Content
Since ancient times, rowan has been highly valued among different peoples: Celts, Scandinavians, Slavs. It was believed that a tree planted near a house would definitely bring happiness, good luck and protect against fire. Rowan branches and leaves are still used as an antiseptic to this day. They prevent spoilage of vegetables in the basement and purify the water, making it drinkable. The fruits are widely used in folk medicine, both fresh and in the form of decoctions and tinctures. Among the huge number of varieties, Burka's rowan stands out. The unusual color of its berries will not leave gardeners indifferent.
Description of Burka's mountain ash
Rowan Burka is a low-growing tree up to 2.5 m high. This variety belongs to interspecific hybrids. Obtained from crossing alpine and forest rowan. It is characterized by an unusual shade of berries - brownish-purple. Their taste is predominantly sour with noticeable tart notes.
The crown is compact, ball-shaped, with beautiful pinnately dissected rich green leaves. The flowers are five-membered, fragrant. According to descriptions with photos, Burka's rowan blooms from May to June, and begins to bear fruit at the end of August or September.
Pros and cons of the variety
The advantages of the Burka variety of rowan include:
- High yield, from 40 to 50 kg of fruits per tree.
- Ability to self-pollinate, flowers are bisexual.
- High frost resistance (zone 4: covers the range from - 39 °C to - 24 °C).
- Rowan berries of the Burka variety are rich in vitamins E, P, C, B2, minerals (magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, iodine). They also contain a lot of folic acid and essential oils. Regular consumption of fruits has a beneficial effect on the entire body.
- The seedlings have good immunity.
This variety has practically no disadvantages. The only thing that may confuse gardeners is the slow growth of trees.
Planting and caring for Burka rowan
Rowan variety Burka feels best in dry, well-drained soil. Although she loves moisture, swampy soil is contraindicated for her.
Preparing the landing site
According to the description of the variety, Burka's rowan is one of the most unpretentious trees. It takes root on almost any soil, but especially loves sandstones and loams. The main condition is loose and light soil, which allows oxygen, moisture and nutrients to reach the roots.
It is best to choose a sunny place. The optimal distance from rowan to other trees is from 4 to 5 m. The hole for planting is prepared in advance, about 3 weeks. Its depth does not exceed 40-50 cm, and its width depends on the volume of the root system of the seedling.Next you need to prepare the soil. Fertile soil is combined with compost or humus (1 bucket), superphosphate (150 g) and wood ash (300 g). All components must be mixed thoroughly. Now this soil mixture is poured into the hole. It should cover 1/3 of its volume. The remaining space is filled up to half with any other soil, fertility does not matter.
Landing rules
For planting, you need to take seedlings whose roots reach about 20 cm. The bark of the plant should be smooth and elastic.
Step-by-step process for planting Burka rowan:
- A bucket of water is poured into the prepared hole with infused soil. The moisture must be completely absorbed.
- Afterwards, the seedling is carefully placed in the hole.
- The roots need to be straightened. The root collar is not completely buried when planting. It should protrude 5-7 cm above the ground.
- Next, the seedling is covered with earth so that all the voids are evenly filled.
- Now you need to level the soil around the trunk. Trampling it with your feet is not recommended. The soil will become hard and roots will not develop well. The tree is thoroughly watered.
- It is better to immediately mulch the tree trunk circles. To do this, take humus or peat.
The optimal time for planting Burki rowan is autumn or spring. In the first case, the tree is planted about a month before the first cold weather, in the second - in early March, in completely thawed soil, until active sap flow begins.
Watering and fertilizing
Rowan is watered immediately after planting in a permanent place. The next moistening of the soil is carried out at the beginning of the growing season. Additionally, the tree is watered during a long drought. Also, watering is carried out approximately 10-15 days before and after harvesting the fruits. The norm for one tree is no more than 3 buckets of water.It is impossible to pour water directly under the root; it is better to water the Burka variety of rowan around the trunk circle.
The first fertilizing is applied only three years after planting. It occurs in early spring. For one tree, you need to mix 5-7 kg of humus with 50 g of ammonium nitrate. The next time the fertilizer is applied in early June. It is best to use organic matter: a solution of mullein or bird droppings (10 liters per tree). Extreme fertilizing is done in early autumn. Superphosphate (1/2 cup) is mixed with wood ash (2 tbsp.).
Pruning Burka's mountain ash
Pruning begins at the age of two. Depending on the needs, it performs three important functions: it gives the crown a beautiful, neat shape, rejuvenates the tree and regulates its growth. The procedure begins while the kidneys are not yet swollen. Too frequent and severe pruning has a detrimental effect on mountain ash. The bark begins to become bare, and the shoots grow too rapidly, causing the crop to suffer.
Preparing for winter
When pruning, be sure to get rid of thin shoots. Very soon, full-fledged branches will form from them, which will only randomly thicken the crown.
As for shelter, the Burka variety of mountain ash calmly tolerates fairly severe frosts.
Pollination
Rowan Burka is a self-pollinating variety. To ensure cross-pollination, several different varieties are planted in the garden at once. If for some reason the tree is not pollinated, rowan is grafted with cuttings from other trees.
Harvesting
The speed of fruit ripening depends on the specific region.The first harvest of fruits can begin when they acquire the desired color, the pulp becomes quite dense and moderately hard. Usually the berries become like this by mid-August and September.
Next, the fruits acquire a sweet taste. The Burka variety bears fruit until winter.
Diseases and pests
The most important enemies of Burka mountain ash are birds. If you don't take care of the tree, they can eat all the berries. Strong trees are resistant to diseases and pests. Weakened specimens will become easy prey for apple aphids, weevils, rowan moths, and scale insects. You can get rid of them with the help of special drugs.
It is more difficult to deal with necrosis and certain types of mosaics. Proper planting, insect control and good tree care will help prevent diseases.
Reproduction
For species rowan, the most preferable method is seed.
It consists of the following stages:
- The seeds are removed from the ripened berries and washed to remove any remaining pulp, and then allowed to dry.
- Before planting, they are mixed with coarse sand in a ratio of 1:3. They are kept in the room for about 8 weeks, after which they are transferred to the refrigerator for several months.
- As soon as the snow melts, the seeds are sown in the greenhouse in ordinary seedling boxes. Before autumn arrives, they are simply watered and the soil is periodically loosened.
To propagate valuable varieties, they resort to vegetative methods - shoots, grafting, layering or cuttings.
Conclusion
Rowan Burka is an excellent choice for any garden. These trees do not require special conditions and tolerate winters well. It is enough just to water, feed and trim them in a timely manner. In return, gardeners will receive healing berries that will help get rid of insomnia, headaches and hypertension.
Reviews of Burka's mountain ash
I was struck by the shade of berries. I bought a Burka mountain ash seedling for my dacha and did not regret it. My tree took root immediately and did not require any special care. It bears fruit perfectly. The berries are tart, but after processing they become very tasty. I make jam from them and treat them to all my neighbors.
