An ornamental tree with large leaves and pods. Decorative catalpa - will make your garden happy. Biological features of a tree

In nature, there are a number of beauty which touches even the most callous person. These can be counted catalpu tree- unusual in appearance at any time of the year, eye-catching during flowering, surprising with large, wondrous beauty leaves in the form of hearts and fruits of interesting shape. If you want to surprise your friends and passers-by, feel free to plant this on your own. After all, to all the charms, it is also unpretentious. Read about the needs of the catalpa plant during cultivation and care in this article.

Did you know? Because of the shape of the fruit in the form of long pods, catalpa is called a pipe tree or macaroni tree. And in his homeland, in North America, the local population calls him a "cigar" tree.

The first acquaintance with catalpa

In order to get an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bwhat this plant is, we will describe its biological features. Catalpa (lat. Catalpa)- This is a small deciduous tree that grows on average up to 15 m in height and up to 1 m in width. Maximum size the trunk reaches 45 m.

The crown of the catalpa is spherical, dense. Leaves are large, heart-shaped or ovate. They reach a length of 30 cm and a width of 17 cm. They grow on long petioles.

Catalpa blooms in early summer with large, up to 20 cm, inflorescences in the form of erect panicles or white or cream-colored brushes interspersed in the middle. Funnel-shaped flowers, of which 50 are contained in the inflorescence, are very similar in appearance to Fragrant flowering lasts about a month. The first time it occurs at a five-year-old catalpa. Inflorescences in shape and appearance resemble candles.

The fruit of the tree has the shape of a box in the form of a cylinder, up to 40 cm long, similar in appearance to the fruits, like in the inside of it there are flattened seeds in the amount of 53-146 pieces. The fruits can remain on the tree for the entire winter period.

Catalpa is interesting due to the fact that in autumn its leaves do not turn yellow, they fall green at temperatures below 0 degrees. Also, the plant attracts attention by the fact that at the time when it blooms, all other trees have long faded.

In the wild, catalpa is found in East Asia and North America. How decorative tree With large leaves and long pods is grown in the southern regions of Russia, in Germany, Ukraine and other countries.

The tree is very hardy, and its wood does not rot for a long time, while remaining soft and light. The plant can grow successfully both at low temperatures, for example, in the northern states of America, and in the heat of India, Australia and Africa. Equally easy to survive in arid steppes and on the sea coast.

The plant is presented in the form and shrub forms. Catalpa belongs to the Bignoniev family. The catalpa genus includes 10 species. Among them, in addition to deciduous, there are also five species most common in Russia: bignoniform, beautiful (magnificent), Bunge, ovoid, hybrid.

Did you know? Valuable catalpa wood is used for the manufacture of crafts, furniture, sleepers, poles, underwater structures, and is used in construction.

Choosing a place to grow: lighting and soil requirements

After such a detailed acquaintance with the macaroni tree, let's talk about how to grow it.

Catalpa is a photophilous plant, therefore, when planting it, you should choose well-lit areas. So that the tree does not lose its decorative effect, care must be taken to ensure that the place where it grows is protected from drafts. Otherwise, the winds can damage the leaves and destroy the flowers.

The process of planting young seedlings

Catalpa does not require any special conditions when landing. It is advisable to dig a landing hole with a depth of 1-1.2 m and water it abundantly. Then add in the form (5-7 kg) and A soil mixture of the following composition is placed at the bottom of the pit:

• - three parts;
• leaf ground - two parts;
• sand - two parts;
• - one part.

It is desirable to choose a seedling at the age of one year. It must be placed in a hole so that the root neck is at ground level, and sprinkled with the prepared soil mixture. A planted tree after planting is watered abundantly, which will require at least a bucket of water. The trunk circle can be peat.

If you plan to plant several trees, then intervals of 3 m should be observed between seedlings. best time for planting catalpa is early spring.

Important! Pasta seedlings are best purchased in specialized stores or well-established nurseries.

Cultivation and care features

Catalpa refers to unpretentious plants. Its care is standard, it consists in watering, fertilizing, weeding, sanitary pruning, protective measures against diseases and pests.

Watering and feeding

It is necessary to feed the tree when planting. In subsequent years, during the growing season, slurry (diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10) should be applied two or three times to the trunk circle - it is believed that this is the best fertilizer for pasta. Also, catalpa can be fertilized with Kemira-universal (120 g / 1 m²). Abundant watering is mandatory before fertilizing.

Weeding and loosening the soil

After each watering, it is desirable to loosen the soil in the trunk circle, combining with weeding from Loosening the soil should be deep- by 30-35 cm.

Branch pruning

Catalpa pruning is performed for sanitary purposes. Every spring it is necessary to remove damaged, diseased and old branches. Also, a shaping haircut is used to give the crown a beautiful and well-groomed appearance.

Preparing for winter

Catalpa is no different good frost resistance. This is especially true for young trees. Therefore, they should be covered for the winter. You can resort to wrapping the trunks with burlap or spruce branches. In the near-trunk circle, in order to avoid freezing of the roots, a thick layer of dry leaves is poured. After the cessation of frost, in the spring, the shelter is removed.

Important! As the tree grows, it will become more hardened, and its frost resistance will increase every year. The most winter-hardy species is the ovoid catalpa. It tolerates a drop in temperature to -29°C .

It happens that the plant freezes slightly, but recovers in the spring. And, for example, a variety like Aurea can freeze to the ground, and then also completely grow back.

Pests and diseases of catalpa: how to save a tree

Catalpa is rarely affected by diseases and pests. Most often it can be attacked Spanish fly. To combat it, spraying is used. If not destroyed, then the decorativeness of the plant can be significantly affected.

Also, the tree is sometimes affected fungus Verticillium. To avoid this, it is necessary to follow the basic rules of agricultural technology - regularly water and loosen the soil in the trunk circle. If the disease is started, then this can provoke the drying out and death of the tree.

The combination and use of catalpa in landscape compositions

More recently, just a decade ago, catalpas grew only in botanical gardens. Today, this tree is increasingly used in their compositions. landscape designers, he was loved by summer residents and city utilities, who actively plant parks and alleys of megacities with his help, because catalpas tolerate urban conditions well.

