Winter Gold pine is a very impressive coniferous tree, which is often used to decorate summer cottages. This plant is compact in size and looks great in any area. A characteristic feature of the culture is the unusual color of the needles, which helps to literally transform any space. In order for the plant to maintain its decorative properties, it is necessary to provide it with high-quality care.
What kind of tree is this
According to the botanical description, the Winter Gold variety is a slow-growing dwarf tree. During the year it increases by a maximum of 4 centimeters. By the age of 10 years, the height of the crop does not exceed 1 meter. Moreover, its width is 1.5 meters.
Culture is considered a chameleon. The color of its needles can be different - it all depends on the seasonal factor. The Carstens variety has the brightest shade in winter. At this time, the tree has a spectacular orange color.
Important advantages of the plant are its undemandingness to watering and soil composition. In addition, the culture is resistant to wind and frost. Pine of this variety can withstand temperatures down to -35 degrees. It adapts perfectly to any climate.
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What does it look like
Winter Gold pine is a bright and attractive plant that is distinguished by the following visual features:
- It has a fluffy and dense spherical crown. Pine is characterized by short and stiff needles. They are quite sharp and form bundles of 2 pieces.
- Differs in vertical branches. At the same time, the shoots are characterized by a rather dense arrangement and lie almost closely to the surface of the earth.
- It has initially smooth bark, the color of which varies from gray-brown to dark gray. Gradually, the surface of the trunk becomes covered with cracks and scales.
- It has small round cones measuring 2-4 centimeters. They have a dark brown tint.
- Characterized by well-developed roots. They are branched and prostrate. At the same time, the root system has a different location - from superficial to deep.
Natural growth environment
The decorative variety Winter Gold was first bred through selective breeding in 1969 in Holland. Initially, the plant was grown only in this country. Today the tree is cultivated in almost all natural zones and climatic zones. It is most often found in the south and center of Europe.
The culture is considered very unpretentious to growing conditions. It grows well in moderately dry and sandy loamy soil, even with minimal nutrient content. At the same time, the plant develops best in slightly acidic soil.
Landing instructions
In order for the culture to grow and develop normally, it is important to carry out planting work correctly. In this case, you need to perform a number of sequential actions. Planting work is recommended to be carried out in mid-spring or early autumn.
Selection of seedlings
When planting a crop, it is recommended to pay great attention to the selection of seedlings. Plants aged 3-5 years would be a suitable option. When purchasing a plant, it is important to carefully examine the condition of its root system - it should have a dense earthen lump. Otherwise, the plant may dry out in the first weeks of development, especially with a sudden change in weather. You should not buy seedlings with bare roots. They don't take root well.
Soil preparation
To plant a crop, it is important to prepare a hole. It should be larger than the root system. In this case, a drainage layer 20 centimeters thick must be placed at the bottom. For this, it is permissible to use crushed bricks and gravel. The use of drainage in heavy and wet soil is of particular importance. It is recommended to pour a little sand on top of this layer.
Landing algorithm
When planting Winter Gold pine in open soil, you must adhere to the basic rules of agricultural technology:
- Weed the area of weeds and make a hole for planting. In most cases, a hole measuring 70x70 centimeters is sufficient.
- Place a drainage layer on the bottom.
- Prepare the substrate for the plant. To do this, mix turf, sand and peat in a ratio of 2:1:1. It is not recommended to add organic substances, since conifers do not treat them well.
- Place the plant in the hole. At the same time, it is important to try to preserve the soil lump as much as possible. This will affect the rate at which the plant adapts to new conditions.
- Gently sprinkle the voids with substrate. It is important to compact the soil around the seedling. It is important to ensure that the root collar of the crop is located 3 centimeters above the soil surface.
- Sprinkle the tree trunk circle with a small layer of sand.
- Pour 10 liters of water under the tree.
- After absorbing moisture, cover the tree trunk circle with pine needles or sawdust.
Tree care
Winter Gold pine is an undemanding plant that is quite easy to care for. Agricultural technology comes down to rare watering, periodic application of fertilizers and loosening of the tree trunk.
