Thuja heather planting and care in the open field

A plant like Thuja is also called the "life tree". It is directly related to the genus gymnosperms conifers of the juniper family, for example, such as sequoia, cypress, juniper, taxodium and cypress. Thuja got to European countries from America or East Asia. The Latin name for such a plant has an ancient Greek root, which means "incense", "sacrifice." This indicates the connection between the name of thuja and the fact that some aromatic species of this plant are ritually burned as incense. This genus unites 6 species. Each such plant is capable of living on average up to 150 years, but there are also older specimens. Several types of thuja and about 120 varieties of this plant are cultivated, which differ in quality and color of needles, and their crowns can be of different shapes. In landscape design, such plants are cultivated as tapeworms or in a group, and they are also decorated with borders and alleys. Thuja is also suitable for creating hedges.

Thuja features

Thuja is represented by evergreen trees or shrubs. Under natural conditions, their trunk diameter can be equal to 6 meters, and the height - 70 meters. In horticulture, the height of this tree, as a rule, does not exceed 11 m. In young specimens, soft, needle-like needles have a pale green color. At the same time, in older specimens, the needles are scaly, oppositely opposite, and it has a dark green color. In such monoecious plants, the fruits are represented by small cones that have an oblong or oval shape, while their seeds are flat. Ripening of seeds occurs already in the first year. This plant is undemanding to care for and is resistant to cold and smoke. And western thuja is able to withstand frosty winters.

Planting thuja in open ground

Boarding time

Before proceeding with the actual planting, you need to choose the site that is best suited for this plant. Such a tree loves light, but at the same time it is harmful for it to be exposed to direct rays of the sun throughout the day. The fact is that this contributes to the dehydration of the plant and leads to the fact that it tolerates wintering much worse. In this regard, the best option for thuja is a well-lit place, however, at noon, when the sun is most active, it should be in the shade. It should also be remembered that such a tree reacts negatively to drafts. Experts advise choosing nutrient-rich soil for such a plant. So, sod land is perfect, to which peat and sand should be added. But not too rich soil (sandy loam, swampy or clay) is also suitable for growing.It is possible to plant thuja in open ground both in spring and in autumn. But at the same time, it should be borne in mind that in the autumn time the plant may not have time to get stronger and therefore will endure the winter poorly.

How to plant thuja

The size of the planting hole directly depends on the size of the root system of the seedlings, taken with a lump of earth. So, the depth of the fossa should be 15–30 centimeters deeper, and its width by 35–40 centimeters. When planting several seedlings, the size of an adult specimen affects the distance between them and can vary from 100 to 500 centimeters. If the plant is planted along an alley, then the distance between them should vary from 350 to 400 centimeters. At the bottom of the planting hole, soil should be poured, which must be mixed with a not very large amount of rotted manure or compost. Before planting thuja, its roots should be immersed in water. And you need to pull them out only when air bubbles stop coming out to the surface of the water. Then the seedling is lowered into the hole and set exactly in its center. After that, the root system straightens out, and you also need to pay attention to the fact that the root collar of the seedling should rise slightly above the soil surface. After that, you should hold the tree with one hand, and fill the hole with a good soil mixture with the other. Then it is good, but at the same time gently tamp it, try not to damage the base of the trunk. After that, water the thuja, using 15–20 liters per specimen. After the liquid is absorbed into the soil and it settles a little, its surface will need to be covered with a layer of mulch (peat, pine bark, wood chips or compost). Mulch will significantly slow down the evaporation of moisture from the soil, as well as protect the root system of the plant on too hot or too cold days. But it should be borne in mind that the mulch should not fall either on the branches located at the very bottom, or cover the trunk, since in these places the thuja can begin to sweep.

