Sakhalin Euonymus

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

Sakhalin eonymus (lat. Euonymus sachalinensis) Is a highly ornamental shrub belonging to the genus Beresklet, to the Bereskletovye family. In nature, it can be found in river valleys, coniferous and birch forests, on forest edges and clearings, as well as in rocky areas in the Far East of Russia, China, Korea and Japan.

Characteristics of culture

Sakhalin euonymus is a deciduous densely branched shrub up to 2 m high with brownish or greenish easily rooted shoots. Leaves are green, shiny, leathery, round, oval or elliptical, crenate-serrate along the edge, obtuse or sharp at the ends, up to 11 cm long, sitting on short petioles. The flowers are small, purple, four-membered, with obovate petals, collected in 5-15 radial inflorescences, hanging on thin pedicels.

The fruit is a dark pink or pinkish-red flattened-spherical capsule, equipped with wings up to 0.7 cm long, contains angular yellow seeds with an orange seed pod. Sakhalin euonymus blooms in June - July, the fruits ripen closer to October. The culture enters fruiting 6 years after planting. The considered species is winter-hardy, unpretentious, decorative, suitable for growing in central Russia. Used in ornamental gardening to create group plantings and hedges.

Landing subtleties

The best planting material for Sakhalin spindle tree is considered to be 3-4 years old seedlings. They can be planted both in autumn and spring. But the second method gives better results. It is recommended to purchase seedlings in specialized nurseries. If it was not possible to acquire good material, you can propagate Sakhalin euonymus by seeds.

Seeds are sown in autumn after being harvested in a greenhouse or greenhouse, shoots appear in April - May next year. When sowing in spring, the seeds are stratified within 5-7 months. For the first 3 months, seeds are stored in wet sand at room temperature, then in a refrigerator or in a room with a temperature of 0-5C. The seeding depth is 2-3 cm. Seedlings propagated by the seed method will fully inherit the characteristics of the mother plant.

Since the Sakhalin euonymus is winter-hardy and tolerates semi-shaded areas, seedlings can be planted under the canopy of trees with an openwork crown. Planting seedlings near the fence and walls of houses and other architectural structures is not prohibited. Plants should not be planted in playgrounds, since the fruits of the spindle tree are poisonous. Even with little use, they can cause severe vomiting and other unpleasant consequences.

Soils for Sakhalin euonymus should be loose, fertile, drained, slightly acidic or neutral. The presence of lime in the soil will not harm plants. It is impossible to grow on compacted, heavy clayey, waterlogged, saline and strongly acidic substrates. On the latter, preliminary liming can be carried out (at the rate of 300 g of lime per 1 sq. M.). Poor soils are filled with organic matter and mineral fertilizers (10 kg of rotted manure or humus, 60-80 g of potassium nitrate and 60-80 g of superphosphate.

Planting pits are prepared in the fall or 2 weeks before the intended planting, during which time the soil will have time to settle. The depth of the planting pit should be 40-50 cm + 15 cm is allocated for drainage in the form of pebbles, broken brick, rubble or coarse sand. The top layer of soil is mixed with rotted compost or humus (4-5 kg per 1 planting pit), wood ash (150-200 g), superphosphate (70-100 g). On heavy soils, sand is also added.

Seedlings purchased with an open root system are wrapped in damp gauze or cloth, and before planting, the roots are dipped in a clay mash. At the bottom of the pit, a low mound is necessarily formed, which are sprinkled with a thin layer of earth. This is necessary so that the seedlings do not burn their roots in contact with fresh fertilizers.

The root collar is left a couple of centimeters above the soil level, later it will sink to the surface. After planting, the soil at the foot is well compacted, a shallow hole is formed and watered (10 liters per seedling). After the water is absorbed, the soil is mulched with peat or other organic material.

Care

Sakhalin euonymus will delight with its beauty throughout the entire gardening period, but for this it is necessary to provide the plants with proper care. Despite the fact that the culture is drought tolerant, it responds positively to regular watering, especially in the heat. With insufficient moisture, the shrubs are oppressed and take on a very unattractive appearance. During the season, 4-6 waterings are enough with a rate of 30 liters per 1 sq. m. The soil should be soaked to a depth of 35-40 cm. During hot summers and dry autumn, water-charging watering is required, it will contribute to better wintering of shrubs.

Top dressing with mineral and organic fertilizers will also benefit the euonymus. They activate growth and allow you to get the maximum amount of bright and beautiful fruits, which means they increase the decorative properties. In the spring, the shrubs are fed with slurry, before flowering with superphosphate (30 g) and potassium salt (10-15 g). Euonymus is required for systematic loosening, weeding and pruning. The last procedure is carried out in the spring. Weak, broken and damaged, as well as old and unproductive branches are removed from shrubs.