Thuja Sankist is a popular ornamental plant with honey-yellow needles. North America is considered her homeland. The name of the tree is translated as "sun bunch" (because of the golden color of the crown). To successfully grow this original tuika, it is useful to know the main characteristics, agricultural rules and gardeners' reviews.
Thuja western Sankist - a bright element of the suburban area
Brief information about the species
- Colour: golden
- Height: 3m.
- Crown width: 1,5-1,8.
- In which regions is it growing: recommended for winter hardiness zone 2b.
- Landing features: in a sunny place or in partial shade; the distance between thuja in a row is 50-70 cm.
- Immunity: tall.
- Life span: 100-150 years old.
Description of the tree
Tuyu Sankist belongs to low trees. Its maximum height is 3 m, width is 150-180 cm. The crown has a conical shape and dense structure. The branches grow quite densely and are directed upwards.
The needles stand out very much against the background of other cultures: they have a bright golden-yellow glossy color that will not leave anyone indifferent.
Cones are small, round, light brown. The root system of the tree is not very ramified and is located close to the surface.
Growing regions
Thuja western Sankist is highly resistant to cold weather. It is recommended for growing in hardiness zone 2b. This means that cultivation is possible throughout Russia, with the exception of Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk oblasts and Krasnoyarsk krai.
Landing
For planting, it is important to choose a healthy and strong seedling. Plant roots should be light or pinkish, not dark and dry. A twig of thuja, after being squeezed in the palm, immediately straightens, but if it remains crumpled and hangs, this indicates a weakened state.
Seat selection
The plant loves good light, so it is best to plant it in a sunny location.
The tree can grow in partial shade, but with strong shade, the needles will not grow golden, but simply green.
The soil should be moist, fertile, loamy, lime-free, acidic.
Technology
The planting hole should be one and a half times the size of the container, and reach a depth of 60-80 cm. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom of the pit - soil with sand, pebbles or expanded clay.
The tree needs sunlight
Garden soil is mixed with peat (2: 1) and nitroammofoska or special fertilizers for conifers are added.
The plant is placed in a hole along with an earthen lump. The root collar cannot be deepened - it must be located at ground level. Tuika is watered abundantly (5-10 liters of water, depending on the size of the seedling), and the soil around the trunk is compacted. You can mulch the trunk circle with peat or sawdust.
Care
This thuja is not too whimsical to care for, but for successful cultivation, some rules must be followed. The main measures include: regular watering and sprinkling of the crown, mulching and loosening of the soil, fertilizing, pruning. In addition, the tree must be properly prepared for winter.
Watering
You need to water the tree weekly, using from 5-6 to 10-12 liters of water (depending on the age of the thuja). In dry and hot seasons, frequent sprinkling is necessary - in the evenings. To reduce moisture evaporation, it is recommended to mulch the trunk circle.
Top dressing
It is recommended to feed thuja twice a season - in March and in August. Spring feeding usually consists of extended-release complex fertilizers.
If the tree has not endured the winter well, you can use drugs like Kornevin. In summer, Fitosporin is often used, which not only nourishes the plant, but also prevents fungal diseases.
Mulching and loosening
Since the root system is close to the surface, the soil loosening should not be deep (7-8 cm). The soil is loosened after watering, while weeding the weeds. Mulching the trunk circle (peat, sawdust, needles, bark) helps to simplify the care.
Pruning
Sanitary pruning and shaping is carried out in late May or early June. First of all, damaged and dry twigs, shoots with signs of disease are removed. A shaping haircut is done to thin out the crown and give it the desired shape.
Preparing for winter
Despite the frost resistance of thuja, young trees still need shelter for the winter (from snow, wind, sunburn).
The trunk circle is mulched with a thick peat layer (15-20 cm), and the crown is wrapped with thick paper, burlap or just ribbons. Snowballs from twigs need to be regularly cleaned off or special frames should be installed over tuyks.
Reproduction
Thuja will brighten any landscape
This tuika is propagated by cuttings in May. Last year's branches 10-12 cm long are broken off with a "heel" and the lower end is immersed in water, and then in Kornevin. The soil mixture for rooting is prepared from garden soil and peat or sand (proportion 2: 1).
Cuttings are planted in containers or directly into open ground, choosing a well-lit area with indirect sunlight. The plants are watered abundantly and covered with half a plastic bottle. Watering is done from above, several times a week. Young tuika can be unpacked two months after planting.
Diseases and pests
Tuika can be affected by shute and late blight.
Prevention is timely drainage of the soil and proper feeding. In addition, plants can be sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.
At the first signs of the disease, medicinal preparations are added to it.
Of the insect pests, the tree is threatened by the thuja aphid and the false shield. To combat, wash with soapy water and treatment with insecticides are used. In acidic soils, a wireworm can start, harming the roots of thuja. Means containing diazinon help to get rid of it.
In landscape design
Due to its original color, the Sunkist thuja is often used in landscape design. It creates a bright sunny accent among green spaces, in harmony with herbaceous plants and other conifers. It is planted individually, in group compositions or as part of hedges.
The dense crown is well suited for trimming and shaping the tree in a wide variety of shapes. But even without shaping or with minimal pruning, it grows with beautiful conical outlines.
This culture is often grown in rock gardens, city parks, private ornamental gardens, used for container planting on terraces, balconies, roofs.
Plant reviews
According to the description of gardeners, Tuika successfully takes root and is completely undemanding to care. She firmly endures frosts and rarely gets sick.
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Many note the need for winter strapping of young trees or other protection, otherwise the snow damages the crown.
It has been noticed that the coniferous tree is very fond of sprinkling and responds well to top dressing - root and foliar.