Irga: an overview of the berry bush and the secrets of its cultivation. How to plant and grow irga in your garden

Irga is a deciduous shrub of the apple genus with berries rich in vitamins. Irga, planting and caring for which does not cause any particular difficulties, is deservedly popular with summer residents and gardeners.

The plant has excellent decorative properties... Berries have not only a wonderful sweet and sour taste, but also have many medicinal properties.

Plant variety

When correct fit and the care of the Irgi Canadian photo can confirm the beauty of the plant and the ability to bear a lot.

The fruits of the canadian irgi are large in size, beautiful in color, juicy, with a high degree of taste... Irga canadensis begins to bloom in May, bear fruit in mid-summer, leaves change color in September. In early October, they begin to fall off.

Choosing a landing site

Due to its unpretentiousness, Irga does not get the best places in the garden. When planted in shady areas, the plant begins to reach for the sun's rays, which leads to increased growth. The shrub begins to resemble a tree, on which all the largest and ripe berries are at the top to the delight of flying birds.

Transplanting an adult plant is very difficult due to the developed root system, which extends several meters deep.

It is quite possible for a shrub to find a sunny or slightly shaded area. Despite the fact that the irga is unpretentious to the soil, it is desirable that it be fertile. Then the roots of the plant will be able to receive adequate nutrition, and not scatter the root shoots far away.

When planting a number of shrubs, a sufficient distance should be maintained between them. Irga is fast growing plant... When planted close, the foliage of neighboring shrubs will begin to shade each other, which leads to a decrease in the number of fruits. Will not be enough for the root system nutrients and she will have to scatter her branches further away. This will make the area close to shrubs unsuitable for planting other plants.

The distance between irgi shrubs and other plantings should be within 2 to 5 meters.

If desired, use irgi bushes as hedge you can plant bushes in a checkerboard pattern.

Landing

In nature, there are about two dozen species of irgi. In the Moscow region, planting and caring for Irga canadian gives the best results. The shrub begins to bloom in May. The color of the leaves varies from white to purple-red. The fruits are large and juicy.

Irga can be planted in spring and autumn. An autumn planting is considered more preferable. During this period, the soil will be rich in nutrients. There will be enough time for the plant to take root.

The seedling for planting must be 1-2 years old.

Planting and care of irgi in the Moscow region due to the peculiarities of the soil requires preparatory work:

1. Clear the area intended for planting of weeds.
2. Apply fertilizers to the upper soil layer: organic - 3-4 kg, superphosphate - 0.5 kg, potassium salt - 200 g. Ash is an excellent potash fertilizer.
3. Dig a layer of soil onto the "shovel bayonet" to a depth of 20-22 cm.
4. If the soil is acidic, then lime should be added.
5. Dig a planting hole 50-80 cm wide, 30-40 cm deep.

Landing:

1. Lower the seedling into the dug hole so that the entire root system is below ground level.
2. Dig in the seedling, slightly inclined from the sunny side, with dug earth and tamp it carefully.
3. Water abundantly.
4. When the soil has settled, add earth to make the planting site level with the surface.
5. Cover the top layer with mulch.
6. Shorten upper part escaping, making sure that a sufficient number of well-developed buds remain.

Planting irgi in the open field and caring for it in spring and autumn are practically the same. If a harsh winter is ahead, then with autumn planting it is better to leave the shortened part on the surface. This will also protect the plant from strong gusts of wind. The landing site can be covered with spruce branches from above.

Planting irgi in spring has its advantages:

• the plant is no longer afraid of cold and frost - the possibility of its death becomes minimal;
• at this time, gardening is already more often visited by summer residents, who can provide the plant with care and, if necessary, help;
• watering will be carried out regularly;
• measures will be taken when visible signs of illness appear.

Despite the unpretentiousness of the plant, you should pay the necessary attention to it.

Growing and care

Despite the unpretentiousness of the plant, you cannot completely ignore it. Growing irgi and caring for it can be reduced to the following points:

• top dressing;
• weeding;
• loosening the soil;
• watering;
• trimming;
• pest control.

Top dressing should be applied in summer. It should have a liquid consistency. Top dressing should be done closer to night time. The effect will be better if done after heavy rain or full watering.

You can use for feeding organic fertilizerssuch as bird droppings. 4-6 kg are applied under each bush. Good fertilizer is compost and ash. Mown grass can be used. It must be poured in a suitable container with water, protected from light and kept for a week.

After planting, superphosphate, ammonium nitrate, and potassium sulfate should be regularly added under the bush.

When the bush begins to bear fruit, the branches that are not yet strong may not withstand the severity of the harvest and break off. To prevent this from happening, you should make a strapping suitable materials... Over time, the branches will become thicker, and the need for strapping will disappear.

A bush should be formed from strong root shoots. Weak ones should be cut out so that they do not take away strength from the more strongly fruiting. In the fall, after harvesting, the soil around the bush should be dug up. In this case, the depth should not be too great so as not to damage the root system.

The root system of irgi goes deeper, where it finds for itself required amount moisture. Therefore, it is necessary to water it only in case of severe drought.

Birds are great lovers of irgi berries. If you do not take action, then they will get the best harvest, because the first and most large berries appear on the upper branches.

