This plant is imported from East Asia and North America. It is not capricious at all - almost every gardener can study the theory and understand how to properly plant thuja. The name of this plant means "sacrificial incense" and is associated with a strong smell of needles. The latter does not consist of needles, as in many evergreen shrubs, but of flat scales.
How to plant arborvitae?
This plant of the cypress family in natural conditions is very tall - up to twenty meters and even higher. In the parks and gardens of the middle zone of our country, it is much lower. There are also globular and dwarf varieties. In Russia and the CIS countries, thuja western is very popular. How to plant it in your area? It can become both a decorative element and part of a hedge (provided that proper and timely pruning is done regularly). The seeds of this plant ripen in small cones. In autumn they can be used for breeding. Seedlings reach maturity at the age of about five years - but for thistime they will not only grow, but also adapt to the harsh climate. Therefore, it is better not to leave them for this time in greenhouses and greenhouses, since there is a possibility that after this the shrub will not be able to take root in the open field.
How to plant arborvitae in your area?
First, choose an open, sunny spot with nutritious soil. In the spring, immerse the seeds in the soil to a depth of about five centimeters. Top mulch with coniferous sawdust or turf. Thuja grows quickly and requires protection from direct sunlight. Its delicate sprouts are very sensitive not only to excessive light, but also to prolonged shading, surrounding weeds, and dryness. Moisten the soil regularly, loosen it and feed young shrubs with a weak solution of manure. How to plant thuja if you don't want to mess with seeds? You can take cuttings from three-year he althy shoots. Treat them with a growth biostimulant and root them in a mixture of turf and peat. At first, it is better to keep them in a greenhouse with high humidity and protection from direct sunlight.
How to plant arborvitae and care for them?
Regular watering will allow the plant to reach its maximum splendor. The shade tolerance of the thuja does not exclude the possibility that it can grow in the dim sun. Drafts can damage shrubs. A well-groomed thuja is lush and decorative, its needles are bright, juicy green and form a moderate amount of cones. Maintaining stable soil moisture should go hand in hand with moderatetop dressing. Then the thuja grows evenly and its crown develops harmoniously. For better formation, every year (in spring) remove excess and dry branches. For the winter, the crown should be tied. Start top dressing in the spring - first by applying nitrogen fertilizers, and then, already in the middle of summer - potash fertilizers. If the soil is poor, then phosphorus will also be required. A dangerous pest of thuja is a false shield. To prevent damage by this parasite, the plant should be sprayed with karbofos in early spring, before the appearance of buds. The same substance will help prevent the appearance of aphids.
