Reproduction methods
You can propagate kolkvitsiya by seeds, layering and cuttings.
Seeds
The seeds of the plant are planted in open ground before winter, but they can also be planted in a greenhouse in spring to get seedlings.
For spring planting, seeds need to be artificially hibernated for 2 months. A regular refrigerator is suitable for this purpose. At the end of March, the seeds of colquitia are placed in the freezer for two weeks, and then transferred to the refrigerator shelf for the remaining period.
The seeds prepared in this way are sown in containers with soil, planting them to a depth of one centimeter. Then, until the spring of next year, they are grown in a greenhouse, after which they are planted in the ground.
Layers
For reproduction of kolkvitsiya by layering, the following method is used. Holes are made near the bush. Then last year's shoots are gently tilted towards them. Those parts of the shoots that will be placed in the holes are freed from foliage at an interval of 10 to 15 cm. Then the finished layering is fixed in the holes with wire loops and added dropwise. Loops allow you to securely fasten future seedlings, which, in turn, contributes to better rooting.
Places of dredging do not need watering. For successful growth, they have enough precipitation and juices obtained from the mother bush.
The emergence of shoots means that a root begins to develop in the cutter. During this period, the young bush can be fed with fertilizers with nitrogen.
Shelters for wintering need shelter. To do this, you can dig in the plant well, and also cover it with leaves or straw. With the onset of spring, the shelter is removed, and the young colquation is carefully separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a permanent place.
Cuttings
Reproduction of colquitsia by green young cuttings is only suitable for regions with mild winters, since rooted cuttings have low frost resistance, and therefore can freeze out at too low temperatures.
This type of reproduction is carried out in the middle of summer. Young shoots of the plant are cut off and soaked for 12 hours in a solution of "Kornevin", made according to the instructions for the preparation. After this preparation, the cuttings are planted in a greenhouse or other warm and humid room, where they grow until next spring. Usually only half of the cuttings planted in a greenhouse become suitable for planting in open ground.
Reproduction of the bush by cuttings with woody trunks is carried out in late autumn. Suitable branches are cut and buried in the open ground in a shady area of the garden. For the winter period, the plants are added dropwise, and also covered with a thick layer of hay, straw or leaves. In the spring, the shelter is removed. And the cuttings themselves, feeling the warmth, will begin to release young shoots and roots. It is better to move them to a permanent place after a year.
Types and varieties with photos
The homeland of the deciduous shrub is the mountains of Central China. The height of the bush in natural conditions is 2 m, slightly inclined branches are covered with pointed, dark green leaves.
Bell-shaped flowers collected in inflorescences are of the greatest decorative value. They cover the bush abundantly so that the foliage itself is not visible.
The flowering period is long, it is 20 days. In the fall, the bush becomes elegant due to the fact that the foliage changes its color.
The plant was discovered only in the 19th century. It was named after the German botanist, Richard Kolkwitz. The shrub has been assigned to the Honeysuckle family.
There is only one kind - the lovely colquition. The name itself speaks of high decorative properties. In conditions Moscow region and the entire central strip colquction grows up to 1 m.Young shoots are covered with hairs, old ones are covered with red bark.
Another name for the plant is pleasant colquitia. It is not surprising, because during the flowering period, the branches seem to turn into a lacy cloud.
At first, the peduncles have a rich pink tint, and towards the end of flowering they acquire white tones. The shrub is an excellent honey plant.
Kolkwitzia amabilis has been cultivated in botanical gardens in Russia for half a century. All specimens show an average shoot growth rate.
It was noted that the shrubs bloom in the fifth year of life, their fruits ripen in September. In the cold winter, some of the branches freeze over, but the bush itself quickly recovers the next spring.
Colquation breeding began several decades ago. Today, there are only a few varieties.
Suitable for the middle lane:
"Maradko". A dwarf plant with a weeping crown shape. In the photo of kolkvitsiya you can see that the flowers cover the bush, as if with snow. Flowering lasts from mid-May to mid-June. In autumn, the leaves are painted in yellow and red shades. The variety is frost-resistant.
Rosea. The height of the shrub is 2 m, the shoots are easily amenable to formative pruning. The flowers have a deep pink color.
"Pink Cloud". Kolquitsia does not exceed 120 cm in height. The shoots branch well, the flowers are much larger than those of other varieties. The bush is resistant to drought and frost, great for urban landscaping.
