The macaroni tree is an exotic honey plant and a medicinal plant. Catalpa tree: benefits and harms, use in folk medicine Flowers of the catalpa tree what to cook

Catalpa is an incredibly expressive tree species in terms of decorativeness. Just imagine a giant with a powerful trunk and a spreading crown, dressed in huge unrealistically green glossy leaves, decorated in summer with large light candles of inflorescences, and in autumn with long earrings of bean pods.

The name catalpa comes from the nickname given to the tree by the Indians of North America. In ancient language, "katahlpa" means "winged head". Most likely, the people, traditionally living in unity with nature, noticed the plumage of seeds scattering over a long distance. Or maybe the tree got the name for its very large leaves fluttering like wings in the wind.

One way or another, but the name catalpa was finally consolidated by Karl Linnaeus, having compiled a description of the plant in 1735.

However, a tree with such an extravagant appearance simply cannot do without the appearance of original nicknames. In America for the catalpa, thanks to original form fruits, alternative names were fixed - "Indian bean tree" and "cigar tree".

This tree also has completely unexpected names. The fact is that a butterfly lives in the United States that feeds on the large foliage of a plant and is even named after him - Ceratomia catalpae. Caterpillars of this insect are an excellent bait for fishing, especially catfish, in connection with which local fishermen nicknamed the catalpa "worm tree" or "bait tree" and willingly grow the plant in their plots not only for beauty, but also for collecting a catchy bait ...

In the northwestern United States, where catalpa is widespread, residents, exploring new territories, actively used its wood for the manufacture of sleepers, fences and telegraph poles. The plant contains natural fungicides, thanks to which boards made of this material hardly rot. However, catalpa has not earned much popularity in the joinery industry, possibly due to the stable curvature of the trunk and branches. But in the crown of this spreading tree flocks of birds like to rest, finding excellent protection from rain and wind under wide leaves.

Catalpa beautifully adorns the boulevards and embankments of most Russian cities on the Black Sea coast with its lush greenery, and in our country it is strongly associated with the resort. Everyone who has traveled south remembers how nice it is to hide from scorching sun in the shade of a spreading tree with funny pods and sit on a bench, admiring the endless sea.

The genus catalpa (lat. Catalpa), according to the existing classification, belongs to the bignonium family (lat. Bignoniaceae) and has about a dozen species of trees. In the wild, catalps are found in North America, Eurasia, Western India, China and Japan.

[!] It was found that the catalpa is a relict species. Fossil wood samples of this species were found in layers belonging to the Miocene, during excavations on the territory of the Yellowstone Reserve.

Today, cultivated catalpa species are very widespread. Through the efforts of man, the heat-loving culture is planted and takes root well even in countries with a temperate climate.

The plant can be identified by a number of characteristic features:

• Large, reaching 20 cm in length and 15 cm in width, rich green, heart-shaped leaves with a long petiole. Usually the leaf blade has solid edges, but in some species of catalpa, up to five weakly pronounced blades can stand out.
• The flowers form pyramidal candles-inflorescences, outwardly resembling a chestnut, but much larger. A single bell-shaped flower is formed from several paired petals and looks a bit like an orchid. Depending on the species, the perianth is white, pink or yellow in color, and inside, to attract pollinating insects, there are beige, burgundy or purple pigment spots.
• The fruits are long pods. A thin box, consisting of two halves that split when ripe, can reach half a meter in length. The fruits are filled with numerous and small oblong seeds with a kind of wings that help the wind carry them over a long distance.

Types and varieties of catalpa

(lat. Catalpa bignonioides) is one of the most famous species. The culture is widespread in the southeastern United States. In addition to the official plant, the following names were fixed: common catalpa, Indian bean tree, cigar tree and southern catalpa.

Catalpa bignoniform reaches a height of 15-18 meters. The trunk of the tree and branches diverging on the sides are covered with a gray-brown lamellar bark and form a spreading irregular crown. The base of the trunk of an adult specimen of a catalpa can reach a meter in thickness.

The crown of the plant is covered with large heart-shaped leaves of bright green color. The green cover retains its color until the onset of cold weather, and then flies around without turning yellow. One more interesting feature the leaves of the common catalpa are the axillary glands, which secrete a special nectar that repels herbivorous insects.

