Content
The genus of flowering shrubs Lagorstroemia includes about 25 plant species. Indian lilac is a prominent representative of the genus. This culture is whimsical, greenhouse, requires attention and good care. Compliance with all growing rules will ensure abundant and long-lasting flowering.
Description of Indian lilac lagerstremia
The height of a shrub or tree depends on the growing conditions. In the wild, the plant reaches 11 m in height, in indoor conditions it does not exceed 1 m.The crown of a wild crop can reach 8 m.
Lagerstremia shrub produces many straight, thin shoots covered with light brown bark. The tree has a single, thin, but strong trunk, the color of the bark is light, gray-brown.
The leaves are oblong, dark green, elliptical in shape. The tips of the leaves are pointed, the edge is almost even. The length of the leaf ranges from 3 to 6 cm. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow and bright red.
Lagerstremia flowers are small, do not exceed 2 cm, collected in large, lush inflorescences, their length can reach 20-25 cm. The buds are formed from buds, which are more like small berries. The petals have an uneven wavy edge. The color range is extensive: pink, purple, lilac, white, there are also buds of different shades on the same tree. On the net you can find a photo showing this phenomenon of the flowering of Indian lilacs.
When and how does Indian lilac bloom?
The flowering of lagerstremia begins in July and ends in October. During the day, as the buds bloom, their color also changes. On one shrub, you can find lilac and dark purple flowers, or pale pink and bright red.
Distribution area
The plant came to India from China, and then the culture was brought to Europe. Currently, a flowering tree can be seen on the streets of Asia, the Mediterranean, North and South America, Australia. The plant also takes root well in the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine.
Types and varieties
Of the 25 known species of Indian lagerstremia, there are several that are easy to cultivate and can even be grown on a personal plot.
These types of Indian lilacs include:
- Lagerstremia blooming profusely (Lagerstroemiafloribunda), a plant that can be formed into a tree or shrub. At home, you can grow bonsai or indoor lilacs - lagerstremia. The culture is distinguished by abundant and long flowering. In spring, the petals are pink; closer to autumn, they become white. During the flowering period, all shades of pink, white, purple flowers can be found on one tree.
- Lagerstremia superb(Lagerstroemiaexcelsa) is a tall, up to 30 m in height, flowering tree. The trunk and branches are covered with a smooth, glossy gray bark. During the flowering period, it produces small (up to 4 cm in diameter) dark purple buds.
- Lagerstremia tailed (Lagerstroemiacaudata) grows up to 20 m or more in height. Flowering is profuse and long from April to October.The diameter of the flowers is about 3 cm, the color of the petals is white.
- Indian lilac varieties - RedFilli, CoralFilli, Violette Filli are winter-hardy species of Indian lagerstremia. These are miniature, ornamental shrubs, the height of which does not exceed 50 cm, they tolerate frosts up to - 30 ᵒС. Long bloom, up to 3 months. The root system of plants is not affected by low temperatures.
At home or on the street in tubs, lagerstremia is grown everywhere, for the winter it is removed to a heated room.
Where is Indian lilac applied?
Lagerstremia is used for landscaping gardens, parks, squares in the southern and coastal regions. Indian lilacs are also grown as a home ornamental plant.
In oriental medicine, lagerstremia flowers are used to normalize blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lose weight.
In construction, a strong flowering tree trunk is used for the production of joinery.
Growing Indian lilac lagerstremia from seeds
At home, a flowering tree can be grown in any region of Russia. The easiest way to cultivate lagerstremia is from seed. A tall tree will not work, but you can try to grow a flowering, ornamental shrub.
When can you plant
2 times a year - in autumn and spring, you can sow Indian lilac seeds. It is important to create the correct temperature regime: + 10-13 ᵒС. Seeds are sown in greenhouses or on a windowsill in seedling containers.
The choice of capacity and preparation of the soil
For sowing I use a universal ready-made soil for ornamental and flowering plants. You can independently prepare such a soil mixture: peat, sand, garden soil, leaf humus. All components are taken in equal parts.
Important! For planting, use plastic shallow containers for seedlings or peat cups.
How to plant Indian lilac seeds
Lagerstremia seeds are rather large, but light; they are embedded in prepared furrows to a depth of 2.5 cm and at a distance of 5 cm from each other.
Sprinkle the seedlings on top with a thin layer of ground soil without lumps or sand. Then the seeds are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with foil and placed in a well-lit place for germination.
How to care for
Before the emergence of Indian lilac shoots (about 2 weeks), the plant is watered at home as needed. Every day, the seedlings are aired for half an hour, removing the film from the container.
After the appearance of 2 true leaves, the grown seedlings are seated in separate containers. They are filled with the same soil as when sowing seeds. Before transferring the seedlings to a permanent place (end of May and June), they are simply watered as needed.
Growing Indian lilac outdoors
Lagerstremia seedlings are planted in the garden at least 1 year old. For planting, choose a sunny warm place with light soil.
