The evergreen tree, which our ancestors identified with the home of spirits and believed to have magical powers, is not only spruce and pine, it also includes numerous types of arborvitae. Varieties surprise with a variety of shapes and colors, some have a high conical shape, others are small and spread over the surface of the earth.
Healing properties
Inhalation of medicinal vapors of thuja relieves accumulated fatigue and stress, quickly recovers from illness. This type of conifer produces a large number of phytoncides and biologically active substances, inhibits the reproduction of harmful microorganisms, and has a healing effect on the body. The air filled with phytoncides stimulates the human immune system to strengthen. Numerous European countries at the legislative level secured the landing of thuja near hospitals, children's institutions and administrative buildings.
The selection of dwarf conifers available to home gardeners has increased significantly in the last decade. Western thuja Teddy is a relatively new variety of ornamental conifers, but it has already become very common in Europe. Due to their carefulgrowth and evergreen leaves, they are recommended for creating alpine slides, decorating landscapes, heather gardens, limiting zones, well decorating Japanese-style rocky gardens. For those who live in cities, the dwarf thuja can serve as a wonderful decoration for balconies, terraces and loggias. Colors range from blue-green to dark green, with extreme temperatures changing from golden to bronze. Feels good in winter at low temperatures, but may change color to brown. Unpretentious in care, durable, ideal for small sunny courtyards. Due to the unusual magnificent appearance, she was given the name - Teddy Bear.
Appearance
This native of eastern North America grows wild in humid forests, where it is called the "tree of life". The root system of these trees is branched and located on the surface, does not like hard compacted soil. Height varies in size from 0.5 m to 1.2 m.
Among the smallest evergreen shrubs, the western thuja Teddy is known, which has the shape of a globe from 0.3 m to 0.6 m high, thin, densely spaced shoots with needles, while not prickly. It has a spherical crown, which becomes looser with age.
Growth rate
Western thuja Teddy grows quite slowly. According to the Conifer Society of America, dwarf conifers grow 7 to 15 cm per year, reaching sizes of 1 to 2 meters within 10 to 15 years. Although landing is always taken into accounttheir final growth, these small evergreens will change the appearance of the landscape very slowly.
Planting instructions
- Container-grown plant is watered abundantly.
- Dig a hole twice the width of the root.
- If the soil is in very poor condition, add compost to the hole and drain 15 cm of expanded clay and gravel. Fresh manure is not allowed.
- Carefully move the tree out of the container and place it in the hole.
- Soil, sand and peat are poured around the root in a ratio of 1:1:1 and compacted.
- Water thoroughly.
- It is advisable to sprinkle the soil around the planted plant with pine bark, peat or mowed grass. This makes it possible to retain moisture at the roots and nutrients when watering.
- In winter, spruce branches lie at the roots, which scares away field mice and prevents them from undermining the plant.
Care
In the first year after planting, regular watering is needed, this is required by the root system, which has a thuja western Teddy. Planting and care is done in acidic, slightly alkaline and well-drained soil. The need for water is moderate, plants prefer constantly moist soil and air, do not tolerate swampy or chronically dry areas of the earth. Weekly watering stimulates good growth, increase irrigation during hot dry periods in the morning orevening time. They grow best in well-warmed and sunlit areas, although many varieties can demolish shady areas. If the dwarf thuja grows in poor soil, the addition of fertilizers is mandatory. Recommendations for fertilization vary, but there is general agreement to apply fertilizer in small quantities in the spring, after the snow has melted and the earth has softened. When recombining with fertilizers, it can quickly grow and lose its round shape. Fertilizers containing herbicides should be avoided. A young, newly planted bush is best hidden by covering it with a covering material or kraft paper.
Cutting and protection
Western thuja Teddy is best formed in the spring, although pruning is not necessary for this species, as it maintains its shape well without outside help. Constant soil moisture and good air circulation promote he althy growth. Winter shedding of the inner brown foliage is part of the normal growth process.
Depending on the variety and location, dwarf arborvitae can be attacked by spider mites, bugs or insects. To control pests, the evergreen is treated with fungicides. For the prevention of fungal diseases, Bordeaux liquid 1% can be used. If an aphid attacked the bush, insecticide treatment is necessary within 7-10 days.
