Japanese Velvet

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

Japanese velvet (lat. Phellodendron japonicum) - decorative culture; a representative of the Velvet genus of the Rutovye family. Comes from the island of Honshu (the largest island in Japan). It is used in ornamental gardening, unlike its close relative, Amur velvet, is a rare species.

Characteristics of culture

Japanese velvet is presented in the form of a deciduous tree up to 10 m high with a wide openwork crown, a powerful root system, a trunk covered with thin, furrowed, rather dense bark of a dark brown or dark brown color, and reddish-brown shoots. The leaves are outwardly very similar to the foliage of Amur velvet, they are complex, dark green, pinnate, have a specific smell, consist of 5-13 wide lanceolate-ovate, pointed, truncated or heart-shaped leaves, tomentose-pubescent on the back side, often curved at the base … In the fall, the foliage turns yellow.

The flowers are inconspicuous, small, yellowish-green, collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 7 cm in diameter with tomentose-pubescent axes. Fruits are spherical, black, shiny, with an unpleasant odor, unsuitable for food, have a bitter taste. Japanese velvet blooms in June, the fruits ripen in October, sometimes earlier, which depends entirely on climatic conditions. The species is durable, undemanding, relatively winter-hardy and resistant to smoke and gas, suitable for urban greening.

Begins fruiting 5-6 years after planting. The plant grows from the second decade of April to the first decade of October. It does not differ in fast growth. By the age of fifty, it reaches 9-10 m with a trunk diameter of up to 10-12 cm. It propagates mainly by seed, less often by cuttings. Cutting does not always give positive results, since the rooting rate of cuttings is weak. Seeds, however, remain viable for only 12 months, so sowing must be carried out with freshly harvested seeds. Spring sowing is also possible, but in this case cold stratification is needed at a temperature of 3-5C for three months.

Like other species of the genus, Japanese velvet is photophilous and drought-resistant, easily tolerates any trimming and haircut. Prefers loamy soils with a pH of 5, 0 - 7, 5. It grows well in moist areas protected from drying winds. It is recommended to plant seedlings in the spring. Has a positive attitude to feeding, especially at a young age.

The subtleties of growing

When planting Japanese velvet, the distance between plants should be taken into account, it should be at least 4-5 m. The root collar of the seedling should not be deepened. The soil for laying the voids of the planting pit is prepared from turf, humus and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. Also, before planting, it is advisable to add mullein, ammonium nitrate, nitroammofosk and urea to the mixture, the amount of these fertilizers depends on the fertility of the soil on the site. In the future, fertilizers are applied every spring, preferably before foliage appears.

Watering after planting is required. Mulching is preferred. It is recommended to use natural material as mulch. Young plants are more demanding for watering, adult trees are watered during dry periods (12-15 liters per 1 square meter of crown projection). Loosening is also important from the care procedures; this procedure is carried out as needed.

Digging of the trunk circle is carried out twice a year - in spring and autumn. Digging depth is 20-25 cm. Pruning is carried out in spring. Amur velvet is infrequently affected by pests and diseases, therefore it does not need preventive treatments. For the winter, young trees are wrapped, and the near-trunk zone is sprinkled with dry fallen leaves. Frostbones in the spring are treated with antiseptics and greased with garden varnish.