Larix

The genus Larch (Larix) is a species of coniferous summer-green trees. Plants with a conical (young), cylindrical or wide-conical (old) crown with elongated, on which the needles are located singly and spirally, and shortened shoots on which the needles grow in bundles. The needles are narrow, soft, bright green, and in autumn, before falling off, they acquire a beautiful golden-yellow color. The "flowers" are unisexual, appearing early in spring at the same time as the needles. The" inflorescences " are oval in shape, yellowish, formed on the underside of the branches, and the female cones-red, pink, green-are arranged vertically and they consist of scales spirally sitting on the rod. They are pollinated by wind. Cones ripen by autumn, open in winter. They remain on the branches until the seeds, small and winged, are completely spilled out of them. The most common species is European larch (Larix decidua) - an exceptionally fast-growing breed, widely distributed as a park culture. In nature, it grows mainly in the mountains, at an altitude of 800-2500 m above sea level. This species is distinguished by a thin scaly bark, oblong dense cones with straight or slightly bent scales. Thin-scaled larch (L. leptolepis) is one of the introduced species that is most popular in gardening, partly due to its adaptability even in low - fertile soil - provided it is sufficiently moist. Its young shoots are orange-red. Light yellow male inflorescences are spherical in shape, and female inflorescences, cream or reddish in color, are egg-shaped. The scales on the cones are bent. Eurolepis larch (L. x eurolepis) - a hybrid, the result of crossing European larch and thin-scaled larch, especially suitable for barren lands. Flowering is very plentiful. In autumn, the needles acquire an intense reddish hue. Cones consist of outward-curved scales. Western larch (L. occidantaiis) is a tall, very stable plant. The shoots of the current year are orange-brown, the needles are thin bright green glossy. In April-May, inflorescences appear, similar to the inflorescences of European larch. The cones are purplish-brown when ripe and have pointed seed scales.

The genus Larch (Larix) is a species of coniferous summer-green trees. Plants with a conical (young), cylindrical or wide-conical (old) crown with elongated, on which the needles are located singly and spirally, and shortened shoots on which the needles grow in bundles. The needles are narrow, soft, bright green, and in autumn, before falling off, they acquire a beautiful golden-yellow color. The "flowers" are unisexual, appearing early in spring at the same time as the needles. The" inflorescences " are oval in shape, yellowish, formed on the underside of the branches, and the female cones-red, pink, green-are arranged vertically and they consist of scales spirally sitting on the rod. They are pollinated by wind. Cones ripen by autumn, open in winter. They remain on the branches until the seeds, small and winged, are completely spilled out of them.

The most common species is European larch (Larix decidua) - an exceptionally fast-growing breed, widely distributed as a park culture. In nature, it grows mainly in the mountains, at an altitude of 800-2500 m above sea level. This species is distinguished by a thin scaly bark, oblong dense cones with straight or slightly bent scales.

Thin-scaled larch (L. leptolepis) is one of the introduced species that is most popular in gardening, partly due to its adaptability even in low - fertile soil - provided it is sufficiently moist. Its young shoots are orange-red. Light yellow male inflorescences are spherical in shape, and female inflorescences, cream or reddish in color, are egg-shaped. The scales on the cones are bent.

Eurolepis larch (L. x eurolepis) - a hybrid, the result of crossing European larch and thin-scaled larch, especially suitable for barren lands. Flowering is very plentiful. In autumn, the needles acquire an intense reddish hue. Cones consist of outward-curved scales.

Western larch (L. occidantaiis) is a tall, very stable plant. The shoots of the current year are orange-brown, the needles are thin bright green glossy. In April-May, inflorescences appear, similar to the inflorescences of European larch. The cones are purplish-brown when ripe and have pointed seed scales.

Cultivation

Thanks to its openwork crown, rapid growth, and delicate bright green conifers, which turn golden in autumn, larch is a very ornamental plant. Larch trees are grown in single plantings in the open air - in parks and gardens. European larch is still recommended to grow in places where the height above sea level is more than 800 m. Since this species is not highly resistant to environmental pollution, it is not very suitable for the habitat of cities, which usually use fine-scale larch for landscaping. Larch is planted in November (in cold climates) or March in any type of soil. Nevertheless, European larch prefers moist and slightly acidic soils. When planting, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers. It is useful to mulch the soil so that the ground is always slightly moist, in particular this applies to the care of thin-scaled larch plantings. Usually, no pruning is required.

Thanks to its openwork crown, rapid growth, and delicate bright green conifers, which turn golden in autumn, larch is a very ornamental plant. Larch trees are grown in single plantings in the open air - in parks and gardens. European larch is still recommended to grow in places where the height above sea level is more than 800 m. Since this species is not highly resistant to environmental pollution, it is not very suitable for the habitat of cities, which usually use fine-scale larch for landscaping.

Larch is planted in November (in cold climates) or March in any type of soil. Nevertheless, European larch prefers moist and slightly acidic soils. When planting, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers. It is useful to mulch the soil so that the ground is always slightly moist, in particular this applies to the care of thin-scaled larch plantings. Usually, no pruning is required.

Location

Larch trees are light-loving, prefer a well-lit, free, open space, so that there are no plantings of other crops nearby.

Temperature

These plants are exceptionally frost-resistant. In particular, the European larch feels great in the harsh conditions of the highlands.

Watering

It is necessary only at an early stage of development and during a long drought, especially for thin-scaled larch.

Reproduction

Larch is propagated by seeds, layers, and in culture also by summer cuttings. Larches are sown in early spring (mostly) and autumn. Seeds are pre-soaked in water, kept under snow, or stratified. When sowing, fertilizers are applied.

Diseases

The main pests are Siberian and unpaired silkworms, larch sawflies, larch leafhopper, larch flies, larch great bark beetle, larch moth, larch bud gall. In case of pest damage, treatment with appropriate insecticidal preparations should be carried out without delay. The source of rust is often fungi of the genus Melampsora. They get rid of them with the help of copper-containing preparations.

The main pests are Siberian and unpaired silkworms, larch sawflies, larch leafhopper, larch flies, larch great bark beetle, larch moth, larch bud gall.

In case of pest damage, treatment with appropriate insecticidal preparations should be carried out without delay.

The source of rust is often fungi of the genus Melampsora. They get rid of them with the help of copper-containing preparations.

Acquisition

Larch trees are easily found in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. Choose small plants: these are easier to plant and better tolerate the shock of transplanting.