[!] As evidenced by some sources, the juice secreted by the common catalpa drives away mosquitoes, which is another excellent reason to have this luxurious tree on your garden plot.

During the flowering period, usually in June-July, the trees are covered with beautiful white flowers. Large loose pyramidal clusters of inflorescences consist of three to four dozen separate bells. The overall color scheme of the bouquet is close to white, but each individual corolla is marked from the inside with red-brown specks and golden stripes.

The most famous varieties of begnonia catalpa:

• Golden (var. Aurea) - has bright yellow-green leaves. For its decorative properties, the plant received a high award from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.
• Purple (var.purpurea) is a plant with purple foliage.
• Kene (var. Koehnei) is a small tree with alternating yellow-green "marble" streaks on the leaves.

(lat. Catalpa speciosa), a species no less famous than the common catalpa. The tree is also sometimes called the beautiful, hardy or northwestern catalpa. The main habitat is the midwest of the United States, more precisely from Southern Illinois and Indiana to Missouri.

Catalpa magnificent is called hardy not in vain - it is more frost-hardy than other species. In culture, this tree is distributed far beyond North America. In our country, the species is widely used for landscaping the southern Black Sea cities, and individual specimens are found even in central Russia: Voronezh, Belgorod, Orel, Lipetsk.

Catalpa magnificent is the largest and, perhaps, the most slender species among its relatives. The culture grows rapidly, and being planted in a nutritious soil, it is capable of adding up to a meter in height per year. In a favorable environment and with a successful combination of circumstances, an adult tree can reach forty meters in height, although most specimens rarely exceed twenty meters.

Due to the pyramidal crown and relatively straight trunk, the magnificent catalpa is easy to distinguish from other relatives. In addition, the culture is distinguished by larger, evenly rounded heart-shaped leaves without the pungent odor characteristic of the foliage of the bignonium catalpa.

The most famous variety of gorgeous catalpa:

• Sprinkled (var. Pulverulenta) - a small tree, or rather even a bush, up to 3 meters high. A characteristic feature of this variety are small light lemon pigment specks that densely cover the surface of the leaves. The flowers are white with purple spots.

Catalpa ovate(lat. Catalpa ovata) is also sometimes called Chinese or yellow catalpa. As you might guess, the historical homeland of the tree is the forests in the west of China. Yellow catalpa grows more slowly than its relatives, and the height of adult specimens rarely exceeds 6-10 meters.

The spreading crown of the tree is decorated with large, wide leaves of a rounded shape with uneven edges turning into three or five pointed lobes. The Chinese catalpa is distinguished by its relatively small but fragrant flowers with yellowish petals and inner purple specks. The plant blooms noticeably later than all other species, in July - August.

A kind of ovoid catalpa:

• Yellowish (var. Flavescens) - bright yellow color of inflorescences.

(lat. Catalpa bungei), or, as it is also called the Manchu catalpa, comes from the northern forests of China. The plant was first discovered by the famous German botanist Alexander Bunge, and the culture was named in his honor.

In China, this type of tree is widespread and is planted together with the ovoid catalpa as decorative decoration landscape and a source of valuable timber. Manchurian catalpa differs from its relatives in beautiful pink inflorescences with red-beige specks.

(lat. Catalpa fargesii) is another beautiful inhabitant of the forests of China. The species was discovered in the early twentieth century and is named after the French missionary and naturalist Pepe Fargesi.

This large representative of the genus catalp, with a spreading and dense crown, reaches a height of 20-25 meters. All the charm of Fargezi's catalpa is concentrated in unusually large and expressive inflorescences. Brushes are composed of individual colors brightly pink shade with purple-brown spots in the depths of the petals.

Catalpa in landscape design

Catalpa immediately attracts attention. In spring, huge, like the ears of an elephant, juicy green leaves are striking. In summer, it is impossible to look away, admiring the candles of bright inflorescences that adorn the crown of the tree like a birthday cake. In the fall, the catalpa keeps green leaves until the very frost, and does not change into a yellow-crimson outfit like most deciduous trees. Even in winter, this fashionista stands out against the general background with shocking earrings made of dry pods covered with ice and similar to brown popsicle sticks.

Catalpa will adorn any landscape: a city park, alley, boulevard or avenue, a tree will look no less impressive on a private garden plot or in a garden.

