Chubushnik (Philadelphus) is popularly called garden jasmine. The shrub is one of the representatives of the genus of deciduous plants that belong to the Hortensia family. Due to the pleasant and sweetish smell of flowers, as well as the similarity of the structure of the buds, it is compared with jasmine.
The origin of the name Philadelphus chubushnik is associated with the Egyptian ruler Ptolemy Philadelphus. Previously, from durable wood, plants were made of shafts and mouthpieces, which were used for smoking pipes. In the wild, the shrub grows in North America, Europe and East Asia. In the botanical literature, there are about 50-70 varieties of mock-orange.
Description of the chubushnik shrub
The shoots of these shrubs have a strong, tree-type covering with a wide core. The bark of young shrubs looks brown and slightly flakes off. Elongated and oval leaves can grow about 2-7 cm. During flowering, the plant exudes a dizzying aroma, which is spread by terry racemose inflorescences that form at the ends of the shoots. In place of withered flowers, a seed capsule is formed, divided into several parts.
Chubushnik is distinguished by frost resistance, but, in any case, this does not mean that all varieties of the Hortensiev family will behave in the same way. However, thanks to a powerful and developed root system, in the event of the death of the ground part of the plant, it will still be able to recover and start new shoots.
Chubushnik planting
If you plant a chubushnik in the shade, then the flowering will not be so lush. Therefore, an open and illuminated place is chosen as a site for growing shrubs. You can prepare the substrate yourself by taking 1 part of humus, 2 parts of sand and 3 parts of garden soil. To improve the permeability of the soil, a drainage layer is added. The best time for planting a shrub is the beginning or middle of autumn. If in the fall it was not possible to devote time to these events, then you can plant a mock-orange in the spring before the buds begin to open on the trees.
How to plant correctly
The depth of the dug holes depends on the size of the plant. To grow a hedge, it is worth placing the seedlings in such a way that the distance between them is at least 50 cm. A layer of sand is poured at the bottom of the holes, which will provide a drainage effect. After that, they are filled with soil mixture, but this must be done several weeks before planting, so that it can properly tamp.
The root should be at ground level. The soil is spread around the seedling and pressed firmly. After planting, the area must be thoroughly watered. It will be enough to add 2 buckets of water under each bush.Once the surface is dry, sprinkle it with a little dry earth to retain moisture. If the root collar is very deep, then it will probably quickly begin to rot. After a few days, the soil must be mulched with peat or sawdust.
Chubushnik care
Caring for a chubushnik is quite simple and does not present any difficulties. When a plant needs extra moisture, it sends a signal through its leaves. They become lethargic as they lose turgor pressure. If the summer is dry enough, the chubushnik may die without water. It is best to keep a regular watering schedule and water the shrub once a week. As soon as the flowering period of the plant begins, the volume of moisture is almost doubled. Wet soil must be loosened and weeds removed. However, if it is mulched, then this will save you unnecessary trouble.
Chubushnik accepts feeding with organic fertilizers well. This top dressing is added in the spring once a season for each adult shrub. Faded bushes are also treated with wood ash. It is scattered before watering along the near-stem circle of the plant. Chubushnik, which has reached the age of four, is allowed to be fed with solutions of complex mineral fertilizers. To feed 2 bushes, it is enough to dilute 30 g of superphosphate, 15 g of urea and 15 g of potassium sulfate in a bucket of water. If potassium is not at hand, it can be replaced with wood ash. Top dressing with nitrogen fertilizers is carried out exclusively in the spring.
Pruning
To observe the long and bright flowering of the mock-orange from year to year, it is required to periodically prune. Lush inflorescences are formed only on large shoots, while thin and fragile branches are capable of producing rare flowers. For this reason, chubushnik bushes often look unkempt. To maintain the shape and visual appeal, after the end of flowering, it is necessary to prune the faded branches, which has a positive effect on the state of young growths. They receive more strength and nutrients and will delight you with beautiful flowering next season.
