Cultivation Techniques of Chaenomeles Lageraria
This article provides an introduction to the cultivation of the woody flower Chaenomeles Lageraria. Let's follow the editor to explore the specific content!
Chaenomeles Lageraria, also known as Iron Foot crabapple or Iron Angle crabapple, belongs to the Rosaceae family and the Chaenomeles genus. Its flowers are fresh, plump, and brilliant, making it one of the main spring flowering trees in gardens. It can be planted individually to decorate flower borders, planted in rows to form hedges, or used as a potted plant for ornamental purposes, and is also ideal for creating flower and fruit tree bonsai.
Chaenomeles Lageraria is native to southern华北, eastern西北, and central华中 regions of China. Now it is cultivated in various parts of the country. It has strong adaptability and is relatively cold-resistant, able to survive the winter outdoors in North China. It is very sensitive to temperature, with plants in sunny, windward locations blooming 4 to 6 days earlier than those in shaded areas. It is not picky about soil but does not tolerate waterlogging and prefers dry conditions. Excessive soil moisture often leads to weak plants with thin branches and leaves, significantly reducing their resistance. Poor soil drainage and waterlogging can cause root rot, and in severe cases, the plant may suffocate and die. Chaenomeles Lageraria is a sun-loving tree species that requires ample light, but it can still grow well and bloom normally in slightly shaded areas.
Chaenomeles Lageraria is a deciduous shrub, growing 1 to 2 meters tall. The branches are upright and spreading, thorny and hairless, with alternate leaves that are ovate to elliptical in shape, with sharp锯齿 edges. The stipules are large, kidney or semi-circular shaped, without petioles, and seem to embrace the stem. The flowers grow singly or in clusters on the inner part of two-year-old branches, with very short pedicels, adhering to the branches. The flowers are bright red, pink, or creamy white, blooming before or simultaneously with the leaves, with erect sepals. The fruits are spherical or ovate, yellow or yellow-green, tightly adhering to the branches without visible peduncles, and fragrant. The flowering period is from March to April, and the fruits mature in October. Common horticultural varieties include white-flowered (var. nivalis), rose-flowered (var. rosea), crimson-flowered (var. sanguinea), and dwarf (var. pygmaea).
Cultivation Methods of Chaenomeles Lageraria
Commonly propagated by division or cutting, although seeding is also possible but rarely used.
1. Division is carried out in early spring. After the soil thaws and the weather warms up, the entire clump is dug up, the root soil is shaken off, and the clump is split into smaller sections with 2 to 4 branches and roots at the base using a sharp knife. The injured branches from the division are cut off at the root neck, while the rest are left with a short stub of about 10 centimeters. They are then planted in a prepared seedbed and managed intensively, and can be sold after 1 to 2 years.
2. Cutting propagation is done from June to July, selecting sturdy new branches and cutting them into 12 to 15 centimeters long cuttings, which are inserted into river sand or vermiculite as substrates. For mass propagation, a sandy loam soil with good drainage can be used as a bed, and the cuttings can be directly inserted into the soil. After cutting, they should be shaded and watered, keeping the soil surface moist, and new roots can grow in about 40 days. After rooting, reduce watering and gradually extend the exposure to light, eventually removing the shade and strengthening锻炼. In cold winter areas, cuttings in the open field need to be covered with straw or other protective measures to survive the winter. Transplant in the following spring. Cuttings in pure sand or vermiculite should be transplanted promptly after rooting, otherwise, the new roots will grow too long, and the lack of nutrients in the cuttings will be detrimental to transplantation and growth.
Layering can also be done in spring, and roots can form within one month, after which they can be separated from the parent plant and planted in the fall.
Cultivation Techniques of Chaenomeles Lageraria
Chaenomeles Lageraria is not strict about soil requirements. It can grow well in general loam or sandy loam soils, especially in alluvial and gravelly soils. For potted plants, a fertile garden soil mixed with some coarse sand should be used.
Chaenomeles Lageraria can tolerate drought and poor soil, so the cultivation management is relatively relaxed. To make the plant grow lush with more and brighter flowers, appropriate water and fertilizer management should be carried out. Since it is sensitive to water and fertilizer, excessive amounts often lead to excessive growth and fewer flowers. Normal management includes applying organic fertilizer (rotten manure or compost) once a year in the fall. If the plant is not very weak, no top dressing is needed during the growing season, and the amount of organic fertilizer can be increased in the fall.
Chaenomeles Lageraria grows vigorously, and the plant can become too dense, so pruning is an important management task. The goal of pruning is mainly to improve ventilation and light conditions within the plant, avoid dense branches that affect growth, and control the upward growth of one-year-old branch tips, preventing the germination of basal buds, which can lead to dense tops and the formation of no flower buds. Pruning should be done every 1 to 2 years, with the removal of fine branches and retention of coarse ones. For one-year-old branches, from after defoliation to before germination each year,除了疏去细弱枝外,并把所有新枝留2/3 to 1/2剪去枝梢.
Common pests include aphids and spider mites. Aphids occur on new shoots in spring and autumn. Spider mites often appear after the end of May. Control methods include choosing appropriate pesticides for spraying.
For potted Chaenomeles Lageraria, management is needed due to the limitation of the root system by the pot, otherwise, it will affect growth and result in fewer flowers. Generally, organic fertilizer should be applied once in late autumn or early winter, and a liquid fertilizer should be applied after flowering in spring. The fertilizer should not be too concentrated and can include decomposed cake fertilizer water, etc. Watering should maintain the soil moist.
The above is some experience and knowledge about the cultivation techniques of Chaenomeles Lageraria. I hope this article can provide you with some help!