Content
Irga alder-leaved, a photo and description of the varieties of which are given in this article, is one of the most underestimated garden plants. But this perennial shrub can become a real decoration of the personal plot.
It is not only beautiful during the flowering period, but also is able to generously endow the gardener with a harvest of tasty and healthy berries.
Distinctive characteristics of the species
Irga alder is a perennial shrub of the Rosaceae family. His homeland is North America. In the wild, except for the original habitats, it is found in the Crimea and the Caucasus. The main data on this plant are presented in the table.
Parameter | Value |
Culture type | Deciduous shrub |
Root system | Powerful, well developed, depth of penetration into the soil up to 2 meters |
Escapes | Straight, even, dark gray, up to 6 meters high |
Leaves | Green, matte, oval or almost round, up to 5 cm long, the edge has a characteristic serration, the veins are clearly readable, light |
Flowers | White, 2-3 cm in diameter, collected in large inflorescences up to 20 pieces per cluster |
Pollination | Self-pollinated |
Fruit | Large (up to 1.5 cm in diameter), oval, blue-black |
In comparison with other types of irga, alder-leaved has both advantages and disadvantages. It is less hardy, more demanding for watering. Its positive qualities are:
- higher productivity;
- lack of uncontrolled root growth;
- long life span (up to 70 years);
- high shade tolerance;
- high growth rate of shoots.
Like other species, alder irga is undemanding to the type of soil. Its fruits are just as tasty, and the content of vitamins and microelements in them is no less.
Irgi berries contain:
- sugary substances;
- pectins;
- carotene;
- B vitamins, ascorbic acid;
- tannins.
A photo of alder irriga during the flowering period is in the photo below.
The shrub is an excellent honey plant. No wonder in her homeland, in North America, this type of plant is called saskatoon or amelanch, which means "bringing honey".
What varieties belong to the species of alder irgi
Several varieties with similar species characteristics are combined under the general name "Irga alkholistnaya". These include:
- Starlight Night;
- Smokey;
- Forestburg;
- Obelisk;
- Krasnoyarsk;
- Slate.
A brief description and characteristics of each of the varieties are presented below.
Krasnoyarsk
The description of the Krasnoyarskaya Irgi variety can be started with its berries, since it is a high-yielding super-large-fruited variety. Its fruiting is really abundant and regular. Berries weighing up to 2 g, dark blue, with a characteristic haze. The taste of the fruit is sweet, with a pleasant sourness. A mature tree can grow up to 4 m in height. A description of the Krasnoyarskaya Irga would be incomplete without mentioning its amazing winter hardiness. Thanks to this ability, Krasnoyarskaya alder-leaved irga can be grown in the Urals and Southern Siberia.
Slate
Irga Slate (Sleyt) is a fruitful variety with large black berries weighing up to 1.1 g, with a high sugar content. It is an improved variety of canadian irgi. Shrub of medium height, 1.5–2 m. Slightly curved shoots, dense crown. Winter-hardy. Requires mandatory protection of the crop from birds. In autumn, the crown turns bright red, the shrub can also perform decorative functions.
Starlight Night
The first and only variety of Russian selection, included in the State Register in 2016. A large-fruited high-yielding variety with a mass of berries up to 2 g. A distinctive feature is the ripening of berries in the bunch almost simultaneously, due to which fruiting is not prolonged in time. Fruit skin is denser, better transportability. Resistant to diseases and pests.
Smokey
Irga alder-leaved Smokey was bred in Canada. Differs in powerful vertical shoots, as it grows, the bush becomes sprawling. Provides abundant root growth. Large-fruited, the yield is high and stable. The berries are dark blue, with a bluish bloom, 12-15 mm in diameter. The taste is bright and sweet. Requires mandatory protection from birds. Resistant to both drought and frost. Not susceptible to disease.
Forestburg
Another variety of Canadian selection. Like Smokey, it has powerful vertical shoots, but unlike the latter, it forms significantly less root growth. Winter hardiness is very high, increased drought resistance. Diseases and pests were not observed. Fruits are large, 12–17 mm in diameter, collected in dense clusters. The taste is pleasant, sweet. The berries are suitable for consumption both fresh and processed.
Obelisk
Irga alder-leaved obelisk (Obelisk) is a shrub with an original narrow vertical crown. The description of the Irgi Obelisk can be found in books on landscape design, since the shrub is widely used as a decorative one, thanks to its bright green color in summer and bright orange with red in autumn. It is winter-hardy, not affected by diseases and pests. Grows well in urban environments. Fruiting annually and abundantly, the berries are dark blue with a bluish bloom, sweet in taste. Reviews about Irga Obelisk are mostly positive.
Blooming irga of the Obelisk variety - in the photo.
Reproduction of alder-leaved irgi
All the same methods as for berry bushes are suitable for reproduction of alder-leaved irgi. It can be done:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- layering;
- basal processes;
- dividing the bush.
Seeds must be removed from ripe fruits, planted in nutritious soil and covered with foil. They germinate rather quickly, providing an annual growth of about 15 cm. Cuttings are cut from young strong shoots, kept cut in a root growth stimulator and planted in the soil under a film. Layers are obtained by bending side shoots to the ground and filling them with soil. Regular moistening of the soil in these places leads to rooting and growth of shoots. The sprouted seedlings are then separated from the mother bush and transplanted.