If we talk about planting in the city, then the catalpa crown gives an excellent shade, so it is good to plant a tree near benches in recreation areas. It is also suitable for planting along roads, paths, near water bodies.

The macaroni tree looks great both in a solitary planting and in a group. In the southern regions, it is usually planted next to the eastern liquidambar, holly. Oak can also make a good company for catalpa. A combination of different varieties of catalpa in one place looks beautiful.

There are varieties, such as bignoniform Nana, which look great on the strain. It is this dwarf variety that is most preferred for summer residents, since it does not require a large area for planting.

Methods for breeding catalpa

Catalpa is easy to grow on your own, as it has several breeding methods: seeds, cuttings, root suckers and grafting. The first two methods are most often used.

How to grow a catalpa tree

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It is better to protect young catalpa seedlings from frost with burlap, and mulch the ground in trunk circles.

Biological features of a tree

The flowers are large (5-7 centimeters), often covered with dots-specks. The panicles in which the flowers are collected can even reach 20 centimeters in length, if the care of the catalpa is correct.

​" (Catalpa ovata) and​

"Catalpa bignoniform"

Common types of catalpa

Bignonian catalpa (Сatalpa bignonioides) All representatives of this genus are very beautiful and, as a rule, deciduous (less often evergreen - a lot depends on climatic conditions) plants. The crown of almost everyone is round, very shady due to large leaves. Do you want to surprise your friends and acquaintances? Plant a tree with the name catalpa (unless, of course, the climate allows - more on that below). Catalpa propagates by seeds and cuttings. To increase the germination of seeds, you should first soak them in warm water for 7 - 12 hours. Seeds are sown in February or March, sprinkled with a thin layer of earth and covered with glass or film. Providing them with a place with diffused sunlight, a temperature of 15 - 25 ° C and regular watering, you can hope for germination within a month. Then the shelter should be removed and continue to care for the seedlings until May. When stable warm weather is established, seedlings can be planted in open ground.Catalpa - very beautiful tree height from 5 to 30 m, which attracts the eye from early spring to late autumn. Its homeland is the southeastern part of North America, where it grows in abundance along the banks of rivers. In the 18th century, catalpa was brought to Europe, and today it is also widely distributed in Russia, China, India and Japan. In total, the plant counts 10 species, but in our country they usually grow Catalpa bignonioides (Catalpa bignonioides) and Gorgeous Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).

In severe frosts, it is better to cover young seedlings completely, for example, just as you shelter roses from frost, at worst, cover with the same burlap. The older the catalpa becomes, the less it will need frost protection.

Catalpa most often (depending on the region, of course) begins to bloom in the 5th year after planting in late June or early July, which is in the hands of gardeners, because during these periods other trees no longer bloom.

hybrid catalpa- the species is characterized by its spreading branches and wide crown round shape. The bark, in contrast to the magnificent catalpa in the bignoniform, is light brown in color, also lamellar, although the plates are thinner. The leaves are very large and wide, pubescent below and bare above.

The decorativeness of the catalpa also lies in the fact that its leaves do not turn yellow in autumn, but remain green almost until frost.

Catalpa is useful as a decoration for a summer house, a plot - there is no “fruit” benefit from it, and useful qualities and the properties of the catalpa were also not noted. If it is possible to get catalpa cuttings, then they need to be cut 10 cm long in the second half of summer. They are planted in a mixture of peat and sand, and cared for in the same way as with seed propagation. When the seedling has sprouts and a root system is formed, you can plant it in open ground. Large round catalpa leaves make it stand out from total weight trees throughout the season. The plant blooms for 3 - 4 weeks, starting from mid-June. During the flowering period, the catalpa is covered with large inflorescences of white or cream flowers with an apple aroma, and the fruits that appear by autumn in the form of long pods up to 40 cm long adorn the branches of the tree almost all winter, which gives it an extremely unusual look. Another difference between catalpa and most trees is that in autumn it practically does not turn yellow and sheds green leaves when the temperature drops below zero. Growing catalpa, you should remove weeds under it in a timely manner and loosen the soil to a depth of 30 - 35 cm. once a week is enough, but plentifully. Note:

Flowering catalpa

The best soil acidity for catalpa is ph7. Catalpa easily tolerates a transplant, which is best done in the spring, and early. Reproduction of catalpa can be done by layering, cuttings and seeds, which she has in abundance.

Pods (because of which the plant was nicknamed the "macaroni tree") with catalpa seeds can grow almost up to half a meter in length, more often 35-40 centimeters. If not strong winds then almost all of them will hang on a tree all winter.

(Catalpa hybrida) which is nothing more than a hybrid of catalpa bignoniform and k. ovoid.

The growth of k. bignoniform is slower. Unlike its predecessor, it makes higher demands on humidity. It also tolerates frost to a large extent.

Both of them are imported from North America, their homeland. I must say that there they can reach a height of up to 30 meters! In our conditions, it is rare to find a catalpa whose tree exceeds 10-12 meters.

Catalpa flowers are white or cream. Collected in large inflorescences. The fruit is also amazing - a green pod, reminiscent of an icicle and containing a large number of seeds flying after opening, remotely resembling dandelions. Catalpa fruits containing seeds can sag all winter.

But its decorative qualities are on top. Catalpa grows very quickly, is resistant to a variety of adverse conditions, requires a minimum of care. It will look good both in the foreground as a single planting and as a component in alley plantings.

Catalpa - how to grow, care

It is advisable to plant catalpa in a sunny place, well protected from the wind, which can damage its delicate leaves. The plant is usually planted at a depth of 1 - 1.2 m. A soil mixture consisting of three parts of humus, two parts of leafy soil, two parts of sand and one part of peat is well suited for it. When planting, it is advisable to fertilize the ground well with wood ash and add superphosphate. It is better if the acidity of the soil is neutral. Before planting, you need to carefully spill the hole with water. With proper care, the young tree will bloom in the fifth year.

As for fertilizing with fertilizers, rotted manure is ideal for catalpa. You should feed when planting, and then about once a month during the growing season.

