Contents
Soft hawthorn is a universal plant that embodies aesthetics, functionality, unpretentiousness. Semi-soft hawthorn is equally good in a hedge or as a free-flowering ornamental shrub, as a medicine or as a component to create a culinary masterpiece.
Selection history and distribution area
The soft hawthorn is a typical representative of the flora of North America. The habitat stretches from the northeast of the Atlantic coast to the southwest, including the central states of the United States, to Canada. It grows on forest edges, slopes with moist soil. The plant has been cultivated since 1830. In Our Country, semi-soft hawthorn is widespread, it can be found throughout the European part. Grown in the southern, central, central black earth zone.
Description of hawthorn soft
Hawthorn is semi-soft (softish), presented as a tree, less often a shrub 6-8 m in height. The crown is densely branched, spherical in shape. Young shoots are green in color, old ones are light gray, with numerous thin, slightly curved spines up to 8 cm long.
The foliage is ovate or oval, with 3 or 4 pairs of lobes. The base is truncated, broadly wedge-shaped. The top is pointed. The leaves are at first strongly lowered, gradually becoming bare, with time the pubescence remains only on the veins. On the edge of the foliage has a jagged border. In summer, its color is dark green, in autumn it becomes red-brown. The leaves do not fall off for a long time.
It blooms in large inflorescences of 12-15 flowers. The size in diameter is 2,5 cm. Flowers are placed on long peduncles. Inflorescences felt-pubescent, loose. Sepals red, stamens 10 pieces. The flowers contain a lot of essential oil, so a pleasant aroma spreads over long distances.
The fruits of semi-soft hawthorn can be seen in the photo. They are pear-shaped, orange-red or raspberry-red, up to 2 cm long. The berries are slightly pubescent, with small whitish patches. The pulp is somewhat dry, powdery, softish. Ripe fruits have a dessert taste, since they contain up to 15% sugar. Edible.
Characteristic view
The description of semi-soft hawthorn testifies to its decorative properties. From spring to autumn, it pleases with a lush crown, bright, large inflorescences, original fruits, colorful leaves. The tree blooms in May, the fruits appear by September. Fruiting occurs at the age of 6 years. Up to 20 kg of berries are harvested from one plant.
Drought and frost resistance
Hawthorn semi-soft (softish) is a winter-hardy tree. It is able to tolerate frosts down to -29 ° C. Adult specimens do not need shelter, and the roots of young plants require protection from freezing.
The tree tolerates the drought period normally. Soft hawthorn is a drought-resistant crop that does not require abundant watering. On the contrary, an excess of moisture will adversely affect the root system.
Disease and pest resistance
Semi-soft hawthorn is affected by infections that worsen the appearance, as well as reduce resistance to negative external factors. The main ailments of semi-soft hawthorn: various spotting, rust, powdery mildew, rot.
Pests also have a negative effect on hawthorn semi-soft (softish). Dangerous are the bud mite, worm, false shield, sawfly, weevil, scale insect, apple aphid.
Features of planting and care
For the full development of the soft hawthorn, like other types of shrubs, it requires compliance with the rules for care. In order for the fruits to be soft, large and tasty, a good landing site should be chosen for the plant.
Recommended timing
In garden plots, semi-soft hawthorn is preferably planted in spring or autumn. Planting in the fall is considered more successful. Before frost, the root system is able to get stronger, adapt to the new soil. During the winter, gaining strength for the further process of vegetation. Soft hawthorn blooms in May, and the fruiting process begins closer to September. As a rule, a tree planted in autumn already blooms in spring.
Selecting a suitable site and soil preparation
The varietal description of the soft hawthorn indicates: planting will be most successful if you choose a sunny place for it in the garden. Open, wind-sheltered areas are best suited for the plant. As for the desired substrate, then the situation is simpler. Semi-soft hawthorn grows well in any, even dense and heavy soil. Well, if the selected area has a rich humus layer.
Before planting, fertilize the soil in advance. To seal the pit, soddy soil, humus, peat and sand are combined in proportions of 2: 2: 1: 1. In addition, manure and the top of the soil can be added to the planting mixture. Desired soil acidity pH 7,5-8. It is worth noting that the soft hawthorn has a highly branched, powerful, long root system. This factor must be taken into account when forming a recess.