Despite the fact that irga is resistant to adverse influences external environmentshe may not always be able to handle garden pests and get sick. Proper planting and caring for an irga includes pest control.

The main pests are:

• fruit rot;
• mole;
• irrigated seed-eater;
• hawthorn;
• leaf roll;
• wrinkled swamp.

To combat pests will help: thinning the bush, timely harvesting, moderate watering. To destroy harmful caterpillars and beetles, sprinkle irgi bushes before the appearance of berries or after harvesting with specially designed means.

Diseases to which the irgi bushes are susceptible:

1. Tuberculosis. The leaves begin to turn brown, dry out and fall off. Then branches undergo drying out, on which reddish tubercles appear. The affected branches must be cut out. Spray bush copper sulfate... In the spring, spraying can be done as a preventive measure.
2. Rust. The leaves become brownish and wither. The plant is treated with Bordeaux liquid.
3. Gray rot. Yellowed leaves become moldy gray... The reason is most often excess moisture, so you need to reduce watering.
4. Defeat by fingertip moth. This pest is fought with the use of karbofos.

In order not to spread pests around the garden, cut diseased branches and fallen leaves should be burned next to the bush.

How to properly prune irgu in spring

Pruning irgi in the spring is a must-have for her care.

A few years after planting, you should start rejuvenating the bush:

• thinning;
• pruning elongated branches, giving the bush the correct shape;
• cutting of basal stems.

Correct fit and care of the Irga will give good harvest berries with powerful medicinal properties.

When thinning, all weak branches are cut and bent inward. It helps to survive and become stronger healthy. They get more air and sunlight. Only strong shoots should remain, which will form a rich harvest.

Irgu (Amelanchier) families Rosaceae know by different names: "Korinka", "wine cherry", "raisins", "shura" (with an accent on the last syllable, a Belarusian name that migrated to us) and "cherry". An overgrown irgi bush takes up a lot of space over time, which is so lacking for small areas... But you forget about it when you see how beautiful flowering bush... And the berries of the irgi are so tasty and sweet! And there are so many of them.

Most of these berries, which go to both people and birds, fall on paving slabsstaining it with ink stains. Many are annoyed by the abundant growth, which has to be cut regularly. But irgu is still loved. Few people decide on the final destruction of its bushes. They prefer to transplant them behind the fence, to the delight of their neighbors. Or it is formed, turning the "wine cherry" into a green ball (especially the Canadian Irga), the cone (the alder-leaved irgu) or other figures. A good option is to create hedges and screens from bushes.

Pros and cons of irgi

Should you strictly follow all those recommendations for growing irgi that can be found on the Internet and in numerous publications? I do not know. I just give Irga the opportunity to live and bear fruit. True, only on my terms. And it demonstrates amazing vitality. Does not dry out in dry summers and does not freeze in frosty winters. Occasionally I remember that it is time to fertilize the bushes or the end of a hose should be pulled to them.

But I never forget about pruning shears and huge garden shears. These tools make it possible not only to restrain the growth of irgi, but also to give shape to bushes docked in a row. I have a lot of requirements for irga: it should bloom beautifully in spring, give a lot of berries in summer and have bright foliage in autumn. You don't have to worry about endurance in frosty winters.

Irga gives a lot of growth. It is useless to fight it. When root growth crawls out even in hard-to-reach places. It's great if the bush grows on the lawn. Then a lawn mower will help to restrain the growth of root shoots. Irga is often planted in the far corner of the site. Given that young bushes need sufficient lighting.

The advantages of irgi are its durability, ease of formation and ease of reproduction (by seeds, root suckers, cuttings, layering and division of the bush). IN recent times Irga increasingly began to be grafted onto the mountain ash.

Irga care in spring

Irga blooms in spring, about 10 - 14 days after bud break and the appearance of young leaves, which at first are delicate silvery and slightly pubescent. White or pinkish flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. They are fragrant like most of trees and shrubs blooming in spring. The honey plant feeds many insects.

In the areas near Moscow, round-leaved and spiky irga is most often found, although there are much more species. Among them there are more or less fruitful. It is worth noting the decorativeness of the canadian irgi, which has a natural rounded shape with thin drooping branches. This species looks amazing, especially during the flowering period. Irga canadensis can be grown not only as a bush, but also as a tree: tall at home and lower in culture.

Irga canadian (Amelanchier Canadensis) - a fairly large shrub (more than 6 m high) or a tall tree with a broadly oval crown. This species has thin and drooping shoots with ovoid leaves up to 10 cm long, profuse flowering (in drooping racemes up to 12 white flowers) and dark purple sweet berries with a gray coating.

Irga round-leaved (Amelanchier rotundifolia) grows up to three meters without pruning. It is found in the European part of Russia, Western Siberia and the Caucasus. There is a lot of it in the Crimea. Shrub height up to 2.5 meters. Its leaves are oval (ovoid) and have serrated edges. In young leaves, the lower part is pubescent. As the leaf grows, the pubescence disappears. Erect shoots. Flowers (with long narrow petals, spread apart) are collected in a brush.

Irga spiky (Amelanchier spicata) - shrub up to six meters high. It produces a lot of root growth. Egg-shaped leaves have white-tomentose pubescence when blooming. White or pinkish fragrant flowers are collected in short dense clusters.

there is large-fruited varietiesto which we owe Canadian breeders. It is worth looking in nurseries or among amateurs for large-fruited varieties "Thyssen", "Altaglow," Pambina "," Forestburg "," Honiwood "and" Smokey ".

