2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Buddleya alternate-leaved (Latin Buddleja alternifolia) - flowering shrub; a representative of the Buddleya genus of the Norichnikov family. He is a native of the northwestern regions of China. In nature, it grows in open to the sun and dry areas. It is considered one of the most frost-resistant species of the genus. Ideal for landscaping the southern regions of Russia, in the middle lane at temperatures below -25C freezes.
Characteristics of culture
Alternate-leaved buddlea is a tall, deciduous shrub with a spreading crown and graceful arcuate shoots covered with smooth brown bark. The bark of old shoots becomes gray and flaky over time. Leaves are dark green, dull, narrow lanceolate or broad lanceolate, pointed at the apex, narrowed at the base.
On the reverse side, the leaf blade is covered with stellate hairs, therefore it has a slightly grayish tint. The flowers are purple, small, collected in dense bundle-shaped inflorescences, which eventually turn into spectacular garlands. The flowering of buddleia alternate-leaved is long (about 20-25 days), abundant.
Flower buds in this species (unlike other members of the genus) are laid on last year's shoots, and damage to them in winter or during pruning can lead to weak flowering. Fruits ripen extremely rarely, especially in the middle lane. The seeds are small and numerous. Seed germination reaches 60%.
The first flowering occurs 3-4 years after planting. Alternate-leaved buddleya is distinguished by its rapid growth, drought tolerance and unpretentiousness to soil conditions. The species in question is photophilous and thermophilic, capable of withstanding a short-term drop in temperature.
Reproduction
The buddleya is propagated by alternate-leaved seeds and vegetatively (by green and lignified cuttings). The seed method is effective and not too laborious. Seeds do not need preliminary preparation. They are sown in early spring in a greenhouse or greenhouse to a depth of 0.5-1 cm. Beforehand, grooves are formed on the ridges, which are covered with humus soil immediately after sowing.
Seedlings appear in about 14-28 days. Seedlings require careful maintenance, including watering and maintaining optimal conditions. By autumn, the seedlings reach a height of 7-10 cm. For the winter, still immature plants are covered with fallen leaves. With the onset of spring, the seedlings are transplanted into schools, where they are kept for 2-3 years, after which they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Often, buddleya is propagated by cuttings. Cuttings are cut from annual shoots immediately after flowering. Each cutting should have at least 3 buds. Immediately after cutting, the cuttings are planted in a previously prepared substrate made up of sand and peat.
The cuttings are immersed in the substrate for 2 buds, 1 should remain on the surface. For the first time, polyethylene is pulled over the cuttings, which is periodically removed for ventilation. The first roots appear in cuttings after about 2 months. Rooted cuttings are transplanted to a permanent place or for growing up next spring.
Care
The buddleya is drought-resistant, but in dry periods it needs watering. The buddley is also favorable to fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers. Fertilizing will accelerate plant growth and increase the size and number of flowers. Fertilizers also affect the color saturation of inflorescences. Since the culture does not have frost-resistant characteristics, it needs shelter for the winter.
If the closest relative of the species in question, namely David's buddley, is pruned almost to the level of the soil in the fall, then this representative does not need such pruning. It is enough to cover with spruce branches and huddle the foot with peat. In winter, it is important to deal with snow retention, because without a snow cover, plants can freeze and die. Shelters are removed with the onset of heat, but it is impossible to delay this operation, otherwise the bushes will begin to rot and then rot.
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Buddlea
Buddleja (Latin Buddleja) - a genus of herbaceous plants, deciduous or semi-evergreen shrubs of the Norichnikov family. The early genus was ranked as a member of the Buddlev family. The genus has about 100 species. Buddleya has a long and interesting history.