Thuja care in the garden

Watering

Such a plant loves moisture and reacts positively to the sprinkling procedure. After the plant is planted, in the first weeks, watering should be done weekly, with 1 to 5 buckets of water used for 1 copy (depending on the size of the tree). Sprinklers are especially beneficial for young trees, so that the soil and roots are saturated with water, and impurities are removed from the needles, which greatly improves the respiration of the plant, and it not only looks much better, but also grows and develops much faster. Since the roots of this tree are superficial, loosening of the soil surface, which is recommended after each watering, should be done to a depth of no more than 8-10 centimeters.

Top dressing

In spring, the plant needs feeding and for this it is recommended to use a complex mineral fertilizer, for example, a solution of Kemira-universal (for 1 square meter from 50 to 60 grams). In the event that fertilizers were introduced into the soil during the planting of the seedling, then the next time you need to feed the plant no earlier than in a couple of years.

Pruning

This plant reacts very well to pruning. So, if you cut it often and strongly, then it will become very lush and thick. Pruning can be done at any time, but it is best done in the spring, before the buds begin to open. In the event that this tree is grown as a hedge, then it must be cut off without fail and this should be done systematically. If the thuja grows as a single plant, then it will still need thinning pruning, as well as sanitary ones. In the same case, when these plants are cultivated in a group, they need formative pruning, otherwise they can get an unsightly sloppy appearance. You need to start shaping the crown only when the thuja grows to the size you need.In some cases, the thuja may need only one haircut, which should be done in the spring, but in August or September, most often the plant has to be cut a second time. There are varieties that require relatively frequent formative pruning, but should be taken into account so that the tree does not weaken, you do not need to prune more than 1/3 of the stem at a time. Thuja undergoes the first pruning only after the tree reaches two or three years of age. For pruning, you will need a very sharp and powerful pruner, so it should never chew on the stems.

Transfer

There are times when it is simply necessary to transplant an already adult thuja. Such a plant can be transplanted quite easily, but at the same time you need to know a few fairly simple rules. If the tree is not very large, then it is necessary to pierce the soil around it with the help of a sufficiently sharp shovel, while the trunk must be retreated from 0.4 to 0.5 meters. Then you need to carefully pry off the tree and pull out the root system along with the trunk circle. After that, the plant must be moved with the help of a wheelbarrow to the planting site, while you need to try so that the clod of earth does not collapse. Then the thuja immediately lands in a new place. If the tree is relatively large, then it should be pierced in advance, or rather, 12 months before transplanting. The fact is that during this period the plant will be able to grow young roots inside a clod of earth, which was limited to a "circle". As a result, the soil will not crumble during the transportation of the tree, and the transplant for the thuja will be completely painless. This tree will take root quite easily and quickly after transplanting.

Diseases and pests

Plants infect such fungal diseases as fusarium, brown schutte and cytosporosis. They are capable of damaging both stems and needles. In order to cure the thuja, it is treated with Cartocide or Bordeaux liquid. A diseased plant must be sprayed from the beginning of the spring. Treatments are carried out 2 times a month until the thuja recovers.

Aphids and false shields are capable of settling on this tree. After this happens, the needles will begin to change their color to yellow, and then die off. To get rid of pests, it is recommended to use Rogor, Karbofos or Decis, while closer to the end of June it is necessary to carry out 2 treatments with Chlorophos or Aktellik, with an interval of 14 days.

Reproduction of thuja

For reproduction, both vegetative and seed methods are used. In the event that the plant is species, then seeds are quite suitable for its reproduction. However, varietal and shaped plants should be propagated only by vegetative methods, which include: bush division and cuttings. The fact is that the seeds of such plants do not retain the varietal characteristics of the parent plant.

Thuja propagation by cuttings

In order to propagate such a plant by cuttings, cuttings should be prepared in June. To do this, lignified stems are cut that are 2 or 3 years old, while their length can vary from 25 to 40 centimeters. You can also use those stems of the current year that are semi-lignified, while their length varies from 10 to 20 centimeters. Cuttings should not be cut, but pulled out with a heel. The place of separation from the parent plant should be treated with a Heteroauxin solution. Then the stalk must be planted, deepening it by 15–25 mm. For planting, an earth mixture is used, consisting of peat, sod land and sand, taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. It must be disinfected and a tepid solution of potassium manganese is used for this. The handle must be covered with polyethylene film. Only after the cuttings are completely rooted, they should be aired and hardened. After some time after this, the shelter is removed for good. In late autumn, these plants should be covered with sawdust, dry leaves or spruce branches.After the air temperature drops to minus 5-7 degrees, then a film should be placed on top of the shelter.

