The Hampi mountain pine is a dwarf ornamental plant that has a cushion-shaped crown and is devoid of cones. The culture is considered very unpretentious and can grow even in poor soil. With the arrival of winter, the dark green needles of the plant acquire a brown color. At the same time, in spring the bushes are covered with decorative anthers. To grow a plant successfully, it is important to follow a number of rules.
Description of the variety
Pinus mugo Humpy is the botanical name of a new small grafted variety of mountain pine that was discovered in Switzerland.Culture has a number of advantages. These include the following:
- slow development - the tree grows literally by 3-4 centimeters per year;
- compact dimensions of an adult crop - its width does not exceed 1.5 meters, and its height is no more than 80 centimeters;
- neat round shape.
The Hampi variety is characterized by a dense cushion-shaped crown. In the first 8-10 years, the crop reaches a height of 30 centimeters and has the shape of a slightly flattened ball. More mature shrubs increase in width and form a mound. This is precisely what the name of the culture is connected with.
The Hampi variety is characterized by densely growing shoots that are directed in different directions and upward. They branch quite strongly in different directions. The bark is brown or dark gray. The tree is characterized by shiny dark green needles, which reach a length of 5 centimeters. It forms bundles and is arranged in pairs. With the arrival of winter, the needles turn brown.
In winter, the bush is covered with beautiful red-brown buds. With the arrival of spring, attractive male inflorescences with yellow anthers appear on it. The variety is also characterized by branched roots, which are located quite close to the soil surface.
Plants of the Hampi variety are considered very hardy. They are able to withstand moisture deficits and short periods of waterlogging. Also, these crops can tolerate the influence of sun and wind. They belong to the fourth climate zone. This means that plants can withstand temperatures as low as -34 degrees. They easily tolerate winter and do not need shelter.
Landing instructions
Pine of this variety grows well in well-lit areas. Despite this, the shrub can withstand partial shade.At the same time, there is a risk of reducing crown saturation. In addition, light deficiency negatively affects the size of the plant.
The shrub form is considered undemanding in terms of soil composition. Therefore, it can be planted in clay soil with high acidity parameters or in rocky soil. The Hampi variety is a crop that can withstand the influence of industrial emissions in large cities and not lose its decorative value.
It is necessary to buy seedlings from nurseries that comply with storage conditions. This will help avoid purchasing a plant that has lost its varietal properties.
It is important to consider that Hampi pine can hardly withstand stagnant waterlogging. Therefore, at the stage of preparation for planting work, it is necessary to use drainage, and add a small amount of sand to dense nutrient soil.
Preparing the planting site should begin in the fall. After digging up the area, you need to remove all weeds and add humus. 20 kilograms of the substance are used per 1 square meter. This saturates the soil with valuable elements and improves the development of shrubs.
After a couple of weeks, you can begin preparing the holes. Their depth should be 60 centimeters and width – 70. Planting work is recommended to be carried out from August to September. To plant a crop, you should do the following:
- Pour 15 centimeters of drainage – expanded clay or crushed stone – onto the bottom.
- Place 20 centimeters of nutrient soil on top.
- Place the seedling in the hole and distribute its roots over the surface of the hole.
- Leave the root collar above the surface of the ground, since it is considered a conductor of beneficial elements and oxygen to the roots.
- Sprinkle with soil and compact. This will help prevent voids from forming.
- Pour 30 liters of water under the seedling.
- Cover the tree trunk circle with a mulch layer. To do this, use peat, humus or straw.
How to care for a tree
Plants of the Hampi variety do not require specific care. In this case, it is enough to carry out standard procedures that will help maintain the health of the bush. To care for the plant, it is enough to water, prune and feed it in a timely manner. You also need to loosen the soil and protect the bush from the cold.
Watering and fertilizing
When determining irrigation rates, it is necessary to take into account the climate of the region. With little rainfall and dry summers, it is recommended to irrigate the pine every week. In humid areas this is done once a month. It is recommended to pour at least 30 liters of water under each plant.
Mature bushes older than 2 years need to be watered 3 times during the season. In this case, you should use 50 liters of water for each bush. The pine crown responds well to sprinkling. To do this, the greens need to be sprayed with a spray bottle. This should be done every week in the evenings. Thanks to this, it will be possible to make the plant’s needles brighter and get rid of pests.
Before watering and applying fertilizer, the soil must be loosened. This will saturate the soil with useful substances and air. It is recommended to feed the pine tree several times during the season:
- In spring it is worth using compost - 200 grams of the substance should be used per 1 square meter;
- in summer it is recommended to apply nitroammophoska - it is recommended to use 300 grams of the product per 1 square meter;
- In the fall, superphosphate is used - 100 grams of the substance is enough for 1 square meter.
Loosening
During the first 5 years after planting, pine requires full care. It affects not only health, but also the life expectancy of the crop. It is recommended to loosen the top layer of soil around the plant once a week. In this case, it is permissible to deepen the tool by a maximum of 5-7 centimeters to avoid damage to superficially located roots. You should also get rid of weeds. This will help prevent the development of diseases and parasite attacks.
After each watering, the soil should be covered with a mulch layer. This will help maintain optimal soil moisture parameters and retain heat during sudden cold snaps. It is permissible to use straw, sawdust or peat as mulch. The size of the protective layer should be 20 centimeters.
Pruning and crown formation
Formative pruning of the plant is required in the following cases:
- the crown has a one-sided shape;
- individual branches stand out from the overall shape.
To form the crown, you should use sharp pruning shears. In this case, it is enough to get rid of branches that are knocked out of the contour. Carrying out annual sanitary pruning is of no small importance. To do this, in the spring you need to remove dry and injured shoots of the plant. This should be done before bud formation begins.
What diseases are typical for trees?
When growing Hampi pine, it needs to be systematically inspected for spots and damaged areas. Such symptoms may indicate the presence of diseases or pests. Most often, the crop suffers from rust and shutte.
When rust appears, the plant becomes covered with orange spots and swellings. To cope with the pathology, you need to use a solution of Bordeaux mixture. To prepare it, you need to mix 10 grams of the substance with 10 liters of water.
Schutte is accompanied by the formation of brown spots on the needles of the plant. This disease is characterized by rapid development. After just 1 week, the needles become yellow and fall off. To cope with the pathology, you need to use a solution of 1 tablespoon of colloidal sulfur and 10 liters of water.
Application in design
Dwarf varieties of conifers are often used in landscape design. Hampi mountain pine is used to decorate heather gardens, rock gardens, and rockeries. It can also be grown in containers and pots. In this case, the culture is used to decorate patios, balconies and terraces.
Hampi mountain pine is a common coniferous crop that has many benefits. This plant fits well into landscape design and does not require special care.
