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Tamarix is a flowering low tree or shrub, a typical representative of the Tamaricaceae family. Due to the similarity in the pronunciation of the name of the genus and family, many call it tamarisk, distorting the correct name. Planting and caring for tamarix in the Moscow region has its own nuances, this is what will be discussed below.
Features of growing tamarix in the Moscow region
Tamariks (comb, bead) is a genus that unites more than 75 species. But not all of them are suitable for growing in the Moscow region. Many tamariks are thermophilic and cannot stand the temperature drop to -17 ° C, and in winter in the Moscow region there are frosts and up to -30 ° C. Judging by the numerous reviews, it is possible to cultivate tamarix in the Moscow region, most importantly, to choose a suitable variety and strictly follow all the rules of agricultural technology. A reliable shelter for bushes for the winter is the key to successful cultivation of beads in the Moscow region.
Tamarix varieties for the Moscow region
When choosing a tamarix for planting in the Moscow region, you must first of all pay attention to the degree of frost resistance of the culture, and only then to the decorative qualities. Most often in the suburbs, tamarix is planted graceful and branched.
Tamarix graceful (Tamarix gracilis)
The natural habitat covers the territories of Mongolia, Siberia, Kazakhstan, China, the species is often found in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation and in Ukraine. Graceful tamarix is a shrub up to 4 m tall, with dense, emitting branches covered with small cork spots. The bark is grayish-green or brown-chestnut. Green young shoots are covered with sharp leaves growing according to the principle of tiles, on one-year-old branches there are larger lanceolate leaves of a fawn shade. It blooms in spring with simple bright pink clusters about 5 cm long, summer inflorescences are more voluminous and longer (up to 7 cm). The flowering period ends closer to autumn. This natural species of tamarix is considered the most frost-resistant and is always popular with gardeners in the Moscow region.
Branched tamarix (Tamarix ramosissima)
Tamarix five-chained, as this species is also called, is a straight-growing bush, rarely exceeding 2 m in height in the Moscow region. Flowering lasts from June to early autumn. Inflorescences are complex volumetric brushes of various shades of pink. Branching tamarix in the Moscow region perfectly adapts to the conditions of a metropolis, undemanding to the composition of the soil, after freezing it quickly recovers.
Rubra variety (Rubra)... Deciduous shrub with loose arcuate branches, average height in adulthood is 2-4 m, with a crown diameter of 2-3 m.The leaf plates are narrow, resembling an awl, the length does not exceed 1.5 mm, shoots are bluish-green, annual branches have a reddish tint. It blooms from June to September with lush brushes of deep red-violet color. Tamariks of the Rubra variety is unpretentious to growing conditions, tolerates a haircut well, in the Moscow region it winters with a shelter.
Summer Glow variety (Samme Glow)... The bush is distinguished by a greenish-blue subulate foliage with a silvery sheen and a lush falling crown.During the flowering period, tamarix in the Moscow region is strewn with countless buds and flowers of a noble crimson hue. The variety is photophilous; in the shade, seedlings may die. The plant for the Moscow region looks good both in single plantings and as part of groups.
Pink Cascade cultivar (Pink Cascade)... The bush is sprawling and openwork, the height and diameter rarely exceed 2-3 m. The leaves are scaly, reduced, colored in gray-green colors. Numerous inflorescences are presented in the form of brushes with dark pink buds and flowers of lighter colors. The variety is characterized by abundant flowering throughout the summer. Recommended plant for growing in the 6th zone of frost resistance (up to -17.8 ° C).
Rosea cultivar (Rosea)... Similar to the previous cultivar, it grows up to 2 m, the plant is used in group and single plantings.
Tamarix tetrandra
According to the book by E. Wokke, this species of tamarix can be grown in the conditions of the Moscow region. In the botanical garden at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, the four-stalked tamarix has a height of about 2 m, freezes annually, but easily recovers, withstands temperatures down to -20 ° C. The flowering period in the Moscow region and similar climatic zones is June-July. The most popular variety is Africana.
