April, the complex fertilizer "Kemira-Universal" or any other fertilizer for coniferous trees is applied. Two weeks later, you need to add another portion of the same top dressing (you do not need to change the type of fertilizer!). In autumn, in September, add superphosphate (80-100 g per sq. M) to the soil or potassium sulfate (50 g per sq. M). In this application feed ends. In subsequent years, if desired, you can feed the tree with humus or compost (if the mulch was not laid).However, this should be done only at slowing growth, after a hard wintering or when the plant is sick.

Pruning

It is very important to trim the thuja, as you not only form the crown of the tree, but also relieve it from sick, dry and damaged shoots. The first pruning is carried out after wintering. In early spring, the tree is carefully inspected and completely cut off all dry, damaged and diseased shoots. In the future, pruning is carried out every 2 years. Shoots shortened by a third. In addition, in the initial years it is best to do the formation of the crown, if you want to give the thuja a certain shape. Pruning not only makes it more attractive, but also contributes to the formation of a thicker crown and accelerates the growth of the tree.

The use of Tui "Smaragd" in landscape design

Ornamental tree just created for use in landscape design. Thuja "Smaragd" has a maximum height of 1.5 meters, which means that it is possible to create hedges and group compositions on its basis, where the tree will act as a center element. In addition to aesthetic beauty, hedges of thuja have practical application: trees protect from dust, wind and delimit the garden into separate areas.

Thuja "Smaragd" has a crown diameter of up to two meters, which means you have the opportunity to embody all the creative fantasies, turning a standard tree into the likeness of a bird or some animal. The dense needles of a thuja will perfectly hold a form not one year. To create a dense hedge, thuja are planted at intervals of 70-80 cm in two rows. In the first year, the tree does not need to cut. Just let it grow wide, cutting only dry and broken branches. In the second and third year you need to do the formation of the crown. Pruning and apical side shoots. There is no special instruction for pruning, because you give the tree the form you want to see.

Further formative pruning is carried out in late spring or throughout the summer. The important point is that during the year it is not recommended to spend more than three clippings.

Fight against pests and diseases of the Smaragd tui

XThe war plants have one feature: the foliage contains volatile and essential oils that scare away most pests. However, this feature does not relieve the tree from diseases and parasites that affect coniferous crops.

Brown branches. Fungal disease, which manifests itself in the form of yellow scales (yellowing "foliage") in early spring. If time does not engage in treatment, then the entire branch becomes yellow and dies. Affected shoots are immediately cut and burned. For several months, the tree is regularly checked and pruned affected shoots. In addition to pruning, the diseased plant needs to be fed and sprinkled the soil around the trunk with limestone. In the middle of summer, in order to eliminate the recurrence of the disease, the thuja is sprayed with a 0.2% solution of "Fundazole" with an interval of 14-15 days. Wood processing is carried out for 2-3 months.

Tuevaya pseudo shield. In this case, the parasite is on the fungus, and the insect. The pseudo-shield is similar to small dark-colored ulcers, which can be either on a tree trunk or on sprouts.It is possible to determine the infection with a false shield by small yellow spots on the shoots. This insect is very dangerous, so you need to immediately begin treatment. It is best to use chemicals such as Rogor, Aktellik, Karbofos. Since the tree is not used for food, insect-baiting with insecticides will not harm you or your children.

Tuevaya aphid. This pest affects almost all plants in the garden, thuja is no exception. Identifying aphids on the plant is quite easy: on the trunks and shoots, insects of gray-brown color, sprinkled with white-silver wax dust, stick. In addition to direct harm, the pad (sweet discharge) of aphids attracts soot fungus, which causes additional damage to the tree. Insect can be expelled by insecticides, such as: "Antio", "Karbofos", "Rogor", "Fitoverm", "Detsis". Spray the tree need 2 times to get the desired effect.

Drying of shoots. The cause of the disease lies either in the lack of minerals, or in violation of the movement of nutrients from the root to the crown. In addition to drying out of the shoots, one can observe the yellowing of the "leaves" and their further falling off.The problem is eliminated by the treatment of thuja with copper-containing preparations. The treatment is carried out in early spring, after the tree comes out of winter hibernation. If the problem persists, check the root system of the tree for damage and rot.

The main causes of Tuman Smaragd disease:

• excessive watering;
• nutritional deficiencies;
• poor air exchange in the ground;
• excess fertilizer;
• no preventive treatment with fungicides and insecticides.

Most illnesses are caused by improper care. A strong tree alone can drown out the disease or prevent it from spreading. Therefore, good care is the key to a healthy thuja.

Protect young thuja from frost

Now let's talk about how to protect the Smaragd from the cold in winter. This type of thuja can withstand temperatures down to minus 28 ° C, so you need to cover the tree only if you expect very strong frosts, or to protect fragile branches from breakage under the weight of snow. Tuya is covered with light non-woven material, which does not rot at high humidity, but passes oxygen. You can save branches from breakage by tying them with a cord or a rope.For dwarf or low trees construct small "huts" that cover the burlap or spunbond. When the plant is 3-4 years old, the need for shelter disappears. An adult tree perfectly tolerates even the most severe frosts.

Cutting Tui "Smaragd"

Tuyu "Smaragd" often propagated by cuttings. Since getting germinated intact seeds is quite difficult, grafting is the most rational way of breeding tui. The cutting from the thuja is cut in early spring, before the formation of buds. In the late spring and summer, cutting is not recommended, as the young plant will not have time to take root and is unlikely to survive the winter frosts. Cuttings on the cuttings are several branches that are 12–14 cm long and about 1–1.5 cm in diameter. The shoot is reduced to 5 cm at the base and cut at an angle of 45˚. Next, cut the bark at the base of the cutting and remove all lateral foliage. Greens should remain only at the top of the shoot.

After preparations, the cuttings are immersed in a container with water so that they do not lose too much moisture.Prepare a pot for planting cuttings and fill it with the following mixture: sand, compost / humus and vermiculite in equal proportions. Pour the soil into the pot and press it down a little to make it thicker. After pouring the soil mixture should be left about 3-4 cm pot empty. Make a hole in the ground with a wooden stick in order to place a cutting in it later.

After preparation of the substrate, the stalk must be pulled out of the water and allowed to dry for a while. After this planting material is placed in the root growth stimulation hormone for a few minutes. Then you should carefully place it in the hole made in the ground so that the growth stimulator does not erase from the bottom of the cutting. Do not forget at the end to moisten the soil and put the pot in a warm place where the seedling will not be disturbed by drafts or sudden changes in temperature. We introduced you to the thuja of the western Smaragd, gave a brief description of the coniferous plant, taught to plant and propagate by cuttings.

In conclusion, we would like to draw your attention to the main advantages of ornamental thuja:

• Resistance to frost;
• Shade tolerance;
• Resistance to wind and dry soil;
• The term of life is up to two hundred years;
• Ease of care.

Now you know what the Smaragd thuja is and how to grow it in the garden.