The experience of growing catalps has clearly and repeatedly shown that their winter hardiness and frost resistance depend on the seeds and cuttings from which the seedlings themselves are grown. Therefore, for planting, try to buy catalpa seeds and seedlings from the region closest to you (if we are talking about ordering seeds by mail).​

Watering is not frequent and not plentiful - 15-18 liters under a tree, no more than once every seven days, if there is no prolonged drought.

Photo 2: From left to right: Bignoniform catalpa flowers, magnificent catalpa leaves, hybrid catalpa seed pods

Catalps begin to vegetate actively in the middle or second half of May and stop active growth at the end of August.

The most famous cultivars of the beautiful catalpa "Pulverolenta", "Aurea" (better known as a shrub grown in parks up to 2 meters high), "Koehnei" and "Nana" (dwarf form of catalpa, spherical, characterized by increased winter hardiness in the conditions of the South of Russia, with successfully grown by gardeners even in middle lane, Moscow region).​

The trunk of the magnificent catalpa is almost always slender, covered with gray bark with thick plates. The crown is pyramidal, wide, very dense.

In yards, cottages and plots you can most often find

The large flowers of the catalpa are beautiful and openwork, from a distance they are very similar to the foxglove flower, and the inflorescences in which they are collected practically do not differ from the chestnut ones (meaning the flowering horse chestnut).

A person who has planted a catalpa on his site acquires a beautiful powerful tree, which for many years will delight with its unusual appearance, and on hot summer days shelter in the shade of thick and sprawling branches.

Catalpa is quite hardy, but young plants are often more susceptible to frost. Their trunks for the winter should be wrapped with spruce branches or burlap, and cover the ground under them with a layer of dry leaves. You need to remove the shelter in the spring, when the threat of prolonged frosts will be reduced to zero.

Catalpa is propagated by seeds and cuttings. To increase the germination of seeds, you should first soak them in warm water for 7 to 12 hours. Seeds are sown in February or March, sprinkled with a thin layer of earth and covered with glass or film. Providing them with a place with diffused sunlight, a temperature of 15 - 25 ° C and regular watering, you can hope for germination within a month. Then the shelter should be removed and continue to care for the seedlings until May. When stable warm weather is established, seedlings can be planted in open ground.​

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Catalpa: cultivation and care.

Catalpa is a very beautiful tree with a height of 5 to 30 m, which attracts the eye from early spring to late autumn. Its homeland is the southeastern part of North America, where it grows in abundance along the banks of rivers. In the 18th century, catalpa was brought to Europe, and today it is also widely distributed in Russia, China, India and Japan. In total, the plant counts 10 species, but in our country they usually grow Catalpa bignonioides (Catalpa bignonioides) and Gorgeous Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).

Catalpa is also very good at top dressing (growth accelerates very significantly). Top dressing is applied one, two maximum three times in one season. The same slurry is used as top dressing (approximately 5 liters per tree)

Growing catalpa

Choose a sunny place for planting catalpa, protected from cold winds - drafts, especially frosty ones, are the main enemy of not only young catalpa seedlings, but even a fully grown tree.

Most species of catalpas fall off while preserving green color leaves.

In landscaping gardens and plots, the other two types of catalpa are most often used - this is the Chinese "​

The leaves of the magnificent catalpa bloom earlier than those of other species. Catalpa vleikolepnaya grows very quickly - growth can reach one meter per year.

Magnificent catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)

Reproduction of catalpa

Thanks to the large leaves of the heart-shaped form, the catalpa received the name "tree with elephant ears."

Catalpa is unpretentious .. if the seeds that have ripened from me all got out of 5 ... then I didn’t know where to attach it, planted it in a pot in the fall, it grows very actively

Pests and diseases of catalpa

Despite good frost resistance, younger shoots often freeze over at catalpa. This problem can be successfully dealt with by cutting off frost-damaged branches in early spring. Catalpa tolerates pruning well and you can combine such a forced haircut with a decorative one, creating a tree crown of the desired shape.

If it is possible to get catalpa cuttings, then they need to be cut 10 cm long in the second half of summer. They are planted in a mixture of peat and sand, and cared for in the same way as with seed propagation. When the seedling has sprouts and a root system is formed, you can plant it in open ground.

indasad.ru

Catalpa: cultivation and care.

Large round catalpa leaves make it stand out from the general mass of trees throughout the season. The plant blooms for 3 - 4 weeks, starting from mid-June. During the flowering period, the catalpa is covered with large inflorescences of white or cream flowers with an apple aroma, and the fruits that appear by autumn in the form of long pods up to 40 cm long adorn the branches of the tree almost all winter, which gives it an extremely unusual look. Another difference between catalpa and most trees is that in autumn it practically does not turn yellow and sheds green leaves when the temperature drops below zero.

Catalpa pruning should be carried out annually, in the spring it is imperative to remove dry branches affected by frost.

Growing catalpa

The seedling is planted in a hole to a depth of 70 to 120 centimeters. For planting catalpa, a garden mixture of peat, sand, humus and leafy soil is well suited (ratio 1-2-3-2).

Catalpa flowers are very beautiful and fragrant, often pure white but sometimes with a creamy tint.

catalpa ovoid

This species is relatively photophilous and drought-resistant, therefore it does not tolerate close groundwater, as well as any flooding, including spring ones. So if your site is located in the flood zone, it is not recommended to plant catalpa.

Reproduction of catalpa

Catalpa (lat. Catalpa) is a plant that belongs to the bignoniaceae family. In total there are 10 types of catalpas. Of these, only 4 are grown in our country in the southern regions.

we must sow and try to grow

Pests and diseases of catalpa

Growing catalpa, you should remove the weeds under it in a timely manner and loosen the soil to a depth of 30 - 35 cm. It is enough to water once a week, but plentifully.

Catalpa is highly resistant to diseases and pests, but sometimes it is still affected by the Spanish fly, which can be eliminated by spraying twice with kinmiks, decis or karbofos. If insects have appeared in the buds that have not yet blossomed (Comstock worms), then you need to treat the tree with insecticides before the buds open, otherwise the young shoots will be deformed. If the soil is too compacted, there is a danger of infection with a fungus of the Verticillium genus, which causes the plant to dry out and die. Therefore, the soil must be sufficiently loose and pass water well.

