Branched Bead

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

Branched bead (lat. Tamarix ramosissima) - one of the representatives of the Tamariks (Bisernik) genus of the Tamariks family. Other names - branched tamarisk, branched comb, branched tamarisk. In natural conditions, it is found in Iran, Mongolia, China, Ukraine, as well as in some regions of Russia. Typical habitats are river banks, pebble banks, river valleys. It is actively used in culture, suitable for decorating personal backyards and large urban park areas.

Characteristics of culture

Branched bead is represented by small upright trees and shrubs, not exceeding 1.5-2 m in height, bearing thin greenish or bluish branches. It should be noted that the annual shoots of branched beads have a reddish color.

The foliage, with which the branches are literally strewn, are awl-shaped, narrow, curved towards the shoots, reaches 1.5 cm in length. The flowers are unusual, numerous, small, pink in color, collected in complex racemose inflorescences up to 4-5 cm long. Flowering of branched beads is observed in summer, and lasts until September.

The flowering is quite active, abundant, incredibly beautiful. With its beauty, it is able to outshine any other flowering ornamental plants, including shrubs. Branched beads will fit into almost any garden design and will be appropriate on any site, for which it is appreciated by gardeners all over the world, but especially in Russia and European countries.

To date, branched beads are presented in several varieties, which are in no way inferior in decorativeness to the main type. Thus, the Pink Cascade variety boasts a lush bloom, the Rubra variety is distinguished by its violet-red flowers, and the Summer Glow variety attracts landscape designers with rich raspberry inflorescences.

Growing features

Branched beads are loved by gardeners not only for their abundant flowering, but also for their unpretentiousness. Its only drawback is thermophilicity; it needs high-quality shelter for the winter, especially if a harsh and snowless winter is approaching. In some regions, for example, in the Moscow and Leningrad regions, plants do not need shelter, even if the cold touches the delicate branches of the beads, they will quickly recover next year.

Another feature of beads is light-requiring, in well-lit areas the shrubs bloom much better than in partial shade. But a dense shade for plants is completely contraindicated, on such sites, branched beads will not please with active flowering, and more often they will be affected by pests and diseases, in some cases they may die.

Soil conditions are not particularly important, it can grow on infertile soils. However, the best allies for him are sandy loam, alkaline, moderately moist, nutritious soils. Acidic, dry, dense, swampy and heavy soils are not suitable for its cultivation, just like lowlands with stagnant cold air and melt water. And, finally, about drought-resistant properties. Branched bead, like its close relatives, belongs to the category of drought-resistant plants, but prolonged drought is destructive for it, so at such moments it needs abundant and regular watering.

Reproduction

The species in question reproduces mainly by cuttings, the cut of which is carried out in the fall. Cutting is carried out from lignified shoots. The length of the cuttings varies from 20 to 25 cm. Cuttings are rooted indoors. For this, cuttings, the cut of which is treated with heteroauxin, are placed in a container with water.

Storage is carried out in room conditions. Water is periodically added to the optimal level. In this form, the cuttings are kept until warm weather. Then they are planted in a previously prepared soil, fertilized with mineral and organic fertilizers.