Spruce of the Aurea variety is a beautiful decorative crop that fits well into a variety of ensembles. A distinctive feature of the plant is its lemon-yellow needles, which turn pale when grown in shady places. Spruce has a high degree of resistance to frost, which allows it to be grown in regions with different climates. Due to this, the culture is often used in landscape design.
What kind of tree is this
Spruce Aurea has significant differences from the ordinary variety. The main feature of the culture is its golden needles.However, this color is typical only for young needles. By the middle of the season they turn pale, and at the end they turn gray-green.
By the age of 10, the Aurea variety grows to 1.5-3 meters. At 30 years old it is already 10-12 meters. In this case, the crown diameter reaches 5 meters. Over the course of a year, spruce grows 15-30 centimeters.
The needles reach a length of 2 centimeters and have a fairly rigid structure. Old needles are dark green in color. They have a silver tint underneath. Another characteristic of the plant is the close arrangement of branches that form a dense cone. A tall adult plant acquires a looser structure.
To ensure that the needles retain their golden color, Aurea spruce is recommended to be planted in the sun. In addition, in this case the branches are placed more densely. When the tree is located in partial shade, the yellow color becomes paler, and the crown acquires a more sparse structure. Without access to light, Aurea loses its original color.
Landing
In order for the Aurea spruce to look decorative, it is important to carry out planting work correctly. In this case, it is necessary to select a suitable site and strictly follow agrotechnical recommendations.
Choosing a suitable location
Young spruce must be protected from direct sunlight. Subsequently, it becomes more light-loving. Sun deficiency reduces the decorative characteristics of the plant.
The level of groundwater is of great importance. They should be at a level of 1.5 meters from the ground surface. You can also provide a drainage layer of brick or expanded clay. It must be at least 20 centimeters.
Step-by-step instruction
Planting work should be carried out in the autumn season. The hole must be dug in advance. Its diameter should be 1 meter and width 60 centimeters.
To properly plant the Aurea spruce, you need to make a special substrate from turf soil, clay and sand. In neutral soil you need to immediately add acidic peat. It is also necessary to add fertilizer for conifers into each hole.
To plant a plant, you need to remove some of the soil from the hole. In this case, the root collar should be flush with the ground surface. Then you need to fill the hole with the prepared substrate and carefully compact it. After this, water the crop generously. For 1 seedling you need to use at least 2 buckets of water. At the end, the tree trunk circle should be mulched with acidic peat. The thickness of such a layer should be at least 5 centimeters.
Proper care
Spruce Aurea does not tolerate excessive dry soil. Young trees are considered to be the most demanding when it comes to watering. The earth around them needs to be systematically moistened. For 1 plant it is worth using 10-12 liters of water.
Dry air can also harm the plant. It is best to install a fogging unit on the site. In its absence, the plant needs to be watered with water from a hose at least once a week. This should be done in the evening.
If a sufficient amount of fertilizer is applied in the first 2-3 years, there is no need to feed the tree. Subsequently, they should be applied at the root. It is best to use special products for coniferous crops for this purpose.
Loosening of the soil is carried out shallowly - a maximum of 5-7 centimeters.Subsequently, instead of this procedure, the tree trunk circle is mulched with acidic peat. It is also permissible to use the bark of coniferous plants for this purpose.
It is recommended to prune the crop at a young age. By the age of 10, radical pruning of spruce is no longer necessary. At this stage, it is enough to maintain the shape of the tree that was given to it earlier.
Reproduction
Spruce of this variety can be propagated by seeds, which are characterized by good germination. However, in this case the tree does not inherit varietal characteristics. Garden forms are usually propagated by cuttings or grafting.
Before planting in a cold greenhouse, spruce seeds must be stratified. This will help significantly increase their germination rate. Seed material germinates in the year of planting. During the first 3-4 years, the eastern Aurea spruce does not form whorls from which lateral shoots grow.
The tree can be propagated by cuttings throughout the season. However, it is best to do this in the spring. Such cuttings take root in 4-5 months. Autumn shoots will take twice as long to take root. Treatment with a growth stimulator will help improve rooting.
Pest protection
The culture has strong immunity, so it rarely suffers from pest attacks. However, this is true with regular care, watering and fertilizing. If sprinkling is not carried out, the spruce may suffer from spider mite attacks.
If you moisten the needles late in the evening, they do not have time to dry. In this case, there is a risk of shoots being damaged by mealybugs. Other parasites can be introduced from infected plants. Insecticides help control pests.
Reasons to plant such a spruce
Aurea spruce has many advantages.These include unpretentiousness to growing conditions and a high degree of endurance. Also, the main reason for planting a crop is its decorative properties.
Spruce Aurea is a fairly attractive crop that fits well into various landscape compositions. In order for the plant to maintain its decorative properties, it requires high-quality care.