Catalpa belongs to the representatives of the genus Bignoniaceae. In the wild, it grows in eastern India, Japan, China and North America. This extraordinary tree in ancient times, Indians used it to prepare remedies to help fight such dangerous ailments as whooping cough and malaria.

General information

They called it "katoba", however, a little later it was renamed catalpa by the Italian scientist and botanist Scopoli. It was he who first studied and described the catalpa, opening this exotic plant to the world.

The genus Bignoniaceae combines from 10 to 38 species of catalpas. Some of them are cultivated in the southern strip of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, while the rest can only be seen in the wild.

Catalpa is an unpretentious and fairly easy-to-care plant, so if you want to decorate your garden plot, giving it beauty and unusualness, then it is exactly what you need.

Catalpa species and varieties

- in the wild, a tree can be found in North America. It grows on the banks of rivers. The plant reaches a height of 20 meters. Catalpa has a spreading rounded crown. The bark of the catalpa is thinly lamellar with a light brown color. The leaves are large, light green, resembling a lilac in appearance.

The inflorescences of the plant have a pyramidal shape. They are up to 20 cm wide and 30 cm long. Inflorescences consist of small fragrant flowers white color with red-brown dots. The flowering period is 20 days, after which long, narrow fruits in the form of pods with small seeds begin to form.

- The birthplace of this variety of catalpa is North America. An adult tree reaches a height of 30 meters and has a broad pyramidal crown with large light green leaves and thin gray bark.

The inflorescences of the plant are panicle-shaped and consist of small, pleasantly smelling cream-colored flowers with purple specks. Catalpa fruits are small boxes that crack when ripe and drop seeds to the ground.

The crown of the tree has a pyramidal shape. The trunk is covered with thin gray bark. The leaves are large dark green. The inflorescences are creamy with yellow stripes and dark dots.

The aroma of flowers is vaguely reminiscent of apple. Catalpa blooms for only a month. Grows in fertile soil and loves importance. This type plants are frost-resistant and have good resistance to diseases and pests.

- is a small, slowly growing tree with a spherical crown with a dense light green leaf. In height, the catalpa reaches from 4 to 6 meters.

Flowering time from June to July. The flowers are collected in large inflorescences, which have a pleasant aroma and a soft beige hue with yellow stripes and brown specks. The fruits of catalpa are narrow, long, having the appearance of pods.

- this variety was bred by crossing the ovoid and ordinary catalpas. The tree reaches a height of 16 meters and has a luxurious rounded crown with a light green leaf cover. The inflorescences of the catalpa are loose and large, consisting of small white flowers with purple specks on the outer side of the petals.

The plant is native to Central China. tall mature tree reaches 10 meters, but when grown in a garden plot, the catalpa does not grow more than 4 meters.

She is the owner of large, pleasantly smelling white flowers with a purple throat collected in large brushes. The fruits of the plant resemble thin and long pods. For the growth and development of catalpa, you need a lot of light and nutritious soil.

- an adult tree reaches a height of 10 meters. It has a dense pyramidal crown with large, very unusual leaves. When the leaf plates are just blooming, they have a purple hue, but after a month, they change their color to light green.

The plant blooms with small flowers, similar to white bells with purple specks, collected in large and long brushes. The flowering time of catalpa falls in the middle of summer and lasts only a month.

- the tree has straight stems with a dense leafy cover of a light green hue. The height of the tree reaches 8 meters. Catalpa blooms for a month with large tassels with small white inflorescences with a purple throat. Seeds are thin and long pods that ripen in mid-autumn.

- the homeland of the plant is Northern China. The variety is named after the German botanist Alexander Bunge, who is the discoverer of this variety. The tree has a pyramidal crown with luxurious large dark green leaves. Catalpa inflorescences are small. They consist of 3-12 white small flowers with purple specks, after flowering, pod-shaped fruits appear.

It is a tree with a height of 8 to 10 meters. In the wild, its height can reach 20 meters. The crown of the catalpa is dense, having a pyramidal shape. The leaves are large and dark green. Small flowers are collected in large, racemose, pleasantly smelling white inflorescences with purple dots. The flowering time of the plant is in the middle of summer.

- this variety of catalpa reaches a height of up to 8 meters and has a dense, pyramidal crown with large light green leaves. The tree blooms in June. The flowers are small, fragrant, collected in large white inflorescences with brown spots.

- the tree grows up to 20 meters and has a round crown with spreading branches. The leaves are large, light green in color with a slight pubescence. The plant blooms in the middle of summer with beige-white flowers with a purple throat, collected in loose large brushes. After flowering, long pod-shaped fruits are formed.

- in the wild, the plant is found in the forests of Western China. The height of the tree reaches 20 meters. It has a wide, dense, spherical crown with a dense dark green leaf cover.

Catalpa blooms in June. Purple or pink flowers with an orange throat are collected in large, loose, pleasantly smelling brushes. After flowering, long and thin fruits are formed in the form of pods.

Catalpa landing and care in the suburbs

Planting a catalpa and caring for it is not much different from any other ornamental tree. Catalpa seedlings can be purchased from a nursery or grown from seeds on your own. to plant young tree on the garden plot you need in the spring, before the sap flow begins, or in the fall, when the trees shed their leaves.

To land a catalpa, you need to find a site with good illumination, which will be closed from winds and drafts. This is necessary because the tree has an extremely fragile leaf cover, which is easily injured during gusts of wind and strong drafts.

It will also be a plus if the groundwater on the site is as deep underground as possible. Catalpa loves space very much, so a distance of at least 5 meters must be kept between a young plant and other trees.

Planting catalpa in spring

The landing pit should be 100 centimeters deep and 70 centimeters wide. Drainage in the form of crushed stone or broken brick should be laid at the bottom of the pit. The thickness of the drainage layer should be about 15 centimeters.

