Dwarf birch (Latin Betula nana)- a species of low-growing shrubs of the genus Birch of the Birch family. Other names are small birch, dwarf birch, dwarf birch, dwarf birch. In nature, the plant is found in many European countries, in Canada and Russia. It grows in small quantities in the Alps and Scotland. Typical places are hypnum swamps, arctic tundra, moss forests.
Characteristics of culture
Dwarf birch is a deciduous shrub up to 120 cm high with open or rising shoots. Young shoots are densely pubescent or velvety, with age they are almost naked, with reddish-brown or dark brown bark, often with a bluish bloom. Leaves are rounded-oval or rounded, small, short-petiolate, up to 15 mm long, up to 20 cm wide, obtuse-toothed along the edge. The upper part of the leaves is dark green, smooth, with shine, the lower one is light green, with scattered pubescence. In autumn, the foliage becomes dark yellow or yellow in color. During flowering, anther catkins form on the plants, they can be of two types - male and female, after pollination they fall off. On female specimens, small elliptical nuts with three lobes and attached scales are formed.
Growing conditions
Dwarf birch is successfully cultivated on acidic garden soils, and on peat bogs, and fertile black soil, and sandy loam soils, and loams. but the best way the culture develops on light, slightly acidic, humus-rich soils. It is undesirable to grow dwarf birch on waterlogged, heavy clay and saline soils. The location is sunny, light shade is also possible.Reproduction and planting
Propagated birch dwarf seeds and cuttings. The collection of seeds is carried out at the time of the browning of the earrings. Seeds are sown immediately after collection or in late autumn under a shelter in the form of peat or sawdust... This procedure is quite laborious and not subject to every gardener, so experienced agronomists advise you to grow a crop by planting a seedling. Seedlings are presented in large numbers in specialized nurseries; they should not be purchased in unverified places.It is not recommended to buy seedlings with an open root system, even if they are properly planted, they may not take root. It is better to purchase seedlings in containers or with an earthen clod. Saplings are planted in spring or autumn. Landing pit prepared in a couple of weeks, a mixture consisting of garden soil, peat, humus and sand is poured onto its bottom in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1. It is important not to forget about the introduction of complex fertilizer (150-200 g per hole). Immediately after landing near-barrel area mulch with a thick layer of humus or other available covering material. Watering is required.
Care
Dwarf birch is a moisture-loving plant, it is difficult to imagine, but in summer period it draws about 250 liters of water from the soil. Therefore, irrigation for the crop is vital; during a drought, the volume of water and the frequency of irrigation are doubled.Top dressing is also necessary, in the spring the plants are fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, in the fall - with nitroammophos or Kemira universal. Preventive pruning is carried out annually in the spring, before the start of sap flow. Forming as needed, but at the same time.
Application
Dwarf birch has been actively used for many years in landscape design... It looks great in group plantings, rockeries and rock gardens. Shrubs look especially impressive in the fall, so they are often used to create auto-mali (autumn gardens). Dwarf birch goes well with evergreen dwarf conifers, as well as closely related species of birch - ferruginous birch, Finnish birch and Middendordf birch.Decoration household plots lately it has become more and more popular. In order to decorate the territory, the land owners purchase various exotic plants... The ornamental plant dwarf birch, originally from the tundra, perfectly decorates the garden and complements the landscape of any complexity. The birch is diminutive but attractive and can tolerate low air temperatures.
Description of the plant
Dwarf birch is a shrub with a height of 20 to 70 centimeters. The leaves of the plant have jagged edges and can be up to 15 centimeters long. In autumn, the green color changes to bright red, which perfectly decorates the nature. The plant bears fruit from May to June in small nuts with a very small diameter.
The tree resembles a creeping shrub that clings to the soil with its roots. Thus, one bush can occupy a significant area.
A wild birch bush grows in the highlands of the tundra at an altitude of more than 500 meters. The plant does not resemble a birch by its appearance, height or color of the bark. The miniature tree got its name from the word "yora", which means "bush". The thickets formed by the birch are impassable. They are often intertwined with dwarf willow, making it nearly impossible to navigate through their growth.
