Content
Spirea Cantonese Lanziata is a plant that requires a combination of several factors at once, such as a suitable climate, temperature regime, and shelter for the winter, for its successful cultivation.
Description of the spirea of the Cantonese Lanziata
This decorative low - up to one and a half meters in height - shrub belongs to the group of spring-flowering spirits. The main feature of spring flowering plants is that their flowers begin to form only in the spring of the second year of the shoot's existence. As with all species belonging to this group, they are characterized by the presence of many flowering shoots. The branches are thin, arched.
Lanciata differs from the usual spirea of the Cantonese spirea in the shape and size of the inflorescences - it is typical of white double flowers, reaching a diameter of 5-7 cm.
Planting and leaving
In order to grow a Cantonese Lanziata spirea, you need to know the basic subtleties of planting and caring for it.
Preparation of planting material and site
The choice of a suitable planting site depends largely on the climate. Since Lanziata is a thermophilic plant, it is worth choosing a warm place in advance or taking care of shelter for the winter.
In general, Cantonese spiraea practically does not differ from other plants of its kind - it is photophilous, prefers a well-lit space, but, if necessary, tolerates partial shade well. It is suitable for neutral soil with a low level of acidity, which accepts moisture well. For example, sandy loam or light loamy.
Seedlings for transplantation can be sold both with an open root system, and together with a part of the soil, with closed roots. Despite the fact that in the second case it is difficult to determine the state of the plant, such spireas take root much better.
If we are talking about a seedling with open roots, then when choosing it is necessary to check their condition. The roots of a healthy plant are flexible, do not break when bent and do not look dry. If the root system is poorly developed, you can trim the lower third of it before planting.
Landing rules
Spring-flowering spireas are planted in open ground in the fall, around the end of September - early October, before the foliage completely crumbles. However, this only applies to seedlings with open rhizomes, and plants in containers can be transplanted at any time. In a rainy region, it is best to plant spirea in late spring or early summer after the ground has warmed up.
For planting, it is better to use a soil mixture: combine 2 parts of turf and one part of humus and sand. The sand can be replaced with another piece of humus.
The planting hole should be about a third larger than the root system of the bush. The minimum distance for young seedlings is approximately 60 cm between bushes, however the recommended distance between plants is 1 m.
They are planted in this way:
- First, dig a hole. The minimum depth is about half a meter, the diameter is 60 cm.
- If necessary, make a drainage ditch.
- Leave the pit for 2-3 days before planting.
- Prepare the potting soil.
- Pour the mixture, set the seedling, straighten the roots.
- Fall asleep with the rest of the mixture, slightly trampling the soil around the bush. The stem should start from the ground, not sink into it.
- Spirea is abundantly watered.
- Mulch the soil if desired.
Watering and feeding
It is recommended to water spireas abundantly, but infrequently, 5–6 times per season is enough. The amount of water must be significant, at least 15–20 liters.
In dry and hot weather, the frequency of watering can be increased.
Fertilizers are applied at planting - then the soil is fertilized with wood ash (500 g per 1 square meter) and superphosphate (300 g per 1 m). The soil is fed with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in the spring, and potash fertilizers are used every 2-3 years, shortly before sheltering for the winter.
Pruning
Since Spirea Lanziata reproduces by shoots, regular pruning becomes a necessity for it. It is of two types:
- annual pruning of the ends of the shoots;
- removal of stems.
Annual pruning is carried out in the spring, its purpose is to remove the frozen ends of the stems.
The whole shoots are removed after they stop blooming. As a rule, this happens every 7-10 years.
And also the spirea is cut to give it the desired shape - for this, the branches are shortened. Such pruning can harm a very young plant, so it is better to refrain from the procedure in the first 2-3 years.
There is a rejuvenating pruning: the branches of old plants, that is, those that are more than 14-15 years old, are cut, leaving 5-10 cm.
Annual pruning of Lanziata is done in the spring, but the shape of the spire is given closer to autumn, when the flowering ends.
Preparing for winter
Preparation for winter depends on the climatic conditions of the region. In the southern regions, if the temperature does not drop below zero, special preparation is not needed - the spirea will not freeze. In other cases, the bush must be covered.
Small seedlings are harbored anyway. To do this, they are covered with any breathable cover, after which it is fixed. You can use both specialized materials and natural remedies.
Be sure to cover the root part of the spirea - cover it with a layer of mulch, and then cover it with foliage or lay branches.
If the winter is snowy, then the upper part of the spirea is not touched - the snow cover will serve as a natural shelter. They cover the bush if there is little snow. For this, the branches are collected, bent to the ground, fixed and covered with foliage or special breathable material.
Reproduction
Spirea Cantonese Lanciata can reproduce in several ways:
- cuttings;
- seeds;
- dividing the bush.
In general, the cultivation technology is standard, but each method has its own characteristics.
When propagating by cuttings, it is important to remember that:
- for the initial planting of the cuttings, a soil mixture of peat and river sand in a 1: 1 ratio is well suited;
- during one season, you can take the cutting twice: when pruning in spring and summer, after flowering;
- mineral and organic fertilizers in the soil for growing spirea from cuttings are not suitable;
- in open ground in a permanent place, the spirea is planted only a year after grafting, in the fall.
When dividing a bush, it is important to remember that:
- the sprout formed during division is transplanted either in early spring or in autumn, closer to mid-September.
When the spirea of the Cantonese Lanciata is propagated by seeds, it is worth remembering that:
- seeds can be bought or collected and prepared by yourself;
- spirea blooms when grown from seeds not immediately, but for 3-4 years;
- seeds are not immediately planted in open ground, before that they are kept in containers using specially prepared soil;
- after germination, the sprouts are treated with fungicidal preparations to prevent possible disease;
- spirea is planted in open ground only for the second season.
For growing Lanciates from seeds, a soil mixture of turf and peat in a 1: 1 ratio is suitable.
Diseases and pests
Although Cantonese spirea is resistant to pests, it can also get sick.
The most dangerous for her, especially at an early age, are fungal infections, for example, the occurrence of gray mold. Since spirea does not have any specific features, standard fungicides are suitable to combat infection.
Of the pests, Lanciate is dangerous:
- spirea aphid;
- leaf roll;
- spider mite etc.etc.
To combat them, various acaricides and insecticides are used.
Conclusion
Since spiraea Cantonese Lanciata is a purely decorative plant and at the same time extremely thermophilic, it is easier and most convenient to grow it exclusively in warm climates. Otherwise, there is a possibility that the spirea will die in the wrong conditions. However, with the exception of thermophilicity, this bush is surprisingly unpretentious and resistant to disease in care. So if during the first few years the Cantonese spirea did not die, you can be sure that the next decade Lanziata will delight the gardener with its beautiful appearance.
