Thuya Yellow Ribbon

Today we will tell you about another representative of the Cypress family. Namely - about the yellow ribbon. This variety has a very interesting color of needles, the color is more than exotic. Therefore, this ornamental plant is very fond of gardeners and designers. In addition, this Yellow Ribbon thuja is very winter-hardy, so it can be planted in completely different regions of our country. Rest assured, it will take root everywhere. This tall tree has a pyramidal crown shape. The needles fit snugly together. In this article, we will talk about the main characteristics of the variety, the possibilities of using this plant in landscape design, and also introduce you to the rules of growing and caring for the crop. Well, let's start.

Thuja Yellow Ribbon: variety description

This tree usually has more than two tops. Thuja grows in height more than 2 meters. In terms of volume, the crown reaches almost a meter. But these are already mature trees, young seedlings of a much smaller size. The growth of this western thuja is slow. Therefore, no more than 12 centimeters of new shoots are formed on the plant per year.

This plant is considered perennial. Its life span is approximately 35 years. The crop has a dense crown and a very even trunk. Therefore, the plants fit perfectly into any landscape design. The needles are short, the skeletal branches are strong. In young shoots, powerful branching is formed, and the tops of the shoots are turned out, as it were.

The bark of very young branches is a delicate green color. In adult shrubs, it is usually dark gray. The needles, as we noted earlier, are scaly. In length it reaches no more than two and a half centimeters. It nestles tightly against the shoot, so the crown of the plant is dense. In color, you will be surprised, the needles are bright orange and light yellow.

However, in the middle of summer, the needles turn green. And closer to autumn - dark red. It is this feature that allows you to create a wide variety of compositions on the site. The cones of the plant are brown, medium-sized. They are usually formed in small quantities. Inside the bumps are small seeds that are equipped with wings.

The root system of plants is well developed. Therefore, these trees are not afraid of strong winds and drafts. If the environment is gassed, then thuja can even purify the air. However, this plant should not be planted in sunny areas, as its needles burn out.

Thuja Yellow Ribbon is considered a highly decorative plant. Her crown is compact, regular in shape, and the needles have an interesting variable color. This is what makes this variety in demand among professionals and gardening amateurs.

But caring for her is also easy and simple. This plant takes root well. It can withstand up to minus 30 degrees, moreover, the crown keeps its shape remarkably. The plant tolerates pruning normally.

As you understand, this variety of western thuja has plenty of advantages. It should be noted that this ornamental plant can be grown in almost all regions of our country. Often it is planted next to other large conifers. This plant also looks great next to flowering trees. Sometimes the central accent of the composition is transferred to it. Thuja is often planted as a hedge.

Thuja western Yellow Ribbon - how to propagate?

Western thuja Yellow Ribbon is capable of reproducing both generatively and vegetatively.

If you grow plants through the seeds, then be sure that the plant will retain all the properties of the mother tree.You will need to collect the bumps around the middle of autumn. And then they should be planted in a container or mini greenhouse. It will be possible to plant seedlings in an open space only after 3 years, provided that all the seeds will sprout.

You can propagate thuja and by cuttings. This is the fastest way. Shoots are usually harvested at the end of summer. Moreover, it is important to choose adult branches. Planting material should be placed in a fertile mixture - a small greenhouse so that the cuttings take root better.

As soon as you plant the seedlings in an open area, do not forget that they need special care. For the winter, the plants must be covered. Containers with cuttings are recommended to be placed in the basement. And only in the spring to plant on the site.

Sometimes this plant is propagated using layering... To do this, in early spring, you will need to dig in the lower lateral shoot, cover it with fertile soil, and be sure to cover it for the winter. Next summer, you will be able to separate the cuttings from the mother bush, cut and transplant to a permanent habitat.

Landing

It is best to plant thuja at the age of 3 years. Saplings are recommended to be purchased in specialized stores or nurseries, as well as from trusted manufacturers. It is in such places that the planting material is usually disinfected.

If you grow thuja yourself, then you will need to soak the root system for 5 hours in a manganese solution before planting in open ground, and then in a growth stimulator. Depending on which region you live in, the timing of planting thuja is different.

For example, if you live in central Russia, then it is better not to plant seedlings in the fall. It is best to do this in the spring, around the end of May, when the ground warms up well. In the south, it is also recommended to plant either in spring or early fall.

