2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Dipelt (lat. Dipelta) - a genus of flowering shrubs of the Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). The genus includes four species. The homeland of the dipelt is China. In terms of external characteristics, the dipelt is similar to the weigela.
Characteristics of culture
Dipelta is an ornamental shrub up to 2 m high. Shoots are numerous, flexible. Leaves toothed or whole, narrow, pointed, opposite, short-petiolate, have no stipules. The flowers are large, fragrant, white or pink, single or collected in few-flowered racemose inflorescences, equipped with pronounced bracts at the base. Sepals are elongated, lanceolate or linear. The fruit is a capsule.
The most common species among the representatives of the genus is the profusely flowering Dipelta (lat. Dipelta floribunda). Its flowers are pink in color with a yellowish fauces, solitary or in groups. The species blooms very profusely, and therefore is appreciated by modern gardeners. Most often it is grown on personal household plots, less often on alleys and in parks (mainly in the southern regions).
The subtleties of cultivation and reproduction
Dipelt prefers well-moist, fertile, clay and calcareous soils. Does not tolerate compaction, salinity and waterlogging. Negatively refers to highly acidic and waterlogged soils. The culture is photophilous, although it can develop normally in partial shade. Thick shade is undesirable.
Reproduction of the dipelt is difficult. You can try to propagate the culture with seeds and lignified cuttings. The seed method is very laborious and time-consuming, and does not fully preserve the properties and characteristics of the mother plant.
Reproduction by lignified cuttings does not give 100% of the result. Cuttings are cut from the middle part of healthy and strong shoots. The optimum length of the cutting is 7-12 cm. The cuttings are planted in an inclined position in a substrate made up of river sand and peat. It is better to plant in seedling containers or in a greenhouse. The substrate is regularly moistened. In open ground, a dipelt, propagated by cuttings, is planted after 1, 5-2 years.
Care
The general condition of the shrubs and the abundance of their flowering depend on the correct care. Top dressing plays an important role in the development of the dipelt. Fertilizers are applied twice a season: the first time - in early spring, the second - before flowering. You can use both complex mineral and organic fertilizers for dressing.
Sanitary and formative pruning is carried out in the spring (before the onset of sap flow). For the first ten years, only broken and diseased branches are removed from shrubs, then all the shoots are annually shortened, leaving at least three buds on each. Watering 2-3 times per season, during a prolonged drought, the number of irrigations and the volume of water used are doubled.
The dipelt is often affected by pests and diseases, therefore preventive treatments against them are mandatory. The greatest danger to culture is the honeysuckle aphid (as well as for other members of the Honeysuckle family). Aphids cause yellowing, twisting and falling of leaves, as well as cessation of growth of shoots, as a result of which they do not have time to mature and freeze severely in winter. As a preventive measure, regular spraying with a decoction of yarrow or infusion of bitter pepper is carried out.