On garden plots, the banks of artificial reservoirs, alleys, lawns and areas along the fences are decorated with colquation.
Reproduction of colquitsia
The kolkvitsiya shrub reproduces both by seed and vegetative methods.
Seed use is the most problematic and unreliable breeding method. Firstly, they require long-term stratification for three months, and secondly, the germination capacity of the material is low.
It is much easier to take advantage of the division of the bush. During transplantation, the bush is divided into parts so that each division has good roots and stems. Further, the parts are seated as during the usual planting of the plant. But the fact is that large bushes are usually not transplanted, and their division seems to be quite painful.
Planting Kolkvitsiya Adorable in open ground
When choosing a place for planting a seedling of Kolkvitsiya Adorable, it is necessary to take into account the fact that over the years the shrub grows, the shoots hang down. The best place is an elevated area, next to a small body of water, or plant it in an open area as a single plant.
The soil for growing Kolkvitsia Adorable should be soft, fertile, with good drainage, since the culture does not like waterlogging. If the soil is acidic or alkaline on the site, you should not worry too much, since the bush adapts to such soil.
To protect the shrubbery from cold winter winds, it is recommended to choose an area protected from gusts of wind and drafts. It is desirable that it be light or located in partial shade. If the growing area of Kolkvitsiya Adorable is shady, you should not count on abundant and beautiful flowering.
It is necessary to plant seedlings in open ground at the end of spring, when warm weather is finally established. First, a 50x50 cm landing pit is prepared. A layer of river sand is laid out on the bottom of the pit, which will act as a drainage, and humus is added. The seedling is neatly laid into the hole, the roots are straightened, covered with earth, spilled with water.
In order not to damage the root system, it is better to purchase seedlings with a closed root system, that is, in a container, and put them in the planting hole along with a lump of earth.
Kolkvitsiya Adorable grows up to 3 meters in height
Planting and caring for kolkvitiya in the open field
To grow a beautiful, healthy shrub, you need to set aside a sunny or slightly shaded area in the garden for it.Indeed, the rule is typical for colquition: "The more sun, the more bright colors." But the plant does not like to be in constant sun. The landing site must be protected from cold winds.
The soil must be used fertile, alkaline or neutral. The soil under the bush should be loose and free of weeds. From this shrub, you can, if desired, form a hedge. For a hedge 10 meters long, 7-8 plants are taken for planting. The shrub can be used as a specimen plant on a manicured lawn. Or as the background of a flower bed with perennials.
- To plant a bush, they dig a hole half a meter deep and fill it with fertile soil.
- The composition of the soil should include humus, leafy soil, sand, compost. If the soil is acidic, use ash and lime as an additive.
- The plant prefers elevated places to lowlands, in which cold air slows down the growth of shrubs.
- The bush must be watered with settled water in the evening. Watering frequency depends on air temperature. The hotter the summer, the more often you water.
- The plant should also be fed with organic matter 2-3 times per season.
Top dressing is carried out in the spring before flowering and during flowering. In autumn, the plant must be dug in and mineral fertilizers (for example, superphosphate) must be added to the soil.
In the spring, you can see the dried ends of the branches on the bushes of kolkvitsiya. This reduces the decorative effect of the plant. The reason is that the shrub went into the winter with young, not stiff shoots that were frozen over. Dried ends are removed before flowering begins. In their place, the plant will form new shoots. To eliminate this problem, use the following methods:
- after the end of flowering, they reduce watering and stop feeding the bush with organic matter;
- the ground around the bush is mulched with a large layer of peat, compost or wood chips. The mulching contour should follow the outline of the bush or exceed it by 10-15 cm.
These actions help protect the root system from frost and prevent the plant from forming many young shoots that will not overwinter anyway. In order for the plant to look decorative in spring, spend pruning the bush after flowering, shortening faded shoots. It includes the removal of some of the young shoots. On the bush, woody branches and several of the most formed young shoots are left. The cut off shoots can be used to propagate the plant. In the fall, when a constant subzero temperature is established, the mulching of the bush is repeated, using foliage that has fallen from the bush as mulch.
Kolkvitsiya is a frost-resistant shrub. It requires shelter only in frosty, snowless winters. If you plant this beautiful summer flowering bush in your garden, you will be able to admire its abundant, lush flowering for a long time. The "pink cloud" of fragrant flowers will impress neither you nor your guests. And in the fall, the shrub will delight the eye with a bright color of foliage. The combination of colquicia with shrubs of lower and contrasting foliage color: spireas, barberries, cotoneaster, will only emphasize its obvious advantages.