When the drainage is laid, soil is poured on it, a little more than half the pit in volume. Then a tree is placed in the substrate, having previously straightened the roots. The remaining void is filled with soil and slightly compacted.

After the planting is completed, the tree is watered abundantly. It is necessary to ensure that, after absorbing moisture, the root neck descends to the level of the soil surface. Also, the trunk circle should be mulched with peat or straw.

Campsis is also a member of the Bignoniaceae family. It is grown during planting and care in the open field without much hassle, if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. You can find all the necessary recommendations for growing and caring for this vine in this article.

Watering the catalpa

Catalpa loves water very much, so watering should be systematic and carried out once a week. In the dry season, it is increased to two times. If the tree does not have enough moisture, its foliage will lose its elasticity and sag. To water an adult tree, you need to use 20 liters at a time.

If the summer is cool and rainy, watering should be reduced to twice a month. The same amount of watering is necessary for a mulched catalpa. After making water under a tree or after rains, the earth around the trunk should be loosened, while simultaneously removing weeds. With prolonged drought, the frequency of watering should be increased.

Soil for catalpa

The soil for catalpa should consist of humus, leaf soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 3: 2: 2: 1. 7 kilograms of ash and 50 grams of phosphate rock should be added to this substrate.

Land for planting a plant should have an acidity of not more than 7.5.

Catalpa transplant

Catalpa is transplanted in two cases: if an adult tree has grown and there is not enough space for it on the site, or if it is necessary to transplant a young plant from a pot into open ground. Tree transplantation can be carried out both in spring before the start of sap flow, and in autumn, when the tree sheds foliage.

It is better to transplant a tree together with a clod of earth with which an adult tree or a young seedling grew before. The planting hole is dug to the same depth as when planting catalpa, the composition of the soil mixture also does not change. After transplanting, it is necessary to compact the soil and water the plant abundantly.

Top dressing catalpa

Fertilize the tree should be systematic. For this purpose, a solution of rotted manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 should be added to the soil where the catalpa grows. An adult tree needs 6 liters of such top dressing, and young seedling from 2 to 3 liters.

Top dressing is carried out twice a season. In the spring, nitroammophoska is introduced into the soil under the tree, and in the fall - phosphorus and potash fertilizers, since at this time the plant needs nitrogen.

Flowering catalpa

Catalpa buds appear in late March - mid-April. It all depends on which strip of Russia the tree grows in. The flowering period begins in mid-June and lasts about a month.

Catalpa flowers resemble exotic and beautiful small orchids which smell like apple blossoms. The petals of the flowers have wavy edges and a white or cream hue with yellow stripes and purple dots in the throat. The size of the flowers reaches up to 7 centimeters. They are collected in large and long inflorescences, reminiscent of "candles" of chestnuts.

Catalpa pruning and shaping

Catalpa pruning is carried out in the spring, until the moment when the buds swell. When pruning, only injured, dry, frozen or damaged by diseases or pests branches are removed.

Usually, a tree is formed by creating a stem with a height of 120 to 200 centimeters, above which the tree will branch out, forming a sprawling, low crown, consisting of 5 skeletal branches.

After a certain period of time, if necessary, the skeletal branches are shortened, and the thickening stems are removed. As a result, a dense, beautiful rounded crown with light green leaf plates is formed.

Preparing catalpa for winter

Catalpa does not tolerate cold. Young trees are especially "afraid" of them. For this reason, the tree should be prepared in advance for winter. For this purpose, it is necessary to wrap the trunk with burlap, and cover the soil around the tree with a thick layer of dry foliage and cover with spruce branches. Thus, it will be possible to avoid freezing of the root system. With the onset of spring, when the frosts completely stop, the tree is freed from shelter.

It should be taken into account the fact that as it grows and develops, catalpa becomes more and more frost-resistant and tolerates winter better. The most frost-resistant variety is the ovoid catalpa, and the weakest, freezing almost to the ground, is the Aurea catalpa. However, this variety is capable of completely regrowing over the summer.

Catalpa from seeds at home

When growing catalpa from seeds, you should first stratify them. It is necessary to sow seeds in late February, early March. Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for 12 hours. You can also sow them in the fall, but in this case, you do not need to soak the seeds.

In the prepared soil, small grooves are made into which the seeds are laid out and sprinkled with a layer of substrate. A box with seedlings is covered with a layer of film and cleaned in a lighted, warm place. The temperature for good germination of seeds should be at least 25 °.

Crops must be protected from direct sunlight, systematically watered and ventilated. Seedlings that have grown in a year can be planted in open ground when the threat of frost has passed.

Catalpa propagation by cuttings

When growing catalpa using cuttings, planting material should be harvested in July. The cuttings must be 8 centimeters long, and they must also have from 2 to 4 buds. When harvesting material for planting, you should choose an adult catalpa.

In order for the roots to appear on the cuttings, they need to be planted in the ground, which will include peat and sand, then cover the box with the cuttings with a film and put them in a warm and bright place. Hoopoe for cuttings should be the same as for seedlings. When the cuttings take root, young foliage will appear on them. Ready-made young animals can be planted in open ground in mid-May.

Diseases and pests

Catalpa is resistant to both diseases and pests. But while the tree is young and weak, it can be attacked Spanish fly . To destroy the pest, it is necessary to spray the young catalpa with the Decis or Fastak insecticide.

Also, the young plant is threatened and horntails , which settle on the trunk and in their own way appearance resemble hornets. They bite through the bark and lay their eggs there, and when the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on catalpa, as a result of which it weakens and dries. Mature trees are not threatened by the horntail invasion. Spraying with Actellik insecticide will help to destroy this insect.

Catalpa can get sick verticillium wilt , which primarily affects the lower part of the crown, and then covers the entire leaf cover. With verticillium, the leaves begin to turn yellow, wither and fall off. You can get rid of this disease of fungal ethology by watering with drugs such as Maxim and Rovral. The crown can be treated with "Fundazol". For prevention, the plant is sprayed with Previkur.

Exotic catalpa will decorate any garden plot, contributing to the total landscape composition, originality and aesthetics. And when proper care behind a tree, it will delight for a long time with its decorative effect and unusual delicate flowers with a pleasant apple aroma.

