The green thuja is an excellent decoration of any garden and even the windowsill. Gardeners after wintering face the problem of yellowing or blackening of needles. To avoid these troubles, it is necessary to properly care for the plant. How to care for thuja in the country at home, below in the article.
Thuja care at home outdoors
Thuja is a plant that should be properly looked after and know the nuances for each season. The main thing in caring for a tree is a properly selected place and watering regime. With the observance of the main rules, you can achieve an excellent result and enjoy the green beauty.
At the cottage
You need to start taking care of the tree immediately after winter. Care should continue in spring, summer and autumn. The mistake of many gardeners is too rash attitude to the plant. In their opinion, she is not at all picky and does not require special attention. But this is a mistake, and gardeners get dull yellowed or blackened bushes. But it is quite possible to avoid these consequences, if properly organized care for the thuja.
For your information! The most common varieties of thuja are: Smaragd and Brabant. They perfectly take root in a temperate climate.
Features of spring care
Spring is the most important period in caring for thuja. After winter, the plant is weak, and any environmental impact can be detrimental: the needles will begin to burp.
In winter, the trees are covered with airtight material. Due to the first spring sun, the needles and the root system can burn out, which will lead to the drying and yellowing of the plant or even death.
Important! It is recommended to open thuja only after the snow has melted, and the soil will warm up, that is, after the awakening of the root system.
The soil is also worth preparing. To do this, even during planting, it was necessary to provide for a high-quality drainage layer and mulch the soil. A large amount of moisture for thuja can become fatal. In addition, the ground around the plant needs to be cleaned of grass and loosened to provide enough air.
The watering regime needs to be established in April, and in some regions in March. This is due to the fact that with the first sun, moisture begins to evaporate, which must be replenished. In the spring months, it will be enough to water the thuja once a week at the rate of one bucket of water per tree. In addition, weekly sprinkling for needles is recommended.
The next step will be the removal of dead branches. All yellowed needles need to be cut. On large trees, damaged branches can be in the very middle, so you should carefully examine the plant.
Note! The perfect time to trim is April. But, even if time was lost, then at the first opportunity it is worth carrying out the procedure.
Diseased plants
Spring is the time when it is necessary to feed young trees, which are only gaining growth. Fertilizers are applied as soon as the snow melts. An excellent option will be both organic and mineral nutrition. You can also find specialized coniferous fertilizers. Before fertilizing the plant, it is worth watering and mulching the soil well so that the fertilizers are better absorbed.
Important! Too much fertilizer can ruin the plant, so it is worth diluting the funds according to the attached instructions.
Thuja Summer Care Rules
In the summer months, evergreens require combined and regular care. Mandatory is watering and sprinkling, loosening the soil, removing weeds and fertilizing.
How often thuja is watered in the hot months is a question that worries many gardeners. At an average temperature, watering and sprinkling is enough to be done once a week, in hot weather it can be increased up to two times. After a couple of days, the earth should be loosened to saturate it with air.
For your information! Summer is great for shaping a tree.
Features of caring for thuja in autumn and preparation for winter
Thuja care is necessary throughout the year, but each period has its own characteristics. In the autumn, the tree prepares for winter, so in September it is worth stopping the plant feeding to stop the growth of young shoots.
In late autumn, thuja is prepared for wintering. To do this, bind the branches, the most rolling and curves are cut, and the soil is mulched. To protect against wind and sunlight, shrubs should be covered with an airtight cloth and left until spring.
Features of preparing for winter in different regions
In regions where there is strong snow and wind in the winter, such as the north-west of the country, it is recommended to create additional protection for the shrub from wooden shields. In the middle lane, you can do with loose material.
Important! In conditions of a small amount of rain before wintering, the plant should be carefully watered.
How to care for thuja after landing
After planting, the shrub requires special attention. The care of newly planted arborvitae depends on the time. If the shrub was planted in summer or spring, then you will need:
- weekly watering in warm weather and two-time in hot weather. For watering, it is better to use water at room temperature;
- spraying must be carried out once a week, and in hot weather every day in the evenings.
