2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Zelkova (lat. Zelkova) Is a genus of deciduous trees of the Elm family. Under natural conditions, zelkva can be found in Western Asia, South and Central China, Japan, Transcaucasia and on the island of Crete. Grows in forests and lowlands.
Characteristics of culture
Zelkva is a deciduous tree up to 30 m high with a beautiful dense crown and a trunk covered with scaly bark. In nature, trees reach a height of 40 m, and their age varies from 500 to 850 years. Leaves are simple, elliptical or ovate, pubescent or glabrous, short-petiolate, serrated along the edge, equipped with rapidly falling stipules, arranged alternately.
Buds with scales of a tiled arrangement, pointed, ovoid. The flowers are small, male and bisexual, collected in axillary inflorescences, pollinated by the wind. The perianth is simple, cupped, deeply incised. Flowers form simultaneously with leaves from the same buds, bloom, as a rule, in late spring - early summer. The fruit is a one-seeded nut, dry, ovoid, has no wings. The fruits ripen in August - early September.
Growing conditions
Zelkva develops well in intensely lit areas. Light shading is possible. Thick shade is undesirable. Soils are preferable loamy or clayey, drained, deeply cultivated, with a slightly acidic or neutral pH reaction. Young trees do not tolerate cold, piercing winds, therefore they need protection. Mature plants are wind-resistant. The maximum winter temperatures are up to -5C, at lower temperatures the branches freeze out.
Reproduction
Zelkova is propagated by shifts and cuttings. As you know, when storing seeds in the open air, the seeds lose their germination rather quickly, this condition must be taken into account when choosing the sowing time. It is advisable to collect seeds at the moment when they acquire a brownish color. After which they are immediately sown in the prepared soil. Crops must be moistened regularly. Seedlings appear the next year. In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings are transplanted into separate pots. Young plants are transplanted to a permanent place after 2 years.
When propagated by cuttings, the planting material is cut in June. Before planting cuttings for rooting, they are treated with growth stimulants. The mixture for planting is made up of peat and sand, taken in equal proportions. Reproduction of some species is carried out using layering. This procedure is carried out in July.
Care
Zelkva needs regular and moderate watering, it is important to monitor the humidity level. The soil in the near-wellbore area should not dry out. Balanced feeding is a must. It is recommended to use complex mineral fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.
Treatments against pests and diseases are also needed. Often zelkova is affected by moths, spider mites, gall mites, silkworms, bark beetles, etc. All these pests can cause indescribable harm to trees, up to complete death. Powdered sulfur or acaricides are used to control pests.
Application
Zelkva is used in landscaping gardens, parks and alleys. Looks good both in group and single landings. In the conditions of central Russia, the culture can be grown indoors. However, in the summer season they are cultivated in the garden, and in the winter they are brought indoors. In Asian countries and the Caucasus, the branches of plants serve as food for livestock. The wood of zelkova hornbeam is used as a building material.