It is correct to consider a dwarf birch a shrub. Betula nana grows no higher than 80 cm. The bush is covered with snow in winter, which protects it from a blizzard and severe frosts. The leaves have a serrated edging. The foliage itself is smooth and shiny on top. The bottom of the leaf is matte, with a small fluff. In May, the plant blooms and dissolves earrings, which are a bit like Russian birch earrings. . Autumn plant unbelievably beautiful as it turns bright red or bright Orange color, thereby decorating fields and mountains.
Yornik perfectly tolerates the northern climate ... You can meet the wild option:
Growing conditions
The undersized bush loves a sunny place despite the ability to grow at low temperatures. The maximum that a tree can withstand is partial shade. The best place for planting - this is the one in which melt water is collected in spring. At the same time, the dwarf can withstand short-term droughts.
When planting in the ground, it is important to use drainage. The soil should conduct moisture well, and the substrate should be acidic or semi-acidic. You can plant a crop using seeds. They can be planted immediately after collection, or in autumn period... The seeds are frost-hardy. The most the best seeds for planting are those that were harvested in the year of planting. Seed germination may deteriorate every year.
You can also plant a tree with a seedling. When buying, it is important to check that the roots are not damaged or overdried. A few days before landing in a pit 1-1.5 meters deep, you need to mix mineral fertilizers, humus and humus. When planting, the lump that is present on the roots is not removed.
Drainage, which should be present in the ground, should be represented by pebbles, rubble or expanded clay. After planting, the seedling should be watered with water, and if desired, mulching should be done.
Birch care rules
So that the tree does not hurt or dry out, the soil should be constantly moistened. If the birch is planted in a place where water accumulates, then it is important to irrigate regularly only in the summer. You can feed the culture not only with humus, but also mineral fertilizers... It is best to apply nitrogen fertilizers to the soil in the spring, and nitroammofosk in the fall. The plant needs soil nutrition annually.
Pruning of branches begins in the second year of the life of the culture. Dry and diseased branches should be removed in early spring... You can form a crown not only in spring, but also at the end of August.
Caterpillars can hit the yernik, Chafer, scoop and aphids. It is necessary to treat the plant with appropriate drugs, or it is best to take preventive measures.
Complement and garden design
Yora is used in the registration of a land plot ... They use it when creating:
- alpine slides,
- exotic landscapes;
- miniature mountain elephants;
The birch will complement the territory decorated in japanese style, and also the tree should be planted near water bodies. You can supplement the birch with incense, gentian, fern, moss.
From this culture, an excellent hedge is obtained, which will gradually grow and weave. The bushes are amenable to shearing, so they can be culturally decorated. If you plant a shrub in a pot, you can get a bansai.
Dwarf birch is an adornment of any backyard area. Growing a bush does not require special knowledge and costs, and the shown imagination will help to decorate the landscape in a stylish and modern way.
The genus of birch (Betula) includes about 40 species of trees and shrubs found in the temperate and cool Northern Hemisphere. Thanks to decorative qualities picturesque tree with an air crown has found wide application in garden landscape design.
Varieties and types of birch are fully adapted to the climate middle lane... The culture is characterized by rapid growth and unpretentiousness. Low decorative birches are beautifully presented as tapeworms against the background of the lawn, as well as in groups, in the company of, for example, conifers.
The bark, depending on the species, can be white, dark, yellow and even slightly pink. The root system is usually shallow, highly branched, and therefore lacks sufficient stability in strong winds.
Caring for a birch tree is not difficult, and planting in containers can be carried out throughout the season.
Decorative varieties and names of species of birch
Hanging or warty birch (Betula pendula). The most popular and ubiquitous type of classic birch in the landscape of the middle lane. Tall tree growing up to 30 m tall with long, thin, weeping branches. The species itself is rarely used in gardening a garden, but its low graceful varieties have become popular landscape design plants.