Planting and caring for kolkvitsiya in the suburbs
Kolkvitsia adorable pink cloud pink cloud landing and care in the suburbs
Given the cold climate of the Moscow region, a little more attention will be required to the plant in the autumn-winter period. The agrotechnology of planting and care in the warm season does not differ from that described above. In the first year after planting young bushes, it is imperative to cover the roots by covering them with earth and covering them with plant mulch with a layer of 30-50 cm, and tie the branches so that they do not break, and cover them with spruce branches. When the snow falls, it is shoveled from above.
After a successful wintering in the first 1-2 years, you can no longer cover the branches, but only protect the roots in the same way. With a little attention, you will protect the beauty from freezing and admire its beautiful bloom every year.
The popular Pink Cloud variety shows sufficient winter hardiness in the Moscow region, however, in the early years, increased attention and good shelter for the winter is needed. After 1-2 years, it will no longer be necessary to cover the branches, the shrub will overwinter perfectly without it, it will be enough just to protect the roots
Diseases and pests
Kolkvitsia is sick only if the rules of care are violated or in bad weather conditions. With an excess of water, the roots may begin to rot - the rotten part must be cut off and treated with a fungicide, but with a widespread fungal infection, the plant may still not survive.
In the heat, pests sucking juices may appear - thrips, aphids and spider mites.
Aphids appear on foliage in black clouds and leave behind a sugary transparent secretion that can serve as a bait for fungal diseases. They fight this insect by washing the branches and foliage with soapy water or infusion of citrus fruits or garlic.
The spider mite also drinks juices and because of this, the foliage turns yellow, curls up and dries out. Also, this pest leaves behind thin cobwebs. They fight him with the same methods as with aphids.
Thrips are the most insidious and dangerous pest due to their rapid reproduction. These worms can infect various parts of the bush, but most often they are the leaves and roots. The affected parts turn yellow, and the root system becomes thinner. If this pest appears, then it is better to immediately resort to poisons.
Actellik or Aktara will help get rid of all three pests, but it is advisable to carry out not one treatment, but several with an interval of 7-10 days.
Sometimes a caterpillar occupies the colquation. If there is not much of it, then you can pick up the pest with your hands, and with a large amount, it is better, of course, to resort to poisons.
Kolkvitsia came to Russia much later than the end of the 19th and 20th centuries, but firmly established itself in the gardens. Today, different types of shrubs are grown in almost all regions of our country.
Kolkvitsiya grows up to 1.5 meters in height, it is a fairly wide bush. When the plant is still young, it is covered with small hairs; with the time of maturation of the bush, this feature disappears. An adult shrub has reddish bark and oblong leaves. In summer, the leaves are dark green, saturated color; closer to autumn, they gradually change their color and become bright yellow. The most beautiful shrub during active flowering. During this period, it is covered with small pink bells. Inside, the flower is yellowish. A pleasant scent will fill your entire garden.
It is also interesting that the plant can live not only in open land. The kolquicia can be grown in a large bucket or tub and placed on a terrace or balcony. In the conditions of the domestic climate, two types of bushes grow well: Kolkvitsia "Prelest" and Kolkvitsia "Pleasant".
Reproduction
Like most other perennial crops, kolquitsia can be propagated in a variety of ways: by seeds, layering, as well as by cuttings and dividing the bush. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
Seeds
Immediately, we note that the seeds of this plant have a rather low germination rate - no more than 25-30% and this must be taken into account when choosing this reproduction method.
When breeding colquitsia from seeds, special attention should be paid to the fertility and nutritional value of the soil. It is advisable to compose it from a mixture of peat and river sand, taken in equal amounts
Seed growing begins in early April. The seeds are preliminarily stratified - they are kept for 2-3 months in a cool place at a temperature of 0 to +5 degrees Celsius. You need to store the seeds in a hermetically sealed bag with the addition of moistened vermiculite.
Before planting, it is advisable to soak the seeds in a sulfuric acid solution for 10 minutes. The prepared seeds are deepened into the soil mixture by 5 mm, after which they are watered abundantly.The next year after planting, in the spring, the seedlings dive and move to a permanent place of growth.