Autumn pruning at the same time allows you to free the crown of shrubs from unnecessary shoots that interfere with growth, and get rid of diseased and dry branches. Old shoots must be removed every three years. Spring pruning is done for the purpose of rejuvenation. The strongest trunks are shortened to 30 cm, and the rest are cut at the root. Places of cuts are smeared with garden pitch, and the area where the mock-orange is grown is mulched with peat. With the arrival of autumn, dormant buds will begin to form strong young shoots.
Transfer
Chubushnik can tolerate a transplant without any problems. Only a transplanted plant will be able to please with flowering next year. Having chosen a new site, it is necessary to prepare the holes for planting. Chubushnik bushes are pre-watered, their old shoots are cut off. After that, the excavated specimens can be transferred to another location. The plant is transplanted in mid-autumn or with the onset of spring before the buds open on the shoots.
Cultivation of chubushnik in Siberia and the Moscow region
This plant is considered quite unpretentious to care for and is frost-resistant. In this regard, it is suitable for cultivation both in the southern regions of the country and in the immediate vicinity of Moscow. In Siberia, the most common is the crown mock-orange, which, thanks to its strong root system, is able to withstand very low temperatures in winter and does without shelter.
Reproduction of chubushnik
Reproduction of a chubushnik will not be difficult, so even novice gardeners can do this. The main methods are seed and vegetative cultivation of shrubs. The first of them may seem simpler, but in practice, a more vegetative way of reproduction of the mock-orange is used.The reason is that the seedlings are not able to fully preserve the hereditary traits.
Propagation by cuttings
Cuttings make it possible to get guaranteed rooting, therefore, when breeding a chubushnik, they are used first of all. Planting material is cut from the healthiest and strongest branches. You should not use growth shoots that have a deep core and large gaps from one bud to another. As a result, decay processes can develop in these hollow cores. For reproduction of a mock-mushroom, it is better to take green cuttings with a heel, which are called annual shoots, which retain part of last year's shoots. The cut sites must be treated with a root-forming agent. Then the cuttings are placed in containers containing a nutritious soil mixture with the addition of sand. Containers with seedlings are covered with polyethylene or glass to create the effect of a small greenhouse. Then they are left under diffused light. In the process of rooting, it is important to spray the cuttings with plenty of water.
Reproduction by layering
Their rooting rate is also quite high. Breeding with layering is necessary after anti-aging pruning. Using a soft wire, it is necessary to pull the young shoot near the base of the lower bud. After that, put it in a shallow dug trench and sprinkle it with a little earth. The next year, the layers are separated from the main shrub.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
The division of the shrub is carried out in early spring or autumn, when the plant will shed its foliage. To do this, the bush is carefully dug up and divided into parts, each of which is promptly planted in another area.
Diseases and pests
Most often, spider mites, green weevils and bean aphids affect the leaves of the mock-orange. Treating the shrub with chemicals such as Rogor or Karbofos will help to get rid of aphids, and Keltan and Fostamid are used in the fight against spider mites. A week break must be observed between treatment sessions. To protect the leaves from being eaten by weevil larvae and beetles, they are sprayed with Chlorophos solution.
Types and varieties of chubushnik with a photo
Among the cultural representatives of the chubushnik, the following types are most often found:
Common chubushnik (Philadelphus coronarius)
A shrub that grows mainly in southwestern Europe and the Caucasus. The length of its shoots is sometimes about 3 m. The leaves are oblong-oval. The flowers are white with a cream shade, they are collected in several pieces in racemose inflorescences. This variety also includes: Virginal, Belle Etoile and Bicolor.
Crown mock-orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
It is considered a southern European plant species. Found in Asia Minor and southern Europe, it is distinguished by yellow or reddish-brown shoots and lush foliage. Duration of flowering is about 3 weeks. Some of the most popular varieties are: Aureus, Variegatus and Innosens.
Chubushnik Lemoine (Philadelphus x lemoinei)
A crossed species of small-leaved and common mock-orange, which grows in the territory of European and North American countries. This species is characterized by large white inflorescences and long, spreading shoots. Hybrid varieties include: Ermine Mantle, Charm, Snowstorm and Glacier.