Growing thuja from seeds

Growing from seeds is a rather lengthy process, so it can take 3-5 years. Only freshly harvested seeds are suitable for sowing. Previously, they must be subjected to natural stratification, for this they are placed under the snow on the street or on the shelf of the refrigerator, where they must stay from autumn to spring. Sowing is carried out in the spring in open ground, while a place in partial shade is selected. Seeds are buried on the floor a centimeter deep, and on top of them a relatively thin layer of sawdust from coniferous trees should be poured. After that, the beds must be sheltered from direct sunlight and shields are used for this, while making sure that the soil is constantly loose and slightly damp. When the seeds germinate, the surface of the garden bed must be covered with peat. 1 time in 2 weeks it is necessary to apply a solution of complete mineral fertilizer to the soil. At the end of the first season, the height of young thujas will be 7–8 centimeters. Before the onset of winter, these plants need to be covered with spruce branches, on top of which a film is laid. With the onset of the spring period, the shelter must be removed and it is necessary to continue to care for the young thujas in the same way as in the first year of their life (watering, weeding, feeding and mulching). Only in the third spring, after the height of the trees is equal to half a meter, it will be necessary to transplant them to a permanent place.

Thuja in the winter at the dacha

Autumn

In the autumn, you should stop both watering the plant and applying fertilizers to the soil. The fact is that it must prepare for the coming winter.

How to cover thuja

Young trees less than 5 years old should be covered with spruce branches. But before the plant can be sheltered, it should be highlighted, and the near-stem circle should be sprinkled with a thick layer of mulch (peat). It is not necessary to cover adult specimens for the winter, however, it is necessary to sprinkle the trunk circle with mulch.

Wintering thuja

In the event that the winter period is characterized by heavy snowfalls, then this can cause injury to the branches of the plant even in mature and sufficiently powerful trees. To avoid this, in autumn, the crown of the plant is tied with twine. At the end of February, a non-woven covering material should be thrown over the tree, which will help protect it from the too intense spring sun. In some cases, cracks appear on the bark, this is due to a sharp change in temperature. In springtime, they should be putty with garden pitch, while the bark must be well pulled together so that the wounds can heal.

Types and varieties of thuja with photos and descriptions

Thuja western (Thuja occidentalis)

Western thuja is the most common cultivated species of this plant. In gardens, alleys, parks and squares, you can see a large number of varieties and varieties of this species. In European countries, it began to be cultivated in the 16th century. The tallest representatives of this species grow up to 8–12 meters. This plant is a long-liver of the plant world, so it can live up to 1 thousand years. While the plant is young, its crown has a pyramidal shape, but over the years it becomes ovoid. Thuja cone-shaped, kegle-shaped or columnar forms are most often used for landscaping. For instance:

1. Brabant - the height of such a plant varies from 15 to 21 meters, and its diameter is 3-4 meters. The crown is conical. The bark is light red or brownish-gray, flaking. There are green scaly needles. Light brown buds reach 1.2 centimeters in length and have an oblong-ovoid shape.
2. Emerald - such a squat variety in height can reach 200 centimeters. This weakly branching plant has a conical crown.The stems are placed vertically, and on them are shiny evergreen branches that are far apart from each other. This variety is quite popular with gardeners.

The most popular among thujas with a spherical crown are such varieties as:

1. Danica - this dwarf form is the result of the work of breeders in Denmark. The peeling bark is colored light red or brownish gray. Scaly green needles are soft, thick and glossy, in winter they have a light brown tint.
2. Woodwardy - dwarf variety with a spherical crown. Its height does not exceed 2.5 meters, while the crown diameter can reach 5 meters. The branches and stems of this variety are straight and flat. The needles are colored dark green.

