Californian fir(Abies concolor), also known as single-color fir, due to its resistance, a wide range of varieties (including dwarf fir varieties for smaller gardens) and a beautiful habit increasing popularity among gardeners. See whatvarieties of California firare worth planting, what it looks likegrowing fir in the garden , and what diseases and pests can attack this plant.
California Fir - Abies concolor
Fig. depositphotos.com
What does California fir look like?
Californian fir is a large tree from the United StatesIn our climate it grows up to 25 m in height. It is characterized by a lush, pyramidal or columnar-shaped crown. Its decorative gray-blue or silver-blue needles arched upwards when exposed to the sun, and when damaged they give off a strong lemon scent. The large, cylindrical cones contrasting with the silvery needles with their unusual purple color are also extremely decorative. The tree is distinguished by a smooth, grayish bark that becomes covered with longitudinal cracks with age.
California Fir - application
Monochrome fir as a large size plantis grown mainly in parks and large gardens. Planted as a solitaire or in a group of coniferous or deciduous trees with contrasting colors (ash, maples, alders), it is a beautiful decoration.Dwarf varieties of Californian fir will work well in a small gardenplanted on rockeries, in heather gardens or in the company of multicolored perennials.
California Fir - Abies concolor
Fig. edulkot, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
California Fir - varieties
Dwarf Californian fir varieties for smaller gardens :
Californian fir 'Scooter'- this interesting variety is characterized by a domed crown formed by hanging shoots. Plants grafted low to the ground grow practically like cover plants. It is characterized by a beautiful silvery color of needles, while young growths have a contrasting light green color.
Californian fir 'Archer's Dwarf'- a low variety, initially spherical, with time taking the form of a cone. After 10 years it grows up to 1 m in height.
Californian fir 'Compacta'- is a very popular compact variety with a wide cone-shaped crown with blue-gray and slightly shorter needles than other varieties. Reaches 3-4 meters after 30 years.
California Fir 'Compacta'
Fig. Agnieszka Kwiecień, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Californian fir 'Globe'- dwarf, spherical slowly growing variety, growing up to 1 m in diameter after 10 years. It has a typical gray-green color of delicate needles. Most often in nurseries you can find trees grafted low, forming spherical forms directly from the ground, perfectly matching flower beds, rockeries, moors, flower beds and containers. Thevariety of Californian fir 'Piggelmee'looks similar, and thanks to its compact habit it takes the shape of a flattened ball.
Tall Californian fir varieties for large gardens :
Californian fir 'Argentea'- reaches 10-12 m in height after 30 years. It is one of the most beautifully colored varieties of single-color fir with a regular, conical crown. Its long needles are long, soft, silver blue, equally colored on both sides.
Californian fir 'Aurea'- this variety grows up to 5-8 m tall. The needles on young shoots are lemon yellow, turn green in summer. As in the case of other yellow varieties, its bright needles can be sunburned.
California Fir 'Violacea'- has a regular, conical, dense crown. Reaches 10-12 m in height after 30 years. White and gray needles. It will enrich the appearance of parks and large gardens.
California Fir 'Wintergold'- has narrow needles. gray-green in summer, sometimes with yellow spots, in winter brightening to a distinctly golden-yellow color. Reaches a height of 5 - 10 m.
Californian fir - cultivation
Monochrome fir is an easy-to-grow speciesIt tolerates dry and polluted air, periodical water shortage and frosts. Trees should be planted in a sunny position, which promotes the formation of a dense, regular crown and the maintenance of lower branches. Californian fir grows best on fertile, moist and well-drained soils, with a pH close to neutral (pH 7.0-8.0), but it also succeeds in much weaker sandy soils.
Californian fir does not have excessive care requirements , grows he althy, very rarely is infected by diseases or pests. This plant is highly frost hardy (plant hardiness zone 4) and does not require covering for the winter.
During the growing season, it is worth supplementingfir with mineral fertilizers, which will ensure its faster growth and better color of the needles. The best solution is to use multi-component fertilizers containing a complete set of macro - and microelements necessary for the growth. You can use a product with versatile use or a specialist fertilizer for conifers.
