Content
- 1 Description of the weeping mulberry tree
- 2 Varieties of weeping decorative mulberry
- 3 Planting and caring for weeping mulberry
- 4 Productivity of weeping mulberry from one tree
- 5 How to form a weeping mulberry
- 6 Reproduction of weeping mulberry
- 7 How to plant a weeping mulberry
- 8 Reviews of weeping mulberry
- 9 Conclusion
The mulberry tree is a beautiful tree that is popular with summer residents in Russia. There are several varieties of this tree. Weeping mulberry differs in the size and shape of the crown. Outwardly, hanging branches resembles a weeping willow or pussy willow.
Description of the weeping mulberry tree
Deciduous tree of the mulberry family. The height is no more than 3 m. 17 species of mulberry tree are officially described, although there are more than 200 varieties of mulberry.
It is not only an ornamental plant, but also a fruit tree with delicious and aromatic berries. The compact size allows you to grow a weeping mulberry even in a small area. The crown reaches 2 m in width. The branches of the weeping mulberry are long and can grow to the ground.
The plant is long-lived, it can decorate the site for 200-500 years. The fruits are represented by a drupe, hidden by a fleshy perianth. Fruit length - 2-5 cm. Color - pink, dark purple, white. The fruits are edible, sweet and sour with a pleasant aroma.
Weeping mulberry in the photo attracts with fruits. These are juicy berries with an unforgettable aroma and sweet taste. The fruits of the weeping mulberry tree are very healthy, they contain vitamins and minerals. Also the tree is suitable for decorative functions.
Mulberry ripens by the middle of summer. In winter, after the tree has shed its foliage, the bending of the branches will delight the eye and give the plant a special grace.
Varieties of weeping decorative mulberry
Weeping mulberry is a type of common mulberry that has several varieties. They differ in fruit color, size, ripening time.
The most popular variety is the weeping mulberry Black Baroness. It is a black variety of weeping mulberry tree with large fruits up to 4 cm. It easily tolerates frosts down to -30 ° C. Productivity - up to 100 kg per tree. Weeping Mulberry Black Baroness has the most positive reviews for its unrivaled taste.
The white weeping mulberry tree is another species. It has heart-shaped leaves. The flowering period is May-June. Fruits are white, sweet, do not tolerate transportation well.
For the most part, weeping mulberry has a lower yield than other mulberry varieties. It is mainly used to decorate the site, it is planted more often near gazebos, fences, and also as single plantings in the garden.
Planting and caring for weeping mulberry
Weeping mulberry on a trunk is not demanding to care for. But there are points to consider when planting and cultivating a crop. Mulberry weeping mulberry for planting and care does not belong to capricious plants.
Selection and preparation of the landing site
For planting weeping mulberries, loamy and sandy loam soils are optimal. The site is chosen as illuminated as possible, with a lot of sunlight. There should be no tall trees or buildings nearby that cast a shadow.
It is better to plant a decorative mulberry tree on the southern slopes of the hills.
Mulberry grows poorly on saline soils, as well as in marshy areas. The seedling should not be exposed to cold winds.
Preparation of planting material
Weeping mulberry propagates by means of cuttings. They are cut at the beginning of summer from this year's increment. With proper planting and adherence to the rules of agricultural technology, by the fall, such cuttings take root. It is important to plant them at a 45 ° angle.
If a seedling with a ready-made root system is purchased for planting, then when buying, you should pay attention to the condition of the roots. The roots of a young mulberry tree are weak. It is important that there are no sick and rotten specimens among them. It is optimal if the roots are not dry and packed in fertile soil. Then the weeping mulberry will quickly take root, and leaving will not be difficult.
Planting weeping mulberries
Planting a tree is recommended in the spring. But it is advisable to prepare a pit for planting in the fall. Deepening in width and height is 50 cm. When digging, instead of an infertile layer, you must fill in a couple of buckets of compost or humus.
Put 50 g of urea, 100 g of superphosphate and 50 g of potassium in the pit. Stir in fertile soil.
When planting, the roots are gently straightened. If planting is carried out in the southern regions, then the seedling is buried to the root collar. In the Northern regions, it is recommended to deepen the neck 5 cm below the soil level. The distance between the seedlings should be 3 m.
After planting, the trees are watered immediately. Each seedling is entitled to 2 buckets of water. Then, to preserve moisture, the root zone is mulched. This can be done with straw, peat, sawdust or foliage.