The plant can be planted either one at a time, creating a separate picture-composition, or in groups, making out paths-directions and alleys. When forming the landscape, it is necessary to take into account the prevailing winds and try to choose the quietest corner for the plant, since the delicate and large leaves of the catalpa are severely damaged by drafts.

[!] The powerful root system of the tree perfectly strengthens steep and loose slopes, so catalps often adorn the complex relief on the banks of artificial reservoirs

When working with a crop, remember that a large tree, when it grows, gives a lot of shade and can adversely affect the sun-loving plants growing nearby. In addition, it is very important to maintain the required indentation from the capital elements of the building. The city authorities of southern cities often face a problem when the catalpa begins to outgrow the place allocated to it and climbs into the neighboring territory.

Growing and caring for catalpa

It is hard to believe that such a thermophilic and extravagant tree can take root in the conditions of central Russia, but this is so. Colleagues share their successful experience in growing catalpa in Samara, Rostov, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kursk, Orenburg and many other regions.

An adult catalpa tolerates the hardships of a harsh Russian winter well, and caring for a young tree is quite within the power of any gardener.

Location, soil, fertilizing, watering

When planting catalpa in open ground it is advisable to choose a well-lit and draft-free place. If with light shading young plant can be reconciled, then the air "pipe" is unlikely to endure. In summer, wide foliage will be severely affected by a draft. In winter, the crown and roots of a young tree planted in an open, windy place are severely frozen.

Catalpa prefers a nutritious and loose soil with close to neutral acidity and good air and moisture permeability. Before planting in the ground, you need to make organic fertilizers, it can be compost, peat or manure. It will also be helpful to add about half of the wood ash bucket additionally.

During the growing season, the plant needs stable watering, especially if the summer is dry and hot. You need to water the tree at least once a week, pouring it into trunk circle two buckets of settled warm water. Catalpa grows quickly, and to stimulate the plant, it is advisable to make additional feeding a couple of times per season. On the rich nutrients the tree adds up to a meter in height to the ground. For fertilization, it is best to use manure diluted in water: half a bucket of liquid solution for one adult catalpa.

Pruning

In winter, young trees almost inevitably freeze over and some of the branches die.

In the spring, a damage assessment must be carried out and all dead plant parts must be removed. Catalpa responds to pruning dry branches with active growth of young shoots and very soon regenerates the damaged crown.

Over the years, the tree grows bark, coarsens and becomes much more frost-resistant, it is much easier to endure the winter season.

Reproduction, planting, wintering

Catalpa can be propagated both by cuttings and by planting seeds. Both methods are quite effective, but in practice, the choice of a gardener usually depends on availability. planting material.

Catalpa fruits ripen closer to autumn, when the pods hanging from the branches of the tree dry out and acquire a brown tint. By this time, the seeds are already completely ready. However, you can collect planting material even in winter, because the fruit pods hang on the branches until spring. The seeds extracted from the pods should be stored in a dry, dark place, without loss of germination for up to three years.

It is better to start preparing seedlings in winter, in January-February. To get the maximum germination of catalpa seeds, it is advisable to soak for a day in warm water... When planting in a box with soil, the seeds need to be buried a little, and then watered abundantly with warm water.

To preserve moisture, it is convenient to cover the container with a transparent plastic wrap or cover with a piece of plexiglass. After that, an impromptu greenhouse is placed in a well-lit and warm enough place. Seedlings must be regularly ventilated and watered, and when shoots appear in a couple of weeks, the cover can be removed.

With the onset of warm spring weather, it is advisable to take out the grown catalpa saplings into fresh air and gradually temper them. In late April or early May, young plants are planted in open ground.

As mentioned earlier, wintering is the greatest danger to plant life. In order for the young catalpa not to freeze, the soil around the tree must be mulched with a thick layer of foliage, and the trunk and crown are wrapped with an available insulating material.

[!] The most adapted and frost-resistant catalps grow from seeds or cuttings taken from trees growing for a long time in harsh climatic conditions.

Reproduction of catalpa by cuttings is not inferior to the generative method and in most cases is quite successful. Unlike seed preparation, cuttings are carried out at the end of summer. A part of a young shoot about 10-15 cm long is taken as a planting material, so that a couple of leaves remain on the branch to ensure photosynthesis.