Layers
This method is considered one of the most effective
For reproduction of colquitia, it is necessary to choose a healthy shoot, dig a small groove under it, then bend the branch, carefully lay it in the groove and pin it to the ground. In the zone of contact between the layer and the ground, it must be slightly incised and treated with any growth stimulant, for example, "Epin"
Sprinkle the shoot with earth so that the top remains open.
The cuttings are kept in the ground for about a year, keeping it moist. Next spring, it will already take root, then it can be separated from the parent bush and moved to a permanent site.
Cuttings
Reproduction of kolkvitsia by cuttings is permissible only in regions with warm winters, since this vegetative material is characterized by a reduced resistance to frost.
Cuttings are carried out using one of two methods.
- Lignified cuttings. In this case, in November, a lignified shoot is removed from the bush and carefully added in a slightly shaded place. Before the onset of cold weather, the cuttings are mulched with rotted foliage, compost or hay and sprinkled abundantly with snow. The next year, the young plant will give roots and it will be possible to transplant it to a permanent site.
- Annual cuttings. These works are carried out in early spring: young one-year-old cuttings are separated from the parent shrub and cut. After that, they are placed in containers with soil mixture, covered with a greenhouse and kept in a warm, bright place. With the onset of the summer season, the planting material should be taken outside, put in the shade and moistened daily, preventing the earthen coma from drying out.
As soon as young shoots appear, the plant can be transplanted into open ground. In autumn, the seedlings are covered with agrofibre or other material; with the arrival of heat, the colquation can be moved to a permanent place.
Root division
Another popular method of shrub propagation, which is used when transplanting. The bush is carefully dug up, the roots are carefully examined, all dry and decayed areas are cut off. Then it is divided so that a healthy shoot remains in each part, the places of the cuts are treated with charcoal and planted.
Description of the lovely colquition
Kolkvitsiya is a strongly branched perennial bush with drooping shoots curving in an arc, growing up to two meters in height. The plant belongs to the Honeysuckle family. The shrub is monotypic, that is, in nature there is only one type of such a plant.
The homeland of the shrub is the mountainous regions of China. The luxurious bush got its name in honor of the German botanist Richard Kolkwitz. It has been cultivated as a cultivated plant since 1901. The first flowering of it, as a garden shrub, was observed in 1910, so the colquitia has been pleasing garden lovers for more than a hundred years.
With proper care, after 7-8 years from the overgrown bush, you can form a new garden decoration - a sprawling tree in the shape of a ball. In this regard, before planting a plant, you need to carefully choose a place, given that in the future the bush will need a lot of free space. It is better for him to leave a circle with a two-meter diameter for growth.
Old and young shoots of the shrub differ in appearance. Old shoots are covered with dark scaly bark, while young ones are green and pubescent. Initially, the branches grow only upward, but as they grow, they begin to take the form of an arc tilting towards the ground.
In spring, the bush is covered with oval green leaves pointed to the edge. The bottom of the leaves is covered with villi and is lighter in color than the top.
The shrub blooms in the middle of summer. Paired buds grow at the ends of the branches. Flowers have the shape of bells of a delicate pinkish-white color with a pearlescent sheen.The bases of the petals intersect the yellowish veins, forming a kind of mesh. All flowers and buds are located on separate pedicels, which are collected in small inflorescences.
The bush begins to bloom in the second year of life, but its decorative effect is fully manifested after 7-8 years. The flowering is so abundant that the leaves are almost invisible due to the flowers and buds. It is during this period that the owner of the colquition will be able to enjoy a real "flower cloud".
With the beginning of autumn, the flowers on the bush are replaced by small, about 0.6 cm, seed pods. Shoots turn yellow. But the foliage becomes multi-colored, which enhances the decorative effect of the plant.
Kolkvitsiya varieties with photos and rules for growing in the open field
Kolkvitsiya is considered a little-known ornamental shrub.
However, in other parts of the world, it is very often used in landscape design.
Kolquitsia is abundantly covered with flowers in July, when all other shrubs have faded.
With the right approach, it is quite possible to grow it in central Russia.
Breeding methods of colquation
The shrub is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering. The highest germination rate is given by the material sown before winter.
In late autumn, the seeds are buried by 3 cm, friendly shoots appear in the middle of spring.
They manage to get stronger and develop well before the onset of the summer heat. Plants are transplanted to a permanent place after a year.
Spring sowing begins as early as possible.
