Characteristic features of the weeping mulberry variety

Description

Weeping mulberry is a mulberry fruit. The plant is a decorative species. There are several hundred mulberry hybrids, but there are only about 17 natural varieties.

Standard mulberry has a unique appearance and shape of its crown. The height of an individual of the variety does not exceed 3 meters, while other trees grow up to 10. The name "weeping" culture was given because of its long and thin branches that hang down. Outwardly, the representative of the variety resembles a willow or pussy willow.

Mulberry came to us from China and Asia. At home, the trunk height usually reaches 20 meters. In our territory, in a temperate climate, the height of individuals usually does not exceed 5 meters. At the same time, domestic gardeners are also trying to "lower" the plant by all available methods and methods. Indeed, it is more convenient and easier to collect fruits from a low tree. In the first years of life, culture is actively growing, and over time this process slows down.

The leaves of the tree are dark green in color, they are located alternately. The organs at the end of the branch are usually solid, but those located near the trunk have several lobes. In autumn, the foliage becomes straw-colored, which favorably distinguishes the plant against the background of evergreen spruces, firs and thujas.

The culture blooms in late spring - early summer. In the middle of summer, the fruits on the trees are actively ripening. Outwardly, the "berries" resemble a blackberry, but do not have a fruit-bearing in the middle.

The weeping variety looks very aesthetically pleasing: the fruits shining in the sun effectively set off the branches and green foliage. The leaves have an unusual shape: there are both whole and "perforated". For trees, a characteristic straight trunk, which makes the "weeping" even more pronounced. Even in winter, without leaves, individuals of the variety catch the eye with the graceful bend of the branches.

Often the weeping form of mulberry is used in landscape design. Such a mulberry tree is actively planted in recreation parks, near gazebos, as well as in private territories. Both separately growing individuals and those planted in groups look spectacular. Sometimes a "hedge" is formed from the representatives of the variety.

Video "Features of weeping mulberry"

In this video you will learn about the features of this mulberry tree variety.

Growing conditions and rules of care

Pendula mulberry (weeping) does not require special growing conditions and specific care. The culture grows well on soils of different composition: both acidic and sandy, and clayey. Mulberries can be planted in the form of trees or shrubs.

To enable the crown of a weeping tree to form correctly, it is worth observing a certain distance between plant individuals. You need to leave 4 meters between the rows, and plant individuals every 5. However, gardeners often grow only a couple of mulberry trees, so there is no need for special formation of beds for them.

When planting mulberries in the form of shrubs, the distance between them, in contrast to individuals of the woody form, should be only half a meter. This is the only way to get thickets of bushes.

Planting is best done in the spring, choosing the area most illuminated by the sun. Indeed, in cramped conditions, mulberry trees develop poorly, an individual cannot be fully formed at all: there will be no lush crown, as well as a significant harvest.

When planting, the roots of the seedlings are straightened on a small elevation in the center of a previously created hole. Plants have a very fragile root system, so you need to carry out the event with extreme caution. Further, the roots must be sprinkled with soil and a complex top dressing added to the ground. After that, the soil is compacted and moistened. Mulching can also be done.

All the above rules apply only to those seedlings whose root system is not protected when purchased. By purchasing a seedling in a container, you do not have to worry about the integrity of its root. Top dressing has already been added to the soil of the container. Therefore, for planting, it is enough to "transfer" the contents of the container into the pit.

With regard to care, it includes a number of routine procedures. It is worth watering the mulberry tree only during a shortage of water. It is especially important to follow the recommendations for moisturizing in June. After all, having received enough liquid at the beginning of summer, the plant will perfectly tolerate a decrease in atmospheric temperature.

The "bonus" of culture is its undemandingness. Mulberry is often called the "lazy plant". Careful care is necessary only in the first stages of an individual's life. Watering is especially important for mulberry trees. But after the formation of the root and moistening, it is possible not to carry out.

For the first few years, seedlings do not need to be fertilized. The individual will draw all useful substances from the soil. An adult formed tree will require fertilization only as a last resort: if the growing soil is very poor. This is explained by the fact that during its development the plant forms a branched root system, with the help of which it receives all the necessary chemical elements. For trees of middle "age", spring application of nitrogen is sufficient, and at the end of the growing season - potassium-phosphorus fertilization.

Reproduction

Mulberry is a dioecious plant. That is, a number of individuals are female, while others are male, which do not form fruit. However, by planting only female trees, the crop cannot be obtained either. It is possible to determine the belonging of plants to one or another "sex" only after waiting for the fruits.

However, there are plants that have both female and male inflorescences. Such specimens are called monoecious. In this case, even from one tree, you can get a crop.

The propagation of the weeping mulberry variety is usually carried out by the seeds that are contained in the fruits. However, the process of obtaining seed is not easy, therefore this method is usually used by geneticists and breeders. Therefore, seed propagation is carried out to obtain buds or cuttings, as well as for young mulberry trees to get used to the climate of a certain territory.

The seed must be stratified before planting. Or at least plant them in early spring, after soaking them for 3 days.

When planting, amateurs often use grafted mulberries.

Weeping white mulberry is usually used as a culture for grafting a cuttings or buds.

When planting mulberry trees, it is necessary to follow the accepted standards (which are also typical for fruit trees), because then you can harvest after five years. The first fruits can be harvested faster if all individuals are grafted. A decade later, the mulberry will bring about one hundred kilograms of berries.

Pruning

In order to obtain the desired height of the weeping mulberry and correctly form its crown, it is worth pruning the "extra" branches. The mulberry on the trunk is formed about one and a half meters in height.In this way, you can form a crown in the form of a broom or a ball.

Particular attention should be paid to young shoots, the thin bark of which is most susceptible to temperature extremes. In winter, the branches freeze, and in summer they are exhausted from a lack of moisture. In this case, cropping is necessary. Moreover, it will not in any way affect the quality and volume of the crop.

So, today weeping mulberry has not only aesthetic value. It is widely consumed in food. Unpretentiousness in cultivation and care, original appearance, the ability to propagate the plant in different ways and delicious fruits and berries - these are the main components of the popularity of the culture among gardeners.

Video "Planting and caring for weeping mulberry"

This video will show you how to plant and care for mulberries.