Catalpa cuttings are vertically planted in a container with a seedling substrate or in. The latter contain a lot of useful additives, including those for root growth, and effectively promote plant survival. Before the onset of the autumn cold, it is better to keep boxes with outdoors, although immediately after planting it is advisable to cover the plant with a film or plastic bottles to retain moisture and protect against drafts.

With the onset of cold weather, the seedlings are transferred to the heat and grown at home. The root system of young catalps is too weak and they will not withstand wintering in the open field. Only with the onset of spring warming in April-May, young trees can be planted on the site.

Diseases and pests

Catalpa is quite resistant to most plant-destructive infections and is practically not attacked by herbivorous insects.

The catalpa tree is an exotic plant that can attract the attention of even a sophisticated gardener. It amazes everyone around not only with its large leaves of saturated Green colour, creating a dense crown, but also with an abundance of lush, fragrant inflorescences, which eventually replace the original leguminous fruits.

These dwarf trees can have a strong, dense crown with spreading branches or a neat spherical shape. But no matter what kind of plants they have, they are able to decorate with themselves any corner of your local area, summer cottage or park area. Due to its beautiful foliage and unusual flowers, catalpa is considered a tree with high decorative qualities, which is why this species is very fond of many gardeners and landscape designers.

Catalpa is a fast growing deciduous tree unpretentious care... Due to these qualities and its decorativeness, it is often used in the design and landscaping of various areas and urban areas.

Usually, novice gardeners, admiring these marvelous and spectacular trees, sigh in disappointment, since they believe that, unlike professionals, they cannot get and grow catalpa on their site. But in fact, such an unusual and exotic, at first glance, plant is completely unpretentious in care, it easily takes root when planted in open ground and firmly tolerates adverse climatic conditions.

Description of the tree

Catalpa is a member of the Bignonium family. In its natural environment, it can be found in India, America, Japan and China. This culture was brought to Russia in the nineteenth century from southern regions... Over time, she was able to acclimatize and adapt to the climatic conditions of our country and its rather cold winters. Today, the catalpa dwarf tree is grown throughout Europe.

Due to its unusual appearance and high decorative qualities, this deciduous plant was able to gain great popularity among professionals and novice gardeners. Nowadays, it is increasingly used for landscaping and decoration of parks, alleys and gardens. Among the species and varieties of catalpa, you can find both trees and bush or undersized forms plants.

This truly luxurious tree has a neat but dense rounded crown. Its trunk is covered with grayish bark and can grow up to thirty to forty meters in height.

Salient feature catalps consider its large leaves, which are heart-shaped or ovoid. The width of the sheet plate ranges between twenty to thirty centimeters, and the length can reach from ten to twenty centimeters. The foliage is attached to the shoots with strong long petioles. Its upper part is smooth, with a glossy sheen, painted in a bright green color, while the lower surface is matte, covered with fluff. Due to its unusual foliage, the catalpa has received several more names "tree with elephant ears" and "pasta tree".

Flowering period

During the flowering period, the catalpa looks very attractive, its entire crown is densely covered with lush large panicle inflorescences that stay on the tree for three to four weeks. The flowers reach seven centimeters in diameter, and consist of two-piece cups and corollas with five stamens. Usually the inflorescences are painted in rather light shades: cream, white, lilac. Sometimes they have a bright contrasting center, covered with strokes and blotches, as well as wavy edges.

Catalpa begins to bloom later than other deciduous plants, around the second half of June. Therefore, when the mass flowering of spring apple and pear trees ends, the macaroni tree is the only one for the whole garden to please with abundant and large, chestnut-like, loose inflorescences. Only mature trees over five years old can be covered with flowers.

They are multi-seeded capsules, similar in shape to narrow long pods, reaching fifty centimeters in length. They remain hanging in the trees until next spring and give the plants original view even in winter. It was the shape of the fruit that caused the appearance of another name for the catalpa - the pasta tree. The seeds of this culture are winged.

The main difference between catalpa and other deciduous crops is its evergreen crown. In autumn, the foliage practically does not turn yellow and falls off when low temperatures occur, unusual pod fruits remain hanging on the branches.

Despite the fact that this plant was originally thermophilic and was brought to us from hot countries, today, within the same variety, catalps differ high level frost resistance and perfectly survive the winter cold of the Central strip and the Moscow region. Of course, first of all, the ability of trees to feel good in the climatic conditions of Russia depends on the region where the seedlings were grown. Therefore, for the successful cultivation of a pasta tree in your area, you should purchase those seedlings that were grown in similar geographical and climatic conditions.