Catalpa is a tree of amazing beauty. Its huge bright green leaves, similar to hearts, form a dense dome. The plant genus belongs to the Bignoniaceae family. In nature, it grows in the vastness of North America, China and Japan. In summer, the charming crown is complemented by lush pinkish-white inflorescences with a pleasant aroma. Catalpas have been growing in parks for several decades, and sometimes on household plots as a monumental decoration. Under their dense foliage it is convenient to relax and spend time escaping from the scorching sun. Due to the structural features of the catalpa, it is sometimes called "elephant ears" or "pasta tree".

plant description

Catalpa is a deciduous and sometimes evergreen tree. In culture, its height is 5-6 m, although in nature old trees grow up to 35 m. The plant rises on a single strong trunk and is distinguished by a dense spherical or oblong crown. The dark brown cracked bark consists of thin layers.

Catalpa foliage has great decorative effect. Large, smooth leaf plates up to 25 cm long are painted bright green. The most common are heart-shaped or broadly ovate leaves. The foliage retains a rich green color throughout the season and falls off in the fall without turning yellow.

At the age of 5-10 years, the trees begin to bloom. The flowering period is in June. At the ends of the lateral processes bloom many-flowered paniculate inflorescences with white or cream tubular flowers. Two-lipped corollas along the edge are dissected into soft, recurved petals various shapes. In structure, catalpa flowers are very similar to chestnuts, but much larger. Closer to the center there are red or purple dots and yellow stripes.

After pollination, long thin pods with a round cross section ripen. Their size reaches 40 cm with a thickness of not more than 1 cm. The fruits hang on flexible legs, like green icicles. In late autumn, they darken, but remain hanging until spring. Inside the pods are oblong, bean-like seeds.

Species and ornamental varieties

The catalpa genus is represented by eleven plant species, of which 4 are cultivated in Russia.

Spreading plant about 10 m high grows branches in the form of a funnel. Shoots form an asymmetric crown. The length of the heart-shaped leaves is about 20 cm, they are colored yellowish green, but gradually become bright green. In June, inflorescences bloom with white or yellowish flowers covered with crimson specks. The length of the corolla reaches 30 cm. In August, fruits appear in the form of pods up to 40 cm long, which turn brown in September. Varieties:

• Aurea - heart-shaped golden leaves have a velvety surface;
• Nana - a tree no more than 4-6 m in height is distinguished by a particularly dense, spherical crown, but has no flowers;
• Quene - large heart-shaped foliage with a yellowish edging and a bright green center.

A tree with a wide pyramidal crown grows up to 30 m. It is covered with broadly ovate bright green leaves. The length of the leaf plate reaches 30 cm, and the width is 15 cm. Fragrant cream flowers about 7 cm long bloom in early summer. The wavy petals are covered with yellow stripes and burgundy-brown specks.

The trunk of this species is covered with light brown thin-lamellar bark. Above it rises a crown in the form of a dense green ball. The surface of large dark green leaves is smooth, and on the reverse side there is a short white pile. In June, white flowers bloom 5 cm long.

This species is best adapted to severe frosts. It is an ornamental tree that grows up to 35 m. The strong, straight trunk of the plant is covered with lamellar bark, and large dark green leaves reach 30 cm in length. Each leaf is attached to the branch with a flexible long petiole. Flowering begins at the age of ten. The tree produces light cream tubular flowers in early summer. A month later, it is decorated with fleshy long pods.

Reproduction methods

Catalpa reproduces by seed and vegetative methods. Any method gives a good result, so gardeners make their choice based on their own capabilities and preferences. Ripe fruits are cut, the seeds are removed and stored in a paper bag for up to three years. When propagating catalpa seeds, containers with loose garden soil are prepared. At the end of winter, the seeds are soaked overnight in clean warm water. After that, they are buried in the ground by 5-10 mm. The container is covered with a transparent lid and transferred to a well-lit room with a temperature of +15…+25°C. Plants should be aired and watered regularly.

Shoots do not appear very amicably after 3-4 weeks. After that, the cover is removed. Seedlings continue to grow in warmth. In the spring, after a week of hardening for several hours a day, the plants are transplanted into open ground.

In July-August, cuttings about 10 cm long are cut from young shoots. The cut is treated with Kornevin and planted vertically in containers with sandy-peat soil. They are kept outdoors, protected from drafts and precipitation. The first 2-3 weeks the cuttings are covered plastic bottles. Within a month, the cuttings will take root, but they are still too weak for wintering. They are left in a room where there are no negative temperatures. In autumn, the seedlings will shed their leaves, this is normal. New leaves will appear in the spring. In mid-spring, plants are planted in open ground.

Landing and care

For catalpa seedlings, areas with good lighting and protection from drafts are suitable. The tree can also grow in partial shade. Plants are planted singly or in groups in the form of an alley. For each seedling, they dig a hole to the depth of the root system (70-120 cm). 15-20 cm of the drainage layer is poured at the bottom. The catalpa is planted so that the earthen ball is slightly raised above the surface. As the soil is compacted, the plant will settle and the root neck will be at ground level. The distance between trees should be at least 3 m.

Catalpa prefers fertile garden soils with good breathability. Heavy, poor soils are dug up with gravel and compost before planting. It is important to avoid places with close groundwater. The acidity of the soil should be neutral or slightly acidic. Planting and transplanting a young catalpa is carried out in the first half of spring. Before the procedure, the plants are well watered, and immediately after planting, the stem circle is mulched with peat.

If the place is chosen correctly and the landing conditions are met, caring for the catalpa is not difficult at all. It needs to be watered regularly. In the absence of natural precipitation, up to 2 buckets of water are poured weekly under the root. Approximately once a month, the soil is loosened and weeds are removed.

In early spring, as well as 1-2 times during the summer, trees are fertilized with a solution of rotted manure, compost and superphosphate. Top dressing is alternated and selected in accordance with the composition of the soil.

