Content
Colquitia, part of the Honeysuckle family, is characterized as a monotypic flowering crop. In its natural habitat it is found in China and only in mountainous areas. Colquitia charming Pink Cloud is a varietal representative of a deciduous shrub that is suitable for ornamental gardening in temperate climates.
Description of the lovely Pink Cloud collection
A perennial, beautifully flowering, deciduous plant, Colquitia Pink Cloud (pink cloud) decorates European botanical gardens. In Russia, they grow lovely kolkvitia from the European part to the South. The plant feels comfortable in temperate climates.
Cultivar Pink Cloud is a variety with high frost resistance. Resists temperature drops down to -28 0C.Freezing of young shoots is often observed, but this negative factor does not affect the abundance of flowering; kolkvitsia completely forms the replacement until budding. Every year up to 4 years, the plant increases in height and width within 30 cm. When the maximum height of 1.8-2.2 m is reached, the growth stops, the growing season is aimed at budding and the formation of shoots.
Description of the habitus of the lovely Pink Cloud:
- A spreading shrub with a dense crown formed by numerous thin, drooping shoots. Old stems are dark red, rough, with partially peeling bark. The shoots of the current season are a shade lighter than the perennial ones, their surface is densely covered with fine hair.
- The leaves are of different lengths from 4 to 8.5 cm. The largest are formed at the beginning of the branches, the size decreases towards the top. The plate is in the shape of a narrow elongated oval with a sharp tip. They grow oppositely, in pairs. In spring and summer the color is dark green, in October it is bright yellow with an orange tint.
- The roots are of a mixed type, central deep, superficial fibrous. The accessory buds of the root system produce numerous shoots.
- The fruits are dry, the surface is finely bristly, small in size with two seeds. They ripen in early autumn.
After opening the seed pod, the planting material scatters and germinates the following spring.
How the pleasant Pink Cloud colquitia blooms
The decorative effect of the Pink Cloud flowering plant is fully manifested only during the flowering period. The timing of budding in shrubs depends on the climate.In the South it blooms at the end of May, in the Moscow region - in early June, in Siberia 2 weeks later. The flowering period does not depend on the region; its duration is 28 days. The flowers dry out, turn yellow, and the bush looks untidy. Therefore, the inflorescences with the tips of the shoots are cut off.
This feature of the crop is completely compensated by the flowering period. The shrub is completely covered with numerous corymbose inflorescences. The flowers are bell-shaped, five-petaled, light pink on the outside, orange on the inside in the throat area with yellow longitudinal stripes, fragrant. The photo shows the lovely Pink Cloud at the peak of flowering.
The beautifully flowering shrub is used in ornamental gardening as a tapeworm, included in compositions with dwarf conifers, and grown to create an unshaped hedge.
Features of reproduction
According to reviews from gardeners, there are no problems with the reproduction of Pink Cloud colquitia. The seedlings quickly form a root system and take root well on the site. An adult plant calmly reacts to the transfer; many gardeners practice the method of dividing the bush for propagation. This method is inconvenient because a plant no younger than 6 years old is suitable for division. It can be propagated generatively; the disadvantage of this method is the unsatisfactory germination of seeds. Vegetative propagation is most often used: cuttings and layering.
Planting and caring for the lovely Pink Cloud plant
Normal vegetation of Pink Cloud colquitia depends on proper planting and subsequent care. The plant tolerates frost well, which cannot be said about the crop’s drought resistance; the plant cannot go without watering for a long time.In a constantly open area, the leaves burn and turn yellow. In order for flowering to be complete, the kolkvitsia is fed.
Recommended timing
The plant overwinters well and takes root quickly. Kolkwitzia Pink Cloud is planted on the site in spring and autumn: in the South - at the end of April, in a temperate climate, depending on regional weather conditions. You can start working after the soil has warmed up to +12 0C, if there is no threat of frost. In autumn, in warm regions, kolkvitsia is planted in mid-September. In areas with a cold climate, the timing is calculated so that there are 2 months left before frost.
