Calystegia, or povoy, as some gardeners call the plant, comes from the bindweed family. Most representatives of this genus are herbaceous liana-like bushes. Translated from Latin, "calistegia" consists of two words denoting concepts such as "cup" and "cover". The flower got its name from the large bracts. In the usual dialect, kalistegiya means a birch or bindweed. Terry varieties have long been nicknamed the French rose.
The spread of culture began from the East Asian countries, namely China and Japan. In the wild, you can find about 25 subspecies of the perennial in question. Many of them are located in the temperate climatic zones of the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. Sometimes the owners of the garden plots mistake the plant for an ordinary weed. The groove has fast-growing shoots and a developed root system.
Description of calistegia
Kalistegia belongs to the group of herbaceous perennials. If the aggressive rhizome is not protected in time, the underground processes will occupy a rather large area. In spring, young shoots are shown above the surface anywhere at a distance of up to 1.5 m from the mother bush. The old clump, formed from dense whitish roots, is very strong and resistant to adverse conditions. To stop reproduction, it is recommended to install a special fence next to the vine.
Vines reaching up to 4 meters in length are characterized by increased flexibility. In nature, there are species with triangular, egg-shaped and kidney-shaped leaf plates. The base of the leaves is heart-shaped, the edges are wavy. The leaves sit in regular order on elongated petioles. The stem is completely covered with greenery. The povoy color is presented in rich green tones. The surface of the plates is decorated with a relief pattern, which consists of a network of convex veins. At the beginning of autumn, the shoots dry up, only the rhizome remains underground. With the arrival of spring heat, the roots release green shoots.
The inflorescences hide in the axils and sit alone. Distinguish between double and simple flowers in the form of bells. White or pink color of the buds predominates. The calyx protrudes 2-9 cm. The petals frame the core like a column. The inflorescences are arranged in the same order as the leaves in relation to the shoot. In place of the faded bud, the fruit ripens - a seed capsule with four edges. The cavity of the capsule is filled with small grains.
The plant is widely used as a decorative living frame for gazebos, arches and other buildings that make up the garden group.
Planting calistegia in open ground
When to plant
Calistegia reproduces by dividing the rhizome. The procedure is carried out in the spring.To do this, the mother bush is dug up in March and the adhering soil is shaken off, then the rhizome is divided in parts. The size of the divisions should not exceed 7 cm. They are planted in compact pots containing peat soil, or placed in wooden boxes. The roots are covered with earth only 3-5 cm. It is important to bury the cuttings in a horizontal position. The slices are sprinkled with crushed charcoal to prevent infection. The soil is periodically watered with water.
After a while, the long-awaited shoots appear. The crown of the plant, which has reached more than 5 cm, is gently pinched. Then the bushes will look much more luxuriant, and the growth of the green mass will slow down slightly. Seedlings are hardened before being transplanted into open ground. Planting activities are best done in late spring.
Landing features
The life span of the culture is from 10 to 20 years and depends on the location and compliance with the rules for caring for the calistegia. To ensure stable growth and abundant flowering, a site is selected that is well lit in the morning and evening by the sun's rays. At lunchtime, it is better to shade the povoy bushes so that the foliage does not get burned. Too dark place will negatively affect the budding process. Liana will bloom later than usual, and the number of inflorescences will decrease.
On loose and fertile soil, calistegia takes root much faster. The culture prefers a peaty, loamy or deciduous substrate. The close occurrence of groundwater in the area where it is planned to breed perennials often leads to a number of problems in the future. In the spring, when the melt water stagnates in the soil for a long time, the roots of the hoar begin to rot. The flower gradually weakens and dies, not having time to start young shoots.
The preparation of the site begins in the fall. The first step is to dig up the soil and enrich the land with organic and mineral fertilizers. 1 m2 the beds are made from 5 to 20 kg of humus, 1 tbsp. dolomite flour, 2 tbsp. minerals and the same amount of wood ash. The area under the seedlings is carefully leveled.
