Amur lilac (Amur cracker)

Lilac is an ornamental flowering shrub that can often be seen in almost every area of ​​our country. There are many types of lilacs. This article will focus specifically on the Amur lilac. This shrub is used not only in landscape design, but also as a strengthening system for the soil, since the plant has a powerful root system. Amur lilacs are distinguished by very lush and abundant flowering.

Amur lilac: plant description

Lilac Amur: photo of flowers

Amur lilac (Amur cracker) grows in the form of a shrub, has large foliage, which falls off by the winter period. The height of the shrub can reach about 10 m. Gardeners love this plant because it is unpretentious. If you follow all the rules of care and form the bush correctly, then it will undoubtedly give a more spectacular look to any area.

At the beginning of life, the Amur lilac shrub has a very low growth force, as a result of which new branches can rarely be seen, since at first there is an active formation of plant roots. Roots are formed starting from the surface, and then go deep into the depths of the earth. So, after about 10 years, the main stem takes the form of a trunk and has a size of about 30 centimeters in diameter. Amur lilac has a very dense heavy wood and dark colored bark. Young plants are distinguished by a red tint of the bark.

The trunk and branches of the Amur lilac are optimally suited for use as fuel. However, it should be borne in mind that when the wood is on fire, the sparks can fly far to the side.

The leaves of the Amur lilac are elliptical in shape, as well as a dark green saturated color. When late autumn comes, the lilac changes the shade of the leaves. After the flowering period of plants has ended, seeds are formed that are suitable for reproduction of the shrub.

Types of Amur codfish

And now they sell the seeds of the Amur lilac, which is called "Sudarushka". This species is rarely grown in our regions, but gardeners are actively trying to grow this shrub in their own country. The described lilac, unlike others, has a large number of trunks and a large size.

When winter ends and warming comes, the leaves of the Amur lilac have a purple-green color, after which the leaf plate begins to gradually darken. The flowers of this plant are not large, but they are collected so abundantly that they are quite large inflorescences. The shade of the petals is white.

The flowering process of the Amur lilac does not last long, about 3 weeks. However, at this time, you can completely get enough of the beauty and attractiveness of the shrub. The flowering period begins around June, with the result that each flower is equipped with four petals. Inflorescences form only at the tips of new fresh shoots, so you should stably cut the bush and form its crown. Besides being beautiful, flowers have a very pleasant scent that attracts pollinators.

Amur lilac: photo of a tree

Amur lilac: growing

If you decide to grow Amur lilacs on your own on your site, it is best to collect your own seeds and not buy them every time. Saplings are also not cheap nowadays.It is necessary to choose the most beautiful and lush inflorescences and collect fruits with seeds from them in order to get again very beautiful bushes. The fruits ripen when the flowers begin to wither. They must be dried, grinded and then the seeds must be removed.

Even a novice gardener can do this, since the procedure is not difficult. Planting material must be stored in a dry place protected from light. Alternatively, you can use a container.

You can propagate the bushes with the help of seedlings. It is necessary to choose the healthiest of them, carefully dig out, dry the root system and put it in a dark, dry room until the beginning of spring. Some gardeners leave an earthen lump.

Landing rules

It should be noted that Amur lilac (Amur cracker) requires a large space, since it has a wide root system. If you want to build a green wall and zone the site, then you need to plant several copies, keeping a distance of about 2 meters between them. Lilacs are very fond of the sun, so it must be present on the site for at least 6 hours a day. If you do not observe this point, then the flowering will not be so spectacular.

The soil must be drained and alkaline so that air can circulate freely to the root system. If acidic soil prevails on your site, then it is better to add a little lime, and then periodically feed the soil with lime.

Before planting the Amur lilac, you should place the root system in water for a few minutes in advance. Next, the seedling is placed in the soil. In this case, it is necessary to leave the root collar practically at the level of the ground surface, or to deepen it a little.

The planting hole must be done in advance. It is imperative to add the necessary fertilizers to it, and compost is also good. In this case, the seedling adapts and takes root very quickly. After planting, watering is required. However, it should be moderate so that excess moisture does not lead to root rot.

Amur lilac: plant reproduction

As a rule, lilacs constantly form shoots that grow from the base of the main stem. These shoots will be a good planting material for the future plant. First, you should bare the roots and cut off the shoots from the adult plant. Root shoots must be present on the planting material. Next, the seedling is placed in a previously prepared place, and the usual care is performed for it, as for an adult plant. If you do everything right, then the lilac will bloom profusely and please the eye. It is better to prepare planting material in advance, after the snow begins to melt. So that by the time the soil has already warmed up, immediately plant in open ground. In addition, the seedling will have enough time to prepare for winter.

Seed reproduction. The seeds of the Amur lilac, which you collected in the fall, should also be soaked for several days. You can simply use a damp cloth for this and wrap the seeds in it. After their swelling, it is necessary to plant the seeds of the Amur lilac in a special container and then water the seedlings from time to time, covering with glass or film. You need to put the box on the windowsill in a sufficiently lit place. Also, the room should be warm. After the seedling is already strong enough, it is transplanted into the soil at a time when the earth warms up and there is no risk of recurrent frosts.

Amur lilac (Amur cracker): photo

Amur lilac: plant care

Amur lilac (Amur cracker) is an unpretentious plant, therefore it does not require any special care. Standard measures should be observed, namely, watering the shrub, periodically feeding it and forming its crown.To make things easier for yourself, it is best to lay out a good layer of mulch that will keep the soil moist and also prevent the weeds from overgrowing. Fertilization is also applied here in moderation, it is best to do this before spring, and this stock will be sufficient throughout the growing season. Formative pruning is done after the flowers have wilted.

