Pine of the Compact Gem variety is a common plant that is perfect for decorating summer cottages and parks. With the help of this conifer you can get a unique garden composition. The plant has ideal parameters and compact size. It is characterized by a dense crown and elegant thick needles. This helps make the culture a real decoration of a garden, park or rock garden.
Botanical description
This variety belongs to the Geldreich species. This name is associated with the name of the botanist who first discovered the plant in Europe.It is worth noting that the researcher first identified a tall pine, but the Compact Jam variety is considered a miniature copy of it. The study of wood began back in 1851. Currently, the culture is a symbol of one of the Italian national parks.
With proper care, the lifespan of this plant reaches 50-100 years. The culture is characterized by slow development. As a result, it increases by 10-15 centimeters per year. The height of the plant is 3.5 meters, and the diameter is 2. By the age of 10, the crop reaches a size of 1.5 meters. Moreover, its width is no more than 80 centimeters.
The plant is characterized by a decorative symmetrical crown of a cone shape and high density. The culture has a dense arrangement of branches that are pressed tightly against each other and directed upward. The tree has dark gray bark. Another characteristic of the variety is a well-developed branched root system, which goes quite deep. Thanks to this, the plant is highly resistant to drought.
Compact Gem pine has elongated glossy needles up to 10 centimeters in size. It is distinguished by a dense arrangement and forms bunches. The needles have a hard and prickly structure and a dark green color. The cones on the tree are large in size, ovoid in shape and brown in color.
The key advantages of this culture include the following:
- attractive appearance;
- the ability to bring fresh notes to any landscape;
- undemanding to the composition of the soil;
- ease of care;
- high resistance to drought.
At the same time, Compact Jam pine also has a number of disadvantages. The main disadvantages of the plant include the following:
- slow growth;
- intolerance to stagnation of moisture in the soil structure;
- average winter resistance.
Many people combine this culture with other conifers. The culture looks especially good with blue spruce and juniper trees. Also, an excellent option would be to create entire compositions of two or more tiers, in which the Compact Jam variety is on the lower level. Such options are decorative even in the winter season, since coniferous plants covered with snow look very attractive.
Also, the variety in question looks great in neat rocky gardens. At the same time, its attractiveness can be emphasized by different types of decor - for example, garden figures or lanterns.
Planting a tree
Geldreich's whitebark pine requires proper planting. It is important to pay attention to site preparation and seedling selection.
Preparing the site
Dwarf pine Heldreichii is considered very unpretentious. It is important to ensure that the area is not too wet. Excess water negatively affects the roots of the crop and even leads to its death.
As for the type of soil, the tree will develop well even in poor and dry soil. However, it is much better to give preference to a drained loamy or sandy loam substrate. Acidity parameters are of no small importance. They must be neutral. If necessary, the soil must be loosened and lime added to a depth of 20 centimeters.
The amount of this substance depends on the characteristics of the soil:
- at pH less than 4, 500-600 grams are required;
- at an even pH level, 300-400 grams of the substance are required;
- with an acidity of 5.1-5.5, 250-300 grams of lime are needed for clay and loam;
- with parameters close to neutral, lime is not required.
Before planting the plant, the area must be cleared of weeds and their remains. After this, the selected area should be dug up.
How to prepare a seedling
Compact Gem pine seedlings should be purchased in special nurseries. It is recommended to give preference to crops that grow in special containers - pots or containers. This indicates well-developed roots. Such crops will be pulled into containers along with a lump of soil, which will help avoid damage to the roots during transplantation.
It is better to avoid purchasing seedlings with bare roots, as they take root much worse. The rhizome of the crop stores important microorganisms that a small tree requires to absorb minerals from the soil. In open soil, bacteria die within 15 minutes.
To get a beautiful ornamental tree, you should buy plants under 5 years old. The younger the crop, the faster it will get used to the site.
Landing instructions
It is recommended to carry out planting work in the spring, when the temperature is +10 degrees and there is no risk of return frosts. It is also permissible to plant the crop in the fall. This is best done in early September.
To plant a plant in open soil, you must do the following:
- Dig a hole for planting. Its depth should exceed the length of the container by 20-30 centimeters, and its diameter by 15-20.
- Place drainage at the bottom of the hole. Its thickness should be 5-10 centimeters.For this purpose, gravel, sand, expanded clay, crushed brick or crushed stone are used.
- Cover the drainage layer with fertile substrate. To make it, you need to mix turf, peat and sand in a ratio of 3:1:1.
- Plant the plant in the ground. The seedling needs to be placed in the central part of the hole and its root system should be straightened.
- Fill the hole with soil. It is important to avoid deepening the root collar.
- Water the plant. For 1 seedling it is worth using 10 liters of water.
- Cover the bed with a mulch layer. For this, sawdust or peat is used.
Care and its features
In order for the plant to grow and develop normally, it needs to be properly cared for. At the same time, it is important to water and feed the crop on time. Loosening the soil and preparing the plant for frost is also of great importance.
Watering and fertilizing
Young pine plants need to be watered 2 times a week. In this case, 10 liters of water are used per crop. It is best to moisten the soil in the evening. Adult plants require less watering - 3-4 times during the season are enough. In dry summers, it is recommended to water the plant twice a week.
The crop needs to be fed so that it has a healthy and attractive appearance. For this purpose, it is worth using compost or fertilizers for coniferous plants. The best options include Plantafol, Novofert, and Compo. Fertilizing should be done in the spring, as it causes active development of shoots, and this is important in the warm season.
Trimming
Pruning a plant is aimed at slightly adjusting its shape with asymmetrical development of branches. This procedure can be formative or sanitary. Shaping the crown helps make it more even and attractive. Sanitary pruning involves removing dry and damaged shoots. It should be carried out in spring and autumn.
Loosening the soil
With the arrival of spring warmth, the soil needs to be well loosened and cleared of weeds. In this case, it is undesirable to dive more than 10 centimeters. In summer, loosening the soil is required once a month. This can also be done after rains. The procedure is also required in the fall.
It is important to constantly clear the tree trunk of weeds. The fact is that such plants provide an ideal environment for the development of pathogens and parasites that provoke damage to the crop.
Preparing for cold weather
Pine Compact Jam has average frost resistance parameters. It can withstand temperature drops from -18 to -23 degrees. Young trees must be protected in winter using burlap or other covering materials. You can also cover the crop with spruce branches and cover it with snow.
Adult plants can be covered with a layer of peat measuring 10 centimeters. This is done if the temperature is at least -23 degrees. If a very cold winter is expected, the same insulation is required as in the case of young crops.
After removing the insulating material, it is important to carefully inspect the plants and perform sanitary pruning. In this case, it is necessary to remove frozen branches. Nutrients are then applied to the plants. It is also recommended to treat them against parasites and diseases.
Pine Compact Gem is an excellent ornamental crop that fits perfectly into a variety of compositions on sites. In order for a plant to grow and develop normally, it needs to be provided with complete and high-quality care. It should include timely watering, fertilizing, and loosening. Preparing the crop for cold weather is of no small importance.
