Content
Propagating turf is very simple, especially since this can be done in almost all available ways - both seed and vegetative. Problems with survival in a new place usually do not arise due to the unpretentiousness of this garden crop. The plant grows quite quickly regardless of climatic conditions and method of reproduction.
Features of the tree
Derain is a type of plant of the Dogwood genus, a deciduous or evergreen shrub with drooping branches, or less commonly a tree. There are more than 50 varieties of derain in the world, adapted for cultivation in temperate latitudes; however, high frost resistance allows these plants to be planted in regions with cold climates.
The leaves of most varieties are simple, entire. They are attached to the branches with long petioles.The leaf plate is dotted with many small veins.
Derain flowers are bisexual. They are usually small in size and have an inconspicuous color: white or pale yellow with a faint tint of other shades. They form dense inflorescences in the form of scutes or heads. Derain fruits are represented by small drupes with a diameter of up to 1 cm.
Derain propagation is possible using almost all existing methods.
Tree growth rate
Most varieties of derain quickly grow laterally and in height. The average annual growth of the shrub is about 50 cm in both diameter and height.
The turf usually reaches its maximum growth at 8-12 years of age.
Derain root system
The root system of the tree is represented by a highly branched network of small roots. It is quite sensitive - if it is damaged during transplantation, the plant may wither. On the other hand, with minor damage, the roots quickly recover.
Dimensions
The size of the tree is determined by its variety. There are both low-growing shrubs, the height of which does not exceed 1 m, and trees up to 8 m in height.
Why does derain turn red?
Beginning gardeners may mistake the redness of the shoots and leaves of the tree for a disease, but this is not the case. The fact is that seasonal color changes sometimes act as varietal characteristics - some varieties begin to turn red in the fall with the onset of cold weather. For example, when temperatures drop, the Sibirika Variegata derain and the white Aurea derain change color.
Planting and caring for derain
Planting a tree in open ground and subsequently caring for it is not difficult, nor is propagation.This shrub is not capricious and does not require much attention. All that is necessary for the proper development of the tree is the competent selection of a place for planting and compliance with the most basic rules for growing a plant.
Requirements for a place to plant dena:
- Most varieties prefer well-lit areas. Also, derain develops well in lightly shaded conditions.
- Soil moisture should be moderate. It does not need to be over-moistened, however, dry soil inhibits the growth of the tree in the same way as a wetland.
- The plant develops best on fertile, loose soils, however, this is not a mandatory requirement. With proper fertilization, the shrub can grow well in poor soils.
- It is not recommended to plant turf in an area with loamy heavy soil.
The groundwater level is not particularly important when selecting a location.
Landing dates
The timing of planting dena depends on the variety and method of propagation. You can follow the following recommendations:
- In the fall, fresh seeds collected shortly before, as well as cuttings of shrubs, are sown.
- In the spring, seeds that have gone through the stratification procedure and cuttings are sown in the ground.
How to plant turf correctly
All varieties of derain are planted approximately the same. The general landing scheme looks like this:
- 2-3 weeks before planting, the selected area is prepared by applying mineral and organic fertilizers.
- Holes are dug at a distance of 50 cm from each other, the size of which depends on the plant variety. They focus mainly on the size of the root system of the seedling and the earthen coma in which it is enclosed. The roots should fit freely into the planting hole.
- The bottom of the holes is covered with humus and mineral fertilizers.
- The planting material is slightly moistened and lowered into the hole. It is very important not to destroy the earthen lump.
- The hole is filled with the top layer of soil and lightly pressed down around the seedling.
- At some distance from the trunk, the plants form a shallow hole. So, after watering, the water will remain near the base of the bush.
- The planting of the tree is completed by watering.
Watering and fertilizing
Derain does not tolerate prolonged drought, so water the plant regularly. It is not recommended to flood the plantings, but the soil should not dry out. Young plants especially need moisture.
Fertilizers for tree development are not necessary, especially if the area for the plant was fertilized before planting. If the shrub grows in an unprepared place, feed the plant once a year in June or May.
Is it possible to replant turf with leaves in the fall?
It is not recommended to replant an adult plant - this can lead to its death. They do this only as a last resort.
The optimal time for transplantation is October-November, when the turf sheds its leaves, or March, while the buds have not yet swelled. At the same time, moving the plant in the fall is associated with less stress for the bush, however, replanting in the spring stimulates faster growth.
How to prepare turf for winter
Most varieties of derain do not need to be covered for the winter. This is a fairly cold-resistant plant that can safely survive low temperatures.
The only exceptions are young seedlings. In the first year it is better to cover them, but in the future there is no need for this.
Tree trimming
Derain grows well without pruning, however, most often the shrub is used as a hedge or garden composition, and therefore the formation of a plant crown becomes necessary in these cases.
It is important to use only well-sharpened tools. The cut of the shoots should be smooth, even, without “chewed” edges, which often happens after cutting with blunt garden shears. This is not only not aesthetically pleasing, but also harmful - after such a rough rupture of the soft tissues of the branches, the plant may become infected.
When to trim the turf - in spring or autumn
Usually the bush is pruned in the spring, when the plant begins to lose its neat appearance and grows greatly in diameter. At this time, anti-aging pruning is performed.
The bush can also be formed in summer and autumn.