Site selection and soil preparation
The lovely Pink Cloud columbine grows on any soil composition, the main thing is that the soil is light, fertile, with satisfactory aeration. Lowlands with stagnant moisture and areas with close groundwater are not suitable for collection. The area should be partially shaded. The crown of tall crops will protect from burns and from the north wind.
The place allocated for the Pink Cloud plant is dug up and the weeds are removed. Prepare a fertile mixture consisting of compost, sand, peat, taken in the same volume.
Landing algorithm
The root of Kolkvitia charming is treated with an antifungal agent and placed in a growth stimulator. Use medications according to instructions. Dig a hole with a diameter and depth of 65 cm.
Landing:
- The bottom is covered with a drainage cushion.
- Pour part of the nutrient mixture on top.
- The colquitia seedling is placed in the center and the roots are evenly distributed.
- Pour out the rest of the prepared soil and compact it.
- Water and mulch.
To prevent root rot, the neck is left above the surface (about 3 cm above the ground).
Features of cultivation
According to gardeners, the agricultural technology of the lovely Pink Cloud is no more difficult than growing any beautiful flowering shrub. The decorative effect of the plant depends on timely feeding, watering and cosmetic pruning. The plant is frost-resistant, but measures taken in the fall will protect the crop from unnecessary stress.
Watering and fertilizing
The watering regime for Pink Cloud columbine depends on seasonal precipitation; waterlogging of the soil will have a worse effect on the shrub than drying out of the top layer of soil. If it rains once a week, the plant is not watered. During drought, water at the time of bud formation and during the main flowering.
Feeding is given to the lovely Pink Cloud kolkvitia three times during the growing season:
- in early spring, after the buds have swollen, urea is scattered around the perimeter of the root circle;
- during budding, superphosphate is added;
- After flowering, water the roots with an organic solution.
Fertilizing is carried out in the second year after planting and all subsequent years.
Mulching
Mulch Pink Cloud flowers immediately after planting, using sawdust mixed with peat, pine needles, tree bark or wood chips. The covering layer is multifunctional: it retains moisture, prevents weeds from growing, and protects the root from overheating in summer and hypothermia in winter. In the fall, the mulch layer is increased, and in the spring it is completely renewed. This measure will save the gardener from constant weeding and give the site an aesthetic appearance.
Trimming
Pleasant Colquitia Pink Cloud forms inflorescences on last year's shoots; this feature of the plant is taken into account during pruning. After flowering, the tops of the stems are cut off along with the dry inflorescences; the shoots of the current year are not touched; flowers will appear on them next season.At the same time, weak, twisted stems and several old branches are removed. In the spring, before sap flow, sanitary cleaning is carried out, dry and frozen areas are removed.
Preparing for winter
Prepare Pink Cloud cultivars for winter 2 weeks before the onset of frost. Sequence of work:
- Water the bush with plenty of water.
- Increase the layer of mulch, and you can sprinkle dry leaves on top.
- The branches are tied into a bundle with twine.
- The top is wrapped with spunbond.
- The seedlings can be covered with spruce branches on top.
In the South, a layer of mulch is sufficient for overwintering colquitia.
Pests and diseases
Pink Cloud does not get sick; the only problem that arises when the soil is waterlogged is root rot. Watering is reduced or the kolkvitsia is transplanted to a dry area.
Parasitic insects and means to combat them are presented in the table.
Pests | Drugs |
Thrips | "Aster" |
Aphid | "Fitoverm" |
leaf roller | "Inta-Vira" |
Shchitovka | "Aktellik" |
Type of ticks | "Kleschevit" |
For preventive purposes in the spring, before the leaves appear, the plant is treated with copper sulfate.
Conclusion
Colquitia charming Pink Cloud is an ornamental shrub. The perennial blooms densely in early June with pink flowers. The frost-resistant plant is used in the landscape design of household plots and summer cottages; it is found in botanical and private gardens. The culture is undemanding in terms of soil composition and care. Easy to propagate, takes root well.
