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The Bobo panicle hydrangea is a young plant developed by Belgian scientists. The miniature shrub has gained great popularity among flower growers, as it is unpretentious, compact, winter-hardy. Thanks to the long flowering, the plant fell in love not only with amateur flower growers, but also landscape design professionals.
Description of Bobo hydrangea
Hydrangea Bobo is a dwarf, ornamental plant, its height does not exceed 60 cm.The plant is medium-sized, the annual growth is about 10 cm.
Tough, strong, reddish-brown shoots are able to withstand the weight of numerous inflorescences that harmonize beautifully with the oblong foliage of a dark olive hue. Flowering begins in July and lasts until the first frost. During this period, the shrub is covered with large pyramidal inflorescences, which consist of numerous buds of pale pink or light lemon shades.
Bob's hydrangea, like any garden plant, has positive and negative qualities. The pluses include:
- compact, decorative look;
- frost resistance;
- long flowering;
- disease resistance.
The disadvantages of many growers include regular monitoring of the quality of the soil, since drought and poor oxygen supply to the roots can destroy the Bobo hydrangea.
Thanks to uniform growth, an adult shrub takes on the shape of a ball
Hydrangea Bobo in landscape design
Bobo's hydrangea is widely used in landscape design. Due to their small, compact size, pinkish coffee flowers will look great with hot pink and lilac phloxes. A group of bushes with different colors looks most effective.
Also, the Bobo mini hydrangea can be planted in front of spruce crops.
In the fall, after most of the perennials have faded, evergreen needles will reveal all the beauty of the Bobo hydrangea in bloom.
Bobo's panicle hydrangea will work well with hydrangeas that form ball-shaped inflorescences. Panicles and balls should alternate, otherwise the invented composition will look incomplete. So that the flower bed does not lose its decorative appearance, it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences in a timely manner.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea paniculata Bobo
Hydrangea Bobo is a cold-resistant crop. Without shelter, an adult plant can withstand frosts down to -25 ° C. But in order for the wintering to pass safely, the plant needs to be prepared a month before the cold weather.
Since the young plant is weakened after planting and has not yet had time to build up a powerful root system, it is covered for the winter for 3 years. Otherwise, shoots and roots freeze out, and the shrub dies.
Planting and caring for Bobo hydrangea
Planting Bobo hydrangeas can be done in spring and fall. Autumn planting is suitable for regions with warm climates. The optimal period is September-October. During this time, the plant will successfully settle in a new place, grow roots and go into hibernation when stronger.
Spring planting is suitable for the north, since winters come early there, and during autumn planting there is a chance that the young shrub will not tolerate severe cold weather and will die.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
Bobo's dwarf hydrangea prefers to grow in partial shade. Direct sunlight negatively affects the plant, growth and development stops, the leaves dry out and fall off. In an open area, the inflorescences will be small, and the color will be dull.
For abundant and long-term flowering, the soil must be fertile, drained, slightly acidic.
Stagnant water leads to root rot and death of the shrub
Landing rules
The further growth of Bobo hydrangea depends on the seedling. Therefore, it is purchased in specialized stores or garden centers. Planting material should have at least 3 healthy shoots and a well-developed root system without signs of rot and damage. When buying, they inspect the branches, they must be complete without damage, the presence of diseases and pests.
Planting is carried out in sunny, dry weather. Precipitation in work will be a hindrance, since high humidity leads to root rot, the development of infections and the death of the plant.
Planting Bobo hydrangeas is carried out according to certain rules:
- In a correctly selected area, a planting hole is dug out 2 times the root system.
- A drainage layer (broken brick, expanded clay, pebbles) is laid on the bottom.
- At the seedling, the root system is straightened and set in the center.
- The hole is filled with nutrient soil, trying not to leave air space.
- The top layer is tamped, spilled and mulched with peat, needles or bark.
Watering and feeding
For abundant and long-term flowering of Bobo hydrangea, abundant, regular watering is necessary. To prevent the soil from drying out, irrigation is done once a week; in dry times, watering is increased.
For irrigation, only settled or rainwater is used, since lime water can cause irreparable harm to the plant
So that the hydrangea does not suffer from oxygen deficiency, after watering, the soil is loosened and mulched. For successful growth, Bobo hydrangea is fed 4 times a season:
- during the growing season - use organic matter;
- during the formation of buds, hydrangea spends a lot of energy, so it is fed with urea, superphosphate and potassium;
- during the flowering period, a mineral complex is introduced;
- in the fall, after flowering, potash is added under the bush.
