Content
Among the large variety of hawthorns, every gardener finds certain preferences for himself. Some people like decorative varieties, while others prefer exclusively nutritional and medicinal value. Toba hawthorn is a new hybrid plant variety that is characterized by changing flower colors throughout the season.
History of variety selection
Toba hawthorn was bred in Canada; this variety is not included in the State Register. It is becoming popular because it is unpretentious, frost-resistant, and is perfect for the cold climate of our country.
Since the plant is a hybrid, it is grown exclusively using grafting in order to preserve the full varietal characteristics.
Description of Toba hawthorn
This plant is a tree up to 4 meters high. The crown is dense, has the shape of a ball, and looks very beautiful as a decoration for a local area.
This variety, compared to many others, has an advantage - there are practically no thorns on the shoots. The leaves are wide, ovoid, dark green on the outside and light green on the inside.
In the initial period of flowering, the buds appear white, then the shade changes first to soft pink, then to rich pink.
A hybrid plant lacks stamens and pistils, and therefore the tree does not bear fruit, only flowers. This variety is not suitable for lovers of hawthorn jam.
Characteristics of the variety
According to the description of the Toba hawthorn variety, it is a tree that loves the sun. It is unpretentious in care, produces a minimal amount of fruit, and is small in size. Used in landscape design, often as a single plant.
Drought and frost resistance
The frost resistance of Toba hawthorn is slightly lower than that of other varieties. In Russia, the hybrid feels great in zone 5a. These regions include: Central Russia, the Baltic states, St. Petersburg, Vladivostok, Minsk, Kyiv.
For normal development of the hybrid, the soil must be moderately moist. The plant does not require heavy watering or waterlogging. It is enough to water 2 times a month in the absence of rain. In rainy summers, Toba can do without watering.
Productivity and fruiting
Fruits are formed in small quantities, very rarely. Often the tree does not bear fruit. On the site it performs an exclusively decorative function, pleasing to the eye with its pink inflorescences. When the flowering period begins, the tree resembles a snow-covered top, white flowers from the side look like a cap of snow.
Resistance to diseases and pests
The hybrid variety is more resistant to diseases, fungal and viral infections.It is worth protecting hawthorn from pests. Toba hawthorn is affected by spider mites, leaf rollers and apple aphids. That is why experts do not recommend planting apple trees, pears and other fruit plants next to hawthorn. For prevention, it’s a good idea to treat the tree with fungicides, and a soap solution or tobacco mixture works great against pests.
Advantages and disadvantages of the variety
Hawthorn Toba has positive reviews from amateurs and decorative professionals. Among the main advantages of the variety:
- absence of thorns;
- beautiful and lush flowering;
- ease of care;
- resistance to frost and lack of watering.
But the variety also has disadvantages:
- lack of fruits;
- demands on light;
- reproduction only by vaccinations.
Most often, this variety is perfect exclusively for landscape design, since the tree does not produce fruit anyway.
Landing Features
Planting the Toba variety of hawthorn for the most part does not differ from the standard planting of other varieties of this plant. It is important to choose a sunny, open area that will be lit most of the day. It is advisable that there are no tall plants nearby that cast shadows, since the Toba variety does not tolerate shade and blooms poorly without the sun.
Recommended timing
Grafted Toba hawthorn seedlings can be planted in autumn or spring. But autumn dates until mid-September during leaf fall are more acceptable. In this case, the seedling will have time to take root before the first frost and will enter the flowering period in full swing in the spring.
Spring timing is optimal before sap flow begins. It is important that the seedling is not exposed to frost, otherwise it may die.
Selecting a suitable location and preparing the soil
First of all, soil fertility should be taken into account.In order for the Toba hawthorn to take root well and delight the owners with its flowering, it is necessary to dig a hole and properly prepare the soil. A location should first be selected with sufficient lighting, no shadow, and loose soil. Soil acidity should not exceed pH = 8.
The soil must be mixed with humus, peat, and be sure to make drainage from broken bricks or crushed stone at the bottom of the hole. Drainage layer - 15 cm.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby?
Toba hawthorn is a very light-loving plant that does not tolerate shade for good flowering. Therefore, it cannot be planted next to shady and spreading trees, as well as in large group plantings. And also you cannot plant the hybrid next to fruit crops that have common pests and diseases: apple trees, pears, plums, cherries.
If there are beds located near the hawthorn, then it is a good idea to plant onions and garlic on them, which will repel aphids from the ornamental tree.
Selection and preparation of planting material
Toba hawthorn is a rare variety, and therefore is distributed only by grafted seedlings. When purchasing such planting material, you need to carefully inspect it. All roots should be healthy and free from disease, dryness, lethargy or mold. All diseased and defective roots should be removed.
Landing algorithm
The hole should be dug to a depth of 60–80 cm, and its diameter should exceed the volume of the root system. When planting, you need to carefully straighten the root system and place the seedling in the center of the planting hole. Sprinkle soil on top and compact. The root collar should be flush with the ground. After planting, 15 liters of water should be added under the young plant.The root zone should be mulched to about 7 cm with peat. This way the plant will take root faster and will not be affected by freezing.
Aftercare
Subsequent care after planting consists of watering, fertilizing, pruning, as well as properly preparing the tree for wintering, pest and disease control. But hawthorn is not difficult to care for.
It is enough to provide watering once a month, even if the summer is dry. This does not apply to young plants that have just been planted. They need to be moistened more often than 2-3 times a month. If the weather is rainy, then watering is not needed. Hawthorn does not like overly waterlogged soil.
Pruning should be carried out sanitary and formative. Sanitation must be carried out after winter to destroy frozen shoots. Dried and diseased shoots can be removed at any time of the year, regardless of the season.
Toba hawthorn is also undemanding when it comes to feeding. It is enough to fertilize the tree with cow manure before flowering.
It is also necessary to loosen the soil cover so that there is more breathability.
Hawthorn does not need special protection from frost for the winter. The variety is frost-resistant, and only in the northern regions it is necessary to mulch the root zone with straw or hay before winter.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
There are several methods to combat diseases. The best option is modern complex fungicides, which can be used not only as a treatment, but also for prevention. It is important to pay attention in time to the appearance of the first symptoms of diseases: spots, dried leaves, curled leaves, discoloration and early shedding.
Insecticides can be used to control pests, and a soap solution is also suitable as a preventive measure. Experienced gardeners plant plants that have insecticidal properties next to hawthorn.
Hawthorn Toba in landscape design
Toba hawthorn looks no less lush in the photo than in life. This ornamental plant feels great both in groups and in single plantings. It can be shaped as a ball, rectangle, or pyramid. When planting in large groups, the Toba hawthorn should be the largest so as not to lose light.
Alone, it can be used near artificial reservoirs, in the form of figured decorations, near gazebos, as a frame for paths.
Conclusion
Toba hawthorn is successfully used by both professionals in landscape design and novice amateurs. It is only important to remember that the plant needs sunlight and does not tolerate shade. This rare variety of hawthorn is unpretentious in care, but requires prevention of diseases and pests. You should not expect fruiting - this is an exclusively decorative specimen.