Watering and feeding
Weeping mulberry is a very moisture-loving plant. Young plants especially need a lot of water. Immediately after planting, 2-3 buckets of water are poured onto the seedling.
Young trees are watered every 2 weeks. In a too hot summer, watering becomes more frequent up to 1 time per week. The watering rate for a young mulberry tree is 20 liters. In a rainy season, watering the mulberry tree is not worth it.
At the end of September, it is necessary to perform water-charging irrigation. To do this, 3 buckets of water are poured under a young tree at once.
An adult plant requires less moisture. Weeping mulberry can also tolerate drought. Therefore, in hot weather, mulberry trees can be watered once every 2 weeks or even less often.
A young weeping mulberry does not need feeding. Nutrient soil is sufficient for the first 2 years of life.
As you grow older, you need to fertilize 2 times per season:
- The first feeding is carried out in the spring, while still on the lying snow. Urea is scattered on the snow layer at the rate of 50 g per square meter. Some gardeners use ammonium nitrate instead of urea.
- Potassium and phosphorus are added in mid-August. This will help overwinter the mulberry and increase its frost resistance.
With such a feeding system, the mulberry will look spectacular and give a decent harvest.
Protection against diseases and pests
Disease resistance is not observed in the weeping mulberry. Therefore, it is imperative to carry out preventive treatment. This is best done in April, before the buds have blossomed.
For processing, professional insecticides and fungicides are used. In October, a 3% solution of Bordeaux liquid is used.
It is imperative to regularly carry out sanitary pruning in order to rid the plant of diseased shoots. It is they who become the source of infection for the entire mulberry tree.
Preparation of weeping mulberry for wintering
Preparation for winter begins in the middle of autumn. In a young mulberry tree, it is necessary to press the branches to the ground. If mulberries are grown in a region with harsh winters, then for the first few years you need to wrap the trunk with warm material. It is also better to cover the root system, and cover with mulch on top.
In the southern regions, special training is not required, since the mulberry can easily endure southern winters.
Productivity of weeping mulberry from one tree
The first harvest from the weeping mulberry, as in the photo, can be obtained only after 3 years. In the first year of harvest, the fruits will be small. There is no need to climb a tree when picking berries. It is enough to wait until ripening, then all the berries will fall to the ground.It is simply advisable to lay any material in advance, preferably polyethylene.
From one tree, depending on the variety, you can collect up to 100 kg of mulberry.
How to form a weeping mulberry
Mulberry pruning is carried out to form the crown, remove diseased shoots, and also to rejuvenate the entire tree.
For trimming, you need to prepare tools, including a pruner and a hacksaw. All tools must be sharpened and of high quality.
For the formation, it is necessary to leave a bole with a height of a meter and cut off all the shoots at this distance. This pruning is done in early spring before the buds bloom. The temperature should not drop below - 10 ° С.
The weeping mulberry is characterized by the same height and length of the shoots. The central shoot is not isolated during crown formation. It is necessary to cut the branches for the lower and lateral buds. This creates the desired bend, which is considered characteristic of the given shape.
Reproduction of weeping mulberry
Weeping mulberry is a dioecious plant, both male and female flowers are present on the same tree. Mulberry propagation is possible in several ways:
- seeds - a long and laborious process;
- green cuttings are the most common method;
- layering and maternal shoots;
- vaccination.
Each of the methods has its own nuances. By grafting on one tree, you can get a harvest of different colored berries. This makes the tree even more decorative.
How to plant a weeping mulberry
The easiest way to inoculate a mulberry tree is to copulate. These are the same oblique cuts both on the scion and on the rootstock. With the correct grafting, a clear mechanical fastening of tissues between the cuttings is obtained.
The sections must be made between the kidneys. The place of attachment is wound with a soft polyethylene bandage.
Reviews of weeping mulberry
Conclusion
Weeping mulberry is just one of the varieties of mulberry. Often used for decorative purposes. But it also gives enough tasty berries. Pruning the weeping mulberry in spring will give it the desired shape, and the length of the shoots adorns the tree to the ground. The tree is not demanding in care, it perfectly tolerates even harsh winters.
Mulberry is a really delicious berry. But for decorative purposes, it is better to choose a variety that does not produce fruit, or to pick the berries before they have fallen off. Otherwise, dark spots from berries under the trees will ruin all the beauty.