Cedar is a majestic beautiful large tree belonging to the Pine family. It is characterized by decorativeness, unpretentiousness and a long lifespan, which makes it possible to grow it in various adjoining areas, in city parks. How to properly plant this coniferous plant and take care of it, the article will tell.

How to plant cedar

Today, many plants are called cedar, which do not belong to the genus of the same name, but belong to pine trees. So, for example, for many it will be a discovery that pine nuts, in fact, are produced not by cedar, but by Siberian cedar pine.

Did you know? The flag and coat of arms of Lebanon depicts a tree, which is a symbol of the country. This is cedar.

Real cedar takes root only in the conditions of Crimea. In the Moscow region, in the middle lane, it will not grow. In addition, it is almost impossible to get seedlings of such a plant. But the Siberian pine or Siberian cedar is easy to plant on a summer cottage, garden, garden plot. It is found in urban environments. It is about planting this plant that will be discussed below.

In order for the cultivation of the described coniferous representative to be successful, it is necessary to choose a site for him in accordance with his preferences, properly prepare it, purchase high-quality planting material and observe the planting technology.

Since Siberian cedar grows in a very large tree - 40 m high and 3 m wide - it is necessary to select a free site for it with an area of ​​at least 7 m². A distance of 3 m must be observed from buildings and other plants. If there is no large area, then decorative low-growing varieties should be purchased for planting.

Important! Siberian cedar can be grown not only from seedlings, but also from seeds, i.e. pine nuts. However, the growing process will be longer and troublesome.

Before planting, you need to inquire about the level of groundwater occurrence. They should not approach the soil surface closer than 1.5 m. If the groundwater is higher, you should either pick up another site or plant a tree on an artificially created hill.

What soil is needed

Siberian cedar is poorly tolerated when its roots are disturbing, so it is better to buy a seedling in a container (in the worst case, in burlap) and plant it by transshipment without destroying the earthen coma. Four to eight year olds should be chosen. When buying, you must give preference to strong seedlings with green needles. Care must be taken to ensure that the tips of their needles are not dry.

Coniferous plants grow well in loams and sandy loams. Clay soil should be improved by adding peat and sand.

When to plant

You can plant a plant in open ground in the spring: in April-May, and in the fall: in September-October. The choice of planting dates will depend on climatic conditions in the area where cedar is grown. Site preparation begins in advance. It is cleaned of plant debris and dug on a bayonet shovel. These are the main measures to prevent the development of diseases and the invasion of insects.

Important! Cedar pine should be planted in such a way that the root neck of the seedling is at ground level. Otherwise, the plant may not take root.

Next, prepare the landing pit. It should be a third more than an earthen lump of seedling. The land extracted during its excavation should be fertilized with rotted manure, wood ash, coniferous earth, peat.

Landing should be done as follows:

1. A day before planting, water the soil in a container so that it better leaves it.
2. At the bottom of the pit lay a drainage layer that will drain excess moisture.
3. Sprinkle it with prepared nutrient mix.
4. Set the garter ring in the center of the hole.
5. Put an earthen lump in the center of the pit.
6. Fill the voids with the remaining nutrient mixture.
7. Seal up.
8. Watering.
9. Tie a seedling to a stake.
10. Mulch.

How to care for cedar

Caring for the described culture will not be difficult. Usually seedlings, when choosing the right location, take root well. For a tree, it is necessary to organize high-quality care, consisting of such mandatory procedures as moistening, top dressing, cultivating, weeding, mulching, sanitary trimming. Despite the fact that Siberian cedar is a very hardy plant with strong immunity, it is important to follow preventive measures to prevent the development of diseases and attack of pests.

How much water does cedar absorb

The first months after planting, Siberian cedar should be watered with a frequency of 1 time in 2-3 days. In the future, you can gradually reduce the number of irrigations to 1 time per week. Adult plants need to be moistened only during periods of prolonged drought. The rest of the time, the tree is able to independently extract and consume the amount of water it needs. One coniferous plant at a time can drink about 10-30 liters. How much moisture a particular tree will need will depend on the age of the tree and weather conditions.

Cedar, like any coniferous representative, responds well to sprinkling - watering the crown around the perimeter with a diffused stream from the hose. This procedure is especially necessary for trees growing in urban conditions. It allows you to wash off dust and dirt from the crown. This procedure will make it possible for the needles to absorb water and moisturize, to make its color more saturated.

A day after watering or rain, when the roots of the tree absorb most of the moisture from the soil, it is necessary to loosen. Since the root system of the plant is in the surface soil layer, the earth needs to be loosened shallow and accurately. The loosening procedure improves the aeration and moisture conductivity of the soil, prevents the formation of a dense crust on the surface, which impedes the normal flow of water and oxygen to the roots.

