Picea omorika aka Serbian Spruce

Taxonomy

Picea omorika, also known as Pančić spruce or Serbian spruce, is a coniferous tree that is native to the Drina River valley in western Serbia and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its range covers only about 60 hectares, at an altitude of 800-1,600 meters. This tree was discovered in 1875 near the Serbian village of Zaovine by the Serbian botanist Josif Pančić, who named it after himself, and the specific epithet "omorika" simply means "the tree" in Serbian. Serbian spruce is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall, exceptionally 40 meters, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 meter. It has needle-like leaves that are flattened in cross-section, dark blue-green above, and blue-white below. The cones are fusiform, 4-7 centimeters long, dark purple when young, and mature to a dark brown color 5-7 months after pollination, with stiff scales. Outside its native range, Serbian spruce is highly valued as an ornamental tree in large gardens in northern Europe and North America, thanks to its very attractive crown form and its ability to grow on a wide range of soils, including alkaline, clay, acid, and sandy soil. Although it prefers moist, drained loam, it can adapt to various growing conditions. Moreover, Picea omorika is a rare houseplant that can be easily grown and needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot away from a window. When repotting, it is recommended to use well-draining soil, and it shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. Picea omorika belongs to the Picea genus and is native to southwestern Europe.

Common names

Serbian Spruce, Bosnian Spruce, Omorica

How to care for Serbian Spruce

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Serbian Spruce due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Serbian Spruce should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Serbian Spruce loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Serbian Spruce thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Omorica.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Fertilizer

The growth of Serbian Spruce is not rapid and it doesn't necessitate any extra fertilization. By replacing its potting soil once a year, it should receive ample nutrition. It is important to note that plants obtain their energy from the sun's rays, not from fertilizers.

Region of origin

Serbian Spruce’s native range is Europe - Serbia.


More info:
Wikipedia