Arbutus in the garden and at home: growing, watering and reproduction

Content:

Arbutus on a private plot. Briefly about this strawberry tree. Planting conditions in the open field and at home. Reproduction and care of arbutus. Features of watering.

Arbutus: description of the strawberry tree

Some gardeners who love experimentation have Arbutus growing on the plot or windowsill. It is an evergreen tree (shrub), perennial, belongs to the Heather family. The height of the Arbutus strawberry tree in its natural environment can be more than 10 m. But it grows slowly, up to 2.5 m it grows only by 10 years.

The leaves of the strawberry are leathery, bright green, about 10-12 cm in size. Its trunks are covered with brown bark, dotted with cracks. When sliding down, the bark emits a quiet rustle, which is why arbutus is popularly known as the "whisper". Blooms
Arbutus strawberry tree with white or pink inflorescences, the flowers of which are very similar to lilies of the valley. These inflorescences are formed on it from the beginning of spring to September, thanks to this feature, both flowers and fruits can be observed at the same time. These fruits, covered with small thorns, resemble strawberries. For a whole year, the fruits of Arbutus ripen, gradually acquiring an orange, and then a bright red and even burgundy color.

How to grow a strawberry tree?

Arbutus needs a nutritious soil with low acidity. Mineral fertilizers and complex fertilizing should be applied periodically all year round. The most necessary condition for good growth and development of the tree is the presence of drainage, be it a pot or garden soil.

You can grow the Arbutus strawberry tree in a sunny place, because it loves a lot of sun and tolerates drought very well. Shade-loving flowers and plants can easily grow under the shade of its crown. Watering strawberries growing on the site, you need 1 time in 6-8 days. For one tree, you should go from 5 to 12 liters of water.

If you grow Arbutus at home, then it is better to keep it on the balcony, because it needs a fairly large amount of fresh air. When the temperature drops to -15C, strawberries should be brought into the house.

In winter, you can use ultraviolet lamps as a backlight. This is necessary in order to increase daylight hours.

Reproduction methods

Arbutus can be propagated in 2 ways: by seeds and cuttings.
When choosing a seed propagation method:

you need to take ripe fruits;
get seeds out of them;
wash well;
leave to dry for several days;
put in a paper bag for 2 years;
after this period, plant in loose soil.

After about 4-5 years, a full-fledged tree grows from the seed.

When propagating Arbutus by cuttings:

cut cuttings about 5-8 cm from the tree;
treat the lower cut with a root growth stimulant;
plant them in a seedling substrate;
cover with a bag to create a kind of greenhouse;
keep the temperature for the seedlings at 22-25 C.

After the cuttings of Arbutus are well rooted and grow up, they can be transplanted into open ground. It is better to do this in the spring, you can also in the fall.

This is how you can plant and grow such an unusual-looking tree. Decorate any veranda or garden plot with their bright strawberries, will make you pay close attention and will certainly delight the guests of your garden or home.