Photinia

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Photinia (lat. Photinia) - a genus of shrubs and trees of the Rosaceae family, or Pink. Photinia is found naturally in East and South Asia, as well as in North America. The name of the culture comes from the Greek word "hotinus", which translates as "shiny" and indicates the shiny glossy surface of the leaves. All there are about 40 species. American botanists claim that photinia is a close relative of Michurin's chokeberry, which is known among gardeners and gardeners as chokeberry.

Characteristics of culture

Photinia is an evergreen or deciduous shrub or tree up to 5 m high. The leaves are elongated, whole, alternate, short-petiolate, with shine, finely serrate edges, pinnate venation, equipped with stipules.

The flowers are small, actinomorphic, white in color, with a double perianth, collected in complex corymbose or simple bundle-shaped inflorescences, located at the ends of the branches. The calyx is tubular, with five short lobes; in the lower part, it grows together with a strongly concave receptacle.

The fruit is apple-shaped, small, rounded, red or orange-red in color, up to 4-6 mm in diameter, contains 1-4 seeds. Photinia blooms in April-May, begins fruiting in June. Photinia is thermophilic, withstands frosts down to -12C, at lower temperatures it freezes completely. Among photinia, only two species have established themselves as winter-hardy.

Growing conditions

Photinia accepts both open sunny and semi-shaded areas. The culture is not demanding for soil conditions; ordinary garden soil is suitable for growing it. Photinia does not tolerate limed and saline soils, as well as lowland areas with stagnant melt water and cold air.

Reproduction and planting

Photinia is propagated by seeds, layering, cuttings and grafting. Seeds are sown in autumn under a shelter in the form of a thick layer of peat, or in spring with preliminary seed stratification within 2-3 months. Seeds are stratified at low temperatures, mixed with coarse wet sand and stored in a cool room (in a cellar, for example). You can also germinate at home. Photinia is cut poorly. Semi-freshened cuttings are cut in July - August, and freshened cuttings - in October. The latter are rooted in the spring. It is not forbidden to inoculate photinia on chokeberry or hawthorn.

Care

As is already known, photinia is a heat-loving plant, which means it has drought-resistant properties. However, with prolonged drought, it needs moderate watering. It has been proven that watering affects the decorative effect of photinia in general. In summer, watering should be more intense, in autumn - as needed. Sanitary pruning is carried out in the spring, it consists in removing frozen, diseased and broken branches.

Top dressing for the culture plays an important role. Feeding is carried out during planting and transplanting, as well as in early spring and autumn a couple of weeks before the onset of stable frosts. Mineral complex fertilizers are used for dressing. Organic matter is brought in in the fall. Since most photinia species are not highly cold-resistant, they require shelter.

Very often, photinia are affected by various diseases caused by microorganisms. As a result of their actions, dark red or grayish spots appear on the leaves, subsequently shrubs and trees may remain completely naked. That is why it is extremely important to regularly monitor the condition of the foliage. When the first signs are found, a whole range of measures should be taken, otherwise photinia will infect nearby crops. The infected foliage is removed and burned, and the soil in the near-trunk zone is treated with approved preparations.

Usage

Photinia is a highly decorative plant, especially in autumn. Can participate in seasonal compositions, is welcome in automnals. Looks harmoniously in solitary and group plantings on the lawn, hedges, as well as under the transparent canopy of tall trees with a beautiful crown. But in the immediate vicinity of a dense fence, it should not be planted, since the shrub will not receive enough air.