The Korean fir Silberlocke (Koreana Silberlocke) is an evergreen coniferous tree that finds use in landscaping and gardening. The tree was recently bred: the first appeared in Germany in the 20th century thanks to the work of the botanist breeder Gunter Horstmann.
Korean fir Silberlock
Brief information about the variety
- Colour: needles are gray, blue-gray.
- Height: the tree does not grow taller than 4.5 m.
- Crown width: the volume of the bottom part varies from 1.5 to 3 m.
- In which regions is it growing: takes root in all regions of Russia except Siberia and the far north.
- Landing features: for successful cultivation, it is worth choosing a lighted place.
- Immunity: Fir is not resistant to the influence of fungus, spider mites, scale insects and aphids.
- Life span: up to 50 years old.
Growing regions
Silberlok is demanding not on the ambient temperature, but on the type of soil. But any soil can be enriched with the help of natural dressings and mineral mixtures, so the plant takes root in many regions of Russia.
A small fir grows easily in the Middle Lane - it is especially common in the Moscow, Pskov, Ryazan and Tula regions.
The climate of the Volga region, the South of Russia and the southern part of the North-West suits her. Some skilled gardeners grow it in the western Urals and the Far East.
Description of the plant
Fir Silberlock is an evergreen plant that is classified as a slow-growing one. The name of the variety translates as "Silver curl", which indicates the bluish-silver tone of the needles.
Adult specimens have a large conical crown, which in the conditions of the Middle Lane has an annual growth of 3-10 cm, depending on the quality of care. By the age of 30, the tree reaches only 4 m in height.
The needles are twisted upward and soft to the touch. The upper part is greenish, and the lower one has a silvery tint, so it seems that the plant has a blue color.
The bumps deserve a separate mention. They grow upward from last year's branches and appear only by the age of 8.
The cones stand out due to their purple color and rather large size in relation to the tree: they grow up to 7 cm in length and 2 cm in diameter. The scales form a dense layer similar to armor. They open only in autumn, when large winged seeds are ejected.
Landing
The planting of Silberlock must be in accordance with clear requirements.
Sapling selection
For a seedling to take root in Russia, you need to buy a certified specimen from a nursery. Moreover, his age must exceed three years.
It is important that the plant has a strong root system, a smooth trunk, healthy bark and a neat crown shape. If you dare to breed a variety with your own seed or seedlings, do not forget to check the roots and disinfect them in a timely manner.
To do this, the bottom of the fir is placed in a 5% manganese solution for 120 minutes and in a suitable antifungal agent for half an hour.
Site preparation
The health of the tree depends on the correct planting
The location intended for the landing is prepared in advance. It is worth starting three weeks before planting.
The soil is dug up, cleared of weeds and their roots. Ash is brought in, as well as mineral fertilizing: the fertile layer will feed Silberlok for the next two years.
Artificial fertilizers can be supported by a nutrient complex of sand, peat and local soil with 100 grams of Nitroammofoska per 10 liters of the composition, mixed into the soil at the point of future planting.
Landing technology
- Dig a hole. For each plant, its volume is calculated separately: add 25 cm to the length of the larger fir root. So, the average depth is 80 cm, and the width should exceed the size of the root by 15 cm;
- Put the drainage mixture on the bottom. It is made from large crushed stone, crushed brick or river gravel. Place a part in a pit, and form a slide in the center from the remains. Moisten the roots in a clay solution and place along the edges of the slide;
- Cover the remaining space with soil. It is important to compact the earth with high quality in order to eliminate the likelihood of voids formation. 10 cm remains to the top of the hole, lay out mulch from sawdust or tree bark, but so that the root collar is free.
Care
Watering
Caring for the Korean fir cannot be called laborious: it calmly perceives the low level of air humidity.
During the growth period, young plants can do with natural moisture. The sprinkling method should be interrupted only if there has been no precipitation for more than 14 days.
An adult tree, even during a drought, does not need moisture from the outside. Deep roots allow it to reach even groundwater.
Top dressing
When planting, the fir receives nutrients, which are enough for the next two years of intensive growth.
In the next 40 years, every spring, you need to apply complex mineral fertilizers. Among professional gardeners, Kemir, Fertik, Florovit, Forte or Compo products, and other preparations with a similar composition, are popular among professional gardeners.
Mulching and loosening the soil
Compaction of the upper layers of the soil can lead to the death of the plant, so loosening is a must every two weeks. Weeds under the fir should be removed as soon as they appear.
