For the inhabitants of Russia, cypress is associated with the sea, sun and mountains. Therefore, many want to have this fragrant plant in their home collection. To date, a number of special varieties of cypresses suitable for growing indoors have been bred.

Features of growing plants

Those who decide to grow a southern tree on their windowsill or in the winter garden need to remember the peculiarities of caring for this plant. Inexperienced gardeners often confuse cypress and cypress. This is not surprising, because the visual difference between these representatives of the Coniferous class is small - they are distinguished only by the shade of the crown and the structure of the cones.

In nature, cypress can reach 50 m in height, and its trunk exceeds half a meter in diameter. At home, it is rarely possible to meet plants above 2 m. Since cypress comes from tropical and subtropical latitudes, its proper maintenance in an apartment is rather troublesome, the tree is rather capricious and demanding on humidity and ambient temperature.

Cypress planting

As a rule, cypresses can be purchased in nurseries, where they are sold in small pots. Despite the fact that the root system of seedlings purchased in this form is clearly crowded, and the temptation to transplant them immediately is very strong, this is not recommended. Cypress trees must undergo mandatory acclimatization within a week. Otherwise, the plant will hurt and may die.

Did you know? One of the ancient legends says that cypress is a beautiful girl who has been waiting for her beloved sailor on a rock for so long that she has grown into it and turned into a beautiful tree.

Pot selection

After 7 days, the seedling can be “relocated” to a more spacious container, the size of which should be 3-4 times larger than the root coma. The best option for growing southern wood will be ceramic dishesin which the roots will not dry out. When choosing a plastic container, you should pay attention to volumetric, stable pots. In addition, one should take into account the fact that about a quarter of the landing container should be filled with drainage material - pieces of bark, polystyrene or expanded clay.

Soil preparation

Very carefully, you should approach the selection of soil for planting cypress. It is most convenient to purchase a ready-made mixture for conifers in a flower shop.

If there is a desire to prepare the soil yourself, then it should consist of the following components:

• coarse river sand: 1 part;
• sheet land: 2 parts;
• high peat: 1 part;
• turf land: 3 parts.

How to plant a stalk

More complex, but also more interesting than growing cypress from a finished seedling, is to obtain a full-fledged plant from the cuttings. In addition, it is a very budget option available to all plant lovers.

Freshly cut healthy petioles are suitable for germination. A slice of such a handle needs to be made as close to the tree trunk as possible so that the so-called “heel” remains at the end.

Did you know? In ancient Russia, cypress wood was considered endowed with the spirit of holiness and was widely used for writing images.

Seeds

Perhaps the most difficult way to grow a southern plant is to plant it using seeds. For this, seed from a mature, opened cone is used. Before planting, seeds need stratification. This process is nothing more than the hardening of "seeds" by simulating the natural temperature environment.

Seeds are placed in a container filled with a mixture of river coarse sand and peat, and put in the refrigerator for 2–2.5 months. After that, the container is placed in a place well lit by the sun, with an air temperature of + 20 ° С ... + 25 ° С. In this case, the dishes are covered with a film or glass.

Care Rules

In order to get a healthy and strong indoor tree, it is necessary to recreate conditions for it that are as close as possible to natural ones. It is about sufficient and uniform lighting and watering. In addition, proper watering and spraying should be provided.

One of the features of growing homemade cypress is the indispensable decrease in temperature in winter and its increase in warm season. In summer, the plant will feel great on the windowsill of the western or eastern window, and in the cold season it will suit the south side. In addition, in the summer, plants need to be taken out into the open air.

Lighting

Cypress trees lose their attractiveness and may even die in low light. In order for the evergreen tree to have an even crown with rich color, you need to provide it with full diffused lighting. If this is not possible, the indoor tree must be turned to the light every 10-14 days. The lack of lighting can not only cause a pale and elongated crown of cypress, but also significantly weaken the seedling, making it a target for pathogens.

Temperature

The optimum temperature at which the coniferous plant feels great is + 10 ° С ... + 15 ° С in the cold season and + 18 ° С ... + 25 ° С in the summer. Despite the fact that this tree is a representative of the southern latitudes, on particularly hot summer days, specimens standing on the windowsill must be shaded from the bright sun.

Important! On especially hot, sultry days, you can help the plant by laying ice cubes on the ground, which will slightly reduce the temperature and provide a level of humidity.

At the same time, conifers should be carefully protected from frost, as they can irreparably damage the root system of the plant.

Moisturizing

The necessary level of humidity is a prerequisite that must be observed when growing an evergreen plant. Cypress is very fond of water and needs frequent watering. In the summer, the plant should not only be watered daily, but also sprayed with standing water in the morning and evening. However, one should not fill the indoor plant, as this can lead to rotting of the root system.

During cold weather, watering is reduced to 2-3 times a week, and spraying is stopped altogether. However, winter irrigation of the crown is carried out if the pot with a house tree is located near a central heating battery.

