Maple Flamingo: description and agricultural technology
The flamingo maple is a deciduous tree, and according to scientific nomenclature it belongs to the Maple family. The natural habitat was once only North America, but now it is found everywhere. It was brought to Europe in the 17th century, and as for our country, it has been cultivated since 1796. Nowadays, due to self-seeding, this plant has become more a weed than a crop for the garden.
Content:
Flamingo Maple Descriptions
Outwardly, it is either a small tree or a large shrub that has a crown of medium density in the form of a ball. Dimensions in meters at height and width - 5. Possesses a fast growth rate - in centimeters it can grow both in height and width by 50, and the final dimensions are reached in 5-10 years.
This plant is relatively short-lived - it lives up to 60 years (but it can live up to a century-old milestone), and in urban conditions - about 30.
Its leaves are lanceolate with a length of 10-20 centimeters, their color changes with the seasons:
- In spring they are pink.
- In summer, variegated green and white.
- In autumn, they are also variegated but already green-yellow.
The flowering period of this maple trees fall at the end of spring - early summer. The plant has flowers of green-yellow color, rounded flat shape with dimensions in millimeters 40-60.
Due to the variegation of the color of its foliage, Flamingo retains its decorativeness for the entire growing season.
The plant is absolutely unpretentious to natural growing conditions:
- The sun is desirable, but will grow successfully even when it is darkened.
- It is preferable to grow in a well-moistened soil, but it also tolerates dryness.
- Even impoverished types of soil are suitable for him, and if there is looseness and good fertility, conditions are ideal for him.
- Not susceptible to cold weather and winters well even in frost.
Flamingo Maple Agrotechnics
Flamingo maple is best planted in an open area, so the presence of a shadow will affect the variegation of the color of its leaves and it will be less decorative.
When planting, its root collar should be left at ground level or even slightly lowered by 5 centimeters, since this maple is characterized by incredible growth that will take its roots. In the event that the groundwater is close to the surface at the site, drainage must be done (a ten-centimeter layer of crushed stone is sufficient).
It is desirable to have soils with proportions of humus, earth and sand - 3: 2: 1, and add 150 grams of mineral fertilizer under the seedling.
In the future, according to the degree of need, the plant should be fed annually with standard fertilizers: superphosphate, potassium salts, urea, kemira. When planting a plant, you need two buckets of water for irrigation, and in the future, two buckets of water for a month will be sufficient (if the drought is twice as much).
The soil should be loosened at each regular weeding of the site, as well as after watering, so that the earth does not "turn to stone". After planting a maple, you should mulch the soil of this place with a 5-centimeter layer of peat (or even plain earth).
For maple, there are no special pruning requirements - as necessary, regular removal of dried or diseased branches.
Among those troubles that can lie in wait for him, we will single out the following:
- Among the pests, these will be leaf weevil, mealybug and whitefly.
- And possible diseases are black spot and powdery mildew.
As stated above - frost-resistant plant, but if especially severe frosts are expected, when there is little snow, and the tree is young, cover the maple with spruce branches near its root base.
Frozen young shoots must be removed, this will not be detrimental to the crown, it will recover from fresh growth.
With each passing year, maple endures frost and winter better and better, so you should only fear for it at a young age. And in general, with this plant, the option when, just, you need to fear not for him, but from him.
More information can be found in the video.