Forsythia (Forsythia) is a flowering tree or shrub from the Olive family, whose homeland is the countries of East Asia - Korea, China, Japan. Nowadays, the plant has become widespread in many European countries. Average crop height is 1-3 meters. The tree or bush has a trunk with a gray-brown bark of a coarse texture, simple oval leaves 5-15 cm long, bright yellow bell flowers in large numbers and winged seeds hidden in capsule fruits.
The active flowering period lasts about one month, and begins in mid-March and is one of the symbols of the beginning of the spring season. The first greens are just beginning to form on plants, and forsythia stands out against the background of gray streets and houses with its fiery flowers and gives strength and energy to passers-by. The individual characteristics of a culture are not only its early flowering. She is also unpretentious in care and cultivation. Lush and abundant blooms are possible in bright sunny areas and in dense shade, and in the fall months, forsythia again looks elegant and attractive, thanks to its golden yellow or purple-violet leaves.
Planting forsythia
When to plant forsythia
The most favorable time for planting and transplanting is early autumn or spring. Having planted a plant around the first two weeks of September, there will be enough time for it to take root in a new place and to be able to prepare for winter.
Shade-tolerant forsythia still feels much better in an open, sunny area without gusts of wind and strong drafts. You can protect the culture from the wind by planting it near a small building or fence.
The soil must be dry and alkaline. If there is acidic soil on the site, it is recommended to carry out a preliminary digging, adding crushed wood ash to it.
How to plant forsythia
In a planting pit 50 cm wide and 60 cm deep, you first need to pour a twenty centimeter drainage layer of crushed stone or broken brick. The second obligatory layer should be fine river sand - about ten centimeters, and only after that the main substrate. Its composition: two parts of leafy earth, one part of peat and sand and wood ash (about 200 g).
The distance between plantings of seedlings is 1.5-2 m. The root part, together with the earthen lump, should be at a depth of about forty centimeters. The seedlings are placed in a hole, covered with soil mixture, compacted and the first abundant watering is carried out. When planting in autumn, after moistening the soil in the near-stem circle, it is recommended to apply a mulching layer that will protect the young plant from weeds, dryness, cold, and will allow air to pass through well.
Forsythia care
Watering
Any garden tree or shrub and forsythia among them usually do not require regular watering and moisture, if natural precipitation falls in sufficient quantities. Watering crops is necessary only in dry summers. Each plant will need 10 to 12 liters of irrigation water. Watering frequency is every 15-20 days. For humidification, you can use plain water directly from the hose.
Loosening, weeding, mulching
Soil care is carried out immediately after watering. The soil must be loosened to the depth of a bayonet shovel, remove all weeds in the trunk circle and sprinkle with dry earth. It is helpful to apply a composting mulch layer that will get rid of weeds and weeds.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Timely added nutrient additives to the soil will ensure the full development of forsythia and guarantee a high decorative effect in the form of abundant and lush flowering. Fertilizers need to be applied three times a season: in early spring (early March), in April, after flowering ends.
The first organic top dressing is rotted manure, which is laid out in a near-trunk circle in a thick layer and watered abundantly. The second time, a complex mineral fertilizer is used, about 70 g per plant. The third feeding is necessary for crops to lay flower buds for the next season. For each square meter of garden land, it is recommended to make 100-120 g of the "Kemira Universal" complex.
Pruning
Sanitary pruning is needed for young and adult plants to get rid of dried, damaged and frozen shoots.
The main pruning is carried out after the end of the flowering period in order to reduce the size of faded branches. It is recommended to shorten them by fifty percent.
Formative pruning helps an adult plant regulate height, density, and shape.
Anti-aging pruning is done after about 4-5 years, but not before. It promotes the emergence of a large number of young shoots. With frequent haircuts, the bush will become very thick and lush, but flowering may not come.
Forsythia after flowering
In regions with heavy snowfall and a lot of snow during the winter months, forsythia does not require additional winter shelter. A thick snow cover will be sufficient to protect against severe frosts. In regions with little snowy winters, the bush must be prepared for wintering. A thick layer of dry leaves should be poured into the trunk circle. The branches are bent to the soil surface and fixed, and a reliable layer of spruce branches is laid on top. With the arrival of spring, the plant is returned to its natural state, spruce branches and foliage are removed.
Reproduction of forsythia
Propagation by cuttings
For this method, you can use green or lignified cuttings. Green cuttings are cut at the beginning of summer, their average length is 10-15 cm. First, all the lower leaves are removed, then I process the slices with one of the root formation stimulants (for example, Kornevin, Epin, Heteroauxin) and placed in wet sand. Rooting should take place in greenhouse conditions - under a film or in a greenhouse.
Lignified cuttings with 2-3 buds are cut in October and immediately planted on open ground. The wintering of these plantings should take place under a thick layer of fallen leaves, which are removed with the arrival of spring. By the arrival of autumn, the seedlings will become strong and sturdy.
Reproduction by layering
This breeding method is used in summer or early autumn. The lowest branch must be bent to the soil, pinned down with a wire clip and sprinkled with fertile soil. The main care consists in timely moistening of the soil and shelter for the winter. By the time of spring, the shoot will have formed its own root system and will be ready to separate from the adult plant and transplant to a permanent location. Bloom will come next summer.
Seed propagation
Seed propagation is considered the most difficult and is used only by experienced gardeners.
Diseases and pests
Forsythia is highly resistant to pests and diseases. In rare cases, problems arise due to the appearance of nematodes. You can get rid of them with the help of special preparations. For example, the chemical agent "Carbation" qualitatively disinfects the ground and completely destroys uninvited guests.
The main diseases are moniliosis, wilting, bacteriosis. Bacteriosis is an infection that affects the bush in a short time, and it is almost impossible to save it. In this case, it is recommended to urgently get rid of the diseased bush so that the disease does not spread to other crops. Forsythia is dug up along with the roots, and the growing site is processed.
When moniliosis appears, numerous brown spots appear on the leaves of a flowering bush. You can save the bush by completely removing all affected parts of the plant.
Withering is the easiest to deal with. A few sprays of "Fundazol" will be enough and the plant will recover. A 5% solution is recommended.
Types and varieties of forsythia
European forsythia - the most common species, about two meters high, with single golden-yellow bell-shaped flowers and oblong leaf plates 5-7 centimeters long.
Forsythia dark green - a three-meter bush with densely growing fifteen-centimeter leaves of a dark green hue on branches directed upwards. Differs in high drought resistance and decorative properties.
Snow forsythia - a low shrub 1.5-2 meters in height with oval dark green leaves, which turn purple with the arrival of autumn. Numerous lush blooms are composed of white flowers with yellowish and pink hues.
Forsythia Giralda - a thermophilic species of medium height with elliptical oblong dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers. The flowering period takes place in May.
Forsythia ovoid - this species differs from others in the earliest onset of flowering, high resistance to cold and drought. The average height is 1.5-2 m. Small bright green leaves acquire purple notes with the onset of autumn. Popular varieties are Tetragold, Goldsauber, Spring Glory.
Forsythia drooping - a three-meter bush with a spreading crown and hanging branches. Has several varieties - forsythia "Variegated", "Purple-stemmed", "Deceiving" and "Fortune".
Intermediate forsion - a hybrid species with high winter hardiness and drought resistance, fast growth. It blooms from mid-April to mid-May with bright yellow inflorescences. Popular varieties are Spectabilis, Beatrix Forrand, Denziflora.
