Today, many people have the idea to plant conifers in their homes. Ornamental deciduous plants are a wonderful decoration of the interior, but they can not be compared with a charming Italian pine. It can be seen on sale under the name pinia. In flower shops, it is found all year round, but it is best to purchase and plant it in early spring.
Growth in nature
Italian pine is found in the Canary Islands. Very spectacular, young tree has a pyramidal shape. With age, the crown branches. Due to powerful bitches, the crown of an umbrella is formed. For home growing, flower growers often use this feature to create an amazing bonsai garden, unique and inimitable.
At home, the Italian pine tree reaches enormous size, 20 meters in height. In pots, this plant is usually no more than one and a half meters, but it is not suitable for a small room. But in the big hall she will look just magical. Its bark has a reddish-gray hue, which gives the pine a very decorative look. The needles of young trees are soft, silver-green. The length of each needle is about 10-12 cm. Over time, it becomes more rigid and dark. In nature, the Italian pine periodically sheds needles, which then cover the ground around the tree with a carpet. At home, old needles are cut independently, which stimulates the growth of fresh ones.
Why pinia
Indeed, in nature there are so many varieties of pines that just eyes run up. In addition, today decorative varieties and hybrids are bred. But among them, a special place is occupied by the Italian pine. A distinctive feature is an unforgettable coniferous aroma, surprisingly persistent. Many pine trees are grown in the garden in the summer, and in the winter they are brought onto an insulated loggia. By Christmas, you will have your own “Christmas tree” at home, which you can decorate. This tradition allows you to save Christmas trees in nature.
View description
Let's take a closer look at what constitutes an Italian pine (pine). Low-branched tree, highly cleared of branches, with a beautiful crown. The trunks are covered with furrowed bark, which is separated by large plates, strongly curved. Young shoots are usually gray-green or light yellow, densely covered with needles. The buds at the ends are quite spectacular, non-resinous. The needles are 10-15 cm long, green or bluish. Mature female cones are single, symmetrical. The shields of scales are curved, thick, hide the edible seeds, which we call nuts. It is from them that a new tree can be grown.
View Properties
An Italian pine, or pine, is a resident of the Mediterranean, so it is difficult to tolerate frosts. In the middle lane and in the south of Russia it can grow in open ground (where frosts do not exceed -20), but in Siberia it will not survive. Here, gardeners usually plant it in tubs in order to pick it up in a warmer room with the onset of autumn. It prefers dry and loose soils, mainly sandy. The breed is photophilous and drought-resistant, undemanding to growing conditions, except that it does not tolerate waterlogging. The tree gives large seeds resembling the kernels of Siberian cedar. They are considered a delicacy and are regularly used in food. Useful properties are not inferior to the fruits of Siberian cedar. It is a product of longevity.
Seedling or seeds?
It is most convenient to use a five-year-old seedling of the kind you like. In this case, you get a fully grown plant that can be located on your summer cottage. However, many are not interested in how to buy a finished seedling, but how to grow it. Italian pine (pine) grows long enough, be patient. Growing a tree from cones is a very interesting process, this technology is of great importance for the restoration of coniferous forests, and not just for decorating a private household.
Choose seed
We will talk in detail about how to plant Italian pine seeds. First of all, you need a mature bump. To do this, she will have to live on a tree for three years. After that, her flakes open and expose the seeds. Right now, the finished cone falls to the ground, where it can be collected and used to grow a new plant. Each such house has about 10 seeds. The optimal time for harvesting is the end of October.
Having brought home, it must be placed in heat, on the stove or to the battery. After a couple of days, the cone will open and give the opportunity to collect seeds. In nature, they undergo natural stratification. All winter, the cone lies under the snow, and with the onset of spring, the seeds are saturated with moisture and germinate. This must be repeated at home. To do this, spread the seeds on the sand, moisten slightly, cover with snow from above and put them on the lower shelf of the refrigerator.
With the onset of spring
Now the seeds can be placed in the planting boxes. They need to be filled with light peat soil (one part of turf, peat and sand), which will definitely need to be calcined in the oven. After the soil is prepared, seeds are sown to a depth of 2-3 cm. Water well and cover with glass. After the emergence of seedlings, the covering material must be removed, and the box should be transferred to a sunny place. For prevention, seedlings are sprayed with a fungicide solution. In early summer, they can be planted in open ground or a tub, if climatic conditions do not involve cultivation on the site.
Plant care
Now you have a young Italian pine tree (pinia) growing. Features of cultivation suggest a regular transplant, about once every five years. By this age they reach a height of about half a meter. It must be remembered that young pines need to be sheltered for the winter by lapnik. In the warm season, you need to feed the seedlings 2-3 times. To do this, use mineral mixtures for conifers. But it’s better to be careful with organic matter, oily soils to pine trees do not like. If these conditions are met, you can get enough seedlings to decorate the garden with a single cone.
By about 7 years the plant acquires a crown, and by 20 the tree is covered with branches almost to the ground. By the age of 30, the lower branches begin to die, the crown acquires an ovoid shape. By this time, the growing process is almost complete, although growth will continue.
Pinia in the conservatory
According to reviews of those who have a described tree on their site, this is one of the few pine trees that can easily tolerate home maintenance. Moreover, she will have a satisfactory condition and shape if the tree is in the fresh air during the growth period. And in winter it is best to keep it in a cool place where growth stops.
The soil should be light, it is a mixture of granulate and sand, as well as gravel. Land must be replaced every 2-3 years. Young plants require moderate watering, and in winter you can observe temporary dryness of the substrate.
Crown formation
What needs to be done in order for you to grow a beautiful and strong Italian pine (pine)? The use of modern synthetic fertilizers is not encouraged; forest humus will be sufficient. This kind of pine is great for creating a flat and wide crown, however, other styles can be implemented, if desired. The final height should be maintained at a level of one and a half meters. Young shoots are shortened and molded using wire. This should be done while the branches are young and flexible, that is, until they reach the age of three. In those places where the wire passes, it is necessary to remove the needles. Make sure that it does not fit snugly against the branches, otherwise it may grow into the bark.
Tasty Nuts
In addition to the decorative function, you can count on the fact that from about 12 years of life, the pine will begin to bear fruit. One tree gives an average of 45 cones. A large plant can produce about 7-9 kilograms of edible seeds. Many Italian dishes use delicious pineapple nuts. Italian pine is a very fertile plant. If several trees grow on the plot, then you will be provided with a wonderful food supplement. Calorie content is quite high, about 630 kcal per 100 g of product. Nuts are rich in trace elements such as vitamins B, E and C, as well as phosphorus and magnesium, zinc and potassium, manganese and iron.
Beneficial features
To date, they are not fully understood, but it is well known that Italian pine nuts heal wounds and help cope with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Regular consumption of pine fruits helps strengthen immunity and has a slight diuretic effect, improves the activity of the kidneys and liver, stimulates potency, and helps normalize the functioning of the heart.
Instead of a conclusion
Responses of owners of country houses claim that it is not a big problem to grow an Italian pine in their own area. This tree is not whimsical, the only condition is the lack of excessive soil moisture. To prevent fungal infection of plants, young seedlings need to be periodically watered with manganese. Forming an intricate crown is an interesting and fascinating job. And the appearance of your garden, decorated with Italian pine trees, will greatly benefit. Do not forget about the direct benefits of conifers in your garden, and the aroma that reigns on a hot summer day will be the best reward.