Irga care in summer

In many countries (in Western Europe four centuries ago), irgu was grown for berries. Wine was made from them. In America and Canada in early XIX centuries, huge gardens with bushes and trees of irgi were habitual, from the berries of which they made delicious wines... Echoes of the glorious history of this culture have survived to this day. For example, one of the popular names for irgi is motivated - "wine cherry". Nowadays, wines and tinctures from irgi berries are rarely prepared.

It just so happened that plants that require constant care and attention are always given the best place in the garden, and unpretentious modest bushes are always left a place in the backyards, because they absolutely do not care where to grow. A similar situation very often folds with irga, and yet this berry is not only a bottomless storehouse of vitamins, but also a wonderful ornamental shrubable to decorate any site. And all this is combined with ease of care, cultivation and reproduction. You will learn how to choose the right place for planting, which variety of irgi to choose, and much more, including photos of varieties of this berry, from this article.

Varieties and varieties of irgi

Most of all, irga became widespread in European countries and North America... Only in Canada in last years breeders have developed many new varieties of irgi. In our regions, they are not yet available, but there are several species that are considered the most suitable both as an ornamental and as a berry crop.

Planting irgi

Irga is considered a long-liver, because the shrub grows for about 70 years, and its trunks eventually become like trees. You can choose absolutely any place for planting, because the irga is unpretentious and can grow in any shade, it is not afraid of winds and drought. If you can find sunny place for a shrub, then it is ideal, because in this case, the branches will not have to reach up in search of the sun's rays. But even if such a place was not found: the Irga will bear it easily. This berry is also not demanding on the soil. The main thing is that the place is not swampy. But it is worth remembering that the more fertile the soil, the healthier your plant and the higher the yield.

Council. Gardeners advise not to plant the game near the car park, because falling dark berries can leave marks on the car. In addition, they leave traces on the paths made of light stone.

The area for irgi can be prepared in advance by clearing it of weeds. Before planting, the site is dug up with the addition of phosphorus and potash fertilizers. For 1 sq. m accounts for up to 40 g of each type of fertilizer.

Blooming irgi

Saplings one or two years old are suitable for planting. If you plan to plant several bushes, it is recommended to plant them in a checkerboard pattern at a distance of up to one and a half meters from each other. The layer of earth excavated from the hole must be mixed with sand and compost, adhering to a 3: 1: 1 ratio. At the bottom of the pit, you need to add a little humus, potash and phosphate fertilizers. Sprinkle the seedling with the previously made mixture and watered abundantly with water. When the soil has absorbed moisture, add earth, leveling the hole to the level of the surrounding surface, and mulch the soil on top. After the bush, you need to cut it so that no more than 4 buds remain on each shoot.

Plant care

Many gardeners argue that after planting irgi, you can not remember about it until the very time when you need to harvest. But it will still be nice if the shrub gets your minimal attention. It consists in regular watering. Sometimes the plant requires pruning so that the beautiful ornamental shrub does not lose its visual appeal. And the rejuvenation of the bush is beneficial to the harvest. From time to time it is necessary to weed the weeds if they appear near the bush.

Council. Irga has a very developed root system, therefore, experts recommend watering it only in drought, using a spray, at the same time washing away dust from the leaves.

Fertilizing and feeding

The first irge fertilizers begin to be given when the shrub reaches 5 years old. Once a year, the trunk circle must be dug up with fertilizers. It is necessary:

• superphosphate - 300 g;
• potash fertilizers without chlorine - 200 g;
• humus - 1 bucket.

An unpretentious plant is sometimes worth feeding

In addition, from spring to mid-summer, you can feed the game with liquid organic matter. Chicken droppings, diluted 1:10 in water, work well. One bush needs about 5 liters of solution.

Council. Liquid fertilizers are best applied in the evening, after watering the shrub abundantly. Dry fertilizers are dug up together with the trunk circle, after which the plant is watered.

Reproduction of irgi

Irga propagates both by seeds and vegetatively, but it must be remembered that when propagated by seeds, only species characteristics remain, varietal ones are lost.

• When seed propagation it is enough to remove them from ripe berries and immediately plant them in the ground. Seeds should not be placed deeper than 2 cm. Also, don't forget to water them well and leave a layer of mulch on top. In winter, the seeds will undergo natural stratification, and young shoots will appear in the spring. By the way, shoots can appear in the same autumn. Within two years, it is necessary to remove the weeds around the shoots, and in the third year the plants can be transferred to the main habitat.

Irgi seeds

• Another breeding method is green cuttings... To do this, cuttings up to 15 cm long are cut from an adult bush, on which all leaves are removed, except for the top two. The lower cut must be placed in a root-forming solution for the period specified in the instructions for the product, after which the cuttings must be rinsed cold water and put in a greenhouse at an angle. Sprinkle on top with a small layer of sand. The distance between the dome of the greenhouse and the tops of the cuttings should be at least 20 cm. When watering the cuttings, make sure that the water does not pour onto the root part, but splashes. The temperature in the greenhouse must be kept at 25 degrees and periodically ventilated. The soil is also best kept slightly moist. After three weeks, the cuttings are already rooted enough, and it will be possible to open the greenhouse during the day, and after some time, when the shoots are getting stronger, and at night. At this time, the cuttings can be transplanted into a small garden bed and a little mineral fertilizer... Already next fall, young plants will be ready for transplantation to a permanent habitat.