The basal shoots formed by the root system of the bush are the best seedlings. In this case, they are simply separated from the root along with a lump of earth and transplanted to a new place. Seating by dividing a bush can be used when transplanting a bush to a new location. For this, the bush is completely dug out of the ground and divided into parts along with the roots.
Planting alder-leaved irgi
Planting of alder-leaved irgi can be carried out both for decorative purposes and for obtaining berries.
Site selection and preparation
When choosing a planting site for alder irriga, a number of factors must be taken into account. The main things to consider:
- For the shrub to feel good, the groundwater level at the planting site should not rise above 2 meters.
- For a good harvest, it is better to choose a place with good sunlight.
- The shrub will be vigorous, spreading and will create a lot of shade.
- You can transplant an adult bush until it reaches the age of 7 years.
- An adult bush can live up to 60–70 years.
- A highly developed root system will give shoots even after the bush is completely removed from the site, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely get rid of the irgi.
- The berries will attract many birds to the site.
- The carrion is heavily painted, so do not plant the irga next to white stone paths, light wooden arbors, etc.
If the decision to land is made, you need to take care of the landing pits in advance. It is better to dig them up one and a half to two months before the planned planting. Their depth should be at least half a meter. The distance between adjacent bushes should be at least 2.5 m, when planting in a row, it can be reduced to 1.5 m.
Below is a video about planting and breeding irgi:
When to plant alder irga: spring or autumn
Irga alder-leaved has excellent survival rate, therefore, it can be planted both in spring, before the appearance of the first leaves, and in autumn, after the end of leaf fall.
How to choose seedlings
As a rule, alder leaves are planted with seedlings of the second year of life. By this time, they should be at least 30–35 cm long and have well-developed roots.
Landing procedure
A mixture of turf and humus is poured into the finished planting pits in a 1: 1 ratio. As a top dressing, it will be advisable to add 1 tbsp to the mixture. a spoonful of potassium sulfate and 2 tbsp. tablespoons of superphosphate.
The seedlings are placed vertically in the pit and the roots are covered with sod soil, deepening the root collar by 5–6 cm. The trunk circle is tamped slightly, watering is carried out at the rate of 30 liters per bush, after which the soil is mulched with peat, humus or sawdust.
Alder irga care
No special care for alder irga is required. Bushes need to be trimmed periodically for both sanitary and decorative purposes. To get a good harvest of berries, you need to do regular watering and top dressing.
Watering
Irga alder-leaved loves water and responds well to watering. This is especially necessary during the period of setting and ripening of berries. If there is enough precipitation, watering can be completely abandoned.
Weeding and loosening the soil
Loosening and weeding can be done periodically, cleaning the near-trunk circle from weeds... A completely near-trunk circle is usually dug up in the fall, while fertilizing it.
Top dressing of alder irga during the season
Alder-leaved irga responds well to the introduction of organic fertilizers: peat, humus. In addition, it can be fed during the season.
Timing | Fertilizer |
Spring, before the leaves begin to bloom | Nitrofoska or other nitrogen fertilizer - 50 g per 10 liters of water, applied by watering the trunk circle |
Early summer | Infusion of chicken manure or slurry 0.5 l or urea 30-40 g per 10 l of water, introduced into the root zone |
In autumn, after falling leaves | Superphosphate 40 g, potassium sulfate 20 g per 1 sq. m simultaneously with digging the soil |
Pruning
Alder-leaved irga is cut for sanitary purposes, to rejuvenate plantings and to form a crown. Sanitary pruning is done in the fall after the leaves fall and in the spring before the buds swell. First of all, broken, dry and thickening branches are cut out. After the third year of life, three vertical annual shoots are usually left, the rest are cut out at the root. In total, the bush is formed from 10-15 branches of different ages.
Preparing alder-leaved irgi for winter
Winter hardiness of alder-leaved irgi is sufficient to survive frosts of -40 degrees and below. No special protective measures need to be taken.
What diseases and pests can threaten the culture
Alder-leaved irga is very resistant to disease. Despite this, sometimes both traces of diseases and pests can be seen on the bushes. Here is a small list of them.
Disease / Pest | How does it manifest | Treatment and prevention |
Phallistikosis | On the fallen leaves, characteristic brown spots are noticeable. | The affected foliage is destroyed, the bushes are treated with Bordeaux liquid |
Gray rot | Gray mold on berries and leaves | Reducing watering; processing with Bordeaux mixture |
Shrinking branches | Leaves and branch tips darken and dry out | Cut and burn the affected areas of the bush. In the spring, treat the bushes with copper sulfate. |
Irgov moth | Moth caterpillars secrete substances that destroy the leaf plate | Spray with karbofos |
Irrigated seed-eater | The seed-eater larva eats the seeds in the berry |
Conclusion
Irga alkholistnaya, a photo and description of the varieties of which is given in this article, is a real find for a gardener. Caring for it is extremely simple, and the abundance of berries can please even in lean years. Blooming irga is very beautiful, and many sweet dishes can be prepared from its fruits.