Did you know? Common cedar has very valuable wood, the quality of which is mentioned in the Bible. Imperial palaces, ships were built from it at different times, furniture was made.

Important measures for soil care in the near-stem zone are mulching and weeding. The first of these is needed to maintain optimal moisture levels. If the trunk circle is covered with mulch, then there is no need for frequent watering, loosening, weeding.

Keep the soil clean. Since weeds are carriers of pathogenic bacteria and insects, they must be removed in time with the roots.

Fertilizers and fertilizing

Thinking about feeding the Siberian cedar is necessary no earlier than 2 years after planting. If fertilizers were introduced into the planting pit, then the plant will just have enough for this period.

It is advisable to feed the described culture once a year - at the beginning of summer. It is better to use ready-made fertilizers specially designed for conifers, for example, “Uniflora”, “Agricola”. You need to bring them into the moist earth under the root when digging. When feeding, it is worth considering that Siberian cedar is in dire need of potassium and does not accept excess nitrogen.

Features of autumn care

In the autumn period, the tree needs to be pruned, removing dried, yellowed shoots, as well as branches that thicken or spoil the shape of the crown. In regions with severe winters, it is necessary to arrange shelter for the trimmed plant.

Did you know? Cedar is one of the few plants that can independently regulate the movement of juices in tissues and other biological processes, depending on external factors. Such abilities of the tree gave people in ancient times a reason to believe that he has a soul.

So that in winter and spring the tree does not suffer from drought, it should be abundantly watered, gradually introducing a large amount of water. Water-charging irrigation should be done in October-November. The trunk circle should be covered with mulch, which preserves moisture and insulates the roots.

In September, it is necessary to treat the tree crown with a systemic fungicide and insecticide to protect against diseases and pests.

Diseases and Pests

Unfortunately, growing cedar in the household can be overshadowed by plant diseases. If the owner observes the correct agricultural technology, then the chances of running into the area with diseases and harmful insects are minimal.

It is very important to carry out annual preventive measures, including:

1. Autumn cleaning of the site from plant debris.
2. Deep digging of the near-stem zone to the bayonet of a shovel every autumn.
3. The choice for planting healthy seedlings.
4. Conducting annual sanitary scraps.
5. Regular inspection of plants.
6. Strengthening the plant's immunity by applying mineral dressings.
7. Timely soil care in the form of loosening, weeding, mulching.

If it was not possible to avoid diseases, it is necessary in time, on the basis of characteristic symptoms, to make the correct "diagnosis" and proceed to treatment. You can figure out which pathogen the cedar struck by reading the information in the table:

In addition to diseases, many harmful insects pose a danger to the Siberian cedar.

Among them are:

What gives a vaccine on a cedar

Siberian cedar - a tree with slow growth. Its bearing occurs at the age of 50-60. Vaccination allows you to accelerate plant growth and the appearance of fruits. Fruiting in grafted specimens occurs after 4-6 years.

How to plant a cedar

It is not difficult to plant Siberian cedar. However, this process requires certain knowledge and skills.

There are two ways to plant a tree:

In order for the vaccine to be successful, you need to familiarize yourself with the manual for its implementation and practice. It is also important to know about its consequences - the life expectancy of grafted trees is significantly reduced. Due to the fact that there is no full compatibility of the scion with the stock, reaching 30 years, the cedars become unstable, so it often happens that they die under strong gusts of wind.

On the cedar

The vaccine must be planned for the first half of May or June. The graft - a cedar panicle with a kidney - should be prepared in February. Until the time of vaccination, it will need to be stored in the refrigerator or basement. It is successful if the apical shoot reaches a thickness of 0.8–1 cm.

Did you know? The smell of real cedar is actively used in cosmetology, the perfume industry and traditional medicine. It is believed that he is able to relieve anxiety and irritation.

The process of vaccination "in the butt" is as follows:

1. Cut one side of the handle to the core, leaving a slice 5-7 cm long.
2. From the other end of the scion, remove the bark by 2-3 cm.
3. Separate the bark on the stock, exposing a strip of cambium.
4. Attach the stem to the cambium strip.
5. Press the rootstock bark.
6. Do not tighten with soft threads.
7. Lubricate the grafting site with garden var.

Video: cedar grafting on cedar

On the pine

Another simple method of scion can be made in June. It is necessary to choose the apical shoot, lignified to the middle. Its upper part should be cut off. On the lignified part, make an incision in the form of a wedge. Insert into it the wedge-shaped base of the scion kidney from pine. Tie the scion and rootstock with thread.

So, planting Siberian cedar in the country house, garden, garden plot is not difficult. The main thing is to adhere to the recommendations on planting technology and basic tree care. Growing such a coniferous representative has many advantages: decorating the site, getting tasty and healthy fruits, the possibility of healing, staying near it for a long time and breathing in the pine aroma.