Growing Canadian blue spruce requires compliance with certain rules. In order for the plant to retain its decorative properties for as long as possible, it needs to be properly watered, pruned and insulated. Also, many summer residents are interested in the question of how to feed blue spruce. This culture is not too demanding on nutrients. However, a deficiency or excess of such elements can negatively affect the decorative properties of the tree.
Why feed the spruce
Blue spruces are characterized by slow development. Active growth on trees is observed in late spring and the first half of summer. At this time, it is important to properly care for the tree so that it maintains its decorative properties.
Most of the nutrients need to be added in the spring. Additionally, beneficial substances are used in summer and early autumn. A month before the start of the first frost, they stop feeding the spruce.
It is important to consider that young plants need useful substances, while adult crops do not require fertilizing. It is recommended to add fertilizers that conifers need to the hole during planting.
If after a few years there is a change in the appearance of the crop, this may indicate a deficiency of nutrients. At the same time, gardeners note that spruce needles crumble or become dull in color. Sometimes it even changes its color. By adding nutrients, it is possible to support the development of crops.
Conifers need certain microelements. They need magnesium, sulfur and iron. At the same time, chlorine harms such plants. Therefore, when choosing a specific drug, it is important to take into account its chemical composition.
How to identify nutritional deficiencies
When growing blue spruce in a summer cottage, it is important to focus on its appearance. The loss of decorativeness of a culture may indicate a deficiency of certain elements:
- When there is a lack of nitrogen, tree growth slows down or stops.At the same time, the branches become sparser, and the needles turn pale.
- In case of magnesium deficiency, the needles turn yellow and dry out. The crown of the tree may acquire a golden color.
- Potassium deficiency manifests itself in the form of brittleness and yellowing of needles. Subsequently, it turns brown and dies.
- With a lack of phosphorus, the tree lags behind in development. This process is characterized by shortening, yellowing and curling of the needles.
- Boron deficiency causes a decrease in tree resistance to frost and drought.
- In case of calcium deficiency, there is an increased secretion of resin, primarily in the area of the base of the kidneys. Also, the lack of this substance leads to the death of the upper parts of the shoots.
An acute deficiency of these elements poses a danger for young spruce trees and for mature crops that are fully formed.
Organics VS minerals – which is better?
Blue spruce can be fertilized using different means - both mineral and organic. In this case, it is necessary to correctly select and prepare such substances. The timing and frequency of their submission are of no small importance.
So, when choosing nutrients for blue spruce trees, you should consider the following:
- Conifers cannot be fed with pure manure. It is not used even when mixed with water. An overdose of nitrate and nitrogen, which are present in large quantities in organic matter, is very harmful for the root system of such plants.
- When choosing a mineral preparation, you should give preference to products that include a minimum of nitrogen.
It is also important to consider that a large number of nitrogen components are present in green herb infusions, which are actively used by gardeners. Such products also cause great harm to coniferous plants.
How and what to feed spruce
You need to choose fertilizers for coniferous plants very carefully.Fertilizers that are used for conventional deciduous crops are not suitable for them. Evergreen plants are characterized by economical consumption of minerals. They do not require nutrients for annual fruiting or crown renewal. Therefore, additional elements must be supplied to the root system in a precise dosage.
When choosing a specific substance for a coniferous crop, it is recommended to give preference to proven products from well-known manufacturers. The most popular compositions include the following:
- “Needles” is a combined composition that activates growth processes and ensures the harmonious development of conifers. The composition includes the most important micro- and macroelements. They are present in such products in an ideal ratio. Fertilizing is done with a solution of 10 grams of the substance and 10 liters of water. This volume is enough for 1 square meter of tree trunk circle. The preparation contains quite a lot of nitrogen - 13%. Therefore, it needs to be applied in spring or summer.
- “Fertile universal” - the substance is suitable for comprehensive care of conifers. It can be applied at the planting stage and during the phases of active growth and development of crops. Before planting, the composition is applied to the soil in a volume of 100-200 grams per 1 seedling. To fertilize during the growing season, you need to mix 20-30 grams of the product with 10 liters of water. This amount is enough for 1 crop.
- “Fertika Lux” is a mineral product that is intended for additional nutrition of conifers. The product contains magnesium, which provides the bright color of the needles. To feed a spruce, you need to mix 20 grams of the substance with 10 liters of water. This volume is enough for 1 tree.
- “Zdraven turbo for conifers” is a mineral product intended for the normal growth and development of spruce trees. It is important to take into account that the composition includes a lot of nitrogen - 22%. Therefore, it should be used for conifers only in spring or summer. It is recommended to apply the drug in the form of a solution. To prepare it, you need to mix 15-20 grams of the substance and 10 liters of water.
- "Aquarin" is a combined preparation that is intended for feeding coniferous plants. It contains a minimum of nitrogen. This fertilizer can be used throughout the growing season. It is recommended to fertilize trees with a solution of 15-20 grams of product and 10 liters of water. This volume is enough for 1 plant.
- "Green Needle" - this mineral product contains a lot of magnesium. It can be used for comprehensive care of coniferous crops. Thanks to this, it is possible to significantly improve the decorative appearance of plants and prevent changes in the color of their needles, which is associated with a deficiency of nutrients. It is recommended to apply the drug 2 times during the growing season. To do this, it needs to be scattered in a circle near the tree trunk and embedded in the ground. The dosage of the product should be selected taking into account the height of the crop. Under a tree below 4 meters, 50 grams of the substance should be applied. If the height of the spruce exceeds 8 meters, this amount can reach 250 grams.
- “MicroMix” - this preparation has a specially selected composition that saturates coniferous plants with important chemical elements. Due to the low nitrogen content, fertilizing with this product can be carried out throughout the entire growing season - from spring to autumn. To do this, you need to use a solution of 15-20 grams of the substance and 10 liters of water.This amount is enough for 1 square meter of tree trunk circle.
Negative consequences of improper feeding
When using nutrients to fertilize blue spruce trees, it is important to follow the instructions carefully. Improper application of such funds negatively affects the development of culture. Nitrogen is especially dangerous for conifers.
Nitrogen damage to evergreen species
This nutrient causes rapid growth of shoots and elongation of young needles. When it is used, plants do not have time to adapt to the onset of winter. In this case, shoots that are not woody enough freeze and die. As a result, the appearance of trees deteriorates significantly.
What to do in case of overdose
In the event of an overdose of nutrients, immediate action must be taken. The compact tree can be moved to a new location. If this procedure is not possible, the plant needs to be watered abundantly. It is recommended to use at least 15 liters of water per 1 square meter. This will help wash away the active elements from the upper layers of the soil, and they will move deeper.
Blue spruce is a popular ornamental crop that fits well into landscape compositions and serves as a decoration for every garden plot. In order for a crop to develop well, it needs to be provided with complete and high-quality care, which includes the correct application of fertilizers.