Stratified seeds are immersed in moist soil, the first shoots appear by mid-summer. Throughout the current year, they will need regular watering and protection from the winds.
Remove all leaves except the top ones. Additional processing in a growth promoter is not required.
The cuttings are immersed in a box with a nutrient substrate consisting of river sand, leafy earth and peat.
In the summer, care consists in systematic watering. For the winter, the boxes are removed in a cool place.
From the second year, the winter hardiness of the plant increases, then it can be transplanted to a permanent place.
To obtain layering, it is necessary to lower the young growth into the previously dug grooves.
For a firm contact with the ground, they are pinned with a wire or staple. It takes a year to develop adventitious roots.
The next summer, the layers are carefully separated with pruning shears and transplanted to a permanent place.
Cultivation of colquits in the open field
Planting and further care behind kolkvitsiya little differs from other plants of the family Honeysuckle. Annual growth and lush bloom directly depend on the right location.
The shrub loves sunny areas, but the sun should be discarded.
Kolkvitsiya does not tolerate winds, the place must be protected by relief or buildings.
The soil must be nutritious and moist, the acidity level does not matter.
Diluted organic matter and superphosphate are used as fertilizers.
However, an overabundance of nutrients will lead to the fact that the plant will not overwinter well.
With the onset of persistent cold weather, the ground under the young bushes is mulched with a thick layer of foliage, peat or straw.
The branches are covered with spunbond and fixed. If the winter is cold, then spruce branches are placed on top of the covering material.
Transplanting colquitsia in the garden
A two-year-old seedling with a closed root system will take root best.
Spring is a good time for transplanting. The depth of the planting pit is 50 cm, its diameter is 40 cm.
The bottom of the pit is covered with broken brick or gravel, followed by a mixture of humus and sand.
The root collar should remain at ground level.
After planting, the seedling is well shed. The distance between plants in a group planting is 1.5 m.
Kolquitia after flowering
After flowering, you need to start sanitary pruning.
Dead ends of young shoots are subject to removal.
It is better not to cut old and dark wood.
Kolquicia blooms on last year's shoots, so it needs a gentle pruning of just a few centimeters.
Formative pruning is done in early spring or late fall. It is recommended to leave only a strong growth, and it is better to get rid of thin and weak branches.
How to plant kolkvitsiya on the site
The original decoration of the garden will be a spherical shrub, formed about 7-8 years after the start of growing colquitsia. To do this, even during planting, you need to take into account that at least 2 meters of free space should remain around the culture. It is better to choose a sunny place in order to fully enjoy the abundant flowering. Partial shade is also acceptable. The main thing is that there are no drafts and constant sunshine.
Advice. For planting, choose seedlings 1-2 years old.
The optimal time for rooting a young bush is spring. Plant the colquation in well-heated, nutritious, lightweight, well-drained soil. It should be neutral, with no tendency to stagnate water. There is nothing complicated in the planting process itself:
- 2 weeks before the scheduled day, dig a hole 40 cm deep.Length and width - 50-60 cm.
- Fill the hole with nutrient mixture. Its composition is 1 part sand and 2 parts each compost and sod land. Prepare the soil with a margin: it will come in handy during the rooting of the colquitia.
- On the day of planting, shorten the roots of the seedling.
- Add a bucket of ash and 80-130 g of complex mineral dressing to the hole.
- Install a bush, cover it with prepared soil mixture.
- Tamp the earth and water the bush. When the water is absorbed, mulch the plant.
Diseases and pests
The shrub is resistant to almost all diseases. Sometimes the leaves are infected with aphids or thrips.
If these small insects are found, it is necessary to spray the entire plant with Fitoverm, Aktara or Kinmix.
The curled leaves are the result of the life of the leafworm.
The solution "Inta-Vira" or "Decis" is used against it.
Shields and false shields are especially dangerous. Insects suck the juices from the trunk and shoots, causing them to turn brown and dry.
It is necessary to regularly inspect the bushes for infection. The crippled branches will have to be cut. The bushes are sprayed with "Confidor", "Aktellik" or "Mospilan". Processing is carried out twice, the interval is two weeks.
Thickened plantings are an excellent environment for all kinds of mites. Their presence is indicated by shapeless spots on the underside of the leaves.
The deformed green mass falls off prematurely. For the fight against ticks, the preparations "Apollo", "Anti-tick" or "Kleschevit" are suitable.