Landing dates
Planting lagerstemia in open ground begins in late May or early June, this culture awakens quite late in the spring. Until July, the May lilac will take root and grow quickly. The height of such a seedling by mid-summer will be 1-2 m.
Site selection and soil preparation
Indian lilac feels great in open areas under the scorching rays of the sun. Where other southern crops cannot grow, their leaves will be burned, lagerstremia can be planted.
Heavy chernozems are not suitable for growing May lilacs. She needs light, water and breathable soil. To do this, any existing soil 1: 1 is mixed with sand, well dug up and loosened. Immediately before planting, the soil is well moistened.
Also for planting, you can choose areas with clay and loamy soil.On fertile dense soil, lagerstremia will grow well, but only shoots will develop, and flowering will remain weak.
Planting Indian lilacs in open ground
For transplantation, strong grown seedlings with a well-developed root system are chosen. When transferring a plant, you need to save an earthen lump.
Landing technology:
- Planting holes are dug 50x50 cm in size.
- A layer of expanded clay is laid on the bottom for good drainage, a layer of peat is poured on top.
- The soil for planting is prepared by mixing garden soil, sand, peat and turf in equal parts.
- Sprinkle the root of the plant with this soil mixture after fixing it in the planting pit.
- After planting, the soil is carefully trampled down, the lagerstremia is watered abundantly.
In the first year after the rooting of Indian lilacs, no fertilizer is applied to the site. This will allow her to develop a strong root system. Fertilize the culture for the next year. This will stimulate new shoot growth and bud formation.
Care rules
Lagerstremia is watered often, about every other day. Good hydration is the key to abundant flowering of the culture. After watering, as soon as the moisture is absorbed, the soil is loosened. Lagerstremia prefers to grow on light, breathable soils. If it is necessary to retain moisture at the root for a long period, the soil is mulched. After watering, cover with a thick layer of sawdust or hay.
In spring and summer, watering is combined with top dressing. For this, complex mineral fertilizers are used. Top dressing is carried out 2 times a month, from May to August.
Lagerstremia is a fast growing and branching plant. If the shoots are not shortened once a year, the culture will grow and stop blooming, since inflorescences are formed only on young shoots. To stimulate their appearance, in the fall, at the end of flowering, or in the spring, in March, before the formation of buds, Indian lilacs are pruned. Remove old shoots, shortening them by a third. Leave about 20-30 cm total length. If the task is to form a tree, one central long shoot is left, the rest are shortened. If you need to form a shrub, all shoots are cut equally.
Preparing for winter
If Indian lilac grows in a tub, it is removed to a cool, dark room for the winter. The air temperature should not exceed + 15 ᵒС. Watering in winter is carried out once a month.
Plants rooted in open ground are well pruned in the fall, leaving shoots no longer than 20-30 cm. The near-stem circle is mulched with sawdust, spruce, fallen leaves or spud with earth. Indian lilacs will tolerate frosts down to -10 ° C painlessly if you cover it with a thick layer of spruce branches for the winter. In a high lagerstremia in the form of a tree, only the lower part of the trunk is insulated. If the thermometer drops below -15 ᵒС, the ground part of the plant may die. In the spring, new shoots will appear from the rhizome, their flowering will be no less abundant than those of the previous ones.
Diseases and pests
Indian lilac is resistant to most known garden pests and diseases. All this thanks to the thick, strong bark. With improper care, excessive shading and excess moisture, powdery mildew may appear on the leaves. In this case, the affected tree is dusted with ash or sprayed with a solution of "Fundazol" or another fungicide.
On soils with an excess of alkali, the leaves of Indian lilac can turn yellow, chlorosis appears. To remedy the situation, the soil is deeply dug in the fall with the introduction of granular sulfur or gypsum.
Spider mites and aphids can attack young seedlings of lagerstremia growing outdoors. A shrub or tree should be sprayed with garden pest medications.
Application in landscape design
A tall lagerstremia in the form of a tree looks great solo on any personal plot, in a park or alley. Indian lilac in the form of a shrub goes well with ferns, low conifers. It is always better to place lagerstremiya in the center of a flower bed or composition, surround it with evergreen, non-flowering plants.
Indian lilacs, like European ones, are good to plant at home. When the European lilacs bloom in the spring, the lagerstremia buds will bloom in June. In this case, the lush bloom of the two types of lilac can be enjoyed from the end of April to September.
Indian lilac looks good against the background of any buildings, in any style. From the photo, you can choose how best to fit the Indian lilac into the landscape - lagerstremia.
This flourishing culture blends well with both the countryside and the cityscape. It looks equally good against the background of banks, administrative buildings, and against the background of country houses, rural houses.
The bush lagerstremia can also be planted in central Russia in cities and rural areas. The main condition for good growth and lush flowering of an ornamental culture is insulation before the onset of frost.
Conclusion
Indian lilac is a beautiful ornamental plant that can beautify any area. Its exuberant, long-lasting bloom pleases the eye throughout the warm season. Indoors, culture can also be successfully cultivated by placing an exotic tree on a loggia or veranda.
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