Chamaecyparis

Cypress (Chamaecyparis) is a genus of evergreen monoecious coniferous trees with characteristic scaly needles densely covering flat shoots, which characteristically distinguishes these coniferous plants, which in Europe are called "false cypresses". The crown is cone-shaped, the branches droop, the bark is dark gray or brown, cracking. Female cones are small, round, greenish. Male spikelet is oblong, yellow or red. The flowers are small and greenish. The Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is a tree with a height of 40-60 m, with a straight trunk branching from the base, with branches descending to the ground covered with brown-red smooth bark. The crown is pyramidal. The needles are small, dark green. A variety of shapes and varieties have been obtained, which are usually subdivided by height. The blunt-leaved cypress (C. obtusa) has a characteristic conical crown and straight trunk with brown-red bark covered with uniform grooves. The branches are horizontal, with the ends rising up. Conifers are light green; they emit a resinous smell when rubbed. The cones are very small. Compared to other species, it is less stable. Of the decorative forms, 'Nana Gracilis' is especially common - a small plant with flat branches arranged in a fan-shaped pattern. Pea-bearing cypress (C. pisifera) is a tree with a height of 25-50 m, with horizontally spread branches. It has bright green needles, with a silver stripe on the reverse side.

Cypress (Chamaecyparis) is a genus of evergreen monoecious coniferous trees with characteristic scaly needles densely covering flat shoots, which characteristically distinguishes these coniferous plants, which in Europe are called "false cypresses". The crown is cone-shaped, the branches droop, the bark is dark gray or brown, cracking. Female cones are small, round, greenish. Male spikelet is oblong, yellow or red. The flowers are small and greenish.

The Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is a tree with a height of 40-60 m, with a straight trunk branching from the base, with branches descending to the ground covered with brown-red smooth bark. The crown is pyramidal. The needles are small, dark green. A variety of shapes and varieties have been obtained, which are usually subdivided by height.

The blunt-leaved cypress (C. obtusa) has a characteristic conical crown and straight trunk with brown-red bark covered with uniform grooves. The branches are horizontal, with the ends rising up. Conifers are light green; they emit a resinous smell when rubbed. The cones are very small. Compared to other species, it is less stable. Of the decorative forms, 'Nana Gracilis' is especially common - a small plant with flat branches arranged in a fan-shaped pattern.

Pea-bearing cypress (C. pisifera) is a tree with a height of 25-50 m, with horizontally spread branches. It has bright green needles, with a silver stripe on the reverse side.

Cultivation

Cypress has 6 species; they are grown for a variety of purposes. High species - as ornamental in single or small group plantings in parks and gardens; low-in hedges and as shrubs in single plantings and in stony gardens; creeping species and forms - as groundcover. It is also common to grow in pots and containers on balconies and terraces. They are planted in a permanent place in the fall - in light soil, in the spring - in a heavier one. They grow slowly. They are undemanding to the soil, but prefer moist, well-drained ones. They also grow on calcareous soils. soils (with the exception of blunt-leaved cypress). The culture is shade-tolerant. It does not tolerate drought well. Pruning is usually required only if the young plants begin to split the trunk. Plants in hedges are pruned every spring.

Location

These plants prefer partial shade. Only golden-yellow decorative forms should be grown in the open sun, because only in strong light does their original bright color remain. In areas with dry weather, it is recommended to plant them in a place protected from winds.

Temperature

Cypress is a non-capricious plant, resistant to both high and low air temperatures. Only young plants in the cold season require mulching the soil with straw, bark or other materials to protect the root system, which is located almost on the surface, from severe frosts.

Watering

The ground should always be slightly moist, and it is necessary to avoid stagnation of water in the soil. Watering potted plants should be regular and frequent in spring and summer.

Transplant

Plants are transplanted to a new container in the spring, when the pot no longer corresponds to the size of the plant. In large containers and pots, it is recommended only to replace the surface layer of the earth.

Reproduction

Cypress trees are propagated by seeds, in culture - layers, cuttings. The easiest way is to sow in February in a seedbed in a greenhouse or in spring directly outdoors in the open ground. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted into pots singly or planted in the ground. The final landing will take place in approximately 2 years. Decorative forms are propagated by cuttings, planting in January or May semi-lignified cuttings 10 cm long in a peat-and sand-based soil. Cuttings cut in January are kept for rooting indoors at a temperature of 16-18 °C. After the roots are formed, they are transplanted one at a time into cups. Landing on a permanent place - not earlier than in 2 years.

Diseases

Cypress trees are weakly susceptible to insect attacks. Honeydew (Armillaria mellea) can cause root rot, especially in very moist or poorly drained soil. The plant usually does not survive. In any case, it is better to remove the affected copy to prevent the spread of the disease. Aphids infect leaves and young shoots. Treatment with anti-aphid drugs is carried out only when the plants are young.