Reproduction of catalpa

Many gardeners who grow catalpa often begin to think that it's time to get a couple more of these trees. After all, they decorate the adjoining and garden plots throughout the year and do not cause any difficulties in leaving. In such cases, you can simply purchase cuttings in flower shops and fairs, or try to get some additional plants from one already growing on your land.

Catalpa can be propagated in two ways: vegetatively, that is, by grafting or using seeds... Prepare the planting substrate according to the following list and start propagating the plant.

Planting soil for seeds and cuttings of catalpa:

• Half a kilogram river sand.
• Five hundred grams of black soil.
• Two hundred and fifty grams of peat.
• Seven hundred and fifty grams of humus.

Vegetative way

To get young catalps using cuttings, first they should be properly prepared, and then planted in the soil for rooting.

1. In the second half of summer (from late July to early September), find ten to fifteen centimeters long shoots on a tree with three to four buds.
2. Cut them carefully using sharp knife or a special pruner.
3. Prepare a box filled with soil mixture for the cuttings.
4. Plant the cuttings in the soil for rooting. In order for the shoots to form a root system faster, it is recommended to treat them with special preparations-growth stimulants before placing them in the soil, for example, you can use "Kornevin".
5. Place the box of cuttings in a mild and stable room. When the soil dries out, gently water the plantings. Avoid excess moisture in the soil.
6. During the winter, the cuttings will take root in the spring, making sure that the frost does not return, they can be planted in open ground in your area.

Seed method

Technology for planting macaroni tree seedlings in open ground:

Catalpa completely unpretentious plant, when growing, it requires very little time and cost. This fast-growing green tree requires increased attention only during the period after planting in open ground and for the next two to three years. Caring for such a plant includes only the main stages, which we will now get acquainted with:

1. Plant required abundant watering once a week, at least two buckets of water should go under one tree. You should not allow stagnation of water and waterlogging, if cases of precipitation have become more frequent and there is no hot weather, reduce the amount of watering. If the foliage begins to sag, then the catalpa does not have enough moisture.
2. In trees of this kind core root system, therefore, loosening should be done to a depth of thirty to forty centimeters. And also remove all weeds in a timely manner.
3. At the beginning of the growing season, add five to seven liters under each tree manure solution, it is prepared in the ratio of one part of manure to ten parts of water. During the flowering period, feed the plants with mineral fertilizers once.
4. Young seedlings and trees should be covered for the winter to prevent them from freezing. Cover the trunk circles with a thick layer of fallen leaves, and wrap the trunks with burlap or spruce branches.
5. All damaged dried and frozen shoots should be cut off... Pruning is carried out every year, in spring time combining a sanitary haircut with a decorative one.

Catalpa tree

More recently, on the territory of European latitudes, a beautiful one with large bright green leaves and long pods appeared -. The countries of America, China and Japan are native to this amazing plant. In its natural habitat, it was dubbed "happiness", since for local residents, since the time of the Mayan tribe, it has become not just a source of oxygen, decoration and ingredient for folk recipes, but also a special symbol carrying faith, joy and warmth. In this article, we will talk about this amazing plant, its features, application, useful properties and contraindications for use.

Biological description

(Catalpa) - deciduous or evergreen, reaching a height of 25 meters in natural conditions and about 10 in quality.

Botany attributes these plants to the Bignoniev family... They have an unusual shape of dense leaves (broadly ovate or heart-shaped), which form a very dense massive dome. The foliage never turns yellow, even in autumn time of the year. The bark of the tree is thick, cracked, and has a gray-brown hue.

It is a hermaphrodite plant. In the warm season, representatives of the genus will certainly delight you with delicate delicate pink or flowers. They have a shape and a bright pleasant aroma. The inflorescences are very large - up to 2.5 centimeters. In Europe, flowering lasts for two months - -: it is very similar to the popular, but more abundant. Some people compare these flowers to being delicate. produces leguminous fruits after pollination. It's magical.

The genus includes 13 species, the most popular of which are Catalpa syringaefolia and Catalpa longissima.

