Coniferous plants there is a place in any landscape design. All year they do not lose their decoration, delighting with green branches and delicate aroma. Among the great diversity of species and varieties, every gardener is looking for something unique, unique. That is what cypress is. In the courtyard of a private house, the tree is suitable for single plantings, decorate the rock garden and create a beautiful composition with other cultures. The main thing when choosing is not to confuse it with cypress. These trees are sometimes difficult to distinguish even by experienced gardeners. We will tell you what the difference is and how to care for cypress.
Did you know? Cypress trees, or as they are called cypress trees, came to us from Japan, Taiwan and the west-eastern outskirts of the United States of America. At home, culture is valued not only for its decorativeness, but also for its aromatic, high-quality wood. The Japanese traditionally use it for the construction of temples.
What is cypress
Cypress (Chamaecyparis - lat.) Is an evergreen single-coniferous tree belonging to the genus Cypress. Today, only 7 of its species are known, which are distinguished by their peculiarities. Botanists have more than 200 cypress varieties.
It is beautiful with saggy branches of a plant. Their shoots are flat, similar to laces. From above the needles are cross, and from below - scaly. Cones are small, up to 2 cm in diameter, rounded, open with cracks. Trunks with dark brown or grayish bark are drawn up to 20-40 m, and in the wild - up to 70 m.
All cypress cone crown. The branches are flat, they can pull out a cone, approaching an oval with a diameter of 1 m. For example, a pea-bearing cypress tree has many decorative forms: with needle needles and round shoots, with long and slack branches at the ends, with elongated or scaly needles. Its branches are folded into a tracery cone. Very popular with gardeners around the world are the varieties of Boulevard, Nan, Filifer. The view of Loveson is distinguished by small studs, tightly placed in the same plane on the shoot. From above, the needles are dark green, and from below - gray. Its dense needles form a narrow cone up to 2 m high. Often requested varieties are Elwoodi and Fletchery. Cyanus Aluma is known for its blue color, while yellowish green belongs to the blunt cypress species (Kontort, Sanderi).
Regardless of the species, these conifers are resistant to frost and rot. In the conditions of severe winters, some specimens may freeze the tips of unsteady shoots. The plant is not capricious, it can survive the drought, but the lack of moisture will be displayed on its condition.
Did you know? Chamaecyparis in Latin means "false cypress".
Difference cypress from cypress
Despite the confusion between cypress and cypress, to determine their differences is not so difficult.
Cypress trees are characterized by a light green, dark green with yellow needles and a blue tinge of pine needles. It forms exclusively cone-shaped crowns of the correct form. The leaves of young specimens are needle-shaped, with time scaling appears on them. They are characterized by pointy and tightness. Branches flatter than the cypress, placed in the same plane. Cone ripen in a year. Differ in small size and only two grains. The difference is also in resistance to cold in favor of cypress. In cypresses, the needles are multifaceted, the trunk is gray, and the fruits have much more seed. They are not very adapted to low temperatures and are difficult to tolerate transplants.
How to plant cypress in my area
Cypress - an integral decoration in landscape design. From the point of view of decoration, any place will suit him, even in stone gardens, rockeries, alpine hills and terraces. Low-growing species are cultivated in pots or containers for landscaping home and office interiors. But if you take into account the degree of comfort plants, then the choice of a place to plant is worth taking more seriously.
Dates and choice of place for cypress
Ideal for cypress in the country fit a half-shaded place. All species of these conifers prefer scattered light. Only crops with yellow-green needles can be planted on a sunny lawn, and intensive watering is required. If the plot you choose proves to be inaccessible to ultraviolet rays, the tree will lose its beauty. It is also not recommended to determine the culture in the lowland zones, since the cold airflows settled there will hinder its development. If you have purchased dwarf varieties, they will suit the terraces, rock garden and pot pots. For tall specimens, select a corner for a single landing or as a composition.
Important! If the cypress does not have enough light, it will stretch the crown. Yellow needles indicate a lack of moisture and exposure to direct sunlight. Brown spots that appear on the stems, white bloom on the ground and rotting of the roots indicate excessive watering.Soil for cypress suitable loamy without limestone, with an optimum level of pH 4.5-5.5. Comfortably, of course, the plant will be on rich fertile black soil. The best period for planting is spring, when the earth warms up well. However, the preparatory work should be done in the fall.
