The conifer nursery would not look so impressive if it were not complemented by mountain pine. The natural form of Pinus mugo Mugus is charming, but has one drawback - unpredictability. Sometimes seed-grown pine trees are hybridized and differ in their botanical characteristics. In this case, there is a need for frequent transplanting of the plant and making adjustments to the uniform growth of the tree, by means of clothespins. It turns out that such plants need care and attention, but what if the owners do not have time for this, but want to create a coniferous plant nursery in their yard?
You can get out of the situation by choosing another member of the family, no less beautiful, but not so fastidious in care - Pinus mugo Mops. Trees of this species, propagated by grafting, are completely devoid of flaws. This is the best variety of true dwarf conifers, forming a plentiful spherical crown.
The botanical characteristics of the species, which will be discussed later, make the pug pine variety so popular.
Growth Features
Indicators of its annual growth - 8-10 cm in height and 13-15 cm in volume. This can be noted as slow growth. Growth is uniform: pine "pug" first acquiresspherical shape, and in adulthood the correct cushion-shaped crown.
Due to such features as the slow growth of the plant and the stable formation of the crown of the pine tree, many gardeners and landscape designers of the world fell in love with it. This plant is used as an addition to the bonsai garden, which, of course, fits aesthetically. A variety of wood was discovered at the beginning of the 19th century in Holland.
Description of shrub life form
Pine "pug" (mountain) - dwarf shrub, dense compact spherical species. Bushes are durable: long-lived specimens grow up to 5 centuries. Adult plants on average reach a height of 1.5-1.7 m, less often - 2 m.
The needles are distinguished by their brilliance, stiffness, collected in bunches of 2 things. The needles stay on the branches for 3-5 years, after which the pine crumbles and new needles grow. The color of the bristles is dark green. Cones of wide conical section, ovoid, up to 6 cm in size. Fruit color - brown.
Pine "pug" is an ornamental plant used both for single plantings and as part of landscape groups. Representatives of this variety are characterized by:
- light-loving;
- moisture-loving;
- reduced soil requirements;
- frost resistance.
Where and how to grow a "pug"?
These bushes grow well and form in open areas. Pines, representatives of this genus, take root well due to the developed root system, therefore they are wind resistant.
Although coniferous soils are undemanding to obesity, they grow best on sandy or sandy loamy soils. If sandy rocks predominate in the soil, experts advise adding clay by creating a special soil mixture:
- turf land - 2 parts;
- clay or sand - 1 part.
When planting a plant in a hole, you can add 250-350 grams of lime.
Rules for caring for pug pine
Caring for dwarf pine includes the selection of fertilizers. For this, a nitroammophosphate compound is added (100 g will be enough). Systematically, during the first two years after planting, the plant is fed with a complex of mineral fertilizers, in the amount of 30-40 grams.
Mountain pine "mini-pug" is a drought-resistant plant that does not require additional watering. However, young plants still need to be added: often and plentifully.
Loosening should be done as needed when the soil is compacted or weeds need to be removed.
Mulching is carried out using a peat layer of 5-6 cm. As a result, peat is not removed, but mixed with the soil.
Pruning is carried out in order to slow down the growth of the plant and give the crown additional splendor. To do this, cut off parts of the annual growth of branches.
From pests, bushes are affected by pine hermes. Conifers of this species are prone to blister rust and resin cancer (seryanka).
Getting ready for wintering
Pine "pug" - quitecold hardy plant. The needles of young bushes, with the onset of the first spring sun, need protection, otherwise there is a risk of sunburn in the bush.
Mature pines do not require winter protection and easily tolerate frosts.
A plant that can surprisingly complement any coniferous nursery is the pug pine, a description of which we have provided you in the article. We hope this information will be useful and will serve as a handy tool when growing this wonderful coniferous shrub.