Pruning Bobo hydrangea
Pruning plays an important role in the care of the bobo hydrangea. It is carried out in early spring, before sap flow. Since flower shoots appear on the apical buds on the branches of the current year, this manipulation must be approached with all responsibility. The number of branches that need to be left depends on the age and strength of the bush. All dried, not overwintered branches must be removed. To maintain the quality of flowering and prevent strong growth of the bush, pruning is carried out annually.
Preparing for the winter of Bobo hydrangeas
Hydrangea Bobo is a frost-resistant variety, so it grows well in central Russia. But in order to facilitate wintering, the plant is prepared for frost. For this:
- Watering is reduced in September.
- Potash fertilizers or wood ash are applied under the hydrangea.
- With the onset of frost, the leaves are removed, leaving only those that will protect the flower buds.
- The soil is mulched with peat, straw, foliage with a layer of 10 cm.
- In regions with cold winters, branches are tied, bent to the ground, covered with agrofibre and burlap.
Reproduction of Bobo hydrangea
Bobo hydrangea can be propagated in a generative and vegetative way.The generative method is the propagation of hydrangeas from seeds. The method is laborious and time-consuming, therefore it is not suitable for beginner florists. To grow a bush with varietal characteristics, you need to purchase quality seeds. They must be fresh, since germination is lost after a year. Self-collected seed does not retain varietal characteristics, therefore, their collection is not advisable. Seed sowing rules:
- Sowing seeds is carried out only in autumn.
- The seed is buried in the nutrient soil, which should include leaf or peat substrate, river sand.
- After sowing, the soil is moistened, and for rapid germination, the container is covered with glass or polyethylene.
- Seed boxes should be ventilated regularly. The optimum temperature for growth should be between + 14 ° C and + 20 ° C.
- When cotyledon leaves appear, the first pick is carried out. To obtain lateral roots, the taproot is pruned.
- The second pick in separate containers is carried out in the spring, after the appearance of 3-4 true sheets.
- After 2 weeks, the transplanted seedlings are hardened in the open air.
- In order not to weaken the plant, the first buds are removed.
Seeds lose their germination after 2 years after harvest
Vegetative reproduction involves planting parts of the mother plant. The mother bush can be propagated in 3 ways:
- Taps. A circular incision is made on the lower shoot and placed in a prepared trench, leaving the top above the ground. New roots will begin to form at the incision site. Sprinkle the trench with nutritious soil and spill abundantly. After a strong root system is formed, the young plant is separated from the mother bush and transplanted to a prepared place.
- Division of the bush. This method is used during bush transplantation. For this, the mother plant is carefully removed from the ground and divided into the required number of divisions. Each part should have 3-4 shoots and strong roots. After picking, the plant is planted in a new place, shed and mulched. If the procedure was carried out correctly, the young plant will show itself in all its glory next year.
- Cuttings. In the spring, when trimming Bobo's hydrangea, healthy branches are selected and cuttings 10-15 cm in size are cut. The cut parts are kept in a growth stimulator and buried at an acute angle by 2-3 buds into the nutrient soil. Cover the cuttings with a glass jar and store in a warm, shaded place.
Diseases and pests of Bobo hydrangea
Hydrangea Bobo has a strong immunity to diseases and pests. But with improper care, the plant often suffers from the following ailments:
- Chlorosis. A common disease that occurs due to a lack of moisture and a lack of iron in the soil. Treatment consists in spraying the bush with a solution of iron-containing preparations.
The disease can be recognized by the lightening of the leaf plate and the fragility of the branches.
- Gray rot. A fungal disease that manifests itself due to high humidity. You can help the plant with Bordeaux liquid.
The disease manifests itself in the form of a gray plaque on the aerial part, which does not wear off.
- Spider mite. Microscopic insects settle on the green mass and cover it with a thin web. Pests suck out the juice from the plant, as a result, it weakens, stops growing and development. In the fight against insects, use the drug "Tiofos" diluted strictly according to the instructions or an infusion of wood ash.
You can recognize a pest by a thin web
- Leaf aphid. Pests are located in large groups on leaf plates. By sucking out the juice, insects cause great harm to the plant. It weakens, growth and development stops. The drug "Anabazine sulfate" will help to stop the invasion of the pest.
Aphids settle in large groups
- Powdery mildew. Appears in hot weather with high humidity. The foliage is covered with a white bloom, which can be easily removed with a finger. Bordeaux liquid will help get rid of the disease.
White bloom can be easily removed with a finger
Conclusion
Hydrangea Bobo is a miniature, flowering shrub. Subject to agricultural technology, paniculate inflorescences of a pale pink color appear on the plant. A small shrub looks beautiful near short flowering perennials, next to ball-shaped hydrangeas and near spruce crops.