Preparatory work before landing
When a place for planting is determined, further preparation consists of digging a hole in advance and buying a seedling.
For the full development of the tree need a soft, drained soil. That is why it begins to cook in October. First, they dig up the plot, going deeper on the spade bayonet, then make a 90 cm depression with a width of 60 cm. In group plantings of the same species, keep a distance of 1-4 meters between cultures.
When the pit is ready, lay its bottom with a 20-centimeter layer of gravel or brick dust. Drainage will contribute to the outflow of water and prevent its stagnation. To get a beautiful cypress, take care of fertilizers. For this purpose, mix 3 parts of sod land and humus, 2 parts of peat and 1 part of river sand. Combine the components with the top layer of soil, mix well and fill each hole in half with the obtained substrate. Top deepening covered with film, securing its edges from the wind. During the winter, the ground will pereperet, will settle, and the necessary microclimate will be formed in it.
The next preparatory stage is the purchase of planting material. The success of the whole started business depends on this crucial moment. It is better to carry out the purchase in specialized garden centers or nurseries, where, in addition to high-quality seedlings, you can get expert advice. When buying, pay attention to the roots. Be wary of products with open roots, because cypress trees are very sensitive and will die at the slightest drying.
Consider that some unscrupulous sellers may deceive you by slipping a container with a transplanted plant on you. You can check this by turning the container upside down. If the earth does not get enough sleep or the whole earthen tuber falls out, you can take such a copy for sure. The needles of the selected seedlings should be different dryness, and the branches - flexibility.
Did you know? The smell of cypress deters insects.
Planting young cypress seedlings
In the spring, inspect the prepared pit. Before planting, pour it well and do not forget to moisten the purchased cypress. When the soil in the container is sodden, carefully remove the sapling from it and, without shaking off, put it together with the earthen tuber into the hole. Make sure that the sticking roots are straightened. It is possible to feed a young plant with a nitroammofoska (300 g is necessary), having mixed the agrochemical to substrate from humus, the sod earth, sand and peat. After that, the root system can be filled up so that the transition point of the trunk to the root (root neck) rises 10 cm above the ground. Drain the hole and again sprinkle it on the ground - now the root neck should be on a par with it. The planting is completed by mulching the circle of the circle with dry peat, sawdust or bark. If cypress from high grades, it must be tied to a peg.
Secrets of seasonal cypress care
Growing conifers is a good thing, because they are very effective and not at all choosy. Cypress in planting and care under the force, even for beginners. Like other members of the genus, these plants need systematic watering, timely feeding and loosening the soil.
Regularity and abundance of irrigation
Given the native habitat of cypress, try to create a plant as close as possible. Culture loves moisture in the air and soil. Therefore, watering should be done once a week. Mature specimens for vegetation need about 10 liters of water, and young trees - 5 liters. In the summer, especially in hot weather, the soil is moistened every 3 days with increasing water volumes. In the morning and in the evening the trees are irrigated with a hose. For adult cypress trees, it is important to spray weekly, and for young - daily.
Important! To speed up the rooting of young seedlings, pour the plant solution "Kornevina".
Weed control and soil loosening
So that the soil in the near hole is always soft, it is periodically loosened, going deeper by 20 cm. With deeper processing there is a risk of damaging the upper processes of the roots. Make sure that weeds do not rise near the coniferous, as their presence spoils even the most decorative landscapes. To prevent their appearance will mulch. Renew the mound, it will prevent the soil from drying out. Young trees in the first years of life, it is important to create a small shadow, natural or artificial.
Fertilizer fertilizer
The time of fertilizer for cypress comes in the spring and lasts until the beginning of June. In the summer you can not make any dressings, because the tree is actively launched into growth and will not have time to adapt to the winter. For young specimens, the first feeding is carried out a couple of months after disembarkation. As fertilizer suitable mineral complex for conifers "Kemira". The dosage should be halved. Old trees are fed twice a month, adding about 100 g of powder to the tree trunk circle. Then it is buried in the ground and watered.