The easiest way to propagate irgi is green cuttings

• Another way of breeding irgi is layering... For this, strong young shoots up to two years old are chosen. It is best to dig in in early spring... First, you need to dig up the ground under the selected shoots, draw grooves in it and lay the shoots in them. The tops must be pinched. When the young shoots reach 10 cm from the buds of the buried branches, cover them with earth to half. After a couple of weeks, the shoots will lengthen another 15 cm, again cover them with half of the earth. Already in the fall, you can transplant the rooted layers to the place you need, or you can do it next spring.

Irgi diseases and pests

Irga has a fairly strong immune system, but still gets sick from time to time tuberculariosis... With this disease, the leaves of the plant first turn brown, after which they begin to dry out and fall off. Following the leaves, branches also undergo drying out, on which small red tubercles appear. If symptoms are found, it is necessary to cut off the diseased branches and burn, and spray the plant with Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate. For prophylaxis, you can spray the shrub in the spring.

Rust damage

In addition to tuberculariosis, you can sometimes find on irga phyllostic spotting... It is also manifested by wilting of leaves, on which brown spots appear. The leaves must be burned, and the plant must be treated with Bordeaux liquid before flowering and after.

The third most common disease is gray rot ... It is manifested by the appearance of spots on the leaves, which spread, the leaves begin to turn yellow, and then they become covered with gray fluffy mold and fall off. The cause of the appearance of this disease is most often an excess of moisture, therefore, first of all, eliminate the cause, if possible, if not, transplant the irga to a less humid place. For treatment and prevention, as in the first two cases, Bordeaux liquid can be used.

Signet moth

Irga, planting and caring for which will not bring you extra hassle and will not take a lot of time, not only decorate your site, but also reward you with a lot of tasty and healthy fruits.

Growing irgi: video

Irga at their summer cottage: photo

It often happens that capricious plants that require constant care and attention are given increased attention, and the unpretentious are rather careless. Irga is precisely such a culture. You can usually see her somewhere in the backyard. personal plot... But not everyone knows that irga is a unique ornamental plant that is valued in many countries. In May, it pleases the eye with a gorgeous bloom, very similar to the flowering of bird cherry, and in September, the irga dresses in an elegant red-yellow crown. In this article, you will learn a lot of interesting things about the irga bush: planting and care, reproduction, cultivation, and other useful facts.

Important! There is little acid in the berries of irgi, so people with high acidity can safely eat them.

Irga: description of the plant

Irga has many names, so her description is quite interesting. In England, this shrub is called shadbush, which means "shade bush"; juneberry - June berry or serviceberry - useful berry... Irga got the name currant-tree (korinka) because of its resemblance to small grapes. In Russia, irgu is called a baby or wine berry. In North America - saskatoon (saskatoon). The Provencal name of this plant is amelanche, which literally means "to bring honey".

The genus Irgi belongs to the Rosaceae family. It includes 18 species (according to some sources - 25), most of which grow in North America. Irga is often found on forest edges, sunny rocky slopes, in clearings. In the vastness of Russia, the round-leaved irga mainly grows, the birthplace of which is the Caucasus and Crimea. About 10 species of this plant are known in Ukraine: spike irga, canadian irga, blood-red irga and others. They often grow in conditions wildlife... The culture spreads thanks to the birds, so irga can often be found at the edge of the forest.

The plant is not afraid of drought and wind, feels great on any soil, except for swampy areas, it is not afraid of severe frosts. The vitality of the irgi can be explained simply: the roots of the plant make their way two meters in depth and diverge within a radius of two and a half meters. For this reason, the irga is not afraid of shade, polluted air, it is not afraid of diseases and pests, the culture grows quickly and tolerates pruning well. Among its congeners, irga is a long-liver - many bushes reach the age of 70 and more. And most importantly, it is a honey plant.

But if you want the irga to grow on the site, not only planting and care is important, but also knowledge about side effects from this plant. There are few of them. Spikelet irga has a strong root growth, so it will have to be removed all the time. And it is also undesirable to plant irga near the parking lot - cars of light colors can suffer from stains that will leave fallen berries.

Did you know? The fruits of the irgi are so tasty that you have to literally "beat off" the harvest - the birds peck at the ripe berries at lightning speed.

Preparing the soil and choosing a place for the shrub

The plant is absolutely unpretentious to external conditions. But since the irga is a fruitful berry bush, he loves indirect sunlight. Best harvest can be harvested if the irga is planted on sandy loamy sod-podzolic and loamy fertile soils.

Irga is not afraid of the shade and lack of moisture, so she can safely provide the territory along the fence. Irgu is planted in the same way as other berry bushes, for example, currants or gooseberries. Seedlings are lowered into the ground in autumn or spring 8 cm deeper than they grew before. This is done in order to grow back a large number of basal shoots. Optimally comfortable and beautiful option - plant an irga as a hedge.

