Juniper Andorra Compact is an evergreen shrub that will delight juicy needles even in the middle of winter.
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Description of juniper variety Andorra Compact
If you make a brief description of the variety, it differs in the average rate of development, grows to a height of 40 centimeters. The plant has a beautiful, compact crown, up to two meters wide.
The dense juniper branches are horizontal and slightly elevated. The needles are rather thin and long, located on the shoots very densely. In summer, the needles become gray-green, and in winter purple.
The plant loves light, but can take root in light shading. The soil for growing Andorra Compact should be well-drained and dry. The crop does not like abundant fertilizing.
The root system of the shrub is weakly branched, located close to the surface, but grows very widely. The species is resistant even to severe frosts, tolerates heat very well and can come to terms with urban smog.
Outdoor landing
Planting this culture should be given maximum attention. By following the basic rules for planting Andorra Compact, you can achieve good plant survival in a new place.
Juniper planting begins with the proper preparation of the selected site. Before planting seedlings, the site should be dug up with a bayonet and the land should be freed from the rhizomes of weed grass.
There is no need to use expensive fertilizers when planting juniper, since they can be replaced by adding ordinary chernozem to the hole with the addition of acidic peat and mineral mixtures for conifers.
Juniper planting step by step:
- Dig a planting hole, the dimensions of which should be twice the size of the rhizomes of a seedling.
- Transfer the plant from the container to the hole.
- Fill the seedling with nutritious soil.
- Water abundantly.
- Mulch with pine bark to acidify the soil. The mulch layer should be at least 10 cm.
Necessarily after planting, the junipers need to be mulched, since the mulch does not allow moisture to evaporate and weeds grow. Also, the land in the landing pit under the mulch will remain loose longer, which is necessary for this variety.
Evergreen Shrub Care
Horizontal juniper needs constant care - only in this case it will be possible to admire the juicy, saturated color of its needles almost all year round.
In autumn, you need to sprinkle around the trunk circles with a mulch layer of 10 cm. The plant in harsh climates should be covered with fern.
In the first few months after planting, juniper is important to water in a timely manner. Water the plant twice a week, until the rooting is completely over. After the bush has taken root, watering can be stopped - it will have enough natural rainfall.
The very first fertilizing of the juniper is carried out during planting. You can use any mineral composition for conifers. Then, every year in the spring, nitrophosphate is applied under the root at the rate of 20 g per square earth. In September, juniper needs to be fertilized with potassium-phosphorus mixtures. Biohumus, as well as potassium sulfate and urea are suitable for fertilizing this crop.
At the very beginning of spring, all dried and diseased shoots are removed. During a sanitary haircut, frozen branches are shortened.
It is very important to sanitize the pruner with alcohol before pruning to prevent infection.
Gardeners very often propagate this culture by cuttings. Cuttings are carried out in the spring. Cut shoots from plants that have reached the age of 8 years. Cuttings of branches of about 15 cm are cut into cuttings. The selected branch can even be simply broken off. The “heel” of the handle is cleaned of bark and the lower needles are cut.
The cuttings are immersed at an angle in nutrient soil or in a mixture of peat and sand. The pot should not be left in the sun. For fast growth, cuttings should be sprayed regularly. In a month and a half, young plants can be planted in a greenhouse on a temporary bed, and after a year transplanted into the garden.
Protection against diseases and pests
Juniper can get fungal diseases. To protect the culture from fungus, Horus, Skor and Ridomil Gold are used.
Of the pests, aphids and scale insects pose the greatest danger. Against harmful insects use spraying with the preparations "Angio" or "Aktara".
Landscaping Ideas
Horizontal juniper is a magnificent ornamental plant that gardeners widely use in landscape design of their plots. Looks great bushes in a single planting or in groups. Great place for juniper alpine slide. The plant will look good next to other conifers or against the background of a building, fence.
Growing conifers is a very interesting and grateful work, because you can admire the culture throughout the year.
