Bobovnik Vaterer

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

Bobovnik Vaterera (lat. Laburnum watereri) - a representative of the Bobovnik genus of the Legume family; is a hybrid of the Alpine bean and anagyrolean bean. The plant is often called intermediate bean. In nature, a hybrid does not occur. It is rarely cultivated in Russia.

Characteristics of culture

Bobovnik Vaterer is a large deciduous shrub or a short tree with a spreading crown. The main branches are funnel-shaped or vertically growing, the old shoots are spreading, highly branched, the lateral branches are hanging. Young shoots are olive green, later gray-green. Leaves are dark green, shiny, elongated, compound, trifoliate, alternate, up to 10 cm long. Leaves are oblong-elliptical.

The flowers are golden yellow, numerous, fragrant, collected in hanging inflorescences up to 50 cm long. Fruits are silky-pubescent beans. The Vaterer bean tree blooms in late May - early July. Winter hardiness is low, in the conditions of the Moscow region the plants do not exceed a height of 90-100 cm. In cold winters it freezes over, and subsequently does not bloom. The hybrid propagates by cuttings (rooting rate of cuttings reaches 92%), the seed method is impossible.

The Vaterer bean can be grown as a container plant, in the spring and summer, the plants are kept in the garden, in the fall and winter in the basement or in a cool greenhouse. In this form, the bean is rarely used, since the shrubs reach large sizes, usually up to 5-6 m in height, it is quite difficult to transfer the container. The rest of the hybrid is similar to its closest relatives. And an important common feature is the toxicity of all parts of the plant. All care, planting and transplanting work is carried out with gloves.

Features of planting seedlings

The seedlings are purchased from specialized nurseries. Preference should be given to young and strong specimens with an earthen lump. The purchase of a seedling is carried out in early May or mid-September, then they are planted. The optimal planting time is spring. Over the summer, young plants manage to take root in a new place and easily endure future frosts, however, under cover. It is not recommended to purchase large seedlings with already blossoming foliage, the probability that they will take root is only 50%.

The Vaterer bean planting site is preferably well lit or slightly shaded with diffused light. The soil should be loose, moist, nutritious, loamy, neutral or slightly acidic. Also, the culture accepts areas with calcareous and heavy soils, but in the second case, high-quality drainage is required. Lowlands and places where a large amount of moisture accumulates are unacceptable. The Vaterer bean plant will not tolerate compacted, saline, waterlogged and highly acidic soils.

The planting hole is prepared in advance, a mixture composed of the upper soil layer, lime, compost or humus is added to it. The resulting voids are filled with the remaining mixture. After planting, a watering circle is formed in the plants and watered abundantly. The earth lump is also moistened before planting. In areas with light sandy loam soils, a little clay is added during digging; without this component, the bean plant will be delayed in development, and flowering is out of the question.

The first year after planting the seedling, feeding is not needed. The following spring, nitrogen fertilizers are applied under the bushes, and closer to autumn, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Also in the spring, the legume can be fed with mullein infusion or a solution of chicken droppings. Since representatives of the genus prefer neutral soils, and organic matter and mulch have the ability to acidify, lime is added annually to the trunk circle. This condition is mandatory, otherwise the shrubs will be subject to disease damage, which is simply unacceptable.

Application

Bobovnik Vaterer, like other representatives of the genus, can be safely ranked among the unique ornamental plants. It is ideal for any garden, except perhaps for those gardeners who have small children who inadvertently can bite off the flowers or fruits of this poisonous shrub. Bobovnik looks great on the lawn and in the garden, both in solitary and in single plantings.

The hybrid allows commonwealth with other plants, be it a handsome rhododendron or ordinary scumpia. The only thing that the bean plant will not tolerate is planting too often. In crowded groups, plants feel defective, bloom poorly or do not bloom at all, and sometimes stretch out altogether. It is recommended to choose low-growing ornamental shrubs and flower crops as allies of the legume.