Planting tamariks in the suburbs
To successfully grow tamarix in the Moscow region, it is important to adhere to the recommendations of experts. A properly selected and prepared place, as well as the timing of planting, are one of the main pillars on the way to lush, blooming beads.
Recommended timing
Planting tamariks can be carried out both in the fall during leaf fall, and in early spring. In the Moscow region, spring planting is recommended, so that the seedling has time to adapt to a new place, build up a good root system over the summer and autumn and winter safely.
Site selection and soil preparation
The area where tamarix will grow should be located at the highest place, but at the same time be protected from drafts and piercing winds. The sun should illuminate the bush from all sides; planting in the shade is highly undesirable. During the period of snow melting, water should not accumulate and stagnate at the roots of tamarix, which is detrimental to the plant and the close occurrence of groundwater.
Tamarix is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, it can grow even on saline and heavy clay soils, improved with peat and humus. The main requirement for the soil is that it must be well-drained, otherwise there is a possibility of developing fungal diseases.
Landing algorithm
Planting beads in the Moscow region is not much different from working with other shrubs, it is enough to perform the following steps in stages:
- In the chosen place, a hole is dug with a diameter and depth of 60 cm.
- The bottom is covered with a drainage layer of 20 cm. It can be pebbles, crushed stone, broken brick, expanded clay.
- A mixture of wood ash with humus is laid on the drainage.
- Further, 2/3 of the planting hole is covered with soil from garden soil, sand and peat, mixed in proportions of 2: 1: 1.
- The seedling is cut off before planting, leaving 30-50 cm from the root collar.
- Young tamarix is placed in the center of the pit, the roots are straightened and covered with soil to ground level. The root collar should not be buried.
- The earth around the seedling is lightly tamped, and then plentifully spilled with warm, settled water.
- Within 2-3 weeks after planting, tamarix is covered from direct sunlight if clear weather is established in the Moscow region.
Rules for caring for tamarix in the Moscow region
Planting and caring for a tamarisk bush in the Moscow region will not take a gardener much time.It is enough to regularly feed it, water it in a drought, carry out sanitary and formative pruning and cover it with high quality for the winter.
Watering and feeding schedule
In the Moscow region, beads need watering only in the absence of rain for a long time. Only young plants need to be watered regularly. To prevent moisture evaporation, the peri-stem circle is mulched.
In the spring, with the beginning of the growing season, the beads are fed with organic matter. In the summer season, to maintain a long and abundant flowering, the bush is sprayed over the foliage with a solution of potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. For these purposes, you can use products for flowering plants:
- Kemira Universal;
- Fertika Lux.
Pruning
According to reviews, tamarisk in the Moscow region completely freezes above the level of snow cover. The crown is cut in early spring before the buds swell. Old branches with a slight increase are cut into a ring, this stimulates the growth of young shoots. With the beginning of the growing season, frost-damaged shoots are identified, and they are shortened to healthy wood. Formative pruning can also be carried out after flowering, while too elongated branches are removed, giving the crown a neat appearance.
How to prepare tamarix for winter in the suburbs
Before frosts come to the Moscow region, you should worry about a reliable shelter for the bush for the winter. Tamarix is mulched with a thick layer of fallen leaves or peat. In November, the branches are neatly bent to the ground, fixed and covered with spruce branches, the trunk is wrapped in a thick cloth.
Pests and diseases
Bead is a plant that is highly immune to various pests. It is only affected if other affected crops are present in the garden next to it. It is enough to treat the crown with an insecticide solution once to get rid of this problem. It is most effective to use:
- Actellik;
- "Aktaru";
- Fitoverm.
With increased air and soil humidity due to prolonged rains or violations of agricultural practices, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or root rot can develop on tamarix. At the same time, the plant looks depressed: brown spots appear, a grayish bloom, the leaves lose their turgor. With this kind of symptoms, the damaged branches should be immediately removed, and the bush should be treated with a fungicide solution:
- bordeaux liquid;
- Fundazol;
- "Topaz".
Conclusion
Planting and caring for tamarix in the Moscow region is a simple matter for knowledgeable and trained gardeners. After only 2-3 seasons after planting, the bush will bloom with myriads of pink beads and will become the main decoration of the infield.
