Spruce of the Fat Albert variety is a fairly common ornamental crop that is highly resistant to frost. This culture can be used to decorate summer cottages. In order for a plant to look quite decorative, it needs to be provided with complete and high-quality care. Timely watering, pruning, and preparation for cold weather are of great importance.
Description and history of origin
The Fat Albert variety was obtained in the USA. The main breeding work was carried out in a nursery located in Oregon. This variety was obtained in 1978 due to natural hybridization. The name spruce is in no way related to botany.It was given to the culture by the staff of the Iseli Nursery in honor of the cartoon character.
This crop belongs to the category of prickly spruce trees, which are distinguished by their regular, wide-conical crown. The harmony of the plant is associated with the presence of a powerful and stable leading shoot. It does not lose its position throughout the life of the plant.
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In 1 year, the crop grows by 20 centimeters. By the age of 10 years, the height of the plant reaches 3 meters. More mature specimens even have a size of 12-15 meters. In this case, the crown is 3-4 meters in diameter.
The variety is distinguished by strong and harmoniously developed shoots that extend from the trunk at almost a right angle and form regular tiers. In general, the plant is characterized by a dense crown. This is facilitated by thick and prickly needles. The length of the needles is 2-3 centimeters. The color of the plant clearly shows blue color that lasts throughout the year.
Landing
Prickly spruce Fat Albert develops well in sunny areas. It grows well in fertile and well-drained soil. In this case, the crop requires extremely moderate watering. The Fat Albert variety does not tolerate excess moisture and does not tolerate swampy areas. In hot weather, spruce needs to be sprayed. At the same time, the culture is resistant to frost.It can withstand temperatures down to -35 degrees.
To plant on your site, it is permissible to buy a ready-made seedling. This will allow you to get an attractive ornamental plant in the shortest possible time. To achieve good results, it is recommended to control the location of the root collar when planting. When planting in the ground, it should be flush with the ground surface. Despite the fact that spruce of this variety is considered to be very light-loving, it needs to be shaded immediately after planting.
Care
In order for the crop to grow normally, it is important to follow a number of important agrotechnical rules. To ensure that the plant does not stop developing, it needs to be watered and fed on time. To maintain the beauty and symmetry of the crown, it is worth pruning regularly. To prevent pest attacks and the development of pathologies, it is important to prepare plants for winter every year.
Watering
Spruce Fat Albert does not withstand prolonged drought. Therefore, the plant needs to be watered on time. It is important not to exceed the recommended limits. Otherwise, there is a high probability of developing rot - gray or root rot.
Trees need to be watered once a week. In this case, it is recommended to take a maximum of 12 liters of warm water per plant. 2-3 days after irrigating the soil, it is worth loosening the top layer of soil. This will saturate the root system with air and moisture and prevent a dense crust from forming on the soil surface.
Trimming
Fat Albert spruce does not require pruning. But when growing a crop as a hedge, it is imperative to get rid of dry and diseased branches. This will help improve the appearance of the fence and prevent the development of diseases and pest attacks.It is recommended to prune the crop at the end of May. At this point, the active movement of juices in the trunk tissues stops.
Preparing for cold weather
Despite their resistance to frost, it is recommended to insulate young plants for the winter. This is usually done using ordinary spruce branches. It is also permissible to use fallen leaves and straw instead. It is best to use breathable materials for covering. Otherwise, during thaws, condensation may accumulate, which has a bad effect on the development of the crop.
To insulate the spruce around the tree, you need to create a frame in the form of a cone. It is worth fixing the selected insulation on top of it. It is recommended to secure the top layer with ropes or staples. This will help prevent it from being blown away by gusts of wind. In mid-March, the shelter can be removed.
Preparation for winter is required exclusively for young crops. Trees 3-4 years old do not need to be covered. It is important to consider that you should start warming procedures only if the air temperature is from -5 to -7 degrees.
Application
The culture is distinguished by its excellent decorative properties. This is due to the unusual blue color of the needles. Therefore, spruce of this variety is often used in landscape design. The plant fits perfectly into small gardens.
In this case, it is permissible to use the tree as an accent or create group plantings with its participation. The culture goes well with other conifers, ornamental shrubs, and bright flowers. It should be used to decorate rock gardens and rockeries. The plant also looks great in rocky gardens.
The Fat Albert spruce is an excellent ornamental plant that fits perfectly into a variety of compositions.In order for a tree to always remain attractive, it is important to plant it correctly. Proper care of the crop is also of great importance. It should include soil moisture, pruning, and insulation for the winter.