Chemical composition

Today biologists have not yet fully studied the chemical composition of the tree of happiness. Only a few features of the catalpa are known. The bark contains special resins and tannins, or tannins. It is believed that it is the resins that are mainly donated to the plant beneficial features... The foliage is rich in monoterpene glycosides.

Fruit seeds have quite useful components, namely the oil of eleostearic acid. Interestingly, almost a third of the seeds are composed of this oil. It is widely used in manufacturing building materials, most often paint and varnish. Catalposide is found in the leaves and bark and is a potent diuretic. The seeds also contain lipids, proteins, cellulose and ash.

Did you know? There is only one catalpa in Ukraine,protected by law- a botanical monument of natural national importance. It is located in the city of Chortkiv on Shevchenko Street and bears a special cultural value.

Based on the chemical composition of the tree, we can conclude that, depending on the application, catalpa can bring both harm to the human body and the environment.

Healing properties

Almost all plants have properties that can be used to treat various diseases. The tree of happiness is no exception.

Its bark aids digestion and improves metabolism... Catalpa fruits and leaves can be used for cancer and respiratory problems - this will give a wonderful result and literally put the patient on his feet.

Decoctions of flowers are good for problem skin, and acne, pimples and rashes will leave you alone.

Bark-based medicinal tinctures will help with all kinds of inflammatory processes.

European scientists have found an extract in catalpa that is able to fight diabetes mellitus... A few centuries ago, the Indians treated whooping cough and malaria with this plant. Today in China, the plant is widely used to combat worms.

The medicinal properties of catalpa are also used in veterinary medicine... To prevent vitamin deficiency in pets, they are often given catalpa foliage. Farmers claim that this is how the livestock really gets sick less.

Important! Catalpa roots have very properties, therefore, although they were used in ancient times, it is strictly forbidden to use the underground part of the plant on your own. The consequences can be fatal!

Traditional medicine recipes

The people nicknamed the catalpa "the tree doctor", and it is well deserved. It is a good ingredient that has earned many uses. traditional medicine recipes:

1. The healing decoction of catalpa is easy to prepare. It will help get rid of skin diseases. You need to take the bark and leaves of the tree, fill the pan with them by a third. Then we fill in everything clean water and put on fire. You need to boil the drug for 10 minutes and let it cool. Strain the liquid with sterile gauze. It is worth taking the broth one glass twice a day, if desired, with one teaspoon. For the best effect, you can wipe the affected skin with this medicine.
2. Tincture from the seeds of the tree of happiness is good for metabolic problems. To prepare it, you need to soak the grains in warm water in a 1: 2 ratio for 5-7 days. At this time, we keep the mixture in a cold, dark place. It is recommended to drink it one tablespoon before meals 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment cannot exceed two weeks.
3. A solution for washing wounds from the tree of happiness is useful to everyone. To make it, you just need to chop the leaves of the tree into small pieces, pour boiling water over and let them stand for a day. The universal antiseptic is ready!

Important! Folk remedies from catalpa may be incompatible with other medicines, so you need to consult a specialist before preparing them.

Application in cosmetology

As mentioned earlier, the tree of happiness has a wonderful effect on the skin. This property has been used by modern cosmetology. In this regard, catalpa is an incredibly promising plant.
Fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols of "macaroni tree" oil moisturizes the skin, evens out its color, and in a mixture with other cosmetic substances it cleans well. The flowers of the plant give a magical aroma, so some cosmetics of famous brands smell like catalpa. This oil can be found in many products in the fashion industry.

Procurement of medicinal raw materials

Method and time of procurement of raw materials for home use depends on which part of the tree you need. You can collect bark all year round. Some traditional healers cut it off in advance and. There are even legends that the bark of a tree should be collected on the day of the angel of the person who will then be treated with it. Other people prefer to rip the ingredient off the tree as needed.

Leaves are the same story, but if you want to add them to tea, be sure to wash and dry. Otherwise, they will not brew properly. In addition, the tree is mostly deciduous, so this ingredient, accordingly, must be saved for the winter from summer. Once completely dry, store the foliage in a cloth bag in a dry place. So she will be able to "breathe" and not deteriorate.

An important point: the bark, leaves and flowers must be intact by insects, diseases or fungi. Be careful not to get poisoned.

Use of wood

Catalpa wood very durable and moisture resistant... That is why it is used for the manufacture of bathroom furniture, as well as products for external use:,

Catalpa is an unusually beautiful decorative