Catalpa is a tree of amazing beauty. Its huge bright green leaves, similar to hearts, form a dense dome. The genus of plants belongs to the Bignonium 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. Catalps have been growing in parks for several decades, and sometimes in personal 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, the catalpa 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 thick spherical or oblong crown. The dark brown cracking crust consists of thin layers.
Catalpa foliage is very decorative. Large, smooth leaf plates up to 25 cm long are painted bright green. Most commonly found are heart-shaped or broad-egg-shaped leaves. Throughout the season, foliage retains a rich green color and falls in the fall without yellowing.
At the age of 5-10 years, trees begin to bloom. The flowering period is in June. At the ends of the lateral processes, multifloral paniculate inflorescences with white or cream tubular flowers bloom. Two-lipped corollas are cut along the edge into soft bent petals of various shapes. In structure, catalpa flowers are very similar to chestnut, but much larger. Closer to the center there are red or purple dots and yellow stripes.
After pollination, long thin pods with a circular 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 the late autumn, they darken, but remain hanging until spring. Inside the pods are oblong, beans-like seeds.
Species and decorative varieties
The genus of catalpa is represented by eleven plant species, of which 4 are cultivated in Russia.
Catalpa bignoniform. A sprawling plant about 10 m high grows funnel-shaped branches. Shoots form an asymmetric crown. The length of the heart-shaped leaves is about 20 cm, they are painted in a yellowish-green color, but gradually become bright green. In June, inflorescences bloom with white or yellowish, raspberry-covered flowers. The length of the corolla reaches 30 cm. In August, fruits in the form of pods up to 40 cm long appear, which already in September turn brown. 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, however, it has no flowers;
- Kene is a large, heart-shaped foliage with a yellowish edging and a bright green center.
Catalpa is gorgeous. A tree with a wide pyramidal crown grows up to 30 m. It is covered with broad-egg bright green leaves. The length of the leaf plate reaches 30 cm and a width of 15 cm. At the beginning of summer, fragrant cream flowers bloom about 7 cm long. Wavy petals are covered with yellow stripes and burgundy-brown specks.
Catalpa spherical. The trunk of this species is covered with a light brown thin-plate bark. Above it rises a crown in the shape of a dense green ball. The surface of large dark green leaves is smooth, and on the back there is a short white pile. In June, white flowers bloom 5 cm long.
Catalpa is beautiful. This species is best suited to severe frosts. It is a decorative tree that grows up to 35 m. A strong straight trunk of the plant is covered with lamellar bark, and large dark green leaves reach a length of 30 cm. Each leaf is attached to the branch with a flexible long stalk. Flowering begins at the age of ten. The tree blooms in early summer light cream tubular flowers. A month later, it is decorated with fleshy long pods.
Breeding methods
Catalpa propagates 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, extracted, and stored in a paper bag for up to three years. When breeding catalpa seeds prepare containers with loose garden soil. 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. Ventilate and water the plants regularly.
Shoots do not appear very friendly after 3-4 weeks. After that, the lid is removed. Seedlings continue to grow warm. In the spring, after a week of hardening, several hours a day, plants are transplanted into the open ground.
In July-August, cuttings about 10 cm long are cut from young shoots. The slice is treated with Kornevin and planted vertically in containers with sand and peat soil. They are kept on the street, in a place protected from drafts and precipitation. The first 2-3 weeks cover the cuttings with plastic bottles. Within a month, cuttings will take root, but for wintering they are still too weak. They are left in a room where there are no negative temperatures. In autumn, seedlings will drop leaves, this is normal. In spring, new leaves will appear. In mid-spring, plants are planted in open ground.
Landing and care
For catalpa seedlings, areas with good lighting and protection against drafts are suitable. The tree can also grow in partial shade. Plants are planted individually or in a group in the form of an alley. For each seedling, dig a hole to the depth of the root system (70-120 cm). At the bottom, pour 15-20 cm of the drainage layer. Catalpa is planted so that the earthen lump is slightly elevated above the surface. As the soil is compacted, the plant will settle and the root collar will be at ground level. The distance between the trees must be at least 3 m.
Catalpa prefers fertile garden soils with good breathability. They dig heavy, poor soils before planting with gravel and compost. It is important to avoid places with a close occurrence of groundwater. The acidity of the soil must 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, it is not difficult to take care of the catalpa. It needs to be watered regularly. In the absence of natural rainfall, up to 2 buckets of water are poured under the root weekly. About once a month, the soil is loosened and weeds removed.
In early spring, as well as 1-2 times during the summer, the 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.
Adult trees normally winter in a temperate climate, 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, shelter is removed. If frozen branches are found, pruning is performed. Before the start of the growing season you can engage in the formation of the crown. Do not shorten branches too much and stimulate thickening. If the leaves do not have enough light and free space, they will begin to fade or develop worse. As a result, the catalpa will lose its decorative effect.
The plant has good immunity to disease and is resistant to parasite attacks. So that the fungus does not develop on the tree, it is necessary to monitor the watering regime and avoid dampness. Sometimes an ash-tree shpunkka settles on a plant. It eats holes in the foliage and contributes to the deformation of the shoots. Insecticides help against the parasite.
Catalpa in the garden
Exotic appearance and large leaves of catalpa, and at the end of summer - long green fruits - attract a lot of attention. The views of households and passers-by will often dwell on her dense bright green crown. Large trees are used in the central positions individually, and low-growing varieties are good in group plantings to frame paths or along the fence. Catalpa roots strengthen the slopes, so plants are often used for landscaping steep coasts of lakes and smaller fresh water bodies.
During flowering, catalpa is a wonderful honey plant, and its leaves secrete special substances that repel mosquitoes. Therefore, relaxing under a tree in the evening will be more enjoyable.