If the tree was planted in the fall, then:
- watering should be carried out in the same mode as for spring and summer plantings;
- subject to heavy rains, watering must be reduced or stopped, since an excess of moisture is detrimental to thuja.
There is no need to feed plants after planting. Fertilizers are introduced during planting, they are enough for the next two years.
When and how to plant
For planting thuja, spring, summer and autumn are suitable. Gardeners recommend spring so that the young tree has time to grow stronger to the first frosts.
Before planting, you must make sure that the seedling is healthy and ready for planting. The needles should be green and not crumble, and there should be no visible damage on the trunk. For planting, it is best to choose a place protected from direct sunlight, slightly shaded.
Soil for planting must be prepared in advance. The soil must be moistened and free from clay impurities, otherwise the shrub will be prone to yellowing. Also, too high humidity should not be allowed, as this is fraught with falling greenery.
Landing technology:
- Dig a hole depending on the size of the root system, but with a minimum depth of 80 cm.
- Lay expanded clay on the bottom, making a drainage layer.
- When planting thuja in the spring, add fertilizer to the soil mixture, it is not worth it in the fall.
- Place the seedling in the hole, slightly deepening the root neck.
- Fill the soil and tamp.
After planting, follow the recommendations for the care of seedlings.
How often to water the thuja
Thuja watering mode depends on weather conditions. The first time to water the plant is recommended in the spring. In the warm season, the shrub should be watered once a week at the rate of one bucket per medium tree. In hot weather, watering should be increased to 2 times a week. Water is best used at room temperature.
Sprinkling should also be carried out regularly 1 time per week. With increasing temperature, you can moisten the needles daily.
Proper watering thuja
How to make tui magnificent
Of great importance for the thuja is its needles. If it is healthy, then the plant will become lush and beautiful. To achieve this, the bush should be looked after from early spring and do this throughout the year. At the same time, monitor the irrigation regime and top dressing. Fertilizers can be used organic and mineral. They should be introduced from the first spring months and throughout the spring and summer, and in the fall it is no longer worth it. Subject to the above conditions, the shrub at the cottage will delight with its lush greenery.
Mandatory conditions are trimming the branches of the arborvitae and giving it a different shape.
Pruning diseased branches and crown formation
Throughout the year, it is necessary to monitor the health status of the thuja, and especially the branches. If dry or diseased processes are detected, they must be urgently cut off.
The first inspection should be carried out in early spring, when protective material will be removed from the bush. All dry and damaged branches are pruned.
Large trees should be inspected more carefully, as infected parts may be in the middle. You can trim the thuja in spring and autumn. In the first case, pruning is done to shape, and in the second, to prepare for winter.
According to general recommendations, only 1/3 of all branches should be cut at a time. The procedure is best done on a cloudy day, and at the end carefully pour the thaw.
The main thing is to choose the right tool for trimming branches
Pests and diseases
The most common bush pests include:
- thuja aphid;
- bark beetle;
- moth-globe-moth;
- spider mite.
The most common diseases:
- cabine necrosis;
- pestalocyopsis necrosis;
- phomopsis necrosis;
- brown shute.
For the control and treatment of pests and diseases, it is necessary to use special means and treat it at the first sign of infection. But it is best to prevent ailments and the appearance of parasites, so a thorough and regular inspection of the plant for harmful organisms is necessary.
Features of growing thuja in garden pots
Some varieties of thuja can be planted in pots. These plants grow well at home, but require a special relationship.
In order for a plant in a pot to feel comfortable, it is necessary:
- choose a well-lit place near the window. Sunlight should be diffused, since direct rays are contraindicated;
- watering thuja at home should be 1-2 times a week;
- at home cultivation, observe a temperature regime of a maximum of 30 ° C, a minimum of 15 ° C. In summer, it is best to put the pot on a balcony or loggia;
- to feed the plant regularly in spring and summer 1 time per month.
Breeding thuja in pots
Even the Moscow climate is suitable for such breeding of thuja.
If you take care of the thuja correctly, then it will look great on a summer cottage and in a home pot. Thuja requires close care both at home and outdoors. If this is neglected, the plant will constantly suffer from diseases and pest attacks and, of course, will dry out.