You can stop vigilant care when you reach the age of three: the roots will become powerful enough to receive oxygen even in harsh conditions.
Mulching is usually carried out immediately after disembarkation. Sawdust, straw or dry leaf litter mixed with bog peat are suitable.
Pruning
Fir does not need crown formation
Artificial intervention in the formation of the crown of the Korean fir is not required. Blue needles by themselves form a pyramidal dome with high decorative properties.
But if the soil where the tree was planted is especially fertile, the plant can overdo it with lengthening the branches and lose its former appearance. In this case, you will need a partial correction of long branches, as well as cutting off dry or painful branches.
Preparing for winter
A mature tree should be covered with thick mulch in the root area. And two weeks before the projected frosts, it needs to be switched to a water-charging irrigation regime.
Young fir is much more sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
A seedling up to three years old requires regular moistening, hilling and mulch 15 cm thick, covering with a special bag and tightening. It is customary to cover the plant with spruce branches from above, and also sprinkle it with snow.
Reproduction
The Korean Blue Fir Silberlock reproduces vegetatively, but it is extremely difficult to create suitable conditions for natural propagation of the plant. Therefore, gardeners use the seed method or simply plant young cuttings.
Seed propagation
- Even in the first months of spring, prepare a few cones of fir: the seeds should be naturally stratified. For this, the planting material is kept at subzero temperatures for at least 35 days;
- Before planting, the seeds are immersed in warm water mixed with a coniferous growth accelerator for a day. This will help the plants become resistant to disease and cold;
- In the role of soil, a mixture of sod land, sifted river sand and bog peat is used. Any other soil mass with a slightly oxidized ph-environment is suitable;
- You need to bury the planting material in small notches 6 cm deep. From above, the sown land is covered with a film, and when the sprouts reach 10 cm, they should be resettled in separate containers.
Vaccination method
- In the spring, branches 10 cm long are cut from the mother plant. The planting material must be completely healthy and lignified.
- The next step is a cut on a tree. It is necessary that the incision height exceeds the point of the lower branch by 2-3 cm. Bare cuttings are implanted into the mother plant with the support of a special mixture like Kornevin for 12 hours.
- After that, the cuttings are recommended to be moved to a greenhouse. Periodically, they will need to be watered, artificially moistened and fed until a full-fledged root system is formed, which will take at least 4 months.
Diseases and pests
The tree does not tolerate transplanting
Abies Koreana Silberlocke is not resistant to diseases, and pests often choose it for habitation.
Most often, the plant is negatively affected by fungal diseases, especially if it was transplanted or grown at the wrong temperature. Therefore, a one-time landing in a comfortable place is considered the best way to protect against infections.
The affected tree is unlikely to be cured, but folk remedies can be used. The process of controlling insect pests is more complicated.
- A light bloom on the needles is a sign of the appearance of aphid hermes. Prevention from its invasion is carried out with the help of siderates - for Silberlok, these are pine and spruce. Insecticides are suitable for treatment;
- Brownish honey drops indicate the vital activity of the scale insect on the needles. In the spring, a bag is put on the plant, soaked in a chemical composition against caterpillars;
- The mite betrays itself by weaving a thin web right on the crown. It usually appears in the garden during a drought, so when watering, you need to irrigate not only the ground, but also the needles. A measure of control is considered to be an infusion of dandelion and garlic, applied to the affected areas.
Use in landscape design
The Silberlock fir is considered a favorite of landscape designers. This status is due to the quite adequate price, as well as the great decorative potential in design.
The blue tone of the needles and neat bumps give the plot or plant composition a special oriental charm.
Single specimens of an evergreen plant and whole rows with it are used both in landscaping private territories and in the reconstruction of parks in large settlements.
How can you apply:
- plant in straight lines to simulate an alley around the perimeter of a nondescript garden path;
- suitable for marking the boundaries of rockeries when creating a Japanese garden;
- the plant does not lose color in winter, therefore it is actively used for landscaping cool northern territories;
- the culture looks good when planting a background for an alpine slide or lawn, although it originally does not grow in the Alps;
- used as a tapeworm in the middle of decorative lawns and flower beds;
- fits into compositions with barberry, red maple, spirea, birch, thuja and juniper bushes.
Gardeners reviews
The owners of the areas where the blue Korean fir grows note its beautiful appearance, which persists at any time of the year.
Dense needles and cones, vaguely resembling small birds, create a pleasant atmosphere of the site.
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