Varieties of this type:
"Trost" s Dwarf " - with utterly unusual undersized variety with an openwork, airy crown of thin, needle-like leaves;
Birch "Yungi" (Youngii). One of the most popular low varietal forms. The height does not exceed 2-3 meters, but the growth of the tree can be controlled by pruning;
Variety "Yungi" on the stem "Royal Frost" is a tree with spectacular chocolate-burgundy, glossy leaves that turn bronze in autumn. The crown is loose, pyramidal. It grows to a maximum of 10 m. It develops well in almost all conditions and is most resistant to pests;
"Golden Cloud" - small tree, the leaves of which are golden-green all season, "Fastigiata" - the crown of the tree resembles the shape of a cypress or pyramidal poplar.
Paper or canoe birch (Betula paperifera) from North America. It is characterized by a white bark with occasional dark stripes, sometimes shades of pink, cream or yellow. The crown is dense, not weeping. The bark of this tree was used by the Indians as paper. Variety "Renci" with a triangular crown and golden leaves in autumn.
Jacmond Himalayan Hybrid(Betula utilis var. Jacquemontii). Is different large leaves and smooth snow-white bark. Cultivars: Doorenbos, Jermyns, Silver Shadow and Grayswood Ghost.
Species varieties Betula nigra:
"Little King" is a fast-growing dwarf form of a dense multi-stemmed tree with a wide rounded crown;
"Summer Cascade" - represents small tree with a dense crown of weeping thin branches that descend to the ground. It grows well on both wet and dry soils.
Dwarf decorative birch group Nana (Betula nana)... These are low bushes or trees, reaching a height of 50 cm to 1 meter. The branches are dark, covered with tiny, round, glossy leaves. An excellent hybrid on a stem with golden leaves "Golden Treasure". Prefers peaty soils.
"Magical Globe"- a varietal novelty on a stem, originally from Australia, characterized by a spherical dwarf crown. Feels good in the sun, prefers permeable, dry and rather poor soils.
Planting birch on the site
All types of birch are completely unpretentious. For growing, choose a sunny position or light partial shade. The soil requirements are low. The culture grows well in any type of soil, both in poor sandy and fertile substrates, but stagnant water does not tolerate well. The only species that is able to tolerate excess water and grows well in swamps is black birch.
Planting birch trees in containers can be carried out from spring to autumn, and seedlings with an open root system are planted when they are dormant in November and early March.
When planting birch trees on the site, the size of the tree should be taken into account. Large specimens are planted at a distance of 4-5 meters from each other and from buildings. The distance between dwarf varieties is one and a half to two meters.
Low-growing varieties are ideal solution for small areas, rock gardens and look great in a composition with conifers, decorative trees and shrubs (barberry, willow, spruce, thuja, larch, spirea, chokeberry, etc.).
The rules for planting birch are simple. Dig a hole in a sunny location protected from strong winds. Mix soil from it with part of peat, two parts or leafy soil. If the soil is heavy, add half of the coarse river sand for water permeability.
The plant is placed in a pit, the roots and root collar are covered with soil. The soil is tamped and watered well. Because root system the tree is superficial, then all planted seedlings must be strengthened by tying to a support.
Due to the shallow root system, young seedlings are watered regularly, preventing the soil from drying out. Adult specimens also need regular watering. The culture does not tolerate prolonged drought and feels comfortable in moderately moist soils.
The crop responds well to pruning. Unwanted shoots for crown formation can be cut off once a year, preferably in the fall, when all the leaves have already fallen.
"White birch, I love you, give me your thin branch." These words from an old song express the tender feelings that people have for the wonderful tree. The famous Russian poet Sergei Yesenin expressed his admiration for nature by describing a white birch tree under a blanket of snow. And such artists as Shishkin, Levitan and Kuindzhi captured her in their paintings.
Although birch is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to cold Siberia, only in Russia has it gained such popularity. As an invariable symbol of a mighty country, the tree has always been associated with kindness and love.
The tree got its name in honor of the ancient Slavic goddess of good beginnings. Therefore, it is not surprising that our ancestors named it the tree of 4 things: for cleansing, healing, affection and lubrication. So with the help of a birch broom, cleanliness was maintained. Kidney infusion was taken for treatment. The wheels of the cart were oiled with tar. And the beauty of the tree was admired during summer evenings.
A birch torch reliably illuminated the huts of the poor peasants when they returned home from the field. And the ancient records on scrolls from white wood are still stored.