Feeding

In order for the Amur lilac to look very impressive and perform its decorative functions, fertilizers should be applied from time to time, the composition of which will be as balanced as possible.

Experienced gardeners recommend feeding the Amur cracker tree when the soil and leaves are already dry enough, after the snow has melted. Nutrients and agents should be scattered on the soil surface directly above the roots. If you are root feeding, you should step back a few centimeters from the trunk. If you are using dry fertilizers, then you need to water the soil a little. Nitrogen-containing preparations have a positive effect on the development of Amur lilac bushes. Also, the optimal composition will be fertilizers containing ash, manure, chicken droppings. It is recommended to feed the shrubs with bone meal from time to time.

However, in everything you need to know when to stop, and not to overfeed the Amur lilac with nitrogen, otherwise there is a risk that the shrub will not bloom, since all its forces will be spent on gaining green mass.

Lilac Amur: photo

Watering the Amur lilac

Amur lilac (Amur cracker) is a drought-resistant plant. She will especially find it easy to cope with drought if you lay out a good layer of mulch. If the plant is young and recently planted, it should be watered regularly, while older plants may consume less moisture.

In spring, active growth and development of stems and leaves occurs, and the shrub is gaining color. At this time, it is necessary to water the plant more often. After all the inflorescences have blossomed, you need to take a break, for about 14 days, if it rains periodically. If the weather is dry, then watering is done very rarely.

An excess of moisture here will have a worse effect than drought, since it can cause decay processes. The optimal watering regime will be once every 2 weeks. It is best to water the lilacs abundantly, but rarely enough. After the flowering period is over, you need to water the plant after when there is no rain for a long time. Here you should focus on the state of the foliage. If you see that the leaves have wilted, then you need to water the plant.

Insects - pests and diseases of the Amur codfish

If you follow the necessary care rules, then the Amur lilac will have sufficient resistance against common diseases, as well as pests. However, among these ailments, rust, powdery mildew, and also mold are most often found. For prevention purposes, shrubs should be treated with fungicide solutions containing copper every spring.

Powdery mildew - This is one of the most popular diseases for the Amur lilac. It is caused by fungal microorganisms, which have a very negative effect on the leaves of the plant. To avoid this problem, shrubs should be shaped and pruned so that the crown is not too thickened. It is also necessary to protect plants from excessive moisture, which is the cause of various fungal diseases.

Common pests are isolated aphids and caterpillars. However, insecticides cannot be used here, since lilacs are bait for various pollinators and other beneficial insects. It is best to use neem oil, which will help deal with the above pests.

Formation of the crown of the Amur lilac

Amur lilac: photo of a tree

Like any flowering shrub, the Amur lilac needs to be cut from time to time.This is not only for the prevention of diseases and for giving decorative and neatness to the bush, but also so that the plant forms flowers in the following years. Gardeners who ignore pruning are more likely to complain about the plant not blooming.

Forming an Amur lilac bush is not at all difficult, but you need to do it regularly if you want to enjoy the beauty of the inflorescences for a long period of time. If you do not regularly form a shrub, then it will form flowers only on the uppermost branches and the view will be completely different, since at a height of 10 meters the inflorescences are completely invisible. So, when the stem becomes about 5 cm thick or more, it is necessary to cut off its top. So you can not only reduce the growth of the future shrub, but also make it more lush and colorful.

Cutting Amur lilacs is not worth only new young plants. In general, the bush begins to form after when it grows at least up to 2 meters. This usually takes two or three years. The shrub is pruned after the end of the flowering period. Do not feel sorry for wilted inflorescences, since new ones will grow in their place next year. In addition, if you prune the bush earlier, then it will have enough time to prepare for winter.

Experienced gardeners recommend cutting as many branches so that their total number does not exceed a third of the bush as a whole. It is this pruning regime that will be optimal for rejuvenating the shrub, as well as for the development of new stems, so that perennials continue to form flowers. An ideal Amur lilac bush will consist of 8 or 12 branches of different ages, and their diameter will be no more than 5 cm.

First of all, it is necessary to remove diseased, dry, old branches. Thin and too thick shoots are also removed. In order to grow a shrub not in height, but in width, it is necessary not only to cut off old shoots, but also to remove new shoots that grow outside.

Amur lilac: photo of a tree

There are different ways to rejuvenate. Experienced gardeners recommend doing anti-aging pruning for three years. If you happen to work with heavily overgrown old lilacs, then it is best to first remove about 1/3 of the oldest branches. It is necessary for this to choose perennial shoots. They will be the thickest. After you remove them, the next year's bloom may be very nondescript. However, after the bush is completely rejuvenated, the Amur lilac (Amur cracker) will again begin to amaze with the beauty of lush inflorescences. Pruning should be done in early spring, before the buds swell. Thus, when you remove all the old shoots, after 3 years new stems will already grow and get strong enough, after which the flowering of the bush will resume.

The second way is more radical. Here it is necessary to cut off all branches in the spring, leaving approximately 20 cm above the ground. After that, new young stems will begin to grow from the bush, which will quickly gain green mass. From next year, lilacs begin to form, like an ordinary adult bush.

Conclusion

Amur lilac is a very beautiful lush flowering plant that every gardener seeks to grow on the site. The plant is unpretentious, you just need to pay special attention to the formation of the crown of the bush.