Cypress columnaris

Lawson Cypress Columnaris is an evergreen conifer that is often used to make hedges. The plant is beautiful, but growing it is not as easy as it seems. Lawson’s cypress requires a lot of attention from the gardener and special care.

Description cypress Lavson Columnaris

The cypress is native to North America. In its natural habitat, it can be found in the mountain valleys of California and Oregon. Lawson’s cypress became the progenitor of the varieties Columnaris and Columnaris Glauka.

Cypress Lawson Columnaris is an upright evergreen tree up to 5 m high, less common up to 10 m. The crown is narrow, columnar. Shoots are elastic, thin, grow strictly upwards. The branches are short – up to 10 cm, densely arranged. The needles are scaly, green-brown, tightly pressed to the shoots. Lawson tree with strong roots and good growth. The annual growth in height is 20 cm, in width – up to 10 cm. In a short time, the crown in diameter grows up to 2 m.

Variety Columnaris Glauka is distinguished by the color of the needles. The scales are bluish-blue, turning gray in winter. The tree grows quickly, in a year it gains up to 15-20 cm in height, in breadth – only 5 cm. An adult tree reaches 10 m. The crown is dense, dense.

Lawson’s cypress is not frost-resistant, so it is difficult to grow it without additional shelter on the territory of the Federation. The plant feels good only in the southern regions. In addition, an evergreen tree is demanding not only on the climate, but also on the soil.

Planting and caring for cypress Columnaris

Lawson’s cypress tolerates air pollution well, it can be grown in urban conditions. The tree is wind-resistant, prefers well-lit areas or partial shade. In full shade, the shoots thin out, the crown becomes loose. The plant may become bald on one side.

For planting, Lavson Columnaris cypress seedlings are best bought in containers. Thus, trees quickly adapt to a new habitat.

Location

Lawson’s cypress is a moisture-loving plant, especially the Columnaris Glauka variety. Trees do not tolerate drought, but the soil should not be waterlogged either. For planting, you need to choose a bright place, but without direct sunlight. Lawson’s cypress does not like strong winds that dry it out, so they place the seedling in a secluded corner of the garden.

soil

Lavson’s cypress is especially demanding on the soil. It can be successfully grown only on moisture-intensive fertile soils, acidic or neutral. The earth rich in lime is not suitable for planting.

Cypress Columnaris is planted in early spring, the site has been prepared since autumn:

1. In October, they dig the soil well, remove weeds, and introduce mineral complexes.
2. A pit for planting is made with a diameter of 60 cm, its depth is not less than 90 cm. The bottom is well drained with expanded clay or brick chips to a height of 20 cm.
3. The hole is filled with nutrient soil, previously mixed with mineral fertilizers. Add peat, humus, soddy soil and sand. The components are mixed in a ratio of 2:3:3:1.
4. The pit is covered with a film for the winter period so that the soil is well rotted and settled.

If time is lost, then it is necessary to prepare a place for landing according to this plan 14 days before the proposed work.

Rules of landing

Before planting, Lavson’s cypress seedling is inspected and prepared:

1. Roots should not be dry or bare.
2. Shoots are normally flexible, elastic, bright color.
3. The plant, together with a clod of earth, is placed in water so that the roots are well saturated with moisture.

After these manipulations, they begin to plant the Californian cypress Columnaris. The seedling is carefully placed in the pit, covered with soil. If several plants are planted, then between them leave from 1 to 4 m. When creating a hedge, the distance can be reduced to 50 cm.

Watering and top dressing

Immediately after planting, the seedling is watered abundantly. The soil around it is mulched with dry sawdust, humus or bark. In the future, watering Lawson’s cypress is carried out as needed. As a rule, the soil is moistened at least 1 time in 7 days. An adult plant consumes up to 10 liters of water. Young seedlings during the period of active growth are watered more abundantly, especially if it is hot. However, unlike older trees, they only need 5 liters of water per plant.

Lawson’s cypress responds well to spraying, which helps maintain the required level of humidity. After planting, seedlings are sprayed daily until they take root. In the future, it is enough to moisten the crown once a week.