When choosing a place for planting, take into account the fact that bright needles will only be in the sun. Therefore, choose an area with good lighting. Thuja can also be planted on the east side. But remember, be sure to protect the plant from the wind.

If we talk about the level of acidity of the soil, it is better to choose a slightly alkaline or neutral soil. Light and drained soil enriched with oxygen is suitable for growing thuja. Groundwater should not be too close to the surface of the earth, as this negatively affects the development of plants.

It is best to plant thuja on sandy loam soil. However, remember that excess moisture can cause the root ball to become infected with bacteria, and the plant can die. It is best to first dig up the site, add lime or dolomite flour there, if the acidity level in the soil is increased.

It is recommended to add compost to the soil, as well as sand and peat. In order to immediately fertilize the soil, a little ash and urea should be added to the soil. A few days before the planned date of planting the seedling, it is recommended to prepare a planting pit. It should be wider than the root system of the plant. It is recommended to dig in depth about 70 cm.

It is recommended to lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the hole. Small pebbles, gravel or brick chips are suitable for this. The drainage should be laid out in a conical shape. The seedling should be installed in the center, and sprinkle with nutritious soil on the sides. Then the earth must be compacted, the plant must be watered abundantly, and the top layer must be mulched.

Do not deepen the root collar, as it should rise above the ground. Do not forget about the distance, plant thuja at a distance of 2.5 m from each other.

Thuja Yellow Ribbon care rules

In order for your plants to be beautiful and healthy, you need to properly care for the plantings. To do this, you need to water the plants in a timely manner, feed, cut and shape.

If we talk about the regime glaze, it should be noted that the thuja of this variety is quite hygrophilous. Therefore, gardeners often carry out sprinkling.It is especially important to water young seedlings under 5 years of age. Mature shrubs are drought-resistant. However, if there are no problems with precipitation in your area, then the trees may not be watered at all.

Young seedlings should be moistened about twice a week, and mature plants no more than 4 times a month. In order to better retain moisture, the soil around the plants is mulched.

Feed plant about once every three years. In the spring, it is advisable to add complex mineral fertilizers to the soil, which you can buy in a specialized store. Organic fertilizing should be done before mid-summer, so don't overdo it. However, adult plants practically do not need fertilization.

Trim thuja begins in the fourth year after planting in open ground. Young seedlings do not need to be trimmed. The thuja crown has a beautiful natural shape. Therefore, very often the plants are not cut at all. However, if you cut off several shoots, then the thuja will keep its shape for a long time, and will recover very quickly.

Don't forget about sanitary pruning. All diseased and dry branches must be removed in a timely manner, they do not bring benefits to the plant, but spoil the appearance. Therefore, before the start of sap flow, every spring it is necessary to remove all damaged fragments.

This variety of thuja is frost-resistant, so adult plants do not need to be covered for the winter. In late autumn, it is enough to carry out water-charging irrigation and increase the mulch layer. But young seedlings will not be able to withstand the cold. Therefore, you will need to prepare the thuja for wintering.

To do this, it is recommended to huddle the plants, double the mulch layer. For this purpose, peat, sawdust, and straw are often used. The branches of the thuja must be pulled together with a rope and fixed. From above, it is advisable to once again cover the plants with any breathable material. Make sure that the trunk circle is abundantly covered with snow, as plants winter better in such conditions.

Diseases and pests

These plants have a rather low immunity, therefore, thuja often suffers from fungal diseases. If the root ball is waterlogged for a long time, then this or that fungal infection, for example, late blight, will settle on the plant.

In order to get rid of this fungus, you should adjust the watering regime, transplant the plant to another place, and also treat it with fungicides.

Young plants often get sick with rust, so inspect young shoots and needles in time. If the tops of the shoots begin to die off in thuja, then foundationol should be used for treatment.

Often pests also parasitize on thuja. The needles are affected by caterpillars, spider mites, weevils and some other insects. In order to get rid of pests, it is necessary to treat plants with chemicals, sprinkle, destroy parasites with insecticides, and neutralize the soil.

To get rid of aphids, you need to treat the plants with a solution using laundry soap. So carry out inspections and preventive treatments on time.

Conclusion

This variety is considered breeding. Yellow ribbon is a very beautiful evergreen plant, which, moreover, is unpretentious in its care. It needs to be pruned, watered, fed on time, and this culture will truly amaze you with its luxurious crown. And due to the fact that the plant is frost-resistant, it can be grown in almost all regions of our vast country.