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Kolquitsia, a member of the Honeysuckle family, is characterized as a monotypic flowering culture. In its natural habitat it is found in China and only in mountainous areas. Kolquitia adorable Pink Cloud is a deciduous shrub suitable for ornamental horticulture in temperate climates.
Description of the adorable Colquis Pink Cloud
A perennial, beautifully flowering, deciduous plant Colquitia Pink Cloud (pink cloud) serves as an adornment of the European Botanical Gardens. In Our Country, charming colquitia is grown from the European part to the South. The plant thrives 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 noted, but this negative factor does not affect the abundance of flowering, the colquis completely forms a replacement until the moment of 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 vegetation is aimed at budding and shoot formation.
Description of the habitus of the adorable Pink Cloud:
- A spreading shrub with a dense crown formed by numerous thin, drooping shoots. Old stems are dark red, rough, with partially exfoliating bark. The shoots of the current season are a tone lighter than perennials, their surface is densely pubescent with a fine pile.
- Leaves 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 form of a narrow elongated oval with a sharp top. Grow oppositely, in pairs. In spring and summer, the color is dark green, in October it is bright yellow with an orange tint.
- Roots of mixed type, central deepened, superficial fibrous. Adnexal buds of the root system give numerous shoots.
- The fruits are dry, the surface is finely bristly, small in size with two seeds. Ripens in early autumn.
Planting material after opening the seed box scatters, germinates the next spring.
How pleasant pink cloud blooms
The decorative effect of the Pink Cloud colquis is fully manifested only during the flowering period. The timing of budding in a shrub 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, turn yellow, the shrub looks untidy. Therefore, the inflorescences with the tops of the shoots are cut off.
This feature of the culture completely compensates for the flowering period. The shrub is completely covered with numerous corymbose inflorescences. The flowers are bell-shaped, five-petalled, light pink on the outside, inside in the pharyngeal region are orange with yellow longitudinal stripes, fragrant. In the photo, the charming Pink Cloud is at the peak of flowering.
A flowering shrub is used in ornamental gardening as a tapeworm, included in compositions with dwarf conifers, grown to create an unformed hedge.
Features of reproduction
According to the reviews of gardeners, there are no problems with the reproduction of Pink Cloud colquis. 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 reproduction. This method is inconvenient in that 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 adorable Pink Cloud Colquis
The normal vegetation of Pink Cloud Colquis depends on proper planting and subsequent care. The plant tolerates frosts well, which cannot be said about the drought resistance of the crop; the plant cannot do without watering for a long time. In a permanently open area, the leaves burn and turn yellow. In order for the flowering to be full, the colquis is fed.
Recommended dates
The plant winters well and takes root quickly. Kolkwitzia (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 patterns. You can start work after warming up the soil to +12 0C if there is no danger of frost. In autumn, in a warm region, kolkvitia is planted in mid-September. In areas with a cold climate, the timing is calculated in such a way that 2 months remain before frost.
Site selection and soil preparation
The lovely Pink Cloud plant 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 colquis. The site should be partially shaded. The crown of tall crops will protect from burns and from the north wind.
The place allotted for the Pink Cloud colony is being dug up, weeds are being removed. A fertile mixture is prepared, consisting of compost, sand, peat, taken in the same volume.
Landing algorithm
The root of the lovely colquitsia is treated with an antifungal agent and placed in a growth stimulator. Use drugs according to the instructions. Dig a hole with a diameter and depth of 65 cm.
Landing:
- The bottom is covered with a drainage cushion.
- Sprinkle part of the nutrient mixture on top.
- The seedling of kolquitsia is placed in the center, the roots are evenly distributed.
- Pour out the rest of the prepared soil, compact.
- Water and mulch.
To prevent root rotting, the neck is left above the surface (about 3 cm above the ground).
Peculiarities of growing
According to gardeners, the agricultural technology of the lovely Pink Cloud is no more difficult than growing any flowering shrub. The decorativeness 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 culture from unnecessary stress.
Watering and top dressing
The irrigation regime of Pink Cloud Colquis depends on seasonal precipitation, waterlogging of the soil will have a worse effect on the shrub than drying out of the topsoil. If it rained once a week, the plant is not watered. In drought, watered at the time of bud formation and during the main flowering.
Top dressing is given to the lovely Pink Cloud colquis three times during the growing season:
- in early spring, after swelling of the kidneys, urea is scattered along the perimeter of the root circle;
- during budding, superphosphate is added;
- after flowering, water under the root with a solution of organic matter.
Top dressing is carried out in the second year after planting and all subsequent years.
Mulching
Colquisition Pink Cloud is mulched immediately after planting, using sawdust mixed with peat, needles, tree bark or wood chips. The covering layer carries a multifunctional load: retains moisture, prevents weeds from growing, protects the root from overheating in summer and hypothermia in winter. In autumn, the layer of mulch is increased, in spring it is completely renewed. This measure will save the gardener from constant weeding and give the site an aesthetic appearance.
Trimming
Colquisia pleasant 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 dry inflorescences, the shoots of the current year are not touched, flowers will appear on them next season. Along the way, weak, twisted stems and a few old branches are removed. In the spring, before sap flow, sanitary cleaning is carried out, dry and frozen areas are removed.
Preparation for winter
Prepare for the winter Colquis Pink Cloud 2 weeks before the onset of frost. Work sequence:
- Water the bush with plenty of water.
- Increase the layer of mulch, you can throw dry leaves on top.
- The branches are pulled into a bundle with twine.
- Top wrapped with spunbond.
- Seedlings can be covered with spruce branches on top.
In the South, a layer of mulch is sufficient for overwintering colquis.
Pests and diseases
Pink Cloud does not get sick, the only problem that occurs when the soil is waterlogged is root rot. Watering is reduced or transplanted to a dry area.
Parasitic insects and means to combat them are presented in the table.
vermin | Preparations |
TRIPS | “Aster” |
aphid | “Fitoverm” |
Leaflet | “Inta-Vira” |
Shield | “Actellic” |
Variety of ticks | “Kleschevit” |
For preventive purposes, in the spring, before the leaves appear, the plant is treated with copper sulphate.
Conclusion
Kolquitsia lovely Pink Cloud is an ornamental shrub. The perennial blooms densely in early June with pink flowers. A frost-resistant plant is used in the landscape design of home gardens and summer cottages, it is found in botanical and private gardens. The culture is undemanding to the composition of the soil and care. Easily propagated, well rooted.