Interestingly, the famous Faberge made a luxurious egg from birch wood in 1917.
In addition, this magnificent tree was minted on one of the anniversary coins of Russia. Truly a birch is a symbol of a great country.
General characteristics of the famous tree
Despite the fact that birch is familiar to many people, it will not be superfluous to take a closer look. It is a deciduous tree with smooth white bark showing dark streaks on its surface. In old trees, the root part of the trunk is covered with a gray crust, on which deep cracks appear. Its height can reach over 30 meters. The crown is spreading. Despite this, there is always a lot of light in the birch grove, which causes considerable delight.
How many years does a birch live? Some species are up to 400 years old. Basically, the plant lives for about 200 years. Anyway, longer than a person.
The branches of a young tree are colored brown or red, which eventually acquire a bluish tint. Small warts resembling miniature beads are evenly spaced on them.
The leaves are shaped like rhombuses or triangles. They are usually pointed at the tips and serrated. The leaf plate is slightly leathery, sticky in spring. The color is bright green. 
The birch bloom appears on the tree in April or May. The inflorescences are all sorts of catkins. The male variants appear in the summer and are colored, first in green color and then brown. Each earring is coated with a special waterproof substance to protect it from frost. It is in such a shell that they hibernate.
With the arrival of spring, the male earring grows, and yellow stamens protrude outward. During the flowering period, they emit a huge amount of pollen.
Female catkins of common birch appear on the lateral sides of the branches. They are much shorter than their partners, but remain on the tree after pollination. Male earrings fall to the ground.
In August, birch already has fruits that ripen until mid-winter. They are a miniature walnut with transparent wings. At favorable conditions sprout immediately.
The complex root system of birch, which constantly needs moisture, is especially striking.
It includes 3 types of roots:
- main root;
- side elements;
- adventitious roots.
During the development of the birch, the main root dies and growth slows down a little. After that, the lateral elements of the root system begin to actively grow in different sides... The adventitious roots are practically on the soil surface and have no branches.
Usually there are few other trees near the birch. main reason- a powerful root system pulls out almost everything from the soil useful material... When growing a birch in a summer cottage, this feature of the tree should be taken into account.
Since the roots of birch are not very deep, young seedlings may be damaged in strong winds.
At first, the seedlings grow at a slow pace, as the main root is in no hurry to give up its positions. As soon as it dies off, the lateral roots begin to actively develop and the birch tree takes root.
In addition, birch is unpretentious in terms of soil. It wonderfully takes root on sandy and loamy soils, chernozems and even impoverished lands. Found off the coast of rivers and even seas. Dwarf species grow on rocky ground and in the tundra, where the permafrost is.
Due to its unpretentiousness, birch takes root well in the summer cottage. It can be planted in autumn or early spring.
You should not choose large, middle-aged trees for planting. They rarely take root in a new site. The optimum age of a seedling for spring planting is 3 years. In winter, you can plant a seven-year-old birch. Seeds are planted regardless of the season.
The life span of birch depends on the species and local conditions... Basically it is more than 100 years old.
The most famous types of birches
Investigating this tree, scientists came to the conclusion that there are about 100 species of birch in nature. In general, they were divided into 4 groups:
- Albae. The group includes birches with White color bark.
- Costata. The trees have a ribbed trunk and leaves with a rough surface.
- Acuminatae. Birches of this group grow in warmer latitudes and are distinguished by large leaves.
- Nanae. Everything dwarf varieties with small leaves belong to this group.
Consider the most popular types of birches that are found in Russia.
Warty birch
This type of birch grows up to 20 m in height. It has thin hanging branches and a smooth trunk with a whitish bark. In older specimens, the lower part of the trunk acquires a dark gray color of the bark. Deep cracks also appear on it.
The branches of such a birch are reddish or brown in color. On them you can see small resinous warts. Hence the name of the tree species. In addition, for the fact that the branches stretch downward, it is called hanging birch. The crown is most often wide, but in adulthood it is slightly thinned with branches drooping down.
The leaves are usually in the form of a diamond or triangle. They have a wedge-shaped base and a smooth surface. The edges of the leaves are serrated, the tip is pointed. They have a delicate aroma, especially in spring when the tree is in full bloom.