How to properly plant an irgu

It is recommended to plant 1-3 irgi plants in the garden.16m² of fertile loamy soils and 9m² of sandy loam need to be allocated for each shrub. For seedlings, pits are prepared 80 cm wide and 40 cm deep. After planting, the bushes are watered, humus or peat is placed on the soil surface, it is advisable to shorten the ground part of the bush to 10 cm so that 4-5 developed buds remain above the soil level. This photo will tell you what kind of buds there are in irgi, which bloom at the end of April.

Did you know? Irga is so unpretentious that for any natural conditions bears excellent fruit.

Do I need to water irga

Irgi shrubs take root remarkably after planting and do not require special care, they grow and bear fruit. But with sufficient and regular watering, the number of fruits increases markedly. Wet soil protects the roots better and allows the shrub to always be healthy and strong.

Features of feeding irgi

IN summer time irgu are fed liquid mixtures, which consist of water and ammonium nitrate at the rate of 50 g per bush or 5 liters of a 10% solution of poultry droppings. It is best to feed the plant in the evening after abundant watering or rain.

How to prune a plant

It is best to form an irgu in the form of a multi-stem bush from powerful basal shoots, and remove the weak ones.

The first pruning of the shrub is carried out during planting; no more than six healthy buds are left on a young plant. Shoots then grow from them. Until the age of three, you need to keep all the shoots, and then leave no more than three of the annual growth. Be sure to keep strong and healthy branches. Each year, the shrub should have about 15 branches from different growths. If their growth deteriorates, then once every 4 years it is worth doing an anti-aging pruning. But this procedure can only be done with bushes that have already reached the age of ten.

To make it easier for you to harvest, shorten the branches to the desired height. After pruning, the irga grows independently with root shoots.

Features of care in the first years of life

In the first year after planting, the irga grows well, cultivation and care are carried out without any peculiarities. The main thing that is required is in early spring, before the buds swell and bloom, you need to cut off all vertically growing branches of the bush, reducing their height by a quarter.

Pruning and shaping an adult bush

A properly formed irgi bush gives many times more fruits than a plant that has not undergone pruning and shaping. If irgu is grown as decorative decoration garden, her crown also needs a "stylish hairstyle".Most mature branches need this procedure. It's important to prune the plant correctly so you don't do more harm than good.

The main task is to rejuvenate the Irga. There are two types of this processing: thinning and shortening. When thinning, weak, diseased and growing deep into the crown, branches are removed entirely. Thinning should be done every year. During shortening, only the tip of the shoot is removed, and several buds remain intact. Thus, it is possible to change the appearance of the crown, it becomes thicker and wider due to young shoots.

If you want to fill the void in the center of the crown, you need to remove the shoot, leaving only the outer bud, which is directed towards the inside of the bush. Later, a vertical shoot will grow from this bud. Shorten irgu several times: during the first treatment, during the procedure for forming a young crown, as well as when the plant goes up strongly and it becomes difficult to harvest.

Important! The fruits of irgi contain B vitamins, ascorbic acid, anthocyanins, pectin and beta-sitosterol, which is an effective cholesterol antagonist.

Remove branches over six years old without regret. They will be quickly replaced by powerful basal shoots. For irgi grown for decorative purposes, the crown is formed based on the task. For example, if they want to get a hedge from a plant, the branches are shortened both in height and in width.

Pruning of the irga shrub is done in the spring before the buds swell or in the fall, when the leaves fall off.

How to properly propagate irgu

There are several ways of breeding irgi:

• seeds;
• grafting;
• layering;
• division of the bush.

Seedlings grown from seeds grow well and quickly. It is possible to propagate irgi bushes by dividing the root growth only in a formed plant, but in no case an old one. To obtain a standard shape, the cuttings are grafted with a stock. Reproduction of irgi by branches is a favorite method for novice gardeners. The best and simplest planting material is considered to be three-year-old seedlings with a fully formed root system.

Cuttings

They love to grow irgu by cuttings experienced gardenersas this requires some knowledge and experience. Cuttings from last year's growth are cut in the fall, and then stored for planting until spring, dug in the sand or earth. Two-year rowan trees are used for the stock. When the spring awakening comes, the cuttings are dug up, the roots are washed and the trunks are cut: above and below the bud. The lower end of the irgi seedling is made sharp and inserted into the rootstock incision. This place is tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. After grafting, the plants are placed in a greenhouse until they grow together. Irgi shrubs can serve as stock for apple and pear trees. This plant transmits fruit trees early flowering and frost resistance.

Grafting plants

In June or July, cuttings are cut from the tops of the shoots of five-year-old shrubs. In length, they should be no more than 15 cm. From each cutting it is necessary to remove the lower leaves, leaving a few upper ones. Workpieces with lower cuts are placed for 12 hours in a root-forming agent, after which the roots are washed in clean water... After that, you can plant the Irga in clean soil in a cool greenhouse. Do this at an angle and at a distance of 4 cm. Sprinkle the soil with a layer of sand 10 cm thick. Ideally, the cuttings should be 20 cm below the greenhouse ceiling.

After planting the cuttings, water them so that the water splashes. The temperature inside the greenhouse should not exceed 25 ° C. To do this, you need to remove the top of the greenhouse from time to time and ventilate the cuttings. Watch the soil - it must be moist. After the cuttings take root, you need to remove the greenhouse dome during the day, and after they get stronger, the dome should not be worn even at night.

