The planting and maintenance of golden foliaged caryopteris
An article full of tips, introducing the planting and maintenance of golden foliaged caryopteris and the techniques for cutting propagation. Let's dive into the details next.
Golden foliaged caryopteris (Caryopteris × clandonensis 'Worcester Gold'), a member of the verbena family, is suitable for planting in the Northwest, Northeast, North, and Central regions of China. This tree species has elegant flowers with a faint fragrance, blooming during the sparse flowering seasons of summer and autumn, lasting for 2-3 months, making it a great species for decorating the scenery of these seasons. It is drought-resistant and cold-resistant, can be managed loosely, and the yellow color of the leaves becomes more vibrant when pruned during the growing season. It can be used for large area color blocks and basic cultivation, planted at the edges of lawns, near artificial mountains, by water, or along roads, especially effective in setting off colors, making it an excellent shrub for garden landscaping.
1. Botanical characteristics
Deciduous small shrub, about 1.2m tall, with a crown width of about 1.0m. The young branches are slender and purple-brown, with dense foliage, the entire plant is covered with grayish-white hair, the leaves are opposite, pinnately veined; the leaves are lanceolate, 3-4.5cm long and about 1cm wide, acuminate at the apex, cuneate at the base, with sparse saw-toothed edges, smooth on the upper surface, densely pubescent on the lower surface; petioles are about 1.5cm long; new leaves are bright yellow, mature leaves are yellow-green, with a faint fragrance of Chinese herbs. Flowers are bisexual, corymbose inflorescences borne in the leaf axils of young branches; calyces are campanulate, 5-lobed; corollas are 5-lobed, bilabiate, purple-blue; stamens are 4, extending out of the corolla; capsule fruits are 4-lobed.
2. Biological characteristics
This species loves light, and according to observations, the more dry and sunny the weather, the more golden the leaf color. It also tolerates semi-shade, and if it is kept in semi-shaded conditions for a long time, the leaves will be light yellow-green. It is drought-resistant, cold-resistant, and adaptable to poor soil, not picky about soil, acid, neutral, and calcareous soils are all suitable; it can be managed loosely; it has strong resistance to diseases and pests, grows fast, has strong germination ability, is easy to prune, and easy to root from cuttings, and easy to survive after transplanting.
The germination period of golden foliaged caryopteris is in mid-May, the leaf expansion period is in late May, the flowering period is from August to September, the peak flowering period is in September, and it can bloom in the same year it is planted.
3. Propagation techniques
(1) Seed propagation
Golden foliaged caryopteris is a hybrid variety and should not be propagated by seeds. Its seeds are very small, and if播种, it should be done in calm wind conditions, using direct seeding in seedbeds.
(2) Cutting propagation
In July, during the growing period, select healthy mother plants free of diseases and pests, cut healthy, lateral bud饱满的 semi-woody branches as cuttings, cut into 5-8cm long segments according to internode length, retaining 2-3 internodes. Keep 2 pairs of leaves at the top of the cutting and remove the leaves at the bottom. Avoid direct sunlight when collecting cuttings and cut and plant immediately to prevent wilting. Plant cuttings at a spacing of 5cm on the bed surface, with a depth of 2-3cm. After planting, cover the arch shed with plastic film, maintaining a temperature of 25-30℃ inside the shed, relative humidity of 80%-90%, and 70% shading. Roots will start to grow approximately 15 days after planting. Golden foliaged caryopteris is very easy to root from cuttings, and the rooting rate without any chemical treatment is over 90%.
4. Cultivation techniques
The main management during the seedling stage is water and fertilizer management and pest and disease control. Seedlings need to be transplanted once in the seedbed before being planted. After transplanting, keep the bed surface moist, avoid waterlogging, and apply fertilizers according to the principle of "less quantity, more times", applying more nitrogen fertilizer in the early stage and more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in the middle and late stages. When the seedlings enter the rapid growth stage, increase the amount of water and fertilizer to promote growth. Stop applying water and fertilizer in the later growth stage to promote lignification. Use shading nets during hot weather to prevent burning. Weeding in time to prevent weeds from competing with seedlings for nutrients. Cuttings can be planted in the same year, with a survival rate of over 95%, no slow growth after planting, and an increase of over 50% in growth compared to bare-root seedlings. The planting site should be fertilized and prepared in advance, and it is best to plant in cloudy weather, watering thoroughly after planting. Strengthen fertilizer and water management and loosen soil and weed after transplanting. The seedlings can reach a height of 40-50cm in the first year.
5. Cold resistance
Golden foliaged caryopteris does not suffer from frost damage in the Harbin area, and the plant height, crown width, and number of branches meet the requirements for greening, indicating potential applications in the Harbin area.
Disease and pest control: Pests mainly prevent scale insects, which can cause leaf distortion and should be controlled. Use 2000 times the concentration of Jieba, Jie'an, or Jie'tuo for spray prevention. Disease control can use 50% wettable powder of zinc omadine at 500 times the concentration or 50% wettable powder of carbendazim at 1000 times the concentration mixed with foliar fertilizer for spraying, which is effective, and only needs to be done 1-2 times a year.
Application scope
1. Clump planting
Planting golden foliaged caryopteris in small groups in front of light-colored buildings or with green coniferous trees as a background enriches the landscape color and enlivens the garden atmosphere, playing a role of adding flowers to the brocade.
2. Group or mass planting
Golden foliaged caryopteris is suitable for planting at the edges of lawns, near artificial mountains, by water, or along roads, and can also be combined with purple-leaf berberis, full-flowered roses, etc., to create various color block patterns, with excellent results. The golden foliaged caryopteris has bright golden leaves and can be planted in large color blocks in open areas.
3. Basic planting
Golden foliaged caryopteris has dense clusters and is easy to prune, making it an excellent hedge material. When combined with green basic planting materials, it creates beautiful borders, lettering, patterns, etc., especially in the background of green lawns, often making the colors more beautiful.
The above sharing of the planting and maintenance of golden foliaged caryopteris and the cutting propagation techniques, have green plant enthusiasts understood?