Soil loosening

In order for air to freely penetrate into the root system of the plant, the soil in a pot with cypress must be periodically loosened. It will be optimal to carry out this procedure the day after watering. To avoid damage to the roots of the seedling, you can take a small garden fork or a small shovel. Do not loosen the soil too deep, it is enough to process only the top layer.

Top dressing

An important factor for obtaining a healthy seedling is cypress fertilizer. This southern plant, like any representative of conifers, reacts negatively to nitrogen fertilizing, as well as a solution of bird droppings, manure and excess phosphorus. It is best to purchase ready-made fertilizer from a specialized store, such as Green Needle, Ferovit, or Zircon. You can use both dry top dressing and liquid fertilizer. There are also special preparations for spraying the crown of plants.

Important! Topping up cypress is prohibited if the plant is affected by parasites or diseases.

If we talk about the composition of top dressing, then at home, cypress needs the following elements and substances:

• magnesium;
• sulfur;
• iron;
• calcium;
• growth stimulants.

Pruning

In nature, cypress trees grow in the form of huge, slender candles. This form is achieved through constant and uniform illumination of trees. Unfortunately, at home, such conditions are not easy to provide, so cypress trees need regular pruning.

This procedure is usually carried out in the spring. The crown is trimmed when it is completely dry. First, deformed branches are removed, after which they give the seedling the desired shape. The most popular among flower growers are the shape of a ball and cone.

Diseases and Pests

Like other indoor plants, cypress can be affected by parasites and pathogenic bacteria. With excessive moisture in the soil, root rot may appear in the plant. The way to deal with this disease is quite simple - the plant is transplanted into a new soil, after trimming all the affected roots.

Did you know? The age of some cypresses found in nature exceeds 2 thousand years.

If the cypress does not have enough moisture, it may be affected. spider mite. In this case, the crown of the seedling is covered with cobwebs and begins to dry out. The best way to combat the spider mite is to spray the tree with an insecticide.

Another indoor parasite that loves young conifers is scale shield. It looks like small, oval growths located on branches. The scabbard sticks to cypress and draws all the useful substances out of it.

In a similar way acts aphid. In the case of cypress damage by these parasites, it is necessary to treat the aboveground parts with special preparations. The best prevention of cypress diseases is to observe the plant's growth conditions, as well as spraying the tree with soapy water.

Cypress transplant

The younger the houseplant, the more often it needs a transplant - as the root system grows. Each subsequent pot should be several sizes larger than the previous one.

Adults, the formed plants (subject to timely top dressing and cultivation) need to be transplanted only if necessary. Usually this procedure is carried out every 3-4 years in order to replace the depleted soil with a full one. When transplanting, the method of transshipment is used - the earthen lump is carefully removed from the container without touching the roots, after which it is transferred to a new pot, and soil is poured into the resulting voids and thoroughly compacted.

Plant propagation

Under natural conditions, cypresses reproduce mainly by seeds from ripened, opened cones. The roots of the plant practically do not give growth. At home, evergreens are propagated by cuttings and seeds. Some species of this family are propagated by air layering.

Cuttings

If we talk about the cultivation of evergreen trees by the method of cuttings, then last year's cuttings that have already passed the phase of active growth become the best material for obtaining a good seedling. For propagation, shoots are suitable, the length of which is from 5 to 15 cm. The first roots will appear after one and a half to two months.

The landing algorithm is as follows:

1. Remove the needles from the bottom of the cuttings.
2. Immerse planting material in a solution for rooting plants for 24 hours.
3. Sprinkle slices with crushed activated carbon.
4. Plant the cuttings in the prepared soil, deepening them by a third.
5. Water abundantly.
6. Cover on top with plastic or glass jars.
7. Once a week, arrange ventilation for 1-1.5 hours.
8. Do not allow the soil to dry out.

Layering

For cypress species with a spreading crown, a good method of propagation is by air layering. To do this, the tree shoot is bent to the ground and root, as it should be sprinkled with earth. Layering is regularly watered. The seedling is cut off from the maternal specimen only after it has formed its own root system.

Seeds

Cypress seeds are suitable for propagation after mandatory stratification. Next comes the period of greenhouse seed germination. Drying of the soil should not be allowed throughout, and the mini-greenhouse should be ventilated periodically. Young seedlings are planted when their height reaches 5 cm. From the seedlings, choose the most even and strongest specimens, which are moved to separate pots.

Is it possible and when to plant in open ground

Many owners of private houses and cottages often wonder whether it is possible to transplant a room tree onto the street. After all, cypress trees look very advantageous in the landscape design of a summer cottage.

Important! Even in the south, home cypress trees need shelter in the winter season.

This option is possible only in the southern latitudes, since in other regions the root system simply can not withstand the winter cold. To plant indoor cypress in the yard, you need to choose the best place for it without drafts, evenly and constantly lit by the sun.

Growing a roomy southern tree is a rather troublesome affair. But it's worth it, because the house will be decorated with an evergreen particle of the southern coast, exuding a delicate aroma and filling the home with volatile, positively affecting human health.