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The garden plot is a kind of canvas for the artist. What will be the landscape depends on the owners and designers. Why not try recreating themed corners dedicated to different plants. Fir has had a beneficial effect on people since ancient times. The ancient Greeks considered this plant sacred, identifying it with the goddess Hekate. Today, Nana balsam fir is widely used in aromatherapy. By planting such a plant on the site, you can get your own relaxation corner. And in the winter, it will turn into a fabulous playground, shrouded in an atmosphere of magic and celebration.
Description of Balsam Fir Nana
Balsam fir Nana comes from the Pine family. These are small trees about 1 m high. The crown can be cushion-shaped or have a geometrically correct conical shape. The branches of balsam fir are quite sprawling, decorated with dense needles. It is short – only 4-10 mm in length and no more than 1 mm wide. Glossy, with a rich green tint in adults and a delicate light green in young ones. The middle and edges of the needles also have a light shade, and below they are decorated with a white stripe with a bluish tint.
When growing, it is necessary to take into account the features of the superficial root system of Nana balsam fir. It also has other features. For example, all resin passages are concentrated in a smooth bark. In other conifers, they are located in the wood. Conical cones are highly decorative. Their colors vary from pure brown to various violet impurities.
Fir balsam Nana in landscape design
Looks original as a hedge. Nana balsam fir blends harmoniously with various trees and herbs. It will become a real decoration for the alleys. The neighborhood of needles with an artificial pond will be quite interesting.
Planting and caring for Nana fir
Growing Nana fir does not require special skills. It is enough to create comfortable conditions, and the tree will delight with its beautiful view.
Seedling and planting preparation
The choice must be approached carefully. The best Nana balsam fir seedlings can be found in nurseries or specialty stores. Additionally, you can consult with the staff. Do not purchase seedlings younger than four years old. In appearance, the trees should be healthy, with a smooth smooth bark without injuries and dried shoots. Pay attention to the soil in the container. With proper care of the plant, it will be clean and moderately moist.
The most optimal time for landing in the ground is spring. It is necessary to choose a shaded place in advance. The proximity to a pond is an added bonus. But planting Nana fir near the road is a bad idea. It does not tolerate gases and dry air.
The soil must first be prepared:
- It should be cleared of weeds and dug up. Nana Balsam Fir prefers soft, loamy soils.
- About two weeks before planting, a hole is prepared.
- Next, two buckets of water are poured into it. Moisture must be completely absorbed into the soil.
- After that, another digging is carried out (approximately on the bayonet of a shovel).
- Drainage is placed on top: brick fragments and crushed stone of a fine fraction.
- Now it’s the turn of the substrate. It is best to cook it yourself from clay and humus with sand. Also add about 10 kg of sawdust, a little peat and nitrophoska (200-300 g). Everything is thoroughly mixed.
- The resulting mixture fills the landing hole approximately halfway.
So the soil will stand for the next 14-15 days. She must shrink.
Rules of landing
A small mound is made from the earth. A seedling of balsam fir is placed on it. The roots must be carefully straightened. The level of the root collar should match the level of the top edge of the pit. The Nana fir seedling is sprinkled with earth and slightly compacted. Now the plant needs to be watered abundantly.
Between the trees leave 2,5 m of free space. If they land on the alleys, then at least 5 m.
Watering and top dressing
With the moistening of the earth can not be overzealous. But desert conditions are not suitable either. For the whole spring, two or three waterings are done. For this, only distilled water is used. After the soil is weeded and loosened. In summer, crown sprinkling is used.
Balsam fir Nana loves a fertile environment. As soon as two years have passed after planting, it is time to apply fertilizer. The procedure is carried out every year in the spring. Top dressing is applied to the near-trunk circle of a tree (100 g of Kemira for each specimen). Additionally, you can support balsam fir in the fall. During this period, mineral complexes are used.
Mulching and loosening
Heavy soil with a dried crust can kill balsam fir. In order for the roots to breathe and receive enough moisture, loosening is required. Considering that the root system is superficial, no deeper than 10-12 cm. Along the way, it is necessary to get rid of weeds.
Mulching is usually carried out after planting Nana fir (moisture conservation) and in autumn (plant warming). The best raw materials are tree bark, wood chips and sawdust. The maximum layer does not exceed 10 cm. For young bushes, a 5 cm layer of mulch is enough. It is impossible to cover the basal neck of balsam fir.
Trimming
Performed only as needed. Nana firs do not tolerate excessive manipulation of the crown. Sanitary pruning is carried out before the movement of the juice begins. Dry and damaged Nana fir branches are removed only with special garden shears. Before the procedure, at least 10 years must pass from the date of planting. Sometimes shoots of Nana balsam fir are pruned more often, but not more than a third of their length.
Preparation for winter
As a typical representative of conifers, Nana balsam fir calmly tolerates frosts. Young bushes are additionally insulated with spruce branches. Trunk circles are covered with a layer of peat. From above, Nana fir can be covered with special fabric covers. They will not only protect the plants, but also become an additional decoration of the site.
Reproduction
There are several options for breeding Nana fir.
Cuttings. They are harvested at the very beginning of spring, until intensive sap flow has begun. To cut the balsam fir Nana start in the morning or in the evening. The optimal cutting length is from 5 to 7 cm. Only young plants with one-year-old shoots can be a source of planting material. One kidney is left at the top of the cutting. The fastest take root, the so-called cuttings with a heel. They are not cut off, but sharply torn off. A piece of bark remains at the place of detachment. It is cleaned of burrs. After the finished stalk is disinfected in a pale solution of potassium permanganate (a few hours are enough). Now you need to choose a suitable size pot or box. A soil mixture of humus with leafy soil and sand is poured into it. The cuttings are placed in the prepared substrate and sealed with foil. Containers should preferably be heated from below.
In order for the cuttings to successfully take root, you need to provide them with a temperature a couple of degrees higher than room temperature. You will also need intense sunlight, regular ventilation and moisture. The first roots will go only in the second year. Balsam fir Nana has a slow growth rate.
Seeds. Select a slightly immature bud. It will dry out naturally for some time. The seeds are then removed. They need to be cold hardened. Spread the seeds on a piece of damp cloth and carefully fold. After laying in a container with sand and sent to the refrigerator. There they will spend several months. April is the time to sow the seeds. This can be done immediately in open ground. You will need a separate bed with sod-sandy soil. The seeds are buried by 2 cm. It is not worth moistening. Instead, plantings are covered with a film. In about a month, the first shoots will please.
Diseases and pests
Balsam fir Nana is resistant to various diseases. Only unsuitable climatic conditions can weaken her immunity.
In this case, you may encounter such diseases:
- Spruce-fir hermes. The needles begin to turn yellow, small lumps of white appear. They look like cotton fibers. You can fight them with systemic insecticides.
- Needle rust. Fungal disease common in spring or summer. The young are the most affected.
Among the pests, the following instances can be observed:
- Pine fire. Caterpillars emerge from the larvae, which gnaw through the cones and eat the seeds. The plant is treated with insecticides.
- Click Beetles destroy the root system of Nana balsam fir. Be especially careful in May.
- Bark beetles only weakened bushes are affected. Sometimes these pests appear on the site along with low-quality fir seedlings.
Conclusion
Balsam fir Nana is rightfully considered the queen among conifers. Caring for her will not bring much trouble. Its oils, rich in useful substances, will help to relax, have a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. By planting fir on the site, you can get not only an unusually beautiful shrub, but also a home doctor.