During this period, bare and sticky buds appear on it. At the base, they are slightly widened, and at the top with a sharp tip.
Birch catkins grow on twisted branches. After pollination, in their place, fruits grow in the form of an oblong nut with wings. They ripen in late summer or September.
Where warty birch grows, there is always clean air and unearthly beauty. The tree is found in mixed forests or in clean birch plantations.
The wood of the tree is considered one of the best natural materials for the manufacture of furniture and various crafts. Greens are used medicinally. A Birch juice- a unique healthy drink.
Fluffy birch
The most common species found throughout Russia is downy birch. It grows both in the European part of the country and in the Siberian tundra.
In its natural environment, the tree feels great among other deciduous or coniferous relatives. Ideally, it creates birch groves where other trees do not exist. The tree is resistant to cold weather, tolerates a fairly low temperature.
In the photo of fluffy birch, you can see a gorgeous spreading crown, which gives the tree a majestic look. It grows up to 30 meters in height. The trunk girth reaches approximately 80 cm. The bark on it is always white without deep cracks. It is smooth to the touch. Although young seedlings have a brown or red trunk, at the 10th year of life it turns white and does not change anymore.
Unlike drooping birch, the branches of this species do not have small warts and do not droop. The crown of young seedlings is narrow and slender. Adults have a spreading shape.
Male earrings are colored brown and appear on branches in summer or autumn. There they winter safely, and in the spring they meet with female catkins, which grow simultaneously with young leaves.
They bloom in April or early May, after which fruits are born in the form of oblong nuts. Each of them has 2 transparent wings, which allows you to fly away from the tree.
The leaves of fluffy birch are alternate, up to 7 cm long. The shape is ovoid or rhombic with a pointed tip. In young trees, they are light green. Darken with age, and yellow in autumn.
Birch Schmidt
Once a famous Russian scientist drew attention to the special properties of a cute tree. This happened during a special expedition to the Far East. He was the first to describe it unusual tree... It was named - Schmidt's birch, in honor of the famous scientist.
In its natural environment, except for the Far East, the tree is found on the Japanese islands, Korea and China. Most often it grows on rocky soil, not far from rocks. It is adjacent to various deciduous trees in mixed forests. Interestingly, during fires, she remains unharmed. Its unique wood does not burn, which is why it got its name - iron birch.
The tree loves a lot of light, so in forests its trunk can be bent, due to the desire for the sun.
This unique oriental tree is grown in many botanical gardens in Moscow and other cities of Russia. Therefore, it is quite possible to acquire young seedlings and plant them in the country.
Outwardly, the tree does not look too much like a birch. Its few branches grow at a 45-degree angle to the trunk. A birch tree grows up to 30 meters in height. The bark of young seedlings is gray or brown in color, the branches are brown. As the birch grows older, the branches darken and it takes on a black appearance.
The leaf plate of a tree is oval in shape with a scalloped frame. The iron beauty blooms in May, after which egg-shaped nuts appear. When they are ripe, they are blown in different directions by the winds. Once in suitable soil, the seeds germinate, transforming into beautiful trees.
Dwarf birch
Such a miniature northern beauty is found in the cold expanses of the Northern Hemisphere. It also grows in alpine mountains, tundra and mossy bogs.
Dwarf birch is a branched bush that grows up to 70 cm. Its branches have a fluffy or velvety surface. The color of the bark is brown or brown.
Leaves are oval. The edges are jagged. The top plate of the sheet is painted in dark green and shines a little. The lower part is light, slightly fluffy. With the arrival of autumn, they turn bright red, which looks very chic.
The tree blooms before the leaves bloom, and bears fruit for 2 months - May and June.
Modern biologists have bred several types of northern beauty that take root well on summer cottages... They grow modestly no more than 5 meters, and some of them are even smaller.
One of decorative varieties dwarf tree is Jung's weeping birch. It grows in 10 years only up to 5 m in height. The diameter of the miniature crown is from 2 to 3 m. The branches hang down in an original way, resembling a willow or. It is this feature of weeping birch that attracts connoisseurs of green beauty.
