Mountain pine Ophir is a coniferous shrub that grows naturally in the mountains of southern Europe. One of the main advantages of the plant is its excellent adaptive properties and the ability to withstand different climatic conditions. In addition, the culture has excellent decorative qualities, which helps to actively use it in landscape design. In order for the plant to develop normally, it needs to be properly cared for.
Detailed description
Representatives of this variety belong to dwarf trees. At the age of 10, Ophir barely reaches 70 centimeters.Sometimes its height does not exceed 50 centimeters at all. The maximum size is 1.5 meters. At the same time, the crown of the crop reaches 1 meter by the age of 10 years. The largest figure is 2 meters. This pine is considered a long-liver. In favorable conditions, it can live up to 100 years.
The mountain pine Ophir is characterized by a superficial root system with strong branching. The culture has a round, cushion-shaped crown. However, over time it becomes wide and cone-shaped. The top of the trunk is covered with brown bark, which has a grayish color. As the tree matures, it becomes covered with small light brown scales. Ophir pine is characterized by densely branched shoots. In this case, the lower branches spread and bend upward.
Pine has hard, glossy needles. Moreover, the length of the needles does not exceed 4 meters. In one axil there are 2 needles, which twist towards the shoot in a sickle-shaped manner. The needles have a rich green color. However, in winter they turn lemon yellow. The tree is characterized by elongated brown ovoid buds. They are quite sharp and have a length of 6 millimeters.
Cones form on a grown crop. This only happens at 6-7 years of age. They hang singly, but sometimes form 2-3 pieces. Each fruit measures up to 4 centimeters. The color of the buds varies from dark brown to hazelnut. It takes 2 years for them to mature. With the arrival of winter, the fruits open. Inside the cones are winged seeds that resemble black nuts.
Advantages and disadvantages of wood
The Ophir variety has a number of important advantages. The main advantages of culture include the following:
- low maintenance requirements;
- unusual decorative color that changes throughout the year;
- resistance to significant temperature drops;
- healing pine aroma that helps purify the air;
- neat shape - the tree does not have a tendency to grow chaotically.
At the same time, the culture also has disadvantages. It must not be placed near the roadway. The plant is highly sensitive to air pollution. In such an environment it can weaken and even die.
Application
Pinus mugo Ophir is considered an excellent plant for forming decorative compositions. This plant is perfect for solving the following problems:
- creating borders;
- landscaping of terraces, squares and parks;
- creation of rockeries;
- strengthening slopes and slopes;
- creating compositions with herbaceous and coniferous plants.
Mountain pine of this variety can be used as a tapeworm or formed into group compositions with its participation. However, it is important to consider that the crop can hardly withstand air pollution. Therefore, it should not be located near roads with heavy traffic.
Landing requirements
Pine Pinus mugo Ophir prefers open sunny areas that do not have stagnant moisture. The perennial crop develops well on slopes. A substrate made of turf, peat, sand and gravel is suitable for the plant. However, in general, any type of soil is suitable for the culture, except for heavy clay and clean peat bogs.
It is recommended to plant conifers at the end of April. In this case, you need to choose a cloudy day or work late in the evening. The interval between bushes should be 90-140 centimeters. It is important to consider that the pine tree grows in breadth.
A layer of crushed stone or gravel must be poured into the bottom of the planting hole. Its thickness should be 20 centimeters. A drainage layer is required to protect the root system from excess moisture during melting snow and heavy rainfall.
It is recommended to add a combined mineral composition for conifers to the soil when planting. Such products as “Pokon”, “Fertika”, “Buyskoe” are perfect for this. It is important to strictly adhere to the dosage.
Proper cultivation
Mountain pine Ophir is considered undemanding to care and resistant to frost. It is not too susceptible to diseases and parasites, but does not tolerate prolonged drought well and is characterized by sensitivity to air pollution.
To maintain decorativeness and strengthen the plant’s immunity, it needs to be provided with high-quality care. The Ophir variety is considered very moisture-loving. Therefore, the crop needs to be watered systematically. In hot weather, it is recommended to do this once a week. It is also recommended to sprinkle the crown with cool water.
Ophir pine does not require frequent fertilization. In the spring, it is permissible to feed the tree with nitrogen substances, which are intended for conifers. Thanks to this, it will be possible to stimulate the growth of greenery. At the end of summer, it is worth using mineral products that strengthen the crop’s immunity and increase its resistance to diseases and pests.
When growing pine of this variety, it is imperative to loosen and mulch the soil. The first procedure saturates the soil with valuable substances and thereby accelerates the development of root processes.It is recommended to mulch the soil when planting crops. In the summer, it is worth using mowed grass, compost or peat for this. In autumn, spruce branches or chopped bark are used as mulch.
Trimming
This dwarf variety does not require systematic radical pruning. In early spring, the crop needs a sanitary procedure, during which it is worth getting rid of broken, weakened and dry branches.
If necessary, it is permissible to engage in crown formation. Ophir holds up well to being cut. In this case, it is worth removing protruding shoots and branches growing inside. It is also recommended to get rid of elements that interfere with creating the correct shape.
Reproduction methods
It is permissible to propagate the crop by seed, cuttings and grafting. However, the first method is usually used only by professional breeders. This is a very labor-intensive process that requires specific knowledge. Beginning gardeners will most likely not be able to obtain a plant with maternal qualities.
This variety also does not tolerate cuttings very well. This tree has too little strength for the formation of roots and high-quality rooting. If the gardener nevertheless decides to carry out cuttings, it is recommended to take annual pine branches no larger than 10 centimeters in size. Seedlings should be cut so that the heel is located at the bottom of the sprout. In this case, for planting, the gardener can use a special substrate - peat, sand, garden soil.
Propagation of the crop by grafting is considered the most reliable method. As a rootstock it is worth using 4-year-old sprouts of a wild tree. However, it is important to consider that this method is considered quite complex.
The Ophir mountain pine is an attractive ornamental crop that fits well into a wide variety of landscape compositions. For growing a tree to be successful, it is important to provide it with quality care.
