Pitsunda pine is a type of Turkish (Calabrian) pine. The relict coniferous tree has a history of several million years and is considered one of the oldest representatives of the plant world. It takes its name from the city of Pitsunda, located on the northwestern Black Sea coast of Abkhazia.
Pitsunda pine is a useful plant for humans
Geography of distribution
The main range is represented by a narrow strip of groves and small groups. It covers the Caucasian region in the south of the East European Plain, mainly Abkhazia.
The largest grove is located in the Pitsunda-Myusser nature reserve zone of Georgia and the adjacent environs, occupying an area of about 4000 hectares.
On Russian territory, it grows in the area between the village of Divnomorskoye, Dzhanhot, Krasnodar Territory and Praskoveevskaya Gap.
Small coniferous groups are found near the Markoth and Tuapkhat mountain ranges in the northwest of the Greater Caucasus, as well as near the Tuapse villages of Bzhid and Olginka, near Anapa.
The total area of Pitsunda pine stands in Russia is no more than 1.1 thousand hectares, of which most are in the Gelendzhik forestry of the Krasnodar Territory.
The pine species prefers limestone cliffs and sandy slopes, rising to a height of 0.7 km above sea level.
The greatest indicator of distance from the sea in natural conditions is about 6 km. It grows successfully in the environment of shiblyak species, for example, privet, hornbeam, scumpia, sumach, hold-tree.
It has a closely related species - the Stankevich pine, together with which they form one taxon.
Botanical characteristic
According to the botanical description, the Pitsunda pine belongs to the large conifers of the Pine genus.
It has a protective status, it is threatened with extinction, so it is listed in the Red Book.
It is not very demanding on the quality composition of the soil and the level of moisture, easily tolerates drought, and is salt-resistant.
The index of frost resistance is average, it does not withstand a decrease in temperature beyond -25 ° C.
Active fruiting begins at the age of 20-25. In artificial cultivation, the height is significantly higher than natural plantings. It is considered a fast-growing tree species.
External parameters
- The trunk is erect, height 15-25 m, diameter up to 0.3 m, but in some specimens it reaches 1 m, covered with gray-brown fissured bark.
- Branches with a brown-red or brown-yellow tint.
- The shape of the crown of a young tree is wide, conical; with age, it becomes spreading-round, not differing in density.
- The needles are 10-12 cm, thin (up to 1 mm), sharp and rough at the edges, the color is dark green.
- Cones are 6-10 cm long and up to 5 cm in diameter.
Beneficial features
The needles contain essential oils and phytoncides, which are beneficial to human health, have antiseptic properties and have a detrimental effect on pathogenic bacteria.
A visit to the growing places of the Pitsunda pines acts as the prevention of colds.
There are also benefits for immunity in cones, from which jam is made.
Landing features
Choose a sunny place for planting
The most suitable time for planting ephedra is spring or autumn. In the spring season they are planted from April to May, in the autumn - from the end of August to September.
Seedling preparation and site selection
A hardy coniferous tree is planted in a place well-lit by the sun. It develops favorably on salt-rich, light (sandy or sandy loam) and permeable soil.
Resistant to urban polluted environment, it grows near busy highways.
Optimal growing conditions:
- temperature regime in the absence of frost is not lower than -25 ° С;
- long daylight hours.
With prolonged frosts, it begins to hurt and die.
The plant feels most comfortable on slopes about 400 m above sea level.
Saplings with closed roots are suitable for growing. they do not cope well with drying out and do not take root when planting without an earthen coma.
Landing technology
When planting several plants, maintain a distance of 10 m. It is important to leave the root collar on the surface.
Drainage from expanded clay, river coarse-grained sand, broken brick and pebbles is laid in a planting hole with a depth of 0.7 m and a diameter of 0.5 m. For filling, a mixture is made of peat and turf, taken in equal proportions.
Care
Post-planting care consists in properly organized watering, timely fertilization.
The soil is mulched to retain moisture and periodically loosened. The crown is cut for sanitary purposes or, if desired, to form the desired appearance.
Watering
Abundant watering is required for seedlings immediately after planting to speed up the process of adaptation and rooting.
An adult pine does not need frequent moisture; natural precipitation will be sufficient for it.
It is recommended to water the conifers in the evening hours to prevent crown burns in the sun.
In dry summers, they resort to additional watering: up to 3-4 times a season.
Top dressing
In the first 3 years after planting, seedlings grown at home from seeds are fed without fail.