Also in culture there are varieties with a threadlike, cascading crown, for example, Filiformis. Plant height is not more than 150 centimeters. It has a wide conical or dense rounded crown. Hanging stems are long, threadlike, weakly branching. Young needles have a pale green color, in winter they have a brownish tint.

More recently, a heather-like form of such a plant has appeared, for example, Erikoides. The height of such a plant does not exceed 100 centimeters. Outwardly, it looks like a juniper. The wide-conical multi-vertex crown is rounded. Many thin elastic stems can be curved or straight. The subulate needles are rather soft. In the upper part of the plant, it is painted in a matte greenish-yellow color, and in the lower part in greenish-gray.

There is also a variety with 2 types of needles (scale and acicular) on the same plant. Such a plant has a rather bizarre crown. So, after the plant turns 8-10 years old, it is divided into several peaks, it seems as if there is not one thuja in front of you, but several.

Thuja folded (Thuja plicata)

This thuja is also called giant. It can be found in natural conditions along the Pacific coast. This species is the most mountainous. The height can be up to 60 meters, while the trunk diameter is 3-4 meters. But in culture, the tree is not so tall. The plant has several ornamental varieties and the most popular is Zebrina.

Thuja Korean (Thuja koraiensis)

This is a wide shrub or tree, the height of which is 9 meters. There is a very spectacular whitish needles, almost silvery. For wintering, the tree must be covered.

Thuja Japanese (Thuja standishii)

Originally from the mountains of Central Japan. In nature, it reaches a height of 18 meters. The crown is wide, conical in shape. The bark is copper-red. The lower part of the branches has a silvery color. If you grind them, you can smell the lemon and eucalyptus caramel. Plant growth is quite slow in areas with cool climates, while in warm areas it is much faster.

Thuja orientalis (Thuja orientalis), or flattened (Platycladus)

This plant is classified as a subgenus of biota, while it is considered its only representative. In natural conditions, it can be found in China, while it has been cultivated in Central Asia for several centuries. It is a spreading tree or a large shrub with an openwork crown. There are about 60 garden forms, but they are all frost-resistant.

An evergreen coniferous beauty - thuja will be an excellent element of your landscape style. The varieties and forms of this plant will allow you to make your garden individual and unique. Planting and caring for thuja at home does not require a lot of effort and expense. In winter and summer, it will delight your eyes and cause the envy of your neighbors.

Features of planting and care

Thuja is not a picky tree. The plant is planted with seeds or cuttings in both autumn and spring. It will easily and quickly take root in your garden. But for this you need to know the rules for planting and caring for thuja at home:

1. Seat selection... The tree is terribly disliked by windy places, and also will not be green in direct sunlight. Ideally, the shade changes to warm sunlight during the day. Perhaps it will be possible to plant a thuja near a house or other structures, which will periodically shade it.
2. The soil... It is enough just to plant and care for the thuja in the open ground. It is important that there is no clay in the soil. Dig a hole under the root system, pour drainage on the bottom of it, and put a small layer of sand on top. Then place your thuja so that the beginning of the trunk is no lower than 10 cm from the surface, because decay can begin. Cover the roots with damp earth.
3. Watering... The first year, the plant must be watered once a week with a bucket of water, and twice during the hot period. Create permanent crown moisture using sprayers. A year after planting the thuja in the garden, care will be a little easier. The tree will already take root, adapt to the climate, and you can water it once a week.
4. Fertilizer. You need to start feeding thuja from the second year of growth. This is done with the help of special fertilizers for needles, which you can buy in the store. In the spring and autumn, feed the plant once a month, in the summer - once in July is enough.
5. Warming... In November, you should insulate the soil around the thuja. Scatter a thick layer of sawdust or ash near the trunk, but do not try to cover the soil with plastic. Thuja is resistant to frost, and the film will interfere with the flow of air into the roots.
6. Crown decoration... It is necessary to trim the crown of a thuja starting from the second year of plant growth. Try to cut off the dry branch completely so that new cuttings begin to appear. The dried crown can be scattered near the trunk of the thuja to protect the soil from drying out and cold weather. When your beauty grows up to a meter, then you can give it forms (ovoid, pyramidal, round, etc.). In the spring, trim the top 10 cm of the thuja to speed up its growth.

