Schwerin's Wiethorst pine (pinus schwerinii Wiethorst) is a hybrid of two species, Griffith and Weymouth. The main advantages are in the initially pyramidal shape and small annual growth, as a result of which, in adulthood, it reaches only 2 - 2.5 meters. They grow it for decorative purposes, combining it with low-growing crops. It was bred about 100 years ago, bears the name of its creator, Count Schwerin, who is fond of crossing various plant breeds.
Schwerin Witthorst Pine
Brief information about the species
- Colour: green with a blue tint.
- Height: mature plant reaches 2 - 2.5 meters.
- Crown width: up to 1.5 meters.
- In which regions is it growing: Central, Volgo-Vyatka, South, North Caucasian.
- Landing features: sunny, relatively dry place, protected from the winds, the density does not exceed 1 plant per 4 meters.
- Immunity: tall.
- Life span: from 30 to 60 years old.
Growing regions
The selection result was amazing. Despite its southern ancestors, the Whitthorst pine is unpretentious to the surrounding conditions.
It can be planted without fear of freezing in the Rostov, Volgograd, Smolensk, Moscow regions. Feels great in the Central, Volgo-Vyatka, North Caucasian districts. It tolerates short-term frosts well, requires regular watering during the dry season.
Description of the plant
The unusual appearance of fluffy pine immediately attracts attention. She seemed to have come off a Christmas card, she is so beautiful and proportionate.
A small compact tree with soft bluish needles and fluffy branches has a clear pyramidal shape. The crown is dense, the needles grow up to 10-12 cm, does not grow in width, adhering to a diameter of 1 meter.
The growth rate per year is about 20 cm. In good weather conditions it increases to 50 cm. The advantages of the variety are in the independent formation of a dense attractive crown, without pinching and thinning. Only damaged or frozen branches are removed.
Interesting: needles are arranged in 5 in a bunch, thin branches are also collected in 5-6 pieces, forming spectacular balls at the ends of large branches.
This is the hallmark of the hybrid. A mature tree does not burn in summer, it tolerates frosts down to -35 degrees, it is undemanding to the composition of the soil, and is compact.
Selection and planting of a seedling
Pine Whithorst belongs to dwarf varieties, by the age of 15 it almost stops growing. However, its full-size dimensions should be taken into account when determining the landing site. Seedlings are sold in nurseries, cost from 430 to 3 thousand rubles.
Plant selection criteria:
- the trunk is strong, straight without fractures;
- the needles are elastic, evenly colored;
- branches are fluffy, without empty areas.
Young pine trees are usually sold in pots in order to preserve the fragile root system during transportation. They are transplanted with the soil carefully removed from the pot. For planting, choose a sunny, sheltered from the winds, away from large fruit trees.
There should be free space for a few meters around. It is best to plant seedlings near alpine hills. They will perfectly complement the landscape, becoming the semantic accent of the composition.
Site preparation
Pine is undemanding to the soil, however, for successful adaptation in a new place, you need to choose a site without stagnant moisture, which the tree can hardly tolerate. If it is already known in the fall where the plant will be planted, then they bring in humus, a little sand and carefully dig it up, leaving it until spring.
Landing technology
A sunny area is suitable for planting
Ash is brought into the hole in half with sand, then the seedling is carefully removed along with a lump of earth and lowered strictly vertically into the hole, with the expectation that the root collar remains slightly above ground level.
The soil is slightly moistened, the hole is covered with prepared earth in half with sand and clay and tamped a little. For stability, it is tied to a support. The optimal planting time is late April or mid September.
Care
In the first year, the seedlings are influenced by the external environment, and in order for them to grow and take root in a new place, you will have to take care of them, protect them from frost and hot sun.
- In the spring, the crown is covered with burlap so that the delicate needles do not burn, gradually accustoming the plant to ultraviolet radiation.
- For the winter, in the first 2-3 years, the pine is insulated with foil. After 5 years, the tree is able to cope with frost on its own.
Watering
It is produced regularly at the rate of 10 liters once a week. In hot weather, you can water it 2 times a week. Schwerin's pine does not like waterlogging, root rot is possible, so it is important to control the level of soil moisture.
Top dressing
The first consists of a bucket of humus with the addition of 30–50 g of potassium phosphate fertilizing when planting a seedling. Frequency - 2 times a year, in spring and autumn, with complex mineral fertilizers. In solutions, they are absorbed faster.
Mulching and loosening the soil
It is carried out regularly to maintain the required moisture level and ensure root respiration. Wood chips and sawdust are used. Loosening is superficial, at a distance of 0.5-1 meters from the trunk.
Pruning
For sanitary purposes only, to remove damaged parts. The peculiarity of the pine is that it does not need a third-party crown formation. The pyramidal shape is laid initially, no strong growth is observed.
Preparing for winter
Adult plants tolerate frost well. The seedlings must be covered with burlap or a special cloth, fixing them around the crown. The roots are insulated with an additional layer of soil and sand.
Reproduction
The tree propagates only by cuttings
It is carried out by cuttings, hybrids do not multiply by seeds, losing their original properties. On an autumn cloudy day, shoots are selected from the north side from the middle part of the crown. They are torn off with a piece of wood and bark with sharp downward and sideways movements. The wound on the trunk is treated with pitch. The optimal cutting length is 8-12 cm.
Diseases and pests
Most often, growth stops due to strong shading of the adjacent area and root rot from excessive watering. Like most hybrids, pine tolerates typical crop diseases.
The greatest harm to the tree is caused by the pine silkworm, whose caterpillars feed on needles, as well as:
- scoop;
- sawfly;
- aphid;
- bark beetle;
- spider mites;
- scabbards.
Regular spraying with complex pest control products helps.
Landscape use
Schwerin's pine is loved by gardeners: it looks great in compositions with alpine slides, when decorating rocky, Japanese and heather gardens, it is used in group and single plantings.
Schwerin Witthorst pine. Overview, description of features, where to buy pinus schwerinii Wiethorst
Issue 38. Schwerinii Wiethorst pine
Pinus schwerinii Wiethorst
According to gardeners, when meeting the requirements for planting and care, pine is quite unpretentious, successfully takes root in a new place, looks very nice and does not require complex care.