Fertilizers are not required for mature pine. The introduction of nutrient complexes is planned for the spring, which has a beneficial effect on accelerating the growth of shoots and improving the quality characteristics of needles. Use formulations that contain potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.
The tree needs to be fed regularly
For conifers, nitrogen-containing preparations are not used, because they cause too much growth, not allowing the seedlings to fully adapt to new growing conditions and systematically prepare for winter.
Loosening and mulching
Loosening and mulching helps to cope with excessive drying out of the soil by retaining water in the surface layers and ensuring the greatest absorption of nutrients and air flow to the roots.
Sawdust and chopped needles mixed with bark and straw are suitable as mulch.
The soil of the trunk circle is loosened and mulched also in order to remove weeds and to prevent fungal diseases.
Crown formation
Forming the crown is required, if desired, to give a special appearance, because the Calabrian species does not need pruning.
Cut the pine for sanitary purposes, removing damaged branches and yellowed shoots. The procedure is planned for spring and autumn.
Preparation for wintering
In preparation for winter, the thickness of the mulch layer near the trunk is increased to 15 cm, which retains heat and prevents the roots from freezing.
The root system of newly planted seedlings is additionally covered with insulating material. To protect against precipitation, a frame is created and a canopy is made.
How to propagate
The preferred method for propagating a culture is by cuttings.
Cuttings
The most convenient method of reproduction, allowing a large amount of planting material to be obtained from one parent specimen. Thanks to it, a high percentage of the preservation of the characteristics of the original plant is preserved.
They choose a young pine tree grown in artificial conditions. Annual branches growing upward are cut off, together with a part of the tree at the attachment point - the heel.
Before planting, the cuttings are kept in water for 3 hours, treated with a disinfectant and placed in a root growth stimulator for 12 hours.
They are planted to a depth of 5 cm at a distance of about 10 cm. After planting, they equip a greenhouse and do not touch it throughout the year. In cuttings planted in the spring, the roots are formed by the next fall.
Seed reproduction
When planting from seeds, the seed is purchased in specialized stores or collected from adult plants until the buds open.
The seeds are removed after the fruit has completely dried. In plastic or wooden containers, drainage holes are made for the outflow of moisture and good circulation of air flows. The containers are filled with a substrate of loose leafy earth and peat, taken in equal proportions.
Pine can be propagated by seed
Before planting, pine seeds are pre-soaked for several days in warm water, and a day before sowing - in potassium permanganate.
Seeds are sown to a depth of 3 cm, covered with polyethylene on top to create a greenhouse effect. The containers are placed in a warm place, monitoring the moisture content of the soil, watering as it dries.
To increase the survival rate of weak seedlings, watering is carried out with a weak pink solution of potassium permanganate, which acts as a means of protection against fungal diseases destructive for sprouts.
After 6 months, pine seedlings from seeds reach a height of 10 cm.
It is possible to plant seedlings in greenhouse conditions when their stem gets stronger and begins to lignify. The best time to transplant is spring. Further care for 2-3 years consists in weeding weeds, regularly watering and applying fertilizers, after which the plant can be transplanted to a permanent place of growth.
Diseases and pests
Pitsunda pine is often affected by the scale insect. The first sign of the appearance of a pest is yellowing and falling of the needles. Treat an infected tree by spraying with an aqueous solution of Akarin (30 g per 10 L). For preventive purposes, treatment is carried out in late spring - early summer.
Another pest that appears on the Calabrian species is the sawfly. In the fight against it, biological products are used (Bitoxibacillin, Lepidocid) and insecticides (Actellik, Confidor).
A preventive measure against fungal infections is treatment with fungicides containing copper, for example, Bordeaux liquid.
Application in landscape design
The wood of the Pitsunda pine is suitable for the cladding of ships, because gives a lot of resin and turpentine, however, due to the assigned protection status and its inclusion in the Red Book, its use for industrial purposes is limited.
The main purpose of breeding the Calabrian species is to use it in landscape design as a garden plant. It has the peculiarity of growing in different directions, forming a lush crown, and effectively fits into the backyard decor.
"Red Book of the Kuban". Pitsunda pine
Primorskaya "Pitsunda" pine. Seeds, seedlings. Citrus, Abkhazia
Pitsunda pine fell on the Sochi embankment
Gardeners reviews
According to reviews, the Pitsunda pine should not be cultivated in the northern regions, where frosts are observed for a long time in winter. The tree can be grown from a seedling in hot climates. Undemanding to the soil, does not need frequent watering.