To maintain this shape, it is necessary to make decorative pruning of birch. This is especially true for branches that touch the ground. The procedure is performed during the period when the tree is "sleeping". As a result, a living umbrella from the scorching sun will appear on the personal plot.
Erman's birch or stone
The tree got its name in memory of the German scientist Georg Erman. Erman's birch can live up to 400 years of age, therefore it is a long-liver.
Grows up to 15 meters. At the same time, the trunk diameter reaches 90 cm, which is considered an unusual phenomenon. The bark of a stone birch is brown or dark gray in color. As it grows, it becomes covered with cracks, forming intricate strokes on the trunk.
The translucent crown consists of upright branches that fall along the trunk. This is clearly seen in the photo of this species of birch.
The tree does not require much maintenance. Grows on stony, infertile soils. It perfectly tolerates lack of moisture. Grows on Far East Russia, Japan, China and Korea.
Cherry birch
Quite often, this type of birch is called sweet or stringy. It grows up to 25 meters high. Young trees have a crown in the form of a pyramid. Older birches have a rounded translucent crown, consisting of hanging branches. The trunk of a cherry birch is rough, dark Brown color with deep cracks. In young seedlings, it has a fragrant spicy smell.
The tree is long-lived. Grows well on rocky soils, but does not tolerate harsh winters. Cherry birch was first recorded in North America... Nowadays it is taking root very well in the Baltics, Belarus and Russia.
River birch or black
This view is the most thermophilic among birches. It reaches a height of 30 meters. The trunk width is 100 cm. The openwork crown consists of falling branches decorated with oval leaves. Above they are painted in a dark green color, and below they are white or grayish.
The bark is smooth or rough. Color - gray or brown. Some specimens have a creamy pink bark that flakes off like paper. River birch or black birch is found in the United States and is considered a thermophilic tree.
Karelian birch
This variety of birches comes in the form tall tree or a bush. Trees grow from 5 to 8 m in height. Bushes are usually undersized. On the trunk of a Karelian birch, you can see numerous bumps and irregularities that resemble a marble pattern. A truly charming tree!
Having considered the most popular types of birches, you will notice that each of them has its own charms. Tall and short, slender and weeping, "stone" and "iron" - they all give people a lot positive emotions... As a symbol of kindness and love, birches still inspire romantic people to write beautiful works.
Its branches are invariably used in the Russian bath for a complete cleansing of the body. A tar soap considered first class natural remedy hygiene. In addition, birch is a decoration for summer cottages, filling it with greenery and shade. And perhaps, thinking under it about the meaning of life, you will want to write a poem or a picture.
Video types and varieties of birches
Dwarf birch (Betula nana in Latin, or dwarf birch in the people) is a round-shaped shrub, the largest specimens reach 1.2 meters in height. Dwarf birch thickets in wildlife can be found in the Northern Hemisphere. The homeland of the dwarf birch is the tundra. Due to the harsh climatic conditions in the tundra, only dwarf trees, stunted, but very viable, like all tundra plants. The life span of this tree is up to 120 years.
Dwarf birch is found in the wild in the northern regions of Russia.
Dwarf birch is a close relative of common birch, familiar and familiar to everyone. But visually, this plant is very different and does not in any way resemble a slender, tall beauty with a white trunk. A bizarrely curved, creeping decorative birch can become a highlight of a plant composition in a garden or greenhouse, and bonsai from this plant also looks great. Considering that dwarf birch grows in northern latitudes, minimal care is required for this crop.
Where else do dwarf trees grow? A low-growing birch can be found in Siberia, Yakutia, North Korea and Japan, North America, Canada, Kamchatka. Also, a dwarf birch can grow in mountainous areas: at an altitude of up to 850 meters in Scotland, and on hills up to 2000 meters in the Alps.
Dwarf birch is a highly branched or creeping shrub. Its shoots are thin and flexible. Depending on the habitat, shoots can rise upward or creep along the ground, like many tundra plants. Miniature specimens are often completely hidden in lichen thickets, only bright green leaves are visible on the surface. Spreading in different directions, they are able to densely cover an area of 3 square meters.
