More than 70 species of junipers have been bred by breeders around the world. Some of the most popular among gardeners are the Chinese ephedra varieties. They began to breed them in China, Japan, Manchuria and North Korea. The Spartan variety was obtained in the Monrovia nursery (1960).
Juniper Spartan is a persistent and unpretentious plant
Brief information about the species
- Group: conifers.
- Height: up to 3 m.
- Crown diameter: up to 2.5 m.
- Crown shape: pyramidal.
- Needles: scaly, bluish-green.
- Fruit: bumps.
- Location: photophilous.
- Reproduction methods: seed, vegetative.
- The soil: undemanding to fertility.
- Application: single and group landings
Growing regions
The plant is frost-resistant, feels great in frosts down to -30 °. However, he does not like low air humidity.
It grows best in the Crimea and the Caucasus. It can be planted throughout the forest zone, forest-steppe and steppe belts.
Description of the plant
Chinese juniper Spartan is a fast growing plant. Under the right conditions, by the age of 10, it grows up to 3 m.
The maximum height of the tree is 5 m.The crown reaches 2.5 m in width.An annual increase in growth is up to 10 cm, and in width is much less - up to 5 cm.
The crown is vertical, has a pyramidal or fusiform shape. The main branches are raised. Young shoots are also vertical.
Scaly needles. Color - bluish green. The needles are soft to the touch, resembling a roller in appearance.
Cones grow on the tree. They contain seeds that mature in 2 years.
Landing
Juniper Spartan is a light-loving culture. Ideal places for planting are sunny areas or light partial shade. The plant does not tolerate darkening well and may die.
There are no special requirements for soils. However, nutritious and drained soil is the key to more intensive growth and decorativeness of a hairy handsome man.
Sapling selection
When choosing a planting material, you need to pay attention to some important details.
- The juniper seedling must be 3 years old.
- It is better to take a plant with a closed root system. In good nurseries, they are sold in special containers that contain extended-release fertilizers. This makes it possible not to damage the roots during planting and achieve 100% survival rate.
Site preparation
Choose healthy seedlings for planting
When buying seedlings with a closed root system, they can be planted almost all year round. But the optimal time for this procedure is the beginning of the growing season.
Despite the fact that Spartan, like all conifers, is not picky, you still need to pay a little attention to the place of its future growth.
The nutrient soil has not harmed more than one plant. It is recommended to use turf, sand and peat in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. It is advisable to add 200 g of nitroammophoska.
Landing technology
It is important that the depth of the dug hole is 2 times the earthen lump.
Pour drainage on the bottom of the prepared pit. This will protect the seedling from groundwater and excessive waterlogging. The earth ball should be just above the soil level. Tamp and pour the surface.
Important! The needles of a young seedling need to be sprayed periodically.
When planting several specimens at once, remember the size of adult plants, because the width of the crown reaches 2.5 m.Excessive thickening gives a lag in growth and loss of decorativeness.
Care
Spartan is an unpretentious plant. But you still need to pay a little attention and care to the prickly handsome man. All actions are pretty standard.
Watering
Young seedlings require good watering, since the root system of the plant is still poorly developed and cannot independently extract moisture from the soil.
2-3-year-old trees are watered approximately once a week. On the bush - a bucket of water. In drought, the frequency of procedures should be increased.
Top dressing
In the spring, the ephedra is fed with a solution of nitroammophoska. The term of the procedure is April-early May (30 g of fertilizer per 1 square meter).
In the fall, the plant requires potassium supplements to maintain its health. The ideal time to add them is October.
Mulching and loosening the soil
Loosening during the growing season is one of the most important procedures. This manipulation enriches the topsoil with oxygen and provides an additional stimulus for plant growth.
To retain moisture, the soil around the bush can be mulched. Use peat, compost or bark.
Pruning
Fancy shapes can be created from the crown
The high density of the Spartan crown and the annual growth of no more than 15 cm allow the Chinese juniper to be given the most bizarre shapes.
In the spring, dried branches are removed and sanitary pruning is done. This procedure is best done before sap flow begins. It should be remembered that no more than 1/3 of the branch can be cut.
Pruning shears, garden or electric shears are used as tools. Tools must be sharp. This will avoid creases.
Preparing for winter
Spartan is a plant that is not afraid of frost. Therefore, it is not necessary to cover it for the winter. Just tie the branches together with a strong rope to avoid deformation and breakage from the weight of the snow that has fallen.
Before sending the ephedra for wintering, you can do preventive treatment against diseases and pests.
Reproduction
Like all conifers, Spartan reproduces by seeds or vegetatively. The seed method is labor intensive. When propagating by cuttings, you can get the number of seedlings you need.
The cuttings must be torn off, and not cut off with a pruner or other tool. The branch of the future plant should be at least 7 cm and have 2 internodes.
In order for the cutting to take root, it is important that on its lower part there is a "leg" - part of the bark from the mother bush.
The soil for planting must first be well dug to the depth of the shovel bayonet and fertilized.
Diseases and pests
To prevent the occurrence of fungal diseases before the growing season, it is necessary to treat the ephedra with Bordeaux liquid.
- With an invasion of caterpillars and aphids, Confidor is used. Processing is carried out twice, at weekly intervals.
- When infected with rust, they are treated with fungicides.
Use in landscape design
In landscaping, Chinese Spartan juniper is used to decorate parks, public spaces and private gardens.
It can play the role of both a lonely, dominant plant, and for creating green hedges.
It gets along well with other shrubs, their compatibility is a matter of taste and design moods of the gardener.
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Gardeners reviews
In the line of conifers, the Spartan juniper takes pride of place. Many people grow it, while praising and recommending it to others.
Year-round attractiveness, winter hardiness, livability, unpretentious disposition and ease of care - all these qualities are especially appreciated by lovers of evergreens.