Mature trees overwinter normally in temperate climates, but young seedlings will need additional shelter. The crown is covered with burlap, and the trunk and soil at the roots are covered with fallen leaves and spruce branches. In the spring, the shelter is removed. If frozen branches are found, pruning is carried out. Before the start of the growing season, you can engage in crown molding. Do not shorten the branches too much and stimulate thickening. If the leaves do not have enough light and free space, they will begin to shrink or develop worse. As a result, the catalpa will lose its decorative effect.

Exotic appearance and large catalpa leaves, and in late summer - long green fruits - attract a lot of attention. The glances of households and passers-by will often stop at its dense bright green crown. Large trees are used in central positions one by one, and undersized varieties good in group plantings for framing paths or along the fence. Catalpa roots strengthen slopes, so the plants are often used to landscap the precipitous shores of lakes and smaller freshwater bodies.

During the flowering period, catalpa is an excellent honey plant, and its leaves secrete special substances that repel mosquitoes. Therefore, rest under a tree in the evening will be more enjoyable.

The extraordinary catalpa tree that appeared on the territory of Russia in the 19th century won the hearts of many gardeners. An ornamental tree originally from the southern regions, but after a while it adapted without much effort to cold zones. You can meet the plant both in gardens and in parks, where it serves as an excellent exotic decoration.

The "Tree of Happiness" is what the Maya Indians called it. This unusual tree is valued only for its highly original decorative qualities, because it does not have any useful fruits.

Because of its unusual leaves, in the shape of a heart, the catalpa was also nicknamed "the tree with elephant ears."

Magnificent catalpa tree: description

Magnificent catalpa

A deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Endowed with large heart-shaped whorled leaves, the length of which reaches 30 cm and a width of 17 cm.

With the onset of autumn, the foliage does not turn into yellow, but remains saturated green.

This is a tree with a straight trunk, as well as dense gray bark. Catalpa wood is valued, because in its characteristics it looks like oak, it is just as strong and strong.

A variety of varieties have appeared in North America, where their height can reach a record 30 meters.

In our natural conditions, the catalpa does not exceed 12 meters.

Flowering tree of happiness

Since it starts to release buds quite late, this plant is valued by original gardeners, because during this period to find Blooming tree just impossible.

As soon as the magnificent one begins to bloom, you can enjoy its unusual, fragrant and large inflorescences, which are collected in panicles up to 40 cm long. Due to the shape and general view inflorescences are also called catalpa orchid tree. There are white and cream patterned flowers, some of which may be covered with small speckles.

The tree begins to bloom in June or July, and this process lasts for a long 4 weeks. You can enjoy the flowering of bluebells only 5 years after planting the catalpa.

Large inflorescences have a clear resemblance to flowering chestnuts, and a single flower resembles a miniature one.

What is the name of the tree with long pods

1. pasta tree
2. happiness tree
3. elephant
4. tree with pods
5. orchid
6. golden catalpa
7. monkey tree
8. pipe

And many more other names.

Pod fruits

It has fruits, which are boxes, reaching a size of up to 40 cm, inside which flying seeds are formed. Thanks to these unusual fruits, which adorn the catalpa throughout the winter period, it has an unforgettable look.

The fruits of this tree are pods containing many seeds, somewhat reminiscent of dandelions. As soon as you decide to open an unusual long icicle, they will scatter in different directions. This shape of the fruit was the reason that the catalpa is quite often called the macaroni tree. Pods with seeds can sometimes even reach 50 cm in length, and their width is about 1.5 cm. period.

Catalpa is endowed with soft, flexible, non-rotting wood. It is best to grow such a plant in places where the sun's rays pass, as well as with constantly moist soil. In addition, it is able to tolerate frost, which plays an important role. With the onset of cold weather, the catalpa gets rid of green foliage.

Magnificent catalpa tree planting and care in the suburbs

There are only 13 various kinds catalpas, most of which can be grown in Russia.

These varieties managed to adapt in central Russia, and they can easily cope even with severe frosts.

But young specimens are still worth covering.

The tree was able to win the love of those around the catapult thanks to flowering, which does not begin in spring, like other trees, but in summer, when you can no longer meet a flowering tree.

The shape of the petals, reminiscent of orchids, is also taken into account, as well as the subtle and unobtrusive aroma that surrounds the blooming ball and attracts many insects.

What types of catalpa are found:

• catalpa ovoid

An egg-shaped tree appeared on the territory of China, which begins to bloom at the very beginning of summer and pleases with its inflorescences for about 4 weeks. It has large broad foliage with a pointed tip. Panicle-shaped inflorescences delight those around with white-cream flowers with dark specks and sunny stripes. Can be found in the form of a bush. Differs from bignonoid and magnificent views the fact that vegetation occurs much faster. Thanks to this feature, tree trunks become woody rather quickly and with the onset of cold weather, it is practically not afraid of frost. Catalpa of this species can cope with frosts down to -29 degrees.

• Catalpa splendid or beautiful

The shape of this species resembles a pyramid. The bark is dyed grey colour. The leaves of the tree reach 30 cm in length, while their width is 15 cm. Their upper part is smooth and painted in rich green, while its lower part is lighter and pubescent. Seven-centimeter inflorescences are endowed with a creamy shade with specks and yellowish stripes. The aroma of inflorescences is very similar to apple. The catalpa will decorate the garden with its flowering for 4 weeks. Prefers to grow in well-moistened soil with the addition of the necessary fertilizers. The tree grows quite quickly, the height reaches 10 meters. Endowed with large foliage and spreading crown. It is a species that is better than others able to cope with winter frosts.

• Bignonioide catalpa (catalpa bignonioides aurea)

The height of this species reaches 20 meters. Thanks to the decomposed branches, the crown of the tree has a rounded shape. The leaves are very large and reach up to 20 cm long and 15 cm wide. The upper part of the foliage is shiny and has no villi, which cannot be said about the lower part, since it is endowed with small villi, and its shade is lighter.

Snow-white inflorescences with well-defined brown dots and yellow stripes have a delicate smell. After the tree has been planted, it begins to please the eye with its unsurpassed flowers after about 4 years. Flowering lasts about 1.5 months.

4 varieties of this species were bred, differing from each other in their unusual foliage.

