Fertilizers for spruce are varied. Mineral, organic and complex products are used to feed coniferous crops. Thanks to properly selected substances, you can improve the development of a tree, strengthen its immunity and increase its decorative properties. It is important to strictly adhere to the dosage and recommendations for using the substance. An excess of nutrients is just as dangerous for a crop as their deficiency.
How to determine if you are eating not enough nutrition
There are many signs by which experts can determine the nutrient needs of a coniferous plant. Most often, problems appear when care rules are violated or unfavorable climatic factors influence.
The main signs of deficiency of useful elements in conifers include the following:
- growth slowdown - while the height or diameter of the trunk does not increase;
- sparse arrangement of shoots;
- change in the color of the needles - they can become yellow, red or paler;
- excessive release of resin;
- drying or rotting of the buds.
Most of the nutrients for coniferous plants enter the soil during the first planting. The combined composition will be sufficient for several years. After some time, the soil becomes depleted and begins to require additional help.
By deteriorating the appearance and development of the spruce, it is possible to determine which elements the plant lacks:
- when growing conifers in calcareous soil, the crop develops chlorosis - the needles turn yellow, and a disturbance in the development of the trunk and roots is observed;
- with potassium deficiency, premature yellowing of needles is observed;
- in case of calcium deficiency, problems arise with root development;
- with a lack of iron, the needles turn white, but do not die;
- With boron deficiency, problems arise with seed setting.
What types of fertilizers are there?
You can feed the spruce with a variety of fertilizers - mineral, organic or complex. Among all types of fertilizers, experts advise giving preference to mineral substances. They can be single-component or mixed. The need to apply certain funds is determined by the condition of the needles.
Among mineral products, it is recommended to give preference to superphosphates.They are phosphorus-based powder mixtures. This element can be present in the preparation as phosphoric acid or monocalcium phosphate. To make the composition easier to use, phosphorus compounds and gypsum are added to it.
Dolomite flour is considered one of the most effective remedies. This drug comes in powder form, which is obtained from sedimentary rock. The composition includes more than 90% dolomite. This product helps reduce soil acidity parameters and ensures its saturation with magnesium and calcium.
Organic fertilizers help saturate the soil with potassium and other microelements. However, it is important to consider that such products can cause great harm to conifers. Therefore, to fertilize spruce trees, it is allowed to use only 2 types of such preparations:
- Vermicompost - this composition is formed as a result of the decomposition of the remains of soil worms. The substance is produced artificially in biogas plants. Vermicompost contains a lot of humic acids. The mass also includes magnesium, phosphorus and calcium.
- Compost is a substance that is formed from waste products of animals and plants. It takes 1-2 years for the mass to mature. The specific period depends on the composition of the pit and ripening conditions.
Organic products do not always benefit coniferous plants. Therefore, they must be applied correctly, strictly adhering to the dosage. It is best to use organic matter as a mulch layer.
It is best for coniferous plants to use special substances that are designed taking into account their needs.Combined fertilizers contain several mineral components at once. The most effective drugs include:
- “Hello for conifers” - should be used in the spring season, immediately after the snow melts. The substance includes potassium and some nitrogen. It can be used to strengthen roots and stimulate spring growth. To feed a tree, it is recommended to take 15-20 grams of the substance, mix it with 20 liters of liquid and use it for watering. This must be done in cloudy weather.
- “Hvoinka” - the product can be used in the spring. It ensures the elongation of shoots. The drug contains more than 10% nitrogen.
- “Universal for pine needles” - the product is used during planting and at different stages of the growing season. Thanks to its use, it is possible to stimulate the formation of shoots.
- “Aquarin” - to fertilize a coniferous plant, you need to use 50% grams of a water-soluble emulsion. The substance ensures the development of the tree and prevents infection by fungi.
- “Green Needle” - the drug contains a lot of magnesium. This substance strengthens the root system and activates the development of young shoots. In combination with nitrogen and phosphorus, the substance can be used in the spring. This must be done as the soil warms up to +8 degrees.
How to properly fertilize a tree
To obtain a quick effect, fertilizers for spruce trees must be applied correctly. In this case, many nuances need to be taken into account.
Instructions for adding to the ground
It is recommended to feed coniferous plants twice – in spring and autumn. At other times of the year, nutrients are added as needed. All types of fertilizers are divided into dry and liquid. When introducing them, it is recommended to take into account the following conditions:
- Preparations in the form of granules or powder should be distributed over moist soil, after which the soil must be loosened. Thanks to this, it is possible to connect the substance with the top layer of the earth. As the soil becomes moist, the granules will move downward, closer to the roots. At the same time, soil acidity parameters will begin to stabilize.
- Liquid solutions for conifers are made less concentrated than for deciduous plants. To feed the crop, you need to make a furrow 8-10 centimeters from the trunk, pour a solution into it, sprinkle it with earth and level it.
- It is recommended to add vermicompost or compost with the top layer of soil after loosening. Organic matter is considered a fairly heavy fertilizer. Therefore, coniferous plants need to be fed with extreme caution.
Mulching is considered a popular method of adding nutrients. To do this, the top layer of soil must be covered with the selected material. You need to leave a free strip of 5-8 centimeters in size near the trunk.
Feeding schedule
When growing spruce trees at home and in summer cottages, it is important to follow the nutrient application schedule. It should be done like this:
- In early spring, the tree trunk circle can be mulched with well-rotted manure. Before loosening, it is worth applying a mineral complex fertilizer - for example, "Pokon". The needles need to be sprayed with “Ferovit” or “Zircon”. This is done 2 times with an interval of 10 days.
- In summer, spruce can be fed 1-3 times with a complex mineral composition.
- In autumn, ready-made mineral fertilizer should be applied. You can also use a composition based on 150 grams of wood ash and 100 grams of dolomite flour.
Tips for beginners
To achieve full growth and development of spruce, you must adhere to the following rules for applying fertilizers:
- Study the composition carefully. The nitrogen content in the fertilizer should not exceed 15%. Spruce trees definitely require potassium and phosphorus.
- For decorative dwarf crops, it is worth using the drug “Needle”. It can be used in spring and summer.
- Among liquid fertilizers, Aquarin is perfect. It can be applied for the last time at the beginning of September.
- To achieve the emerald color of the needles, the spruce needs to be fed with the “Green Needle” preparation.
Today there are quite a lot of effective fertilizers for coniferous plants. To successfully feed a spruce, it is recommended to choose the right composition and follow the instructions for using such substances. It is important to strictly follow the dosage so as not to overfeed the plant with useful elements.
