The Little Gem spruce variety has an unusual appearance. The plant has a spherical shape and beautiful green needles. That’s why it is often used in landscape design. In order for the crop to remain attractive at all times, it is important to plant it correctly and provide quality care. It is recommended to water and prune the plant in a timely manner. Preparation for winter is also of great importance.
Origin history and description
Experts say that this variety appeared by accident.It mutated naturally from the dwarf spruce Nidiformis. This happened in the middle of the last century in one of the nurseries in the Netherlands. Breeders appreciated the appearance of the plant and made every effort to consolidate valuable characteristics.
The evergreen dwarf variety Little Gem of Norway spruce is more reminiscent of a shrub. The culture does not have a central shoot, but at the same time has many branches that rise obliquely from the middle. The shoots form a dense nest-like crown, which becomes rounded with age.
The plant is characterized by thin and short needles. They do not exceed 3-9 millimeters in length. The Little Jam variety is distinguished by its compact size and prickly needles, which is why it is often compared to a hedgehog. The needles have a rich green color and young growth of a soft green hue. Due to this, the plant looks decorative.
The culture is characterized by a superficial root system. Therefore, powerful gusts of wind can pull the plant out of the ground. Moreover, due to the presence of many suction roots, the crop is able to independently obtain moisture in dry weather. At the same time, stagnation of moisture in wood is contraindicated.
The Little Jam variety is characterized by slow development. Over the course of a year, the crop increases by 2-3 centimeters in height and by 3 centimeters in width. By the age of 10, the plant reaches 30 centimeters. In this case, the crown in diameter is 30-50 centimeters. After reaching a size of 50 centimeters, the development of the culture stops.
How to plant a tree
Spruce of the Little Gem variety is considered an undemanding plant. However, when growing it, you still need to follow some rules.
Preparation and selection of seedlings
To improve the survival rate of the crop, it is recommended to buy a seedling with closed roots. Such plants are sold directly in containers. Such trees are provided with nutrients for a long period of time.
Planting work should be carried out from the beginning of March to the end of November. When purchasing a seedling, it is important to ensure that it has green needles. There should be no yellow spots on it. In addition, it is important to ensure that the plant does not have dry shoots.
Where to plant and how to prepare the hole
This variety of spruce is recommended to be planted in a well-lit place. Although the plant tolerates partial shade well, it still requires several hours of sunlight. This has a beneficial effect on the decorativeness of the crop.
In addition, the garden plot must have reliable protection from the wind, since the spruce roots are very close to the surface of the earth. Powerful gusts can damage the plant.
The culture needs loamy or sandy loam soil. When choosing a substrate, you should give preference to neutral soil. A little acidity is also acceptable. It is important that the soil is loose and fertile.
If the soil density is high, it is recommended to create a drainage layer in the recess when planting. It may consist of sand or expanded clay. The thickness of this layer should be 2 centimeters. In order for the tree to develop well, it is recommended to prepare a nutrient substrate. To do this, you need to mix forest and garden soil in equal proportions and add peat and sand to it.
Like other conifers, Little Gem spruce cannot withstand stagnant moisture in the root system.Therefore, for planting, it is recommended to give preference to areas with deep groundwater.
Landing algorithm
To plant a spruce of this variety, you need to do the following:
- Dig holes that correspond in size to the root system of the seedlings. Typically, the depth of the planting hole is 50-70 centimeters. When planting several crops, it is important to maintain an interval between them. It should be 2 meters.
- Prepare a nutrient substrate and make small mounds out of it in the center of the recess.
- Place the seedlings on the mounds and straighten their roots.
- Sprinkle the root system with nutrient substrate. In this case, it is important to ensure that the root collar of the plant is located at the same level with the surface of the earth.
- Water each seedling with 2-3 buckets of water.
- Mulch the tree trunk circle. To do this, it is permissible to use crushed peat, sawdust or dry humus. This procedure will help avoid rapid evaporation of moisture.
Aftercare
Little Gem spruce is considered an undemanding crop, so it does not require careful care. However, experts advise adhering to a number of rules. This will help maintain the decorative quality of the crop and provide reliable protection from diseases and pests.