What types of thuja can be purchased?

The range of species of this coniferous plant is great. Mostly they come to us from distant countries. Thuja can be a tree that grows up to thirty meters or a beautiful bush. Each variety has its own personality. So, you can find these types of thuja in modern stores:

1. Dwarf... Thuya Teddy, with proper planting and care, will not grow more than half a meter even after 10 years. This variety is mainly planted in pots and decorate the doorsteps of their houses or window sills with it. The crown of such a tree is bright green and acicular. Thuja releases many cuttings that are tightly pressed to the trunk and create a ball shape. Of course, it needs to be trimmed once a year to keep it neat. For planting, it is better to choose a sunny place, but in winter you need to shelter from rays that scorch the crown.
2. Western... This beauty from North America came to us, has a large assortment of forms. Frost-resistant, not whimsical, but does not like to be in the shade for a long time. Therefore, planting and caring for western thuja should be done in a sunny place. Sprinkle frequently. The plant produces phytoncides that purify the air.
3. Western heather thuja in planting and care is no different from other varieties. It grows as a bush with a beautiful evergreen crown. You can create a composition on your site from this type of thuja.

Among the variety of conifers, thuja is especially loved by summer residents, owners of private houses. This is not surprising - thuja is frost-resistant, unpretentious, aesthetically attractive. Planting and care in the open field will not require significant work from the summer resident, but its presence on the site will be positive from any point of view. It is great for the formation of hedges, with its help you can create unique green shapes for landscape design of the site, arrange paths.

This tree, like its coniferous counterparts, exudes a wonderful aroma, enriches the air with useful phytoncides. Thuja carries a lot of positive qualities.

Thuja differs from pine or spruce in that it has no needles, its branches are covered with small green scales, soft, pleasant to the touch. It is tacitly called the "royal tree" - it is well deserved. We will consider the nuances of planting, caring for the coniferous beauty thuja, so that it takes root on your site too.

↑ to contents ↑ Thuja tree - selection of seedlings

If you do not plan to reproduce thuja independently, then you can purchase ready-made, grown seedlings. They can be purchased from ephedra nurseries or specialist shops. There, among the declared assortment, you will choose the desired variety, buy a healthy tree, adapted to the local climate.

Small thuja from nurseries vary in size and age. If you have a small seedling, then it will not be difficult to "grow" it yourself until it is planted in a permanent place of growth. You can also purchase a large copy, ready for the decoration of the site or the local area.

When choosing, always pay attention to the conditions of the plants, the degree of soil moisture in the containers, the strength of the coniferous scales on the branch. The branches of the seedlings should be elastic, the needles should not crumble, they should not have any spots or signs of disease. Upon arrival home, hurry up to transplant them to a shaded place, water.

↑ back to contents ↑ Planting thuja in the ground

Thuja will perfectly take root on your site at any time of the year, except in late autumn or winter. Experienced gardeners advise exactly the spring period - April, May. Planted in spring, it will hurt less, grow faster, and adapt better to the environment.

The landing site should be slightly shaded, consider this factor when planning the landscape design of the site. In direct sunlight, the tree will wither, and subsequently it will be worse to endure the winter cold. In a completely dark place, thuja will slowly develop, the branches will not be lush, bright. The ideal territory for it will be a windless section of the site, with light shading, close occurrence of groundwater.

