Cypress is an evergreen plant from the Cypress family. Depending on the species, it can be represented by shrubs or trees with a pyramidal or spreading crown. Although the branches are covered with needles, these plants are thermophilic. Their homeland is the subtropics and tropics of the Mediterranean, Crimea, the Caucasus, the Himalayas, China, California, Lebanon, Syria. Laconic beauty and incredible aroma attract many gardeners. Of course, cypress alleys look great, but not everyone has the opportunity to grow it, but a small tree on the site and even in a pot is accessible to almost everyone.
Plant description
Outwardly, cypress is a perennial tree 18–25 m high or a shrub (1.5–2 m high). The shape of its crown is very diverse. Cypress grows fastest in the early years, and then adds only a few sentiments. His life expectancy is very long. There are specimens over 2000 years old. Trunks are straight or curved. They are covered with a thin smooth bark. On young shoots, it is light brown, but over the years it acquires a gray-brown hue and furrowed texture.
Branches with a rounded or quadrangular cross section are covered with small leaves. At an early age, they lag behind, and then tightly pressed to the shoots. Gradually, the awl-like leaves become scaly. On the outer surface, you can quite clearly see the groove (oil gland). Sometimes it differs not only in relief, but also in contrasting edging. The length of the blue-green plate is 2 mm.
Cypress belongs to monoecious gymnosperms. Male and female cones (strobiles) are found on each individual. Male organs (microstrobils) look like a small rod with a spore-bearing leaf (sporophyll). Nearby is a female generative organ - megastrobil.
After pollination (in the fall of next year), spherical or ovoid cones with a dense scaly surface ripen. They grow close to a branch on a dense stem. Under the woody scales there are several seeds pressed against each other. They are flattened and have a wing. The embryo may have 2-4 cotyledons.
Types of Cypress
Due to the small number and isolation of certain types of cypress trees, scientists cannot come to a unified classification system. The genus includes 14-25 plant species. There are also several subspecies and varieties for ornamental cultivation.
Arizona cypress. Frost-resistant unpretentious tree with a spreading crown grows 21 m in height. The dark brown lamellar bark gradually exfoliates. Young branches are covered with gray-green leafy foliage with a pointed edge.
Cypress is evergreen. The cold-resistant and drought-resistant plant in the form of a tree up to 30 m in height has a pyramidal crown. It consists of ascending branches tightly pressed to the trunk. At the same time, the trunk thickness does not exceed 60 cm. Young shoots are covered with fine scaly foliage of dark green color. Rounded cones have a taupe. Ripening, the flakes diverge and up to 20 seeds are found inside.
Large-fruited cypress. The inhabitant of California grows in height by 20 m. It takes the form of a tree with a curved trunk. The trunk of a young plant is vertical, but gradually the branches bend like a fancy sculpture or a giant bonsai. Varieties:
- Goldcrest Wilma - a small lush bush or tree up to 2 m in height is covered with bright lime needles;
- Variegata - needles on young shoots with white stains;
- Cripps - young subulate leaflets spaced from branches.
Breeding methods
Cypress propagated by seeds and cuttings. Freshly sown seeds are sown only in spring. To do this, the opened fruits divide and release the planting material. It is stratified in the refrigerator for 3-4 months. Then they are immersed for 12 hours in warm water with the addition of growth stimulants and sown in separate small pots or in a box with a distance of 4 cm. For sowing, they use a special soil mixture for conifers. Capacities contain in ambient light. So that direct sunlight does not fall on them. The temperature should be between + 18 ... + 21 ° C. The surface of the soil is regularly sprayed. With a height of seedlings of 5-6 cm they dive. The root neck is deepened to the previous level. In the first year, the increase will be 20-25 cm.
For cuttings use semi-lignified apical shoots. It is desirable that they have a heel (a section of the bark of the trunk). The lower foliage is removed, and the slice is treated with wood ash. Then they dip him into the Kornevin. Cuttings are buried to a third of the height. Moisturize the soil well and cover the plants with a transparent cap. Every 2-3 days, the shelter is removed and the condensate removed. Rooting takes 1.5-2 months.
Planting and care at home
Even giant cypress species are suitable for indoor cultivation. The whole secret is slow growth. It will take several decades before the trees cease to fit in the house. The rhizome of the plant is quite sensitive, so the transplant is carried out only as necessary, with the preservation of an earthen coma. The pot should be sufficiently roomy and stable. The soil is made up of:
- soddy soil;
- peat;
- sheet land;
- sand.