Tree trimming in spring
There are 2 types of spring pruning of the bush - radical cutting and shaping. In the first case, the purpose of the procedure is to rejuvenate the plant. Shoots are removed selectively, selecting only dull and dried branches.
Formative pruning is aimed at correcting the shape that was set last year. To do this, generally only the branches that protrude to the sides are removed.
Tree trimming in autumn
Caring for derain in the fall includes sanitary pruning. After the shrub sheds its leaves, it is necessary to clean the plant - remove all broken, dry or weak shoots.
If the derain is grown in the Northern region, the bush is pruned for sanitary purposes in May.
Tree trimming in summer
In summer, formative pruning is carried out by pinching - moderate shortening of the flowering part on young shoots. The result of this procedure is increased growth of lateral shoots. Due to this, the bush acquires a rounded shape and becomes denser.
Derain hedges are trimmed 2 times during the summer - in June and July.
Features of crop pruning can be seen in the following video using the example of removing shoots from a variegated tree:
How to form turf
Almost all varieties of wood are distinguished by intensive shoot formation - they quickly grow in width and height, thanks to which they can be formed into the necessary shape in the shortest possible time: a cube, a ball, a cone. Moreover, the form once chosen does not have to be maintained every year - it can be changed. This will not affect the development of the bush in any way.
The most popular forms are:
- Column. In this case, the side shoots are removed. The shoots in the middle of the bush are not touched. The most important thing when forming a column is moderation. Excessive pruning may cause the plant to tilt to the side.
- Arch. The shape is achieved by fixing the bush on a special arched structure for the garden.
- Hemisphere. In order to form this figure, in spring or autumn, young branches are removed at a height of approximately 10-15 cm from the surface of the earth. This pruning stimulates the tree to expand in diameter. In addition, the procedure significantly rejuvenates the plant and increases its decorative qualities, since young branches have a bright red color.
Reproduction of derain
Propagation of derain is possible by sowing seeds or vegetative methods, namely:
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush;
- layering.
Propagation of dogwood by cuttings
Propagation of deren by cuttings can be done both in autumn and spring, however, spring propagation in this way is more effective.
The algorithm for plant propagation by cuttings looks like this:
- In the spring, parts of young branches are cut off from the selected bush.
- They are buried in the ground in spacious boxes. The soil mixture should include river sand and humus.
- The segments are planted at an angle of 45°.
- Containers with cuttings are placed in a greenhouse with a temperature of +25-35°C and the soil is moistened from time to time. In this case, it is necessary to shade the walls of the greenhouse - direct sunlight negatively affects the development of cuttings.
- In autumn, planting material can be planted in a permanent place.
Dividing the bush
Shrub propagation by divisions occurs according to the following scheme:
- Choose a strong, healthy bush that has grown well to the sides.
- They dig it up, removing excess soil from the roots.
- Using the tip of a shovel or a knife, divide the rhizome of the bush into 3-4 parts.
- The propagation procedure is completed by planting the cuttings in pre-prepared holes filled with fertilizers.
By layering
Reproduction by layering is as popular as cuttings from crops. This is explained by the simplicity of the process:
- In spring, a one-year-old shoot is selected from the shrub at the bottom of the plant and carefully tilted towards the ground.
- The end of the branch is lightly buried in moist soil.
- To ensure that the shoot lowered to the ground remains in this position, it is fixed with a bracket or a stone.
- The separated branch is watered along with the mother bush.
- With the onset of autumn, it is finally separated from the plant and replanted.
Seeds
The plant blooms in May or early June, after which small white boxes form on the shoots. In autumn they are collected and the seeds are extracted from them. At the same time, sowing is done immediately in a permanent place. After stratification of planting material, it is better to postpone planting until spring.
Bury the seeds into the soil about 4-5 cm.
The seed propagation method is the most labor-intensive. The first shoots after sowing the seeds hatch after several years, and maximum growth is achieved in 10-12 years at best.
Protection from diseases and pests
Derain is a hardy plant, resistant to many diseases, however, it does not have absolute immunity.Bushes can be affected by the following fungal infections:
- powdery mildew;
- light brown spotting;
- red-brown spotting;
- whitish spotting;
- dark brown spotting.
Spot damage to plantings most often occurs in conditions of high humidity and heat in summer. Powdery mildew develops when the soil dries out and the nitrogen content in the garden plot is too high.
The following folk remedies have proven effective in the fight against fungus:
- soap solution with the addition of baking soda;
- garlic broth;
- horsetail decoction.
Ordinary fungicides also work well against these diseases.
Preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of plantings becoming infected with fungal infections include:
- treatment of seeds with potassium permanganate for seed propagation;
- disinfection of sharp objects used for pruning wood and propagating shrubs using vegetative methods;
- periodic pruning of dried and broken shoots;
- landing in compliance with the recommended distances;
- cleaning up fallen leaves.
The plant practically does not attract insects, however, the main pests can be identified as aphids and comma scale insects. Bushes are treated against them with an insecticide or a solution of laundry soap.
Conclusion
Even a beginner who does not know all the intricacies of gardening can propagate sod. Moreover, independent propagation of this garden crop is much more economical than purchasing planting material from nurseries or from private individuals.
This unpretentious shrub will serve as a good decoration for the garden throughout the year, thanks to its high frost resistance and decorative value. Caring for the plant is also not difficult. When propagated by divisions, cuttings or layering, a full-fledged plant can be obtained within a few years.