Thuja - planting and leaving, phased actions:

1. First, we dig a fairly deep hole - 80-100 cm deep, with the same diameter (if you, of course, have a large seedling, and not the one in the photo above). The deepening should be such that a tree with an earthen lump can freely enter there. At the bottom we pour a little earth mixed with wood ash or other organic fertilizer.
2. We put it in a hole, while its root collar should be at the same level with the soil surface.
3. Mix the dug earth with sand, peat (1: 1), fill a depression with a seedling with this mixture, and then slightly trample.

The distance between the trees should be determined according to the characteristics of the variety, since thuja are very small and, conversely, very tall. Small trees can be planted a meter apart, large trees about 4-5 meters. Some varieties of thuja reach 15-20 meters in height, and their crown grows in breadth up to 3-4 meters (for example, thuja western Brabant). For full development, such a tree needs space, but when decorating alleys, green corridors, hedges, thuja are planted at a distance of 1 meter, regardless of the variety and type.

Tui Western Smaragd and globular Danica↑ back to contents ↑ How to care for thuja

Competent care of this ephedra means watering, feeding, loosening the trunk circle, and forming a crown. After the tree is planted at its permanent place of residence, primary feeding is done. For these purposes, natural growth stimulants are often used (most gardeners choose "Epin").The components of such dressings contribute to better rooting of the tree, improve resistance to diseases. In the spring, you can feed it with potassium-phosphorus supplements, it is better to do this twice, the break between fertilizers should be 10-15 days.

In spring, the frequency of irrigation is influenced by the amount of rain, with the onset of summer it is enough 2 times a week, in the spring - 1 time. If the rains are frequent, then there is no need to water, there will be enough rain moisture. Thuja requires high-quality watering at all stages of life (seedling, adult tree), while the crown also loves irrigation. In order for the branches to be elastic, shiny, to please you with the brightness of green shades, the minimum amount of water for the root area should be 10 liters per watering (once a week, if the summer is very dry, then up to 3 times). Determine the lack of moisture by the state of the top of the thuja - it begins to turn yellow. It is better to water the trees early in the morning or in the evening.

Tuya is very fond of irrigating the crown, for these procedures, the acquisition of a special nozzle becomes relevant. From such sprinkling, dust is washed off, a fresher appearance of the tree is provided, a pleasant coniferous aroma begins to stand out. Do not be afraid to overdo it with irrigation, 1-2 times a day will only benefit thuja.

Returning to fertilizers, it is worth noting that too frequent fertilizing for thuja is not required. Special mineral compositions for conifers (for example, "Fertika") or compost, which has already become a classic additive, is sufficient to use twice a season - in spring and summer. Fertilizers are applied during loosening: they are laid out in a near-trunk circle, and during plowing they are mixed with the top layer of the soil. In summer, the additive can be diluted with water and used for irrigation.

The near-trunk area must be periodically cleaned of weeds, loosened, mulched with sawdust or compost. Decoratively painted sawdust (they are painted with natural ingredients) or nutshells look very attractive. Mulching creates some barrier to weeds, retains moisture, and improves the condition of the tree as a whole.

As for a haircut or artistic pruning, it is better not to touch it for the first two years of a tree's life, it should take root in its place. You can start caring for the crown from the third year from the moment of planting. Initially, dried, weak branches are removed, and the degree of density is determined. Excessive thinning negatively affects the decorative qualities of the tree, everything should be in moderation.

The main pruning is carried out in April, and then only the shape is corrected. For high-quality air circulation, maintaining the "vigorous" appearance of thuja, gardeners recommend removing all branches of annual growth.

If the artistic intention requires the tree to grow in breadth, then only the upper part of the crown should be trimmed. You can create various geometric shapes, columns, figures of animals or fairy-tale characters from tui. For beginner gardeners, it is quite easy to give the crown of a tree the shape of a ball, cascade, border. Trimming or pruning is best done in dry weather.

