Spruce "Koster": description, planting and care, breeding features

In recent years, thorny spruce has become more and more popular in horticulture. This is because these ornamental plants have a special frost resistance, beautiful shape and unusual rich color. In this article, we will get acquainted with one of the types of blue spruce - the "Koster" spruce.

Homeland ate "Bonfire" - Holland. This variety was registered as a new garden form in 1901 in the city of Boskop. Ari Koster owned the nursery at that time, and this species of blue spruce was named after him.

Despite the fact that the official mention of the "Koster" spruce occurs relatively recently, there is reason to believe that this species appeared earlier. In the literature, you can find information about the sale of this plant at the end of the 19th century.

Blue Spruce "Koster" is a beautiful decorative tree. It has a cone shape, symmetrical.

• The crown is conical, the diameter of the crown of an adult plant is up to 5 m, the branches are slightly lowered down. The young plant is asymmetrical due to the rapid growth of the lower branches. However, by the age of 10 it takes on a more regular shape.
• The needles are prickly, hard and thick, bluish-green, needles up to 25 mm long, covered with a light waxy coating. The color remains throughout the year.
• An adult "Koster" spruce reaches a height of 10-15 meters. After 10 years, it grows up to 3 meters, and its diameter is 1.5-2 m.This tree develops at an average speed, every year it grows by 15-20 cm.In the spring, but not every year, you can find lilac cones on the branches of the spruce colors that turn green over time and turn brown when mature.

Main characteristics:

• frost resistance (an adult plant can withstand temperatures up to -40), drought resistance, resistance to gas pollution, smoke and soot, loves light, wind-resistant;
• prefers loose fertile soils (chernozem, loam), soil moisture and the degree of fertilization are average, acidity 4-5.5.

It is recommended to plant the "Koster" blue spruce in the spring-autumn period so that the tree can take root. Spruce "Koster" reproduces in three ways:

• seedlings;
• cuttings;
• seeds.

Let's consider all the methods in order.

This is the most convenient way of reproduction, since you just need to purchase a ready-made seedling and prepare the land. In order for the tree to grow in the correct shape, it is important to carefully choose a planting site. It is best to choose an area in the sun or partial shade. In no case should spruce be planted in dense clay soil, otherwise the tree will not be able to root properly, as it has a shallow root system.

After the site for planting is determined, drainage of this area should be done in order to exclude excessive stagnation of moisture. To do this, crushed stone, expanded clay or shingles must be poured onto the bottom of the prepared pit (depth - 60 cm, diameter - half a meter).

The earth from the hole must be combined with additives: sand, peat and humus from the leaves (no more than half a bucket), the ratio of ingredients is 2: 1: 1: 1. Also add 10 grams of nitroammophosphate. After that, pour the mixture into the pit, spill it with 5 liters of water, place the seedling, fix the trunk with earth.

If the soil contains a lot of limestone, then the soil can be slightly acidified. Ammonium fertilizers are suitable for this purpose.You can also use high-moor peat, pine needles, sawdust and sphagnum moss.

You can even grow a Koster spruce from a small twig. To do this, from the top of a 6-8-year-old plant, you need to cut off the part you need (10-20 cm) and clean the lower part of the needles. Cuttings should be prepared in spring or autumn. (keep in mind that autumn cuttings take longer to take root). For processing, soak the cutting in a solution of potassium permanganate.

After that, in the prepared hole (the requirements for the soil are the same as for the seedling, but adjusted for the size of the hole), we plant the cuttings at an angle of 30 degrees, fixing it with earth. Then watering is required (before rooting, several times a day). Next, cover it with foil and burlap until the end of summer, and for the winter you need to insulate the stalk with sawdust.

This is the most difficult breeding method, since it will take 3 years to grow a full-fledged seedling. It is necessary to collect seeds in winter, they must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate.

After that, put the earth with additives in a plastic container and deepen the seeds by 1.5 cm. The seeds need to be stored for 3 months in the refrigerator - this will significantly speed up the germination process. Then it should be rearranged in a warm place and watered until shoots appear. After that, you can plant the plants as seedlings, covered with a plastic bottle.

After landing, you need adhere to the following care rules:

• watering: up to one year - several times a day in small portions, a tree up to 10 years old - every 2 days, 10 liters;
• pruning: up to 5 years old, you need to prune dry yellowed branches, giving the shape of a spruce;
• fertilizing with mineral fertilizers in small quantities up to 5 years;
• treatment against parasites: spraying with "Decis", "Karbofos" preparations;
• treatment for diseases: spraying with colloidal sulfur, "Fundazol", "Kuproksat".

See the video below for more information about the "Bonfire" spruce.