Thuja is a genus of evergreen coniferous shrubs (sometimes trees) of the Cypress family. Scientists have developed dwarf species with a compact pyramidal crown, suitable for growing in pots or special containers. Having fulfilled the necessary conditions and providing proper care to the plant, you can get a wonderful decoration of the garden or plot, balcony, etc.

What soil does thuja like - acidic or alkaline

Although thuja can grow in any soil, alkaline for it is not quite suitable. Such a substrate is heavy, viscous and poorly leaks moisture, which is not permissible for the plant - stagnation of water at the roots can destroy it. The best option is loam with low acidity or with a neutral pH of 4–5.5.

Did you know? The most common species in the world is Western Thuja, which is often used in the production of perfumes and cosmetics due to its very persistent smell.

Land preparation during planting

Different varieties of arborvitae may require special soil preparation - for example, for dwarf species, applying the rules for planting in open ground will not be a good solution, and vice versa. Below you can read information about each of the options.

In open ground

For active growth, thuja requires light fertile soil. The best option is soil with a large admixture of sand, turfy soil and mineral fertilizers.

Preparation Procedure:

1. Add “Nitroammofosku” and complex fertilizers by irrigation to the selected place.
2. Dig a hole (or several) with a diameter of 50 cm.
3. Place drainage at the bottom of the pit - it can be broken brick fragments, washed sea pebbles or small stones.
4. Pour a thick (10–15 cm) layer of sand over the drainage system for additional drainage.
5. Next, add a 20-cm layer of soil mixture to the recess.
6. Water the plot.
7. When the earth has dried, water it again.

It is also recommended to pour a hot (+65 ... + 70 ° С) solution of purple potassium permanganate in order to warm it up. After absorbing the liquid, you can proceed directly to the landing.

In the pot

Acidic soil for shrubs can be purchased or made by yourself. To do this, you will need:

• coniferous land - 2 parts (it can be dug in the country or in the forest under the corresponding trees);
• deciduous humus - 4 parts;
• coarse sand - 1 part.

Did you know? In traditional Chinese medicine, thuja leaves and stems are used for headaches, dizziness, and depression.

How to properly prepare the ground before planting:

1. At the bottom of the selected pot, pour drainage with a layer of 1-2 cm for a small plant and 3-5 cm for a large one.
2. Next, you need to add a little soil, move the shrub to the resulting depression and fill up the space between the walls of the tank and the rhizome.
3. It is good to compact the soil, and pour more substrate on top.

After buying a houseplant, it is recommended to transplant it, since the transport pot is unsuitable for growing.

Video: Thuja transplant into a pot

Soil enrichment

Before planting thaw, it is necessary to check the quality of the soil - often it needs enrichment. The analyzer (acid meter) will show the most accurate result, but if you don’t have one, you can buy litmus paper in the store. Some soil is bred in water and the acidity of the water extract is determined.

Experienced gardeners suggest taking currant leaves (1-2 pcs will be enough), brew in boiling water, and then take a small lump of soil and lower it into the solution. If it turns red, it means that the soil is acidic; if it turns green, it is slightly acidic, and the blue color indicates neutrality. None of the described methods will show the exact result, but will allow you to roughly navigate.

Important! Inexperienced gardeners in the work with organic fertilizers make a mistake by introducing them under deep digging - it is not necessary.

The enrichment procedure, as a rule, is performed in the fall, but sometimes it is also resorted to in the spring. Suitable for the procedure:

1. Complex of fertilizers for coniferous crops - provides a good annual growth, as well as an attractive appearance of plants.
2. Organic fertilizersuch as peat, humus, compost, bone meal and wood ash, contribute to the rapid enrichment of the earth with nutrients, as well as improving air permeability. Based on the quality of the soil, they are applied once every 2–4 years, each time the dose increases - this is due to the selected type of fertilizing. The proportion is from 50–100 g (ash, bone meal) to 4–6 kg (peat, humus, compost) per 1 m². It is brought in landing holes, scattered on the surface of the earth with the subsequent loosening or when watering.
3. Fertilizer through growing green manure (legumes, cereals, cruciferous) - contribute to high soil fertility, without enhancing thuja growth during the final stage of vegetation.
4. Bacterial composition - You can’t use often, only in cases where you need to accumulate various nutrients in the soil, which contains little humus.
5. Mycorrhiza - a drug to improve water supply, stimulate root growth, increase immunity to diseases and reduce sensitivity to environmental stresses. If necessary, it is allowed to reinforce the effect of mycorrhizal vaccines.
6. Fertilizers with a high content of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus - they must be added to the soil with extreme caution and only in August, as they provoke active growth.

Despite the fact that the soil loves enrichment, the main thing is not to overdo it, as this can lead to a burn of the root system. You should choose the right fertilizer and apply it, as stated in the instructions, so as not to harm the bush

Do thujas grow in the sand

Sandy soil is completely unsuitable for wood - moisture almost does not stop at the rhizome, leaving in the deepest layers. Over time, from a lack of water and nutrients, the thuja begins to turn yellow from the bottom up, and then dies. However, coarse-grained clean sand is an important component in the formation of drainage for conifers, so gardeners quite often resort to its use.

Luxurious unpretentious thuja will decorate any territory, whether it is an alpine garden or a gazebo. And thanks to all the necessary procedures with the soil in the autumn, the plant will retain its original appearance even after wintering.