↑ to contents ↑ Tuya - preparation for winter

For colder regions of the country, frost-resistant varieties of tui (western) should be chosen. Despite their unpretentiousness, they also require preparation for the cold season. In the fall, it is necessary to provide the trees with abundant watering, since even in winter the thuja continues to develop, albeit at a slower pace.

In the first years of life, young representatives must be insulated. With the help of a dense plastic film, non-woven spunbond or other suitable covering material, a kind of cocoon is formed, which will retain heat and let the sun's rays through. You can even buy special covers designed for this very purpose, they are sold by the garden departments of supermarkets or online stores.

For the winter, the roots are covered with fallen leaves, which are harvested with the onset of spring, as soon as the upper layer of the earth thaws. The overgrown crowns of adult thujas are neatly tied with a wide ribbon to prevent the accumulation of snow on the branches.

To please the eye, there was a healthy thuja, planting and care in the open field should be done competently, in a timely manner. This tree is quite unpretentious, but the result of simple care is expressed not only by its external beauty, decoration of the territory. A green hedge made of thuja will absorb noise from the street, neighboring territories, and also protect your site from prying eyes.

Thuja is a beautiful frost-resistant plant that is great for decorating flower beds and creating interesting urban landscapes. In addition, this plant is perennial and has an interesting leaf shape. However, before planting thuja in your area, you should familiarize yourself with the features of this plant, that is, you should figure out how to propagate it correctly, when to transplant and how to fertilize.

Thuja came to the European continent straight from East Asia or America. It should be emphasized that this plant is basic in the creation of all kinds of curbs and hedges.

Popular varieties

To date, breeders have bred a wide variety of thuja species. However, the most common are the following:

1. Japanese thuja. Such a tree has a height of up to 18 meters and tolerates winter frosts well. However, it does not like dirty air, so it almost never takes root in urban conditions.
2. Thuja Vostochnaya grows in the form of a bush, can grow up to 18 meters in height. Very often, small cones can be found on such a bush. The branches themselves are vertical and flat. This thuja perfectly tolerates heat and lack of water. However, during severe frosts, it can disappear.
3. Thuja heather is a great option for those who want to diversify their flower bed with something. This plant will look spectacular both in a decorative group and in a single planting. This tree is often used to decorate Japanese gardens, alpine slides and rocky terraces. You should pay attention to the fact that to maintain its appearance, you will have to periodically trim the crown of the tree.
4. Giant, or folded, thuja - this type of plant is presented in the form of a shrub, has the shape of a pyramid. Outwardly, such a thuja may resemble a cypress.

Gallery: thuja and its species (25 photos)

Features of growing thuja

At first glance, choosing a planting site and transplanting a plant into open ground may seem like simple chores. However, this is far from the case, you should know some of the nuances in order for the new plant to grow well. Therefore, in order to properly plant the thuja and take care of it, you should familiarize yourself with some of the nuances.

Plant selection criteria

It is best to buy seedlings in special nurseries, where they can give answers to all questions about planting and caring for a new plant. When choosing a seedling, you need to look for it to be strong and well-developed, even if it costs a little more, it is better not to save money. It is noteworthy that the seedlings grown by professionals have good immunity and almost always take root. So, when buying a tree, you should pay attention first of all to the needles - it should be bright, and to the soil - it should be well moistened. Also, if you want plant an already mature tree, then make sure that the root system is well developed.

Same

It is best to plant seedlings in March or April. These two months are the most favorable. Of course, seedlings can be planted at other times, but the chances that the plant will take root well will be less. Due to heat or extreme cold, the young plant may die. Planting a thuja in the fall is also possible, the main thing is to provide it with the necessary care. This is best done between early September and early October. Later, frosts already begin, and the plant may not survive the cold weather.

You should pay attention to the fact that if immediately after purchase you could not plant a seedling, then it should be kept away from sunlight and periodically watered.

Which soil to choose

Choosing a suitable site for planting a plant is a responsible business. Please note that this shrub is best planted in the shade. However, you should be prepared for the fact that a lack of light can negatively affect the decorative properties of the plant. A huge plus will be the presence of an additional source of moisture in the form of groundwater. Drafts and strong winds pose a great danger to the tree.