What crops can and cannot be planted nearby
With semi-soft (soft) hawthorn bushes, it is not recommended to plant fruit trees. They have poor compatibility due to the same diseases. It is believed that the soft hawthorn attracts pests that are dangerous for the apple tree. The distance between crops should be at least 300 m.
Landing algorithm
- In the selected area, dig a hole measuring 70×70 cm.
- A drainage layer of broken brick, crushed stone or expanded clay, 15 cm thick, is laid at the bottom of it.
- 30–40 g of lime or 50 g of phosphate rock are also sent to the pit.
- A semi-soft hawthorn seedling is placed in the center of the recess and sprinkled with earth. It is not necessary to deepen the root neck much, it should be 3-5 cm above the ground.
- The earth around the roots is carefully poured and rammed.
- At the end, you need to pour a young hawthorn with soft warm water.
- At the end of planting, the near-stem circle is mulched with peat.
You can use the fan method of landing. Several plants are placed in one recess. The result is a beautiful and compact group. If you plan to plant another tree, then the distance between them should be left within 2 m.
Aftercare
The semi-soft variety of hawthorn is undemanding in care, but this does not mean that it is completely canceled. When growing a shrub, time should be given to weeding, pruning, and top dressing.
- Soft hawthorn is not a moisture-loving plant. In cool weather, it will be enough to pour 10 liters of water under the bush. This volume is enough for a month, you should not moisturize more often. Since excess moisture can lead to rotting of the roots and death of the plant itself. On hot days, semi-soft hawthorn should be watered 2-3 times a month.
- For proper development and obtaining a decent harvest of berries, the culture must be nourished. It is recommended to fertilize 2 times per season. First time: in early spring before the start of the growing season, using nitrophoska. The second time – during flowering, use slurry, 8 liters under a tree.
- Every spring, the near-stem circle is dug up to a depth of 15-20 cm. Immediately after that, they are mulched. Mulch prevents weeds and retains moisture in the soil. Use sawdust, hay, straw as mulch. The mulching layer should be no thinner than 10 cm. At the end of the season, the natural material is removed, and the ground under the semi-soft (softish) hawthorn is dug up. Before wintering, the mulch layer is laid again to protect the roots from frost.
- In early spring, preventive pruning is carried out, removing dry, diseased, damaged branches. The tree is thinned out, providing access to air and light. Branches growing upwards are also shortened.
- It is necessary to decide on a permanent place for semi-soft hawthorn (softish) before the age of six. Over time, the root system grows, and transplantation becomes impossible.
Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention
Hawthorn semi-soft (softish), as a rule, is affected by fungal diseases. Prevention is spraying with a fungicide. Wood processing takes place at about the same time as garden trees. The pest is controlled with insecticides.
Features of reproduction
Basically, experienced gardeners use 2 methods of reproduction: layering and cuttings. You can get hawthorn semi-soft (softish) through seeds, but this process is quite laborious and troublesome.
For cuttings, samples of 10-12 cm long will be needed. They are added dropwise in early spring or autumn in a greenhouse. And when the cuttings get stronger and start growing, it’s time to transplant to a permanent place.
Parts of the plant that have their own root system are suitable as layering. Such layers must be dug up and separated from the parent rhizome with a sharp knife. After planting in a separate pit with pre-laid drainage.
Application in landscape design
The variety of semi-soft hawthorn (softish) is distinguished by its special decorative effect. Bushes amaze with beauty from early spring to late autumn. Dense crown, bright flowers immediately attract attention. Most often, this variety is used to make hedges. Growing, the branches of the tree become an impenetrable fence, not inferior in reliability to brick and metal materials. As you can see in the photo, soft hawthorn can be made in the bonsai style.
Conclusion
Soft hawthorn is a plant that does not need reverent care. It grows well even in unfertilized soils. Develops quickly. Semi-soft hawthorn is preferred by connoisseurs of personal space. A hedge of trees will become an impenetrable and impenetrable obstacle due to long and sharp thorns.
