Serbian spruce "Nana": description, planting, care and reproduction

Serbian spruce is considered a rather rare species of the genus of coniferous evergreens, which was discovered in 1875. Later, as a result of the mutation, the bonsai variety "Nana" was obtained. The article provides a more detailed description of this form, and also discusses the subtleties of planting, care and reproduction.

Omorica spruce "Nana" was bred in 1930. It is a dwarf variety that resembles a wide pin in shape. A mature tree can reach no more than 3 m in height, and the crown diameter is 2 m. The Serbian spruce "Nana" in favorable conditions can live up to 300 years.

The plant grows at a rate of 15 cm in length and 5 cm in width each year. For 10 years of life, a tree grown in Russia usually reaches 1 m in length. The spruce grows to its maximum size by the age of 30. The shape of the crown of the plant also changes over the years. A young tree visually resembles a rounded egg, from which, if necessary, you can form a ball or a pointed cone.

An adult plant acquires some "friability", and the top becomes sharp. The needles on the branches of the tree do not fit tightly to each other and are painted blue on top. On the "Nana" spruce, cones may appear from time to time, no more than 6 cm long. At first they have a lilac hue, but over time they turn dark brown.

Planting a coniferous plant is preferable in the spring. The most suitable month is May, as during this period there is usually no night frost. Spruce "Nana" can grow in the shade, but it needs sunlight to form a dense beautiful crown, so the landing site should be well lit.

As for the substrate, loose soil is the most suitable option. For better tree dew, the soil is pre-fertilized with mineral compounds. It is not recommended to plant spruce in lowlands and pits where rainwater stagnates or a high groundwater level.

It is better to purchase planting material in a specialized nursery. It is desirable that the seedlings are in a container, since most of the specimens of the "Nana" variety, especially the trees on the trunk, are brought to Russia from abroad. At the same time, the soil in the container must be moistened.

The size of the pit into which the spruce will be planted depends on the size of the container in which the seedling was located, or on the size of the earthen coma. The hole should be twice the size of the container. If groundwater lies near the landing site, then it is necessary to equip drainage with a thickness of 10 to 20 cm.

If not one tree is planted, but a whole group, then the distance between the spruce trees should be about 2.5 m. The seedling is placed in the center of the hole. It is recommended to cover the plant with dug earth mixed with sand, humus and peat. The substrate must be tamped well. After planting, the tree is abundantly watered and mulched.

To grow the Serbian spruce "Nana", you must adhere to certain rules. Its development, appearance and lifespan depend on the care of a tree.

Freshly planted and young spruces need good watering. Watering the tree is necessary as the soil dries up, but do not add too much water. Otherwise, the root system may start to rot.Watering is carried out from April to October.

One plant consumes about 10 liters of water. As the spruce grows, the frequency of watering decreases, but the volume of liquid must be increased, based on the proportions of 10 liters per 1 m of tree height. In the hot season, in addition to moisturizing the root system, it is recommended to spray the crown of the plants. This is necessary to prevent the needles from drying out, to remove dust, and also as a prophylaxis against the appearance of spider mites.

You can fertilize the "Nana" variety with special compounds for conifers. Only those trees that grow in infertile soil need frequent feeding. Usually it is enough to apply fertilizers 2 times a year.

During the first two years after planting the plant, it is necessary to carry out the loosening procedure quite often. It is recommended to loosen the soil near the tree to a depth of 5 cm after each watering. The lower branches of a young plant may touch the ground and must be lifted gently while loosening.

In adult spruces, small roots grow to the very surface of the soil, and they can be damaged during loosening. Peat or pine bark is used for mulching.

With proper care, the Serbian Nana spruce grows evenly and has an attractive symmetrical shape. In this case, it is necessary to cut it only for sanitary purposes, which include cutting dry, broken and frozen branches. It is advisable to carry out decorative pruning in order to give the plant a certain shape in the winter period. It is recommended to cut off no more than 4 cm from the branches. After the procedure, fertilizers should be applied and the tree should be treated with special means against diseases and pests.

In addition to pruning, it is necessary to clean the needles annually. This procedure is especially relevant for young trees, since their branches are tightly adjacent to each other. In the depths, sunlight may not reach the branches, and they will also be poorly ventilated, and dust will begin to accumulate on the needles. Such conditions are favorable for spider mites and promote their reproduction.

Spruce "Nana" is a winter-hardy plant. However, too low temperatures can lead to freezing of a part of the crown, which will then have to be removed. First of all, young trees need protection from frost in the first couple of years after planting. The soil around the trunk is covered with peat, and the plant itself is wrapped in agrofibre.

If the spruce grows in regions with harsh winters, then adult plants should also be covered to avoid freezing. This should be done until the tree reaches at least 10 years of age. If the plant was not covered for the winter, it is necessary to periodically shake off the snow from its branches.

Spruce "Nana" is vulnerable not only in winter, but also immediately after its end. From mid-February until the buds appear, the tree loses a lot of moisture, and the root system is dormant and cannot absorb the required amount of water. During this period, direct sunlight can burn the needles.

Reproduction of the Serbian spruce "Nana" can be done in several ways: by grafting on common spruce, by seeds and cuttings. Plant grafting is only possible in professional nurseries. Seed propagation will also be difficult.

Seed material is obtained from cones.The difficulty lies in the fact that sprouted spruces do not always inherit the characteristics of the variety, and therefore some of them need to be discarded in the second year of cultivation. In addition, in the process of growing trees will often have to be transplanted from place to place, which can be very difficult for some gardeners.

The best option for propagation at home would be cuttings. This method is also quite laborious and time consuming. It is better to cut off shoots in spring. The lower needles are removed and the cuttings are planted in a sandy substrate using growth stimulants.

Sprout spruce in a shaded area, providing a high level of soil and air moisture. Rooting should take place at 3 months, after which the cuttings are transplanted into more enriched soil in a plastic container, at the bottom of which holes must be made for the outflow of excess moisture. Transplanting into open ground can be carried out after shoots appear on the cuttings.

You will learn how to plant a fir tree correctly in the next video.