Weigela - This plant is from the genus of deciduous shrubs, honeysuckle family. There are 15 species of weigela, of which 7 species have been cultivated, and as a plant for the house, only weigela is suitable for the hybrid. In open nature, the plant mainly grows in east and southeast Asia.
Did you know? Weigela is named after the professor of botany, chemistry and the formation of Germany, K.E. von Weigel, who opened the shrub.
Weigela bush: plant description
Weigela - This is a perennial shrub with upright shoots. Stolonov does not form. Green with white edging, velvety leaves are located opposite, they do not have stipules.
The plant is prone to re-flowering, and the flowers are quite large (up to 5 cm), funnel-shaped. Can be collected in inflorescences (up to 6 pcs.) Or single. Color is different: from white to pink.
Characteristic of weigela is a change in shade during the flowering process from a paler to a brighter one. The fruit is a bivalve box with angular small seeds. In some varieties they are winged. Weigela lives to be 20-30 years old.
Choosing a place for planting weigela
When choosing a place for planting, remember that you need to provide the plant with conditions as close as possible to the natural ones.
What should be the lighting
For weigela, one of the most important factors in planting and caring at home is adequate lighting. There should be a lot of light, but without direct sunlight.
Western and eastern windows, which provide bright but diffused lighting, will work well. If you place the plant on a southern window-sill, then do not forget to prune it. When placing the pot on the north side - lighting may be insufficient.
Temperature and humidity for successful growth
In the summer, room temperature is suitable for weigela, and in winter, the temperature should be + 12 ° C ... + 18 ° C.
The plant does not need high humidity, but regular spraying (only leaves, not flowers) will not be superfluous. You can simply wipe the foliage with wet matter.
How to plant a weigela at home
Plant better seedlings over the age of 3 years. The procedure is preferably carried out in the spring. Straighten the roots and compact the substrate so that there are no voids near the roots. Do not dig the root collar more than 1-2 cm.
How to choose a pot for planting
The pot should be sized and be in diameter. a few centimeters more rhizome. If your goal is a bonsai-style tree, then choose a wide and low pots.
Important! For healthy growth of weigela, large drainage holes are needed in a pot. A thick layer of drainage should be installed at the bottom of the tank, and on top of the soil, around the plant - additionally pour a thin layer.
What should be the soil
Weigela loves a nutritious, fertile, loose soil with a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. Suitable sandy or loamy soil. You can make a soil mix by combining deciduous soil with sand and turf soil in a 2: 2: 1 ratio. On overmoistened soil, weigela blooms poorly.
Landing pattern
The planting scheme of this shrub consists of the following algorithm.
- Make a hole (30-40 cm deep).
- Plant roots treat with a growth stimulator.
- When planting, make sure that the root neck is not deeply buried.
- Depending on the variety of weigela hybrid, place the flowerpots at a distance of 2 meters (large varieties) to 80 cm (for low ones).
- After planting requires abundant watering.
Room Care Rules
Speaking about the cultivation of weigela at home, it is important to describe not only the main nuances of planting, but also to talk about caring for it.
Watering and feeding plants
During the period of active growth (spring-summer) it is necessary to water regularly, but moderately. The substrate should be wet all the time, at the same time, make sure that the water does not stagnate. For autumn and winter, watering is reduced.
It is useful once a year, in early spring, to fertilize the soil with humus. It stimulates the growth of young foliage and shoots.
To bloom was more lush and long - in late spring - early summer, apply phosphate-potassium fertilizers. Also in hot weather, phosphoric top dressing, which will positively affect the color of the leaves, will not be superfluous.
How is pruning done
Due to its rapid growth, weigela needs regular pruning. If you want to form a plant with a bush, then regularly shorten the shoots to half their length, and if a miniature tree with a lush crown - leave only the trunk and pin it at the desired height.
To form a crown and stimulate the growth of new shoots, pruning is best done in the fall, immediately after flowering. In the spring, remove old and diseased branches.
Did you know? The art of bonsai is often started to learn in weigel. She has a powerful rhizome that helps her to tolerate all stages of bonsai formation.
When a plant is needed, and what is needed for it
Transplant weigela is carried out by transshipment and only when necessary, if the root system is closely in the old pot. This plant does not like to be disturbed. All that is needed for transplantation is a new tank, substrate and drainage. About what soil and capacity to choose, has already been written above.
Reproduction room veygely
Indoor weigela can multiply in two ways: cuttings and seeds.
Plant cuttings
For breeding weigela at home by cuttings, in the beginning of summer, cut off young, non-lignified shoots, 10-15 cm long with 2 internodes. Remove the lower leaves and cut the upper leaves in half.
Put cuttings for 1-2 hours in water, and then for 12 hours, place in a growth stimulator. The room should be dark, and the temperature should be within + 20 ° С ... + 25 ° С.
Important! In weigela cuttings, the lower cut must be straight, since the leaves of this plant are arranged oppositely.Dig the cuttings 1 cm into a mixture of peat and sand, covered with a 4-cm sand layer. Cover each copy with a film, jar or bottle.
Air and water the cuttings twice a day. After a couple of weeks rooting will occur.
Weigels propagated by cuttings, bloom for the first time at the age of two.
Seed propagation
Weigel seeds lose their germination one year after harvest, therefore only fresh ones are suitable for breeding. Preliminary preparation is not required. Sow the spring.
Superficially, in a container with holes in the bottom, filled with soil and drainage, drain the seeds, moisten and cover with glass or film. Put in a sunny place. Shoots should appear in about 21 days, they can be friendly.
Gradually temper and wean sprouts from greenhouse conditions. When 4 leaves are formed - dive the seedlings into separate containers, and after the root system fills them, you can replace the temporary "place of residence" with permanent pots of a suitable size. Reproduction in this way the bushes will bloom in about 5 years.
As we see such a beautiful plant as weigela, it is quite possible to grow at home, if you follow the basic rules of planting and care, as well as reproduction. Once you show a little effort and this bush will give a lot of reasons for admiration.