Pruning and shaping cypress cyan
In the second year after planting, the need arises formative cypress trimming. It is carried out in the spring before the beginning of the growing season, regardless of the type and variety of plants. During the procedure, the main focus is on supporting a natural cone-shaped tree. The cut must be a maximum of one third of the shoot, no more. It is also important to cut off damaged, frozen branches. 
Preparing for the winter
Some varieties of cypress trees have a tendency to freeze surface root ramifications, so the question of how to cover them for the winter becomes relevant. Despite the frost resistance of the crop, experienced gardeners recommend generously mulching tree trunks with peat or fallen leaves in all species and varieties. This shelter acquires particular relevance in snowless winters for young saplings. On such specimens they also wrap the crown. It is completely wrapped with agrofiber or burlap. In the spring all the buildings dismantled.
Did you know? The blunt cypress tree brought from Japan has been adapted to the harsh winters of all species.
Pest and disease control cypress
The plant is resistant to viruses, bacteria and attacks of harmful insects, therefore it does not create much trouble. Problems arise in some cases with improper cultivation agrotechnology. When a cypress tree turned yellow and began to fade, frightened lovers of decorative gardening are at a loss: what to do, how to save. In fact, the reason lies in the appearance of spider mites. The parasite drinks juice from the needles, leaving behind small yellow spots. Dehydrated plant loses vitality, color and hairpins. It is impossible to get rid of the pest mechanically, and even less to see it. Insect of tiny size, up to 0.5 mm, settles inside the leaves. In the fight against herbivorous ticks effective drugs "Neoron", "Nissoran." Be prepared for re-disinfection in a week.
Feeding on the juice of a coniferous tree can and shield. Its presence is noticeable on the inside of the leaves. "Nuprid", "Aktara", "Bi-58 New" will help to get rid of these pests.
If cypress grows near groundwater, root rot threatens it. The disease often affects plants and, unfortunately, is not treatable. Sick specimens are simply destroyed, burned, and the soil is carefully treated with boiling water and special chemicals.
How to multiply cypress
Culture can be propagated traditionally with the help of seed, cuttings and layering. If we are talking about hybrid decorative varieties of cypress, seed method of reproduction loses meaning.
Seeds
The method is very time consuming and requires patience. It is used exclusively for wild varieties, as ornamental species lose maternal features. Harvesting takes place in the fall. Ripe planting material must be dried in the oven, adjusting the temperature by 30-40 degrees. Then it is packed in an airtight container for storage.
Important! In favorable conditions, the germination of cypress seed lasts up to 15 years.Before planting, the seeds are stratified in advance. The procedure begins in January. To do this, prepare the substrate of peat and river sand, fill them with capacity for planting, moisturize and lower the grain. Top sprinkled with a 2-inch layer of soil. Then the containers are sent to storage in the refrigerator. After 2-3 months, they are brought to the solar window sill for the germination of grains, while protecting from direct ultraviolet rays. With an increase in temperature, the box can be taken out to fresh air, which will accelerate the growth of shoots and harden. When the seedlings are stronger, they can be transplanted into the street, and with the onset of cold weather, the beds can be insulated with agrofiber. Not the fact that all the shoots will suffer frosts. In order to get a full seedling of cypress seed, it will take at least a year.
Cuttings
The method of grafting is popular with all gardeners, as it is reliable and guarantees rooting of all plants. In May or July, last year's or lateral sprouts are cut on a young tree. The apical part up to 10-15 cm in length is left on the handle. In this case, it is free from the bottom of the studs. Planting material is deepened in the peat-sand substrate and covered with polyethylene, creating the effect of a greenhouse. In the rooting process, they monitor the humidity, which ideally should reach 90%. For 1.5-2 months, the plant will put strong roots, and it can be determined on the street to a permanent place. How to transplant cypress from the container, we mentioned above. 
Layering
The method is the simplest, but it is suitable only for those varieties in which the crown creeps or the branches hang down to the ground. It is these shoots in the spring slightly incised on the outside, and then inclined to the soil and fixed cut down. Top poured a small hill of the substrate and watered until rooting. Already by the fall the sapling adapts well, but do not rush to separate it for the winter from the mother trunk. Better to do it in the spring.