Hydration
When moistening the soil, it is important to monitor the water balance. Spruce does not tolerate drought well, so in hot weather it needs to be watered every week. It is recommended to use at least 10 liters of water per plant. In the evening, it is worth sprinkling the crown.
It is important to take into account that the plant has difficulty accepting stagnant moisture near the roots. Excess water increases the likelihood of wood being damaged by fungal pathologies.
Trimming
During the first 10 years of growth, Little Gem spruce perfectly retains its spherical shape and requires almost no pruning. After which the spruce branches begin to grow unevenly. To maintain a symmetrical shape, it is necessary to regularly trim shoots that are too long. This procedure should be performed in late spring or early summer. At this time, sap flow becomes less active.
Preparing for cold weather
An adult plant of the Little Gem variety can withstand frosts down to -40 degrees. However, there is no need to cover it for the winter. However, young plants need additional insulation. Otherwise, in the spring they will be covered with yellow spots, which indicate local frostbite.
In addition, young seedlings require crown supports. Such structures help to avoid breaking off fragile branches under the weight of snow cover.
Pest Control
Spruce Little Jam is considered a resistant plant, which is characterized by strong natural immunity. In order for a crop to grow and develop normally, it needs to be planted correctly and provided with quality care. The risk of fungal infection increases in conditions of high humidity, thickening with old branches, drying out or flooding of the root system, and improper application of fertilizers.
According to descriptions of specialists, one of the most common pathologies is considered to be schutte. When spruce is infected, longitudinal brown stripes appear on the needles. If measures are not taken in time, there is a risk of needles turning brown and falling off. As a result, the plant dies.
Rust is another common pathology of coniferous plants. As this disease develops, bright orange pustules appear on the crop. As they grow, they affect the entire plant.
From fruit trees, spruce of this variety can become infected with fusarium.In this case, the root system first suffers, after which fungal spores provoke blockage of blood vessels. As a result, the bush loses life-giving substances. At the same time, the needles acquire a reddish tint. Then it dries up and crumbles.
If there is high humidity, planting in a shady place or a highly dense crown, there is a risk of the crop being affected by various types of rot. At the same time, mycelium spores infect the branches and needles with a gray web. The needles can turn black, brown or gray.
At the first signs of pathology, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of its occurrence. It is important to get rid of infected branches and burn them. It is also necessary to spill the soil with biological products. For this purpose, it is permissible to use “Gamair”, “Fitosporin-M”, “Alirin-B”.
Treating spruce with copper-based products is of no small importance. If the infection spreads significantly, the bush should be dug up and burned. To combat the disease, it is necessary to use sulfur solutions and Bordeaux mixture. “Hom”, “Abiga-pik”, “Fundazol” are also highly effective.
Prevention of disease development is of great importance. To avoid the appearance of pathologies, it is important to use healthy Little Gem seedlings for planting. Plants with bare roots need to be soaked in solutions of bactericidal agents. For this, it is permissible to use “Maxim” or “Baktofit”.
At the beginning of spring or at the end of autumn, it is necessary to treat trees and soil with fungicidal preparations and copper-based compounds. In case of extensive lesions, such procedures are also performed in the summer.
As for parasites, Little Gem spruce is susceptible to attacks by Hermes. These pests attack needles.After which sticky pustules, resembling small pieces of cotton wool, remain on its surface. Adults cause kidney damage. Similar symptoms remain on trees when affected by mealybugs.
At the first signs of pest attacks, it is worth using biological products - in particular, Fitoverm. If there are a large number of parasites, it is recommended to use systemic chemicals - Actellik and Fufanon.
Application in design
Spruce Little Jam is often used in landscape design. It can be grown as a single plant or as part of living borders. The plant goes well with deciduous and flower crops.
This coniferous tree has a compact size, so it can be safely grown in flowerpots and containers. The culture is often used to create rockeries and rock gardens. It serves as an excellent addition to oriental and heather gardens.
Dwarf spruce is perfect for decorating balconies. It can be used to decorate roofs and front entrances. Ephedra goes well with meadow flowers and roses. Some gardeners prefer to shape the spruce tree like a bonsai. An important advantage of the culture is its small size. Therefore, it can be used to decorate even a small area.
Little Gem Spruce is an attractive plant that is often used to decorate a variety of spaces. In order for the plant to maintain its decorative properties, it must be properly cared for.