Pay particular attention to the ground. It should be moderately loose and moist. Before planting or transplanting thuja in the fall, a pit should be prepared in advance. To do this, you need to make a drainage layer or put a special substrate, which includes peat and sand. This will provide good nutrition for the root system.

Propagation using cuttings

It should be noted that this plant can reproduce both with the help of seeds and with the help of cuttings. In more detail, it must be emphasized that only woody cuttings are used for divorce, that is, those that are already 2 or 3 years old and which have a length of 25 to 40 cm. Cutting cuttings is best in early spring or early June.

The cut of the cutting should be treated with a special solution. The prepared cutting is planted in a mixture of river sand, peat and turf. All components are taken in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. In order to disinfect the soil, a manganese solution is used. It should be noted that the rooting process of cuttings can last from 2 to 3 months.

Growing from seeds

This option also takes place. A thuja tree seedling will be ready for planting only after 3-5 years. In more detail, the whole process can be divided into the following stages:

• The seeds should be left in the fall under the snow. This is how natural stratification takes place.
• In the spring, the seeds should be removed from the small buds and planted in a tray. It should be noted that you need to plant them to a depth of no more than half a centimeter, and then you need to cover them with coniferous sawdust.
• Place the trays in a dark and cool place. Make sure that the soil is always moist and loose.
• Periodically, plants should be fertilized with a weak solution of slurry.
• When the cutting is ready, you just need to plant it in open ground.

Features of plant care

Thuja tolerates different weather conditions very well and practically does not need care. However, so that the tree does not lose its decorative qualities, it should be periodically looked after.

Watering and fertilizing

It should be emphasized that when planting, thuja needs constant and abundant watering. So, for one plant you need at least a bucket of clean water. Watering should be done at least 1 or 2 times a week. When the tree is ripe, it can be watered a little less often, however, a lack of moisture can lead to the fact that the top of the thuja begins to turn yellow. In order for the needles to always be green and bright, you can periodically arrange a shower for the tree. Watering is best done early in the morning. or late at night.

In order for the tree to tolerate winter frosts normally, it should be well fed every spring. Ordinary compost can be used as fertilizer. Please note that very often the tree cannot be fed, as this can be fraught with deformation of the crown.

Loosening and mulching the soil

Periodically, you should loosen the soil and clear it of weeds. However, all this should be done very carefully, since the root system of the thuja develops superficially, so it can be easily damaged. It is also recommended to mulch the soil... Wood chips, sawdust or compost are perfect for this. This is necessary so that the earth retains moisture for as long as possible.

Preparing for winter

Preparing a plant for winter is a responsible task. It should be performed step by step, clearly following all the instructions:

1. Before you start insulating the thuja, you should water it abundantly. In winter, the plant uses less moisture.
2. In order to prevent the roots from freezing, they should be carefully covered with spruce branches or dry foliage.
3. Throughout the winter, care must be taken that a snow cap does not form on the bushes.
4. When warm weather begins, the shelter can be removed, but it is best to do this in cloudy weather.

Pruning thuja

There are many different pruning options for this evergreen. It can be in the shape of a ball, column, or cone. However, not everyone can hire a professional, so at home you can just trim the branches carefully.

It is best to decorate the crown twice a year: at the beginning and at the end of summer. It is necessary to shorten the shoots by no more than a third, since this is a great stress for the plant. For pruning, it's best to have a good pruning shears as the branches are tough. During the year, the crown should be adjusted and dried branches should be removed.

Diseases and pests

If you take care of the plant incorrectly, then various fungal diseases can occur. In addition, thujas can be attacked by pests such as thuja aphids or speckled moths.

Proper care of thuja will help not only grow a beautiful shrub, but also diversify the design of a summer cottage or city flower bed. However, due to improper care, the plant may die, so planting a thuja and its cultivation is a responsible business.

Attention, only TODAY!