Kirkazon Fluffy

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

Fluffy Kirkazon (lat. Aristolochia tomentosa) - climbing shrub; a representative of the Kirkazon genus of the Kirkazonov family. It occurs naturally in the south and east of North America. Other names are felt kirkazon, felt aristolochia, fluffy aristolochia.

Characteristics of culture

Kirkazon fluffy, or felt - a perennial climbing shrub up to 10 m high with shoots covered with dark gray longitudinally wrinkled bark. Young shoots are pubescent. The leaves are petiolate, large, rounded-ovate, dull, light green, rounded at the tips, up to 16 cm long. On the reverse side, the leaves are tomentose. The flowers are small, axillary, greenish-yellow, solitary, tube-shaped, up to 3.5 cm long, equipped with a wrinkled three-lobed limb, sitting on long pubescent pedicels.

The fruit is a hexagonal capsule up to 8 cm long. Kirkazon fluffy is a fast-growing shrub, characterized by winter hardiness. Demanding on soil conditions, develops well on loose, fertile, moist soils. Negatively refers to waterlogged, dry, poor and heavy substrates. Growing on heavy soils is only possible with good drainage. The species is winter-hardy, but in the first 2-3 years it needs shelter. Suitable for vertical gardening. Introduced into culture in 1799.

Reproduction

Kirkazon is propagated by fluffy seeds, layering, cuttings and root shoots. It should be noted that shoots on plants are formed in huge numbers. The seed method is used less often, since it presents some difficulties for gardeners. Cold stratification is required for three months before sowing seeds in seed boxes. After the seeds are soaked for two days in warm water. Even with such careful processing, only 25-30% of the seeds germinate. After sowing, the soil in the boxes is abundantly moistened and covered with glass or plastic wrap.

It is important to periodically remove the film and water the crops. With the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed and placed in a well-lit place without drafts and the presence of direct sunlight, which can harm young plants. Seedlings are planted in open ground no earlier than 2-3 years later. The simplest and most common way of reproduction of Kirkazon is considered to be the division of the bush. This operation does not take much time and is subject to even an inexperienced gardener.

Planting seedlings

It is important to remember that cuttings and the seed method are not productive enough, it is often easier to purchase Kirkazon seedlings in specialized nurseries. The optimum age of the seedling is 2-3 years. It is recommended to plant a sapling of fluffy kirkazon in spring or autumn. The first way is preferable. Saplings are planted in shaded areas, protected from direct sunlight and strong winds. The roots are shortened by 1/3 before planting.

The planting hole and the mixture for its laying are prepared in advance. The mixture is made up of humus, garden soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1. If the mixture turns out to be too loose, it is not forbidden to add a small amount of clay to it. In areas with heavy soils, high-quality drainage from rubble or broken brick is arranged at the bottom of the pit. The drainage layer should be at least 15 cm. Coarse washed river sand is poured over the drainage. The pit sizes vary according to the size of the root system. Standard sizes for a seedling 2-3 years old are 50 * 50 cm.

To accelerate survival in a new place, 50 g of complex mineral fertilizer is added to the prepared mixture. If this procedure was missed, the plants are fed closer to autumn. When planting, the root collar is not buried, but placed at the level of the soil surface. The distance between plants should be 80-100 cm. Simultaneously with planting, a strong support is installed in the immediate vicinity. Better if it is made of wood.

Care

Caring for fluffy Kirkazon is unremarkable. During the season, it is important to carry out 2 feeding with a weak infusion of mullein and 1 feeding with mineral fertilizers. Watering is carried out regularly at the rate of 10 liters per 1 adult bush. In case of drought, spraying is additionally carried out. Plants also require weeding and loosening. The soil is loosened shallowly (optimally 4-6 cm), this is due to the location of the root system, it is located almost at the surface of the earth. Mulching with dry foliage with a layer of 6-7 cm will help to simplify the care. Pruning of the fluffy Kirkazon is not required, you just need to systematically remove dry, diseased and damaged shoots, as well as shoots that exceed the support in length.