Often this ornamental tree is called an orchid, since its inflorescences are quite similar to an orchid.

• globular catalpa

It has a crown in the form of a ball and foliage lowered to the ground. Large twenty-centimeter foliage is heart-shaped. Through the shape of the leaves-hearts, she was nicknamed the "Tree of Love". With the onset of autumn, the color of the leaves does not change. It begins to bloom in July and for a month pleases others with its pleasant, apple-like aroma, smell. The pod-shaped fruit includes flying seeds. In order for a tree to develop perfectly, it needs a well-lit area with high humidity. It tolerates winter cold without problems. If the temperature drops sharply, then the catalpa sheds its foliage.

• ordinary

It has straight stems with chic elephant leaves. The height of the sample does not exceed 8 meters. Common catalpa blooms for 3 weeks. The seeds are enclosed in chocolate pods. Both November and spring are suitable for collecting seed samples. In order for the tree to develop well and grow, it needs fertile, well-moistened soil. So that the catalpa does not freeze in winter, it must be covered before the onset of cold weather.

• Decorative

The height does not exceed 20 m. The wide-rounded crown has spreading long branches. Large twenty-centimeter foliage, up to 15 cm wide. Endowed with a light green tint with a small fluff on the reverse side. Loose erect inflorescences include snow-white flowers, the inside of which is decorated with yellow stripes and brown dots. Abundant flowering of this variety lasts about 25 days. The fruits are in the form of narrow boxes.

Catalpa pruning, crown formation video:

Catalpa planting and care

In order for the variety you have chosen to grow and actively develop, you need to find areas for it that are well lit. sunbeams, but at the same time there are no drafts and gusty winds on them.

The soil should have low acidity and be saturated organic fertilizers. In order for the seedlings to take root well, they need to be watered regularly, while not forgetting to loosen and mulch the soil. If correct and timely pruning of catalpa, shoots begin to grow much faster.

Combines hybrid catalpa with magnolia and oak. It will look great both in a single planting and when planting with other plants. As a rule, it is used to decorate park alleys and create street compositions.

How to plant a tree with icicles

The most suitable place, as already mentioned, is a well-lit area, but if you plant it in partial shade, it will also feel great. You can plant a tree near paths, with lakes and other bodies of water, as well as in the central part of the lawn. A seedling that is no more than one year old is suitable for planting.

Advice! If you decide to purchase a catalpa, then you should look at the nurseries that are located in your environment, in this case, the plant will be adapted to grow in this area.

Trees are unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but they will grow best in soil with high humidity, with slight acidity, as well as in soil saturated with organic fertilizers and with mandatory drainage. It is best to plant catalpa in early spring in a hole with a depth of about 0.7-1.2 meters.

In the event that you decide to place several trees side by side, then do not forget that there must be a distance of at least 3 meters between them.

To create a suitable soil, you will need:

• river sand
• leaf ground
• humus

which are mixed in the ratio 2:2:1:3.

Adding wood ash and phosphate rock to the pit is essential for successful development.

The seedling must be carefully placed in the hole from the prepared mixture and buried. After planting, the tree should be well watered and mulched with peat. The neck of the roots should not be buried, because after planting it should be level with the soil. That is why, when planting a catalpa, keep in mind that the earth will soon settle.

How to care

If the soil has been perfectly prepared and drained, then the catalpa will grow excellently on it. But in order for a tree to grow green and grow well, it must be properly looked after.

What needs to be done:

• Water the plant regularly.
• Make timely pruning of branches.
• Be sure to fertilize with organic and mineral fertilizers.
• Before the onset of winter, be sure to cover the seedlings with special materials.

Watering

In order for the plant to have enough moisture, it must be watered, pouring 2 buckets of water on each tree weekly. In the event that the summer is not too hot, then reduce watering to 3 times a month. Also, during the season, you should loosen the ground at least 2 times and remove the weeds that have sprouted around the trunk.

pruning

As soon as spring comes, the tree needs to prune all dry and excess shoots, which will give the plant a decorative look.

fertilizers

Catalpa welcomes the use of organic and mineral fertilizers. Several times during the season it is necessary to feed the plant with slurry. Be sure to water the plant before fertilizing. If desired, you can replace one top dressing with an organ fertilizer of a universal type, which is suitable for all plants.

If a young catalpa grows in your garden, then it will need special care. Before the onset of cold weather, using spruce branches, cover the seedlings so that they do not freeze. It is also welcome to wrap the trunk of a young tree with burlap.

For adults, frosts are practically fearless. In order for them to survive the winter, mulch the soil next to the shoot with dry foliage before the cold sets in. If with the advent of cold days you notice that your tree is partially frozen, do not worry, as soon it will release new shoots.

Elephant tree breeding

You can breed in the following ways:

• seeds

Before starting sowing, the seeds must be soaked for 7-12 hours in warm water. Seeds should be sown in February or March in an area with scattered sunlight. After placing the seedlings, sprinkle them with a thin layer of soil and cover with a film or glass. If the temperature in a kind of greenhouse reaches from 15 to 25 degrees, then within a month you will be able to see the first bores. As soon as this happens, remove the material that covered the seeds. Until May, it is necessary to take care of the sprouts, after which they should be moved to open ground. The method for catalpa propagation by seeds is very common.

• Cuttings taken in the summer

The procedure is carried out in July. The length of the cuttings should be about 10 cm. Catalpa should be planted in an earthen mixture of peat and sand. After waiting for the root system to form, transplant the cuttings into open ground, where they will continue to grow.

Where is wood used?

• Catalpa seeds are used to create a fast-drying oil that is prized in the paint industry.
• Also, the tree is an excellent honey plant, which plays into the hands of beekeepers.
• Moreover, this is the the best decoration both for city parks and squares, and for private household territories.
• Catalpa is used in folk medicine.

landscape design

The catalpa tree grows and develops very quickly. In addition, it is not whimsical and can grow in regions with constantly changing weather. If you plant a plant in the foreground of the planets, then it will look good in a single planting. If it is used to decorate the park area, then it will be in perfect harmony with other plants.