Content
Lilac belongs to the shrub crop of the Olive family. The genus has about three dozen species. One of the interesting views is the Morning of Russia. This spreading bush is able to decorate any area with its purple inflorescences. Reviews of lilac Morning of Russia say that the variety is quite rare, but at the same time popular.
Description of lilac Morning of Russia
Common lilac variety Morning of Russia (pictured) is considered a medium-sized shrub, the height does not exceed 2 m. The leaves are large and green.
The Morning of Russia variety is rare, but reviews about it are positive. It has good frost resistance and can be grown in central Russia. It is resistant to drought. Pests and diseases rarely affect this variety of lilac.
How lilac blooms Morning of Russia
The buds of the Morning of Russia variety have a pinkish-purple hue. The blossoming inflorescences are purple in color, quite large - up to 3.5 cm in diameter, and fragrant. During flowering, the bush is literally strewn with dense panicles of a pyramidal shape. Flowers are resistant to fading.
Features of reproduction
Lilacs can be propagated in various ways:
- using seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- root shoots.
With the help of seeds, you can grow a completely different bush than it was, so this method is rarely used.
Cuttings can be harvested at different times, since lignified and green shoots are suitable for propagation.
When propagated by cuttings, the seedling blooms 4-5 years after planting.
The easiest way to get a new bush of common lilac Morning of Russia is to use root shoots. The best time to separate from the mother bush is September - early October.
For layering, annual shoots are used, which are bent to the soil, fixed and sprinkled with earth. Rooted bushes are separated no earlier than after 3-4 years.
Planting and caring for lilacs Morning of Russia
In order for the Morning of Russia seedling to take root, it is necessary to comply with the timing and planting technology.
Recommended timing
The optimal time for planting lilac seedlings with an open root system:
- spring - 2-3 weeks before flowering;
- end of summer - beginning of autumn (2 weeks before frost), it all depends on the weather conditions of the region.
Experts recommend planting lilac Morning of Russia in the autumn. If the seedling has a closed root system, transfer from the container can be done at any convenient time from spring to late autumn.
Site selection and soil preparation
Lilac Morning of Russia is unpretentious to soil quality, so regular fertilizing is not required. When planting in a hole, you can add wood ash and humus.
The place for planting lilacs is chosen based on the design idea. Lilac will grow well in sunny and semi-shaded areas. In the shade, lilac bushes will lose their decorative effect. The branches will begin to stretch, and there may be no flowering.
Optimal conditions for growing common lilac:
- a site located on a plain or gentle slope;
- not too moist soil, it is desirable that groundwater lies no closer than 1.5 m to the surface of the earth;
- the soil acidity indicator should be close to neutral;
- the site must be protected from cold winds.
How to plant correctly
To plant lilacs Morning of Russia, dig a hole corresponding in size to the root system. The approximate size of the hole is 50x50 cm.
A layer of drainage (gravel, sand, broken bricks) and a soil mixture consisting of turf soil, wood ash, peat, and humus are poured into the bottom of the pit. The lilac roots are spread over the mound of earth and covered with the remaining soil.
After planting, the soil is trampled down, watered and covered with mulching materials.
Growing rules
Lilacs naturally grow on rocky soil, so they do not have any special requirements for growing conditions.
Watering
An adult lilac Morning of Russia can be watered no more than 2-3 times per season in case of severe drought. If there is sufficient rainfall in the region, the bush does not need additional watering.
Young seedlings are periodically moistened for better rooting, but it should be noted that waterlogging leads to rotting of the roots.
Top dressing
Lilacs do not require special fertilizers.Chemical compounds can cause the branches to grow rapidly and not have time to prepare for winter, so there is no need to use fertilizing.
Periodically, you can fertilize the soil with rotted grass and manure.
Mulching
Covering the tree trunk circle with mulching materials allows you to solve several problems at once. A layer of mulch prevents the rapid evaporation of moisture, so the number of waterings can be reduced. Weeds do not grow under the mulch, which simplifies the care of the tree trunk. In addition, mulch improves the structure of the earth and enriches it, protects the tree trunk from overheating, hypothermia, weathering, and cracking.
The following available materials can be used as mulch:
- cut grass;
- pine needles;
- dry leaves;
- sawdust, small branches, wood chips.
Trimming
In the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out. In March - early April, all damaged branches and last year's growth are removed.
Formative pruning is carried out after flowering. It is combined with summer sanitary pruning. When cutting large branches, it is necessary to treat the cuts with garden varnish to prevent infection by infectious diseases.
Anti-aging pruning is carried out gradually. You cannot cut down all the skeletal branches at once. Every year, 1-2 old branches are cut off.
Preparing for winter
Adult bushes have good frost resistance, but young seedlings need protection from the cold.
Preparation for winter involves strengthening the layer of mulching materials.To prevent freezing of the soil and root system, the ground in the tree trunk circle is covered with dry organic materials: straw, sawdust, peat, leaves. The trunk is wrapped in burlap.
Diseases and pests
In spring, a change in color can be detected on young lilac foliage, which indicates a viral disease - mosaic.
Infection with mycoplasmas is accompanied by signs of chlorosis, small leaves, wilting, and jaundice. If the disease is left untreated, the plants die.
Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers help the plant resist viral diseases. Insect pests are carriers of viruses, so preventive treatments are carried out with special preparations: Aktara, Fufanon, Iskra.
Fungal diseases cause spots of various colors and sizes to appear on the foliage. Timely prevention will help prevent the onset of the disease. For planting, you must purchase only healthy planting material from trusted suppliers. Fallen leaves and damaged branches must be collected and burned away from the site. The soil under the bushes should be dug up, turning the soil over.
Spraying the crown with Bordeaux mixture helps prevent the development of fungal diseases
Conclusion
Reviews of lilac Morning of Russia say that the variety is frost-resistant, so adult bushes do not require shelter. Lilac is used as a decorative element in the garden. Can grow along a fence or in a flower bed, the lush blooms of this variety are eye-catching.