Small leaves in length reach only 1.5 cm, and in width are from 1 to 2 cm. The leaves are very bright, they are dark green above, and below - bright salad, rounded. In autumn, they take on yellow and red hues.
The dwarf birch tree blooms with miniature earrings of yellow-green, also very bright and rich in color. After pollination, the catkins begin to dry, then disintegrate into scales and open the fruit - tiny nuts up to 2 mm long brown with two wings on the sides. The plant blooms in May, until the beginning of summer, and bears fruit until the end of June.
Dwarf birch is one of deciduous trees used to create bonsai.
Birch bark is distinguished by a variety of shades and textures; it can be smooth, cork, embossed. It is thanks to the bark dwarf plant looks so decorative and attractive. The brown, gray, brown rugged trunk contrasts beautifully with the vibrant foliage.
In the vastness of the tundra, this shrub-like dwarf tree is almost the only decoration. Its neighbors are lichens, mosses, and dwarf willows. This is a winter-hardy plant that tolerates even very low temperatures, in a dry and warm room he will not be very comfortable. This must be remembered when planning to grow a dwarf birch at home.
Growing conditions
- Lighting. Dwarf trees grow in the tundra primarily due to a lack of natural sunlight and frozen ground. A low-growing birch, of course, will not dry out in the shade, it will withstand difficult climatic conditions. But still this plant is photophilous, it needs sunlight.
- The soil. Dwarf birch in natural conditions grows in swampy soils. If you want to grow it in your home garden, you need to pick up a well-moistened, loose soil with low acidity. Water the birch often and abundantly.
- Temperature conditions. Yernik is relatively unpretentious temperature regime... He will spend the winter on garden plot... But if the summer turns out to be very hot, you will need to protect the tree from the scorching sun. In an office or living room, you should not put a pot of dwarf birch near heating radiators.
- Humidity level. Ideally, plant a dwarf birch in the area where flow near the surface of the earth groundwater... If this is not possible, then the soil is regularly and abundantly moistened. Also, the birch will need frequent spraying.
Planting rules and care
Dwarf birch propagation is carried out in two ways:
- seeds;
- saplings.
The plant can be transferred to the ground both in spring and in autumn - the seedling will withstand the winter. The shrub will take root on any soil, but if possible, preference should be given to sandy loam and light loamy compositions. After planting, the soil must be fertilized and watered well.
Special care is required for large seedlings with open roots. If watering is insufficient, it may wither and dry out from the top. In this case, the dried tip is cut off by five to seven centimeters, and the plant is transplanted into a more moist soil, not forgetting about feeding and watering.
Plant young plant in the ground can be both spring and autumn.
Fertilizing the plant is required in early spring and mid-summer. As a fertilizer, you can apply peat, humus, phosphorus-potassium mineral mixtures. You can also use:
- mullein;
- urea;
- ammonium nitrate.
If there is a need for autumn feeding, it is better to use "nitroammofosku".
As for watering, immediately after planting, the soil must be abundantly moistened for three to four days. You cannot forget about regular watering of the plant. Per summer season it can hold up to 250 liters of water. And if the summer is hot and dry, this volume increases. To saturate the soil with oxygen, it must be periodically loosened to a depth of no more than three centimeters.
To fertilize dwarf birch, various organic fertilizers are used, as well as ammonium nitrate.
Pests and diseases
This culture is quite sensitive to various pests, although not susceptible to harsh climatic conditions. You should be afraid:
- bear;
- May beetle;
- thrips;
- goldsmiths;
- silkworm;
- leaf sawfly;
- powdery mildew.
To prevent insect attacks, the plant is treated with fungicidal and insecticidal solutions once or twice a year.
One of the most dangerous pests for birch - silkworm.
Areas of use
In Siberia, Yakutia and other northern countries, the dwarf birch is almost the only green tree. Young shoots of this plant are used to feed livestock. And the locals use larger and thicker branches to kindle stoves.
This shrub is cultivated mainly for decorative purposes. Such a tree will be a great addition for landscape composition, will decorate any private plot or city park, rockery or alpine slide... Birch beautifully harmonizes with undersized conifers and shrubs.