Picea pungens is a plant in the pine family. It is native to North America and can be found in the Rocky Mountains. The plant is also known as the Colorado blue spruce. The needles of the plant are blue-green in color and the cones are brown. The plant grows to be about 60 feet tall.
Related plant:
Picea
Related plant:
Picea Omorika
About soil condition, the picea pungens generally prefer well-drained soils with a high organic content, but they are also quite adaptable to other soil types. They do not like overly wet or dry conditions. The roots of the tree are shallow, so it is important to avoid areas with high water tables or compacted soils.
Not too different with other evergreen trees, the blue spruce requires full sun to partial sun in order to thrive. This means that it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. It is important to note that blue spruce trees will not do well in shady areas. If you are thinking about planting a blue spruce tree, make sure that you choose a spot in your yard that gets plenty of sun.
The temperature condition that is optimum for the growth of the blue spruce is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too hot or too cold, the blue spruce will not grow well. The blue spruce is native to North America and is found in the Rockies. It is also found in Canada and in the northern United States. The blue spruce can grow to be over 100 feet tall and can live for over 500 years.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40%. If the humidity is too low, the plant will become dry and brittle. If the humidity is too high, the plant will become weak and susceptible to pests and diseases.
For the fertilizer, this kind of plant requires a lot of nitrogen, so choose a fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. For the roots, they need to be constantly moistened, so make sure the soil is always moist but not soggy.
Pruning your Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens) is important to the health and beauty of the tree. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. The best time to prune is when the tree is young, but you can prune older trees as well. When pruning, always make sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make sure to wear gloves and long sleeves to protect your skin from the sharp needles.
Propagation of blue spruce is best done by rooting stem cuttings taken from the tips of young, vigorously growing plants. Cuttings should be taken in late spring or early summer, when new growth is just beginning to harden off. Cuttings should be 4-6 inches long, and taken from the upper portion of the plant. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to make a clean cut just below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving two or three at the top. Dip the cut end of the cutting into rooting hormone, then plant in moistened potting mix. Place the pot in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting mix moist, but not soggy. Roots should form in 4-6 weeks. Once roots have formed, transplant to a larger pot or into the garden.
Usually, the plant growth rate studies have found an average growth rate of between 1 and 3 feet per year. However, there is some evidence to suggest that a small percentage of picea pungens trees may grow at a rate of up to 5 feet per year. The vast majority of picea pungens trees will reach a height of between 20 and 30 feet, with some individuals reaching heights of up to 50 feet.
Common problems for this kind of plant are needle cast, canker, and dieback. Needle cast is a fungal disease that affects the needles of the tree, causing them to turn yellow and fall off. Canker is a fungal disease that causes the bark to become discolored and cracked. Dieback is a general term used to describe the death of a tree or shrub.
Source:
Picea pungens - North Dakota State University
"Picea pungens" "Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper" "College of DuPage"
Plant Image Search | Arnold Arboretum