After three weeks, the cuttings will have developed a strong root system and are ready to be transplanted into a temporary bed. Here they need to be fertilized with manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 8, or ammonium nitrate dissolved in a bucket of water. Caring for cuttings is no different from caring for an adult shrub, and the next fall they are transplanted to their permanent habitat.

One-year strong shoots or two-year branches with powerful growths are suitable for this breeding method. Add them in in the spring, as soon as the sun warms the soil a little. The upper layer under the bushes, from which the bends will be taken, must be dug up, sprinkled with fertilizers and leveled. After that, plow through the soil and fix the shoots that grow low in the furrows. The tops need to be pinched. When shoots 12 cm in height grow from the buds, they must be half covered with humus. When the shoots grow another 15 cm, the procedure should be repeated. Cuttings that have taken root are planted next fall to a permanent place.

Growing irgi from seeds

This is the best, but at the same time, the longest way to grow irgi. The seeds can be purchased or picked from ripe fruits yourself. They are not dried, mixed with sand and stored in a cold place (basement, refrigerator) until sowing... If the seeds are prepared in advance, they will sprout better. Place them between cotton wool dipped in hydrogen peroxide and wrap everything in plastic wrap... Store in this state for 4 months.

Irga is a berry shrub, but it is not found in every garden. Planting and caring for an irga is not particularly difficult, but it requires compliance with certain rules. The article discusses the features of planting and growing shrubs, as well as methods for its reproduction.

Spread

Most of all, Irga has become popular in Europe and North America. In Canada alone, in recent years, breeders have developed many new varieties of irgi. They have not yet appeared on the territory of Russia, but there are several varieties that are considered the most suitable not only in terms of berry, but also as an ornamental crop.

Kinds

In nature, there are about 25 types of irgi, but only a few varieties are grown, and not all of them produce high-quality berries. Often shrubs are planted solely to decorate a garden or personal plot.

The shrub reaches a height of about three meters. It is characterized by a wide crown that forms thin branches. They are initially gray in color, but as they mature, the plants turn brown. Pinkish-white buds bloom within 10 days. At this time, the shrub has an extraordinary appearance.

The irgi species is able to grow for 15 years, having taken root in one place. The benefits include endurance, resistance to cold, drought and wind. Fruiting occurs 4 years after planting in open ground.

Ornamental plant - grows like a bush or small tree. In spring, white or pale pink flowers appear on the irga. The advantages of this species include increased resistance to pests and diseases, resistance to frost. The plant is able to withstand even frosts at temperatures of -50 degrees, for which it is especially appreciated by the inhabitants of the north of Russia.

The berries are small, weighing about 5-8 g. As they ripen, the peel changes from a pale green hue to raspberry, then to a dark blue or black color. The plant has a well-developed, superficial root system. The height of the tree does not exceed five meters. Leaves are matte, ovoid, green in color. The taste of the fruit is good, sweetish, but sugary.

Blood-red irga is a shrub, the height reaches no more than three meters. Its fruits ripen late, have a flattened shape.

The berries taste mediocre, they are not eaten by birds, which is due to the minimum seed content. The berries weigh no more than 8 g. The pulp of the fruit is light, like the juice. Up to 5 kg of berries are obtained from one shrub.

This is a six-meter shrub or tree up to 10-12 meters high. There is a lot when the leaves are blooming, which gives the plant splendor, making it silvery. The plant is especially decorative at the time of flowering, completely covered with clusters of white flowers. There are few fruits, but they are tasty and large, contain a lot of acids and sugars.

This species is characterized by good winter hardiness, but in severe winters it can freeze slightly. Disembarkation is carried out in the spring or before winter. Effective way reproduction is considered to be cuttings. The plant is easy to care for, it practically does not need watering and is easy to decorative haircut.

IN middle lane the shrub grows in height, reaching 2-4 meters. At the end of May, white flowers are formed on it, then small berries are tied, the weight of which does not exceed 2 g. A brush can contain up to 14 berries. The harvest ripens amicably, it is harvested several times. The berries have an excellent taste, contain acids and sugars in equal proportions.

Alder-leaved irga - moisture-loving plant... It is found on the banks of rivers, streams, on wet slopes, but will not grow in swampy areas. The plant is recommended to be planted in spring or autumn. Two methods of propagation are used - from seeds and cuttings. Irga needs regular watering. Endures winter firmly. Fruiting occurs 5 years after planting.

Irga Lamarca is an ornamental species cultivated in gardens and parks in Europe. In Russia, it is rare, although the variety is considered very resistant to cold weather and pleases with its appearance throughout the season. It grows in oak and birch forests with acidic soils, also on peat bogs.

The size of the shrub is high, the leaves, fruits and flowers are large. Leaves 4-9 cm long, oval and copper-purple in color, both in spring and autumn. The flowers are collected in a drooping brush. The berries are dark blue. From one bush get from 5 to 7 kg of berries.

Site and soil selection

Irga is a fruitful berry bushes, it needs indirect sunlight. The best harvest is harvested from plants planted on sandy loamy sod-podzolic and loamy fertile soils.

The plant is not afraid of shaded areas and lack of moisture, due to which planting on the territory along the fence is permissible. Irgu is also planted in the same way as other berry bushes such as gooseberries or currants.