California Fir - Abies concolor
Fig. USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
We start fertilizing Californian fir in early springas soon as the vegetation starts. In March or April, we give the first part of the annual dose of granulated fertilizer, and in June, the second part of the dose.This solution improves the use of substances by plants, and at the same time reduces losses due to washing away. Later, from August to September, you can also apply additional autumn fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen. Thanks to this, they will not stimulate the plant to grow, but will help it prepare for winter.
Pruning Californian firis usually not necessary as the plants get their regular shape by themselves. In early spring, you can trim the tips of the fir shoots to make the plant thicken. New twigs will grow from buds hidden on the shoots between the needles. Sometimes two guides (twigs growing vertically upwards) grow at the top of the plant. Then we remove one of them. We cut it out in the place from which it grows.
Californian fir - planting
Fir seedlings sold in potscan be planted permanently throughout the year. The only limitation may be unfavorable weather conditions (frozen ground in winter).Seedlings dug from the ground are planted in early autumn (September) or early spring (from March to April).
Before planting California firit is worth enriching the soil with nutrients by feeding it with organic material , such as compost or well-composted manure. You can also use granulated manure, commonly available in garden stores.
Then we dig a hole for a fir seedling with a diameter of 40-50 cm larger than the diameter of the root ball of the plant and 15-30 cm deeper than its height. After removing the plant from the pot, we check the condition of the root system. If necessary, trim damaged roots.
Californian fir seedling should be placeddeep enough that the root neck is flush with the ground surface. We fill the space in the hole with soil for conifers or compost soil, tamp it and water it abundantly. In order to protect the seedling from drying out, it is worth mulching the soil around it with organic materials or agrotextile.It is best to spread the mulch right after planting the tree. The layer of organic material (compost, pine bark) should be approx. 10 cm. After planting, water the plants for a longer period - also in autumn, in snow-free winters and in early spring, if there is no rainfall. During this period, plants are exposed to the so-called physiological drought.
California Fir - diseases and pests
Aphids weaken plants, often transferring viral diseases and promoting fungal infections. Fir may contain specific species of aphids -fir adhesionsandfir coasterThese pests lead todeformation and bending of the needles fir , covering the needles and shoots with white waxy secretion produced by aphids, and general reduction of plant growth. We prevent aphids by spraying with oil preparations Emulapr 940 EC and Promanal 60 EC in early spring. After noticing the symptoms of pest feeding during the growing season, you can also use the natural Emulpar 940 EC, and if that is not enough, use Karate Gold, Mospilan 20 SP or Polysect 005 SL insecticides.
Spider mitesare tiny mites that suck the juices out of the plant. Symptoms of spider mites feeding on fir are small, yellow and brown discoloration on the needles, which then die and fall off. A delicate cobweb is also a feeding symptom.Californian fir spider mitescan be combated naturally with Emulpar 940 EC. Spraying is performed after noticing the pest's feeding symptoms and in the early spring to eliminate forms overwintering on the plant. Among chemical insecticides, Karate Gold and Ortus 05 SC will be helpful.
Iron deficiency in Californian fir is manifested by yellowing of the tips of the needles.It is most often caused by poor digestibility of this element. Too heavy, waterlogged and alkaline soil can be to blame. It may be helpful to improve the soil structure through organic fertilization (peat, bark) and the use of fertilizers enriched with iron.For example, fertilizer for conifers with micronutrients will be helpful.
Fir phytophthorosis is a disease also called root rot and root rotAs a result of infection, the plant loses its needles and its growth is inhibited. Usually at the base of the shoot, just above the ground, you can see necrotic changes on the shoot. However, phytophthora attacks primarily the roots of the plant, and the effect of this is the changes observed on the above-ground parts. The reason is often too heavy soil and too dense planting. High temperature also contributes to the development of the disease. Firstsymptoms of phytophthora on firfight with the natural biological preparation Polyversum WP, which is sprayed and watered plant. The fungicides Scorpion 325 SC, Proplant 722 SL, Magnicur Energy 840 SL will also be helpful.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