At the bottom, drainage material from crushed bark, clay shards or broken brick is necessarily placed.
Lighting. Cypress needs a long daylight and bright but diffused light. On hot days, protection from direct sunlight is necessary. You should also often ventilate the room or take the plant outside. In winter, additional lighting may be required.
Temperature. Although cypress lives in the south, it is difficult for it to tolerate heat above + 25 ° C. Wintering should be even cooler (+ 10 ... + 12 ° C). In a room near heating appliances, the branches will begin to dry.
Humidity. Plants need high humidity, so they are regularly sprayed or placed near a water source. Without this, the needles can crumble and dry out, which means that the bush will cease to be attractive.
Watering. Flooding of the soil is not allowed, so cypress is watered regularly, but not too abundantly. Soil should dry only on the surface. In winter, at lower temperatures, irrigation is reduced.
Fertilizers In May-August, indoor cypress is watered with a mineral fertilizer solution every month. Top dressing continues in the winter, but do it every 6-8 weeks. Also, to improve the appearance, you can add "Epin" to the crown spray liquid.
Outdoor cultivation
Frost-resistant cypress species can be grown even in central Russia, not to mention the warmer regions. Before landing, the site should be prepared. For this, the soil is dug up with turf, peat, sand and sheet soil. A planting hole is dug deeper than the rhizomes in order to pour a thick layer of drainage material to the bottom. First, you should study the characteristics of the selected variety in order to determine the optimal distance between plants. It should be greater than the width of the crown so that the plants do not interfere and do not obscure each other.
Landing is best done in the spring, while maintaining an earthen lump. Young specimens are erected a wooden support. In the future, it can be removed. To get an attractive plant in the garden, you need to choose a well-lit place.
The soil can not be dried, so watering is carried out quite often. Evaporating, moisture saturates the air, which is also important. In the absence of rain, no less than a bucket of water is poured weekly under the tree. On hot days, watering is carried out twice as often. The crown is regularly sprayed.
Fertilizing young plants is carried out twice a month, from April to September. To do this, use a solution of superphosphate or mullein. Starting from 4-5 years of life, top dressing is minimized. They are made only 1-2 times a year, in spring and autumn.
To give the bushes a shape, they are regularly sheared. In March, frozen and dry branches are removed. A few times during the season carry out a molding haircut. Not more than 30% of the shoots are removed at a time. With caution, you need to trim the plants in the fall, because they can be more affected in the winter. But the haircut carried out in the fall stimulates the appearance of lateral processes and thickening of the crown. This is also good.
In winter, even frost-resistant varieties must be covered, although some of them can withstand short-term frosts down to -20 ° C. In late autumn, before the onset of frost, cypresses are saturated with moisture. Watering makes it more plentiful. In winter, shrubs and low trees are covered with non-woven material, and the soil at the roots is covered with fallen leaves. Usually, snow serves as a good heat insulator, but it also carries a danger. Heavy snowdrifts can break branches, so they should be crushed periodically. Tall pyramidal plants are tied with twine and then propped up.
Possible difficulties
Cypress has excellent immunity. With proper care, he does not get sick at all. If the soil is regularly flooded, root rot may develop. To combat it, fungicide treatment is carried out, agricultural machinery is changed and the Epin crown is sprayed.
Of the pests, scabies and spider mites most often appear. Prevention of infection is regular spraying and humidification of the air. When the parasites have already settled, the plant is treated with Actellic.
If the branches dry on the cypress, this indicates insufficient lighting and humidity. The same problem can arise from sudden changes in temperature. So that the plant does not hurt, you should not often rearrange it from place to place. To strengthen cypress, a little Zircon is added to the water for irrigation.
Cypress use
Evergreen bushes and trees with exquisite shapes are actively used in landscape design. They form alleys or hedges. Single monumental plants in the middle of the lawn look no less beautiful. Creeping varieties are suitable for decorating rocky mounds and rockeries. Delicate indoor Christmas trees will fill the room with a pleasant aroma and diversify the decor.
Aromatic oil is obtained from the needles of some species. It is used for aromatherapy sessions and for medical purposes, as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, tonic and antirheumatic agent.
The smell of cypress repels moths and other harmful insects. Sprigs can be cut and laid out in the house. Plant resin is an excellent preservative and is characterized by fungicidal properties. Even in ancient Egypt, it was used for embalming. Light and strong wood is also appreciated. Crafts and structures made of cypress serve for a very long time.