In the spring autumn period the seedlings are inserted 8 cm deeper than they grew earlier. This is necessary for the growth of more basal shoots. Many gardeners choose the most convenient way for them - planting irgi as a hedge. So the territory is transformed.

Landing

For planting, it is recommended to give preference to frost-resistant species and varieties characterized by high yield delicious berries. If irga is ornamental plant, the yield in this case does not matter. The age of the seedlings should come first. It is believed that one- and biennial plants take root faster.

When choosing a seedling, gardeners pay attention to a healthy root system: there should be no signs of drying out and rot. It is equally important to inspect the trunk of the seedling so that it is well developed and there is no damage to the bark.

Nurseries offer closed-root seedlings grown in large containers. For planting, it is better to choose them. Such a plant does not have to waste time to restore the root system damaged during transplantation, it will take root faster and begin to grow. Containers of seedlings have no time limits for planting - it is allowed to carry out planting during the entire growing season.

Irga is a long-lived plant, therefore the place for it is chosen carefully, taking into account the size, as well as the requirements for growing conditions.

The choice of location is based on the following rules:

1. The plot should be well lit - this will contribute to a good yield.
2. The value of soil acidity should not exceed 6.5-7.
3. The irgi is planted on soils with a low groundwater table.
4. The mechanical composition of the soil should be light (sandy loam or loose loam with a high humus content).

All weeds are removed in the selected area. It is better if the soil in the previous season was kept under "black" fallow. Sow it optimally legumes - they improve fertility. Before digging for each square meter make up to 10 kilos of rotted compost or humus, 40 grams of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

Irga is planted in the ground in early spring or late autumn. When spring planting make sure that the kidneys do not swell. When planting in autumn, the tree should already shed its leaves, but so that there are still 3 weeks left before frost is the time required for rooting. Each seedling needs an area of \u200b\u200bup to 4 squares, so the distance between them should be about two meters. When forming a hedge, planting seedlings is carried out at a distance of up to a meter from each other.

The procedure for planting a seedling:

1. Dig a 60x60 hole, discarding the top fertile layer in a separate heap.
2. For a hedge, dig a 40x30 cm trench.
3. Mix the top layer with a bucket of humus, adding 200 g of potassium salt or 1 kg of ash, as well as 300 g of superphosphate.
4. Pour the prepared mixture with a mound on the bottom of the pit.
5. Install the seedling by gently spreading its roots. If there is damage, they are removed.
6. Cover the root system with soil so that the root collar remains slightly above the level of the pit.
7. Pour a bucket of water under the bush, mulch the soil with humus.

An example of planting irgi is the video below:

If damage to the root system is noticed during planting, it is necessary to shorten the trunk of the seedling by cutting it by 4-5 buds.

Growing features

There are some requirements for caring for plants. The growth and development of plants, as well as productivity, depend on their implementation.

Watering

Irgi shrubs take root well after planting and do not need special care. Plants grow and bear fruit, but with regular and abundant watering, the number of fruits will become noticeably larger. Moist soil protects the roots better and allows the shrub to always be healthy and strong.

Top dressing

When the tree turns 4-5 years old, annually 300 g of superphosphate, 200 g are introduced into the trunk circle for digging potash fertilizer chlorine-free, several buckets of humus. Be sure to retreat 20-30 cm from the root collar. From spring to mid-summer, irgu is fed with liquid organic matter - 5 liters of a 10% solution of chicken manure for each bush.

It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizers at night after abundant watering or rain, and scatter dry fertilizers over near-trunk circle, stepping back 30 cm from the bush, embedding them in the soil, and then watering the area. As it grows, the amount of fertilizer increases.

Pruning

Although Irga tolerates pruning without complications, this procedure is carried out only if necessary. To do this less often, they adhere to some recommendations:

• plant a plant in a well-lit area so that the sun's rays penetrate into the very thick of the bush;
• cut off only low varieties of irgi, since tall bushes with full growth cannot be cut even when using a ladder;
• pruning is done 1-2 years after planting the bush;
• the procedure is carried out in early spring before the start of sap flow.

The first years of growth of irgi leave only a few of the strongest zero shoots from the root growth, the rest are removed. When the shrub has enough trunks, the two oldest are removed annually, and the same amount is left in return from the root growth - this contributes to the annual rejuvenation of the plant without reducing yield indicators.

In young plants, all vertical shoots are shortened by a quarter of last year's growth. In other years, the lateral branches are cut to stimulate the growth of the crown in breadth, otherwise it will be difficult in the future to remove ripe berries from the branches that have grown up. Slices on annual shoots processing is not necessary, but it is necessary to process them on mature branches garden pitch (but not in cold weather).

In addition to pruning, a sanitary procedure is also carried out to form the crown. To do this, remove broken, dry and thickening shoots, that is, branches growing inside the bush. Be sure to fight root shoots. To rejuvenate the old shrub, it is cut, as they say, "under a stump."

Irga in autumn

In the autumn, after the end of fruiting, sanitary and thinning pruning of the irgi is carried out, if necessary, fertilizers are applied by digging up the area and getting rid of the fallen leaves. These are all procedures that are carried out for the plant at the end of the growing season. Irga hibernates without shelter, which is facilitated by increased resistance to frost.