When the plants are hardened, they are transferred to open ground. The distance between two bushes is kept from 5 to 30 cm. The larger the seedling, the further the bush is planted. After planting the kalistegi, a kind of fence is installed around the ridge. It is allowed to use pieces of plastic or slate, as well as an aluminum mesh, which is immersed in the ground to a depth of at least 40 cm. Such a fence will allow the roots not to grow in different directions and will protect neighboring crops. So that the thin branches do not bend under the weight of the inflorescences, a support is immediately built near the vine.
Caring for calistegia in the garden
Kalistegia has frost and drought tolerant properties, does not require much attention. It is very easy to look after her. The main thing is not to forget about regular watering and loosening of the soil so that the rhizome does not clog. If the weather is rainy in summer, calistegia will do without additional moisture. Watering is resumed only during drought periods.
Since vines are characterized by rapid growth, the flower is systematically fed. For feeding, dissolve complex mineral granules at the rate of 1 tbsp. 1 m2 plot.
During the growing season, it is necessary to cut off the shoots and cut off dry and withering buds.
Diseases and pests
Garden species of bindweed can pick up various "sores" on the site. Pests are also a concern. An excess of water in the soil is the main reason for the appearance of rot and powdery mildew. Infected bushes need to be treated with fungicidal preparations and stop watering. Juicy greenery and flowers attract slugs. The pests are collected by hand, after which they spray the vine and the area with a special chemical called Thunderstorm. The hot and dry climate leads to the formation of a colony of spider mites. Insects settle in the axils of flowers. Acaricides, namely Aktara and Actellik, help to get rid of parasites.
Preparing for winter
The cultivated species of povoy can withstand frosty winters. The exception is fluffy calistegia. If, according to forecasters, winter is expected without snow, the place where the flower is planted is covered with sphagnum or fallen leaf. It is recommended to prune dried branches in advance.
Types and varieties of calistegia with a photo
In horticulture, a limited number of species of calistegia are cultivated. The following types have gained popularity:
Fluffy Calystegia (Calystegia pubescens)
The origin of the species began in China. The length of an adult bindweed reaches more than 4 m. The shoots are framed by dark green leaves, oblong with a coarse sheath. Terry inflorescences complement the look. Their diameter does not exceed 9 cm. The color of the petals is white with a pink tint. The base of the calyx looks darker than the petals. In addition to the double variety, there are specimens with simple flowers. Care for both crops is almost the same. A widespread variety called Flora Plena, which has arrow-shaped leaf blades, covered with delicate pubescence. Double pink flowers resemble toy pom-poms.
Calystegia pellita
The plant was first discovered in the Far East and Altai. In the natural environment, the vine chooses rocky slopes and dry meadows for settlement, or settles down next to shrubs, like an ordinary weed. The ground parts of the herbaceous perennial are protected by a layer of thick felt. The elongated rhizome has a cord-like shape. Shoots elongate up to 80 cm. Lanceolate leaves with sharp ends decorate the bush along with pink flowers. For cultivation, this species has been used since 1884.
Intake calystegia (Calystegia sepium)
Perennial stems grow up to 3 m. Triangular or oval foliage is located throughout the vine. The flowers, painted in a pale pink or white shade, sit separately. Fence kalistegia is often referred to as weed grass, since overgrown root shoots are difficult to remove from the site.
Japanese plow (Calystegia japonica) or ivy-leaved (Calystegia hederifolia)
The plant blooms in double buds. The size of the shoots ranges from 1.5-2.5 m. Small leaves stick out in the next order. When opened, the diameter of the pale pink cups does not exceed 9 cm.
Calystegia multiplex
It is a hybrid of the popular garden variety Calistegia hop. Adult specimens grow up to 3.5 m in length. Lush buds 10 cm wide are painted pink with a pearl tint. Terry petals shimmer under the sun. The external advantages and decorativeness of the Multiplex Calistegia explain its demand among gardeners. Even clematis, in comparison with this povoy, do not compete.
