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The Little Joker vesicle is a plant that has gained popularity among gardeners due to the fact that its bushes retain their decorative effect throughout the season. Translated from English, the name of the variety means “little joker”, in 2016 he earned a silver medal at the Planetarium exhibition held in Holland.
Description of the vesicle Little Joker
Viburnum viburnum Little Joker (physocarpus opulifolius little joker) is an ornamental dwarf shrub about 50 cm high and about 30 cm wide. It is considered a more compact, but, despite this, more bushy variety than other vesicles. In rare cases, the height of the bush can reach 1 m.
The reddish-brown shoots of the Little Joker vesicle are densely strewn with small burgundy-green, three-lobed, deeply cut leaves with serrated edges. Closer to autumn, the color of the leaves takes on a darker and richer burgundy-purple hue. The foliage on the shoots is evenly distributed, this gives the bush a special splendor.
With the onset of June, flowering begins, and small white buds with a slight pinkish tint are formed on the shoots, collected in corymbose inflorescences.
Vesicle Little Joker in landscape design
The vesicle cultivar Little Joker is ideal for container gardening. It can be grown in a pot and placed on a terrace or balcony.
In landscape design, the plant is often used to create contrast in compositions with tree-shrub groups, mixed groups with perennials and shrub mixborders.
Planting and caring for the vesicle Little Joker
The Little Joker vesicle is very undemanding to care for, planting a plant should also not cause difficulties. However, in order to grow a healthy and more lush bush, a number of rules must be followed.
Site preparation
For planting the Little Joker Vesicle, a place located in the sun or in partial shade is recommended. The variety is considered quite shade-tolerant and drought-resistant, but the plant feels best in moist, well-drained soil.
The soil should not contain too much lime in its composition, otherwise the growth of the shrub will be slow. It is desirable that the soil be loose, fertile and fertilized, this will positively affect the appearance of the Little Joker vesicle.
An important feature of the plant is its resistance to polluted air, which is why it can be grown even near roads and within the city.
Rules of landing
Planting work, as a rule, begins in the spring, when the air temperature is consistently warm.
The algorithm for planting seedlings of the Little Joker vesicle with a closed root system:
- prepare a pit, the depth and diameter of which is 50 cm;
- lay a mixture of garden soil with a peat substrate or humus on the bottom;
- trying not to damage the root system, carefully transfer the seedling along with the earthen clod from the container into the pit, deepening it by about 5 cm.
- fill the hole with soil mixture;
- pour water mixed with Kornevin;
- mulch the surface around the trunk to avoid the formation of a superficial crust and facilitate the access of oxygen to the roots.
Watering and top dressing
There are several factors that affect the abundance and frequency of watering:
- climatic zone of growth;
- type of soil;
- shrub age.
Growing on loamy soil in a climate zone with high temperatures in summer, the Little Joker vesicle needs regular watering twice a week. But you should not overmoisten the plant, since stagnant water can provoke root rot and the development of fungal diseases.
Feed the shrub twice a year. With the onset of spring, during the blooming of the first buds, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied to the soil. In autumn, the plant needs mineral dressing.
Trimming
With the advent of spring, diseased, damaged and weak shoots are removed, but heavy pruning is not recommended. Some gardeners also advise periodically trimming the Little Joker vesicle in order to stimulate active shoot growth or to give the crown the desired shape.
Preparation for winter
The vesicle variety Little Joker belongs to the fourth winter hardiness zone. The plant can withstand temperatures down to -29 degrees. In this regard, it can easily overwinter in the regions of the middle zone, however, due to too severe frosts, the tips of the shoots can be damaged.
Usually only young bushes cover for the winter. To do this, in the fall, the trunk circle is mulched with peat. The thickness of the mulch layer should be at least 8 cm. At the end, the plants are covered with spruce branches.
Reproduction of the vesicle of the viburnum Little Joker
There are several ways to propagate this shrub. Quite often it is propagated by means of seeds. This provides good germination, but there is one significant drawback: when using this method, it is likely that the varietal characteristics of the plant will not be preserved. In this case, the leaves may not have a red, but a standard green tint. That is why gardeners rarely propagate the Little Joker vesicle with seeds.
A fairly popular method that gives a good and quick result is cuttings. As cuttings, only young shoots are used, which must be cut in such a way that their length is 10–20 cm, and 2–4 growth points remain on the surface. The procedure should be carried out before flowering: in late spring or early summer.
Another common method is propagation by layering. You can start the procedure in April, after the first leaves appear on the shoots. In this case, the layering will have time to take root during the growing season. Young plants are separated from the mother bush towards the end of autumn. In winter, they will need shelter from spruce branches.
The division of the bush is considered a less popular way, in comparison with propagation by cuttings and layering. This is due to the fact that physical efforts will have to be made in the process of work, and the number of plants that can be obtained as a result of dividing an adult vesicle is limited to 4-6 bushes. The procedure is carried out in early spring, before the plant enters the stage of active growth. However, the division of the bush can also be carried out in the fall, when flowering ends, and at least 45 days remain before the onset of frost.
Diseases and pests
The vesicle variety Little Joker is characterized by high resistance to most diseases, the plant is rarely affected by pests. However, some plant diseases can still threaten:
- Powdery mildew. A fungal disease that can be detected by the appearance of a white coating on the leaves and darkening of the edges of the leaf plates. The reason is waterlogging of the soil. Treating the bush with a fungicide will help solve the problem;
- Chlorosis. It develops due to a lack of nutrients in the soil. It is manifested by drying of the apical stems and yellowing of young leaves. If signs of the disease are found, the bush should be treated with Antichlorosis or Ferovit.
Conclusion
The Little Joker vesicle is a small shrub that will not leave indifferent lovers of exotic plants. The variety is characterized by high frost resistance, undemanding care and ease of planting.