Reproduction

There are several ways of breeding irgi. These include grafting, grafting, growing from seeds, dividing the bush. Irgu is also propagated by layering. Each method has its own characteristics and negative aspects.

Cuttings

Reproduction by green cuttings in irgi is carried out successfully and practically without difficulty. The effectiveness of the method lies in the possibility of rooting 95% of cut shoots. Green cuttings are cut during intensive shoot growth - this is the period from late June to July 10. Cuttings are cut from the top of 5-6 year old branches. The length of the cuttings should be at least 12-15 cm. The lower leaves are removed from them, leaving only two pairs of upper leaves.

Next, it is necessary to process the lower cut of the cutting in the root former and plant it obliquely at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Plant the cuttings in greenhouses, where the correct humidity regime is observed - at a level of 70-80%. The stalk takes root in 3-4 weeks. After that, the films are removed so that the plant grows in the open air. Plants are regularly watered and fertilized. In the spring of the next year, the plants are transplanted.

Graft

In the first or second summer month, cuttings are cut from 5-year-old shrubs from the top of 5-6 year old branches. The length of the cuttings should be no more than 15 cm. The lower leaves are removed from them, leaving a few upper ones. Place the cuttings in a root former for 12 hours, then rinse the roots in clean water. The plant is ready to be planted in clean soil in a cool greenhouse. This is done at an inclination at a distance of 4 cm. Sprinkle the soil with a layer of sand 10 cm thick on top. It is better that the cuttings are 20 cm below the greenhouse ceiling.

After planting the cuttings, they are carefully watered. In the greenhouse, the temperature is optimally set to 25 degrees. For this, the top of the greenhouse is sometimes removed and the cuttings are ventilated. It is important to monitor the soil to keep it moist. After rooting of the cuttings, the film is removed during the day, and after complete strengthening, the plants are no longer covered.

After 20-25 days, the cuttings will have a strong root system, which will allow them to be transplanted to a temporary bed, where they are fertilized with manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 8. Caring for cuttings is the same as for adult plants. The next fall, the plants are transplanted to a permanent site.

Reproduction by layering

This method requires taking well-developed branches of a one- or two-year-old plant. Layering is desirable in early spring. Near the bush, the soil is furrowed, where the layers are laid. The laid shoots fix metal staples, and the tops of the shoots are made shorter. After growing green shoots from the buds (to a height of 10-12 cm), sprinkle them with earth half the height, repeat the procedure after 3 weeks. In the fall, transfer to a permanent place.

Growing from seeds

This method is considered the best for reproduction. But its disadvantage is the length of the procedure. Seeds are bought in specialized stores or collected on their own from ripe berries... Seeds should not be dried, mixed with sand, or stored in a cold room until sowing. If you pre-prepare the seeds, seedlings will be fast. They are placed between cotton wool dipped in hydrogen peroxide and wrapped in plastic wrap. Store in this way for 4 months.

In spring, the seeds are sown under a film at a distance of 20 cm from each other. Seedlings will appear in 14-20 days. It is allowed to sow seeds in the beds prepared in advance from the fall. So after sowing in open ground, the seeds will sprout in the spring.

Dividing the bush

This method is used only in an extremely rare case, if there is a need to transplant a bush from one site to another. The best time for the procedure is considered early spring, before the buds swell, or autumn, a month before frost.

The bush is removed from the ground, cut off. Having removed the old branches, and carefully shaking off the soil from the roots, divide the rhizome into several parts. Sometimes an ax is used. Each part is checked - it must have a healthy aerial part, consisting of at least two shoots, as well as a well-developed root system. It is recommended to remove old roots, trim the rest. Further, parts of the bush are seated in prepared pits.

Diseases, pests and prevention

Irga is a plant that is inherent in good health. But sometimes shrubs are exposed to some diseases and pests:

Name of disease / pest

Symptoms

Control methods Ripening of irgi fruits does not occur simultaneously on the brush, which brings many inconveniences during harvesting, but at the same time makes the color unusual. Starting with the largest fruits at the base of the cluster inflorescence, they successively change their shade from red to dark purple. Harvested several times as the berries ripen. Fruits for fresh consumption are stored for several days at room temperature. When stored in a refrigerator at 0 degrees, the shelf life is significantly increased. This video will show you how to harvest only a ripe crop of irgi: Beneficial features The composition of sirgi contains sugars (glucose and fructose), some organic acids. When the berries ripen, they contain large quantities accumulates vitamin C. Also, fruits are rich in vitamins A, B, B2, carotene, mineral salts, tannins, trace elements - manganese, copper, iodine, iron, cobalt. Irga is used for cooking homemade wine, candied fruits, jam, jelly, preserves, compote, pastilles. Berries are allowed to be frozen, canned, dried. The juice can be easily squeezed out a week after picking the berries. Irgu is often used as a substitute for raisins. The valuable substances in the composition make the plant medicinal. The juice helps prevent blood clots. Berries are prescribed for the prevention of ulcers as a fixing agent. Use the fruit to relieve inflammation in the oral cavity, to treat sore gums, and eye diseases. Irgi berries are no less useful for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Irga - unique planthaving a set useful properties... With its proper planting, cultivation and care, it will be possible to get a healthy plant, pleasing not only with tasty and juicy berries, but also attractive appearance, which allows you to decorate the garden or area near the house.