Content
Mountain pine Varella is a rather original and decorative variety, which was bred in Karstens Varel nursery in 1996. The name of the mountain pine (Pinus) was borrowed from the Greek name for pine from Theophrastus - pinos. If you turn to Greek mythology, you can find the legend about the nymph Pitis, which the god of the north wind named Boreas turned into a pine tree.
Description of the mountain pine Varella
If we consider the description of the mountain pine Varella, then it is worth highlighting the following points:
- the tree has a rather dense and compact crown, which has the shape of a ball. An adult tree can reach a height of 1-1.5 m, a width of about 1-1.2 m. The mountain pine Varella grows by 10 cm annually;
- the needles have a dark green tint, the shape is elongated, there are small roundings at the ends. The size of the needles in length is 10 cm. The needles are located quite densely, young needles are much shorter compared to adults, as a result of which a halo appears around the crown;
- plants of this variety are undemanding to care for, grow well in a slightly acidic environment. Slow growth, the Varella pine loves the sun. Quite a wide root system. Varella perfectly withstands strong gusts of wind and low temperature conditions;
- has a high level of resistance to most pests and diseases. As a rule, plants of these varieties are used in the design of rocky gardens, they grow well both in group and in single compositions;
- in landscape design, they are combined with other coniferous tree varieties.
It is also worth noting the fact that the mountain pine Varella is capable of releasing phytoncides into the air, which kill microbes in the environment.
Mountain variety of Varella pine in landscape design
Mountain pine, Varella varieties, are often used in landscape design. This popularity is due to the fact that the tree is able to hold any shape, including artificial. The tree has an attractive look, which is so popular with gardeners.
Varella pine grows small, it can be used not only for single, but also for group compositions, combining with other types of plants. Some experienced gardeners note that if you use the minimum amount of fertilizer regularly, it is possible to accelerate growth.
Planting and caring for the pinus mugoVarella pine
To obtain a beautiful decorative tree, it is enough to pay a minimum of attention to the Varella mountain pine. In the process of growth, it is necessary to remove weeds in a timely manner, carry out sanitary pruning and crown formation. To prevent a number of diseases, many gardeners recommend preventive measures by spraying trees with chemicals.
Seedling and planting plot preparation
Mountain pine is a light-loving tree, in some cases it can grow in partial shade, but almost always dies in the shade. That is why it is recommended to choose an open, sunny place for planting.
This variety is unpretentious to the soil. Pine can be planted in acidic, sandy, sandy loam and even poor soil. But if the land is infertile, you must first apply fertilizer.
The acquired planting material should be held for several hours in a solution with the addition of a rooting agent, which will allow the seedling to take root in a new place much faster.
Landing rules
For better survival, planting material is planted in open ground after cold weather or at the beginning of autumn. Mountain Pine Varella grows best in a sunny location. Before planting, you will need to dig a hole up to 1 m deep. If the soil is heavy, then drainage is poured onto the bottom. Most often, broken stone or brick is used for the drainage layer, a layer of sand is poured on top. After the drainage is filled up, it is recommended to make a layer up to 20 cm high from the nutrient soil.
Before planting a pine tree, a small amount of water is poured onto the bottom of the pit. The root system must be carefully distributed over the pit, and then covered with earth.
If the plant was purchased in a store, in a special bag, then, as a rule, it is not removed, since over time the material decomposes in the ground without harming the Varella pine. In some cases, Varella mountain pine is sold in plastic containers - it is recommended to get rid of it.
Watering and feeding
During the first 2 years after planting the Varella mountain pine in open ground, it is recommended to apply additional fertilizing and fertilization. For these purposes, it is recommended to use mineral fertilizers. For each bush, about 30-40 g of fertilizer is applied to the trunk circle. After 2 years have passed since planting, the tree does not need feeding.
It is not recommended to remove the needles that fall off the tree during growth, since it forms a rather thick litter, in which organic nutrients accumulate in the future - this is quite enough for the normal development of the tree.
Since this variety is drought-resistant, the plant does not need constant irrigation. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the layer of fallen needles perfectly retains moisture. The exception is the Balkan pine, which needs watering.
Mulching and loosening
Despite the unpretentiousness of the Varella mountain pine, the tree needs care, as a result of which you can count on the pine to grow large and beautiful. The most important thing in care is the timely removal of weeds. As known, weeds a large amount of nutrients are taken from the soil, as a result of which they are not enough for the full development and growth of the tree.
It is recommended to loosen the land around the Varella pine, as a result of which the root system receives a sufficient amount of oxygen. Mulching the trunk circle slows down the growth of weeds, while the thick layer of mulch also prevents rapid evaporation of moisture.
Pruning
The only problem that most gardeners face when growing Varella pine is pruning the crown. Thanks to this procedure, a rather dense cover is formed near the tree, and you can give the crown any shape. As you know, the tree perfectly keeps not only natural, but also artificially created form.
When carrying out formative pruning, it is not recommended to remove more than 1/3 of the crown - this rule is the most important. The first step is to remove all bare branches, as they dry out rather quickly and do not give the tree an attractive appearance.
Pruning is done using a sharp knife. It is recommended to process each cut using varnish, potassium permanganate solution or var. The sleep period of the pine lasts from the second half of February to the first days of March, it is at this moment that it is recommended to prune the crown.
Preparing for winter
Before sending the Varella mountain pine for the winter, it is recommended to pre-prepare the tree.Before winter, it is recommended to water the plant abundantly for the last time, and fertilize if necessary. Since the mountain pine Varella is able to withstand low temperature conditions, it is not necessary to cover it for the winter.
In early February, it is recommended to cover the plantings with a sun-protection film. For these purposes, a construction mesh with small cells is excellent. The net is removed after the snow has completely melted. This is necessary so that the bright sunlight does not burn the needles.
Reproduction of mugo Varella pine
If necessary, you can propagate the mountain pine of the Varella variety. For reproduction, 2 methods are used:
- cuttings;
- seeds.
If the first method is chosen, then cuttings are used for planting, the age of which is 3 years. It is not recommended to use planting material that was taken from the forest. This is due to the fact that such specimens rarely take root.
The most common breeding method is seed. After the planting material has been purchased, it is recommended to hold it in a cold place for a month, then place it in warm water, as a result of which the seeds wake up and a rapid germination process begins.
Diseases and pests
As already mentioned, the mountain pine of the Varella variety is not susceptible to the appearance of pests and various kinds of diseases. Despite this, it is recommended to carry out preventive measures. If you do not spray the plantings in a timely manner, then the trees can be affected by the scabbard or spider mite. Among the soil pests that infect the root system, it is worth highlighting the beetle and scoop.
To prevent diseases, trees must be treated with insecticides in the spring. The amount of mortar used depends entirely on the size of the pine. During processing, it is necessary to ensure direct contact of the drug with the roots of the Varella pine.
Conclusion
Mountain pine Varella is an excellent option when decorating land plots, which is loved by landscape designers. As you know, plants are best purchased in specialized stores or nurseries. It is not recommended to bring planting material from the forest, as there is a high probability that such seedlings will not take root. An excellent solution would be to purchase planting material from a person who is engaged in pine propagation at home. With the right care, you can get a beautiful tree that will attract attention.