Watering and fertilizing
Winter Gold is a drought-resistant crop. Therefore, you don’t have to water it too often. Additional moisture is only required during periods of drought. In this case, the soil needs to be moistened weekly. To do this, 10-15 liters of water are used per bush.
Young plants are considered more demanding of soil moisture. It is recommended to water seedlings up to 1 year old twice a month. In this case, it is important to take into account the condition of the tree trunk circle.
When planting a crop in fertile soil, it does not need to be fed. At the same time, from time to time it is worth adding growth stimulants - in particular, Speedfol Amino.It is recommended to use 35 grams of the substance per 1 square meter.
Mulching
This procedure helps reduce the amount of unwanted vegetation and keep the soil moist longer. It is permissible to use straw, sawdust, foliage and pine needles as mulch. In addition, such materials include many organic substances that act as fertilizers.
Trimming and cutting
Experienced gardeners advise pruning plants planted at least 1 year ago. Otherwise, there is a risk of culture destruction. Any type of pruning can be done in early spring. During the sanitary procedure, it is recommended to get rid of dry and broken branches, and in the second - to remove shoots that are out of shape.
Preparing for cold weather
Preparation for winter cold is required exclusively for young plants. It is permissible to cover a fragile pine tree with burlap and spruce branches. In this case, the shelter is not removed until the onset of stable warmth in the spring. The fact is that the sun in February or in the first half of March can cause sunburn on the crop.
Adult plants are frost-resistant and can tolerate temperatures down to -40 degrees. Therefore, they need not be covered. After spring arrives and the snow melts, you can water the pine tree with warm water. This will speed up its awakening after the resting phase and stimulate the growing season.
Features of reproduction
Winter Gold pine reproduces well by seeds. It is recommended to plant them in separate containers with prepared substrate. It must be treated with fungicides in advance to avoid the development of fungal infections. After a few months, the first shoots will appear. At the beginning of autumn, plants can be moved to open ground.They must be insulated with agrofibre. This method is considered quite effective, but does not allow preserving varietal characteristics.
Diseases and pests
The culture is considered quite resistant to pathogens and pests. If the rules of care are violated, Winter Gold pine may encounter the following problems:
- Pine aphid – absorbs crop juices. As a result, there is a risk of needles drying out and falling off. To kill aphids, you need to use an ash solution. To do this, take 300 grams of product per 1 bucket of water. You also need to add 40 grams of crushed laundry soap.
- Hermes - this insect often infects the trunk and shoots of pine trees. Parasites can be identified by deformed branches and a large number of fungi. The drug "Aktara" helps to cope with pests. It is recommended to take 8 grams of product for 1 bucket of water.
- Pine scale insect - feeds on pine shoots and needles. Identifying the parasite can be quite difficult. To destroy pests, it is necessary to use the drug “Antikhrushch”. For 10 liters of water you need to take 10 milliliters of product.
When planting a plant in conditions of insufficient lighting or high humidity, there is a risk of developing fungal infections. They can be identified by changes in the color of the needles. They become brown or black. In addition, a translucent web appears on the shoots.In this case, the infected branches must be cut off and burned, and the tree itself must be treated with a solution of colloidal sulfur. In this case, for 10 liters of water you need to take 30 grams of the substance.
Application in design
Winter Gold is often used in landscape design. This plant is often used to decorate alpine slides and rock gardens. Such design solutions are often used in Asian countries. In the center and east of Europe, such pine is often used as one of the key elements of classical gardens.
The plant is very popular because it takes up minimal space and attracts attention with the rich color of its needles. In winter, this plant becomes a decoration for any regular garden. It looks great against the background of deciduous trees that have gone into the dormant phase.
The culture can be used as a hedge or made into a small border. Pine also looks good as part of figured compositions. Sometimes the tree is located near flowering plants and cereal crops. It can also be combined with decorative maple and heather. Such compositions look very impressive.
Winter Gold pine is a very attractive plant that has an unusual color of needles. In order for the crop to grow and develop normally, it is important to carry out planting work correctly and provide the tree with proper care, which includes watering, fertilizing, and pruning. Protecting the plant from pathologies and pests is of great importance.