Columnaris cypress is fed only in spring and at the very beginning of summer. In other periods, fertilizers are not applied, otherwise the tree will not have time to prepare for winter. Feed according to the scheme:

• young seedlings – 2 months after planting;
• adult plants – every 2 weeks as they grow.

Use special formulations for coniferous and evergreen trees. To feed newly planted plants, the concentration is 2 times less.

Loosening and weeding

These procedures are mandatory for Columnaris cypress. Loosen the soil after each watering or rain. It must always remain in this state. But you need to loosen carefully, since the roots of young plants are close to the surface of the soil.

Weeding and weed control are vital for the cypress, as it does not tolerate such a neighborhood. From the abundance of weeds, the tree often gets sick and is affected by pests.

Trimming

The procedure is started at the 2nd year of cultivation in early spring. Before the very beginning of active growth, dry and damaged shoots are cut out, the rest are shortened by a third. Lawson’s cypress tolerates crown formation well; branches growing in the wrong direction can be removed.

Preparation for winter

Lawson’s cypress is well covered for the winter. First, the crown is pulled together with twine, and with the onset of stable cold weather, it is covered with a special film or spunbond. In winter, the tree is additionally insulated with snow.

Propagation of the cypress plant Lavson Columnaris

Lawson’s cypress can be propagated in only 2 ways:

• seeds;
• cuttings.

Both methods have their own characteristics, which must be remembered.

Seed propagation of Lawson’s cypress is a complex process. Sowing material from the Columnaris variety can be collected independently, as shown in the photo.

However, for germination, seeds need stratification:

1. In February, the seeds are soaked in a growth stimulator for 8 hours, after which they are planted in wet river sand.
2. The pot with plantings is cleaned in a cold place where the temperature does not rise above + 5 ° C. You can lower it into the cellar or take it out to the cold veranda, loggia.
3. The soil is periodically sprayed with a spray bottle.
4. A month later, the pot is brought into a warm room so that the seeds germinate.

The germination process is quite lengthy and takes a lot of time. The first shoots may appear after 3 months. Further, they wait until the sprouts get stronger, dive them into separate containers. Care for young seedlings, as for an adult plant. They take out a permanent place only after a year.

Experienced gardeners use the most convenient way to propagate Lawson’s cypress – cuttings. Seedlings can be obtained quite quickly, and you don’t have to make much effort.

Cutting technology:

1. In the spring, cuttings are cut from the top of the tree, the length of which is at least 15 cm.
2. The bark from the bottom of the shoot is carefully removed, and the branch itself is kept in a growth stimulator for at least 8 hours.
3. The cuttings are planted in moist nutrient soil, deepened by 5 cm. So that they do not rot, you can sprinkle the top layer of soil with sand.
4. Plantings are covered with a bag to create a greenhouse microclimate, so cuttings of Lawson Columnaris cypress are well rooted.

It takes about 1-1,5 months for the roots to appear. You can judge the success when young needles appeared. Seedlings are transferred to a permanent place next spring.

Diseases and pests

Lawson’s cypress naturally has good immunity, rarely gets sick, and is practically not affected by pests. However, if it is not properly cared for, then it suffers from various fungal diseases. A weakened plant is attacked by scale insects and spider mites.

An infected plant is immediately visible – the needles turn yellow, crumble. To prevent the spread of insects, spraying with acaricidal preparations is carried out. The treatment is repeated after 10-14 days. It is better to use complex tools.

The root system suffers from improper watering or an unsuccessful landing site. From stagnant water, it begins to rot. The seedling is dug up, carefully examined, all affected parts of the roots are removed to healthy tissue. Then they are treated with fungicides. You need to plant Columnaris cypress in a new place, taking into account all the rules.

Conclusion

Cypress Lavson Columnaris is the best decoration for the garden. It pleases the eye with bright needles all year round, looks good in group and single plantings. Although this is a whimsical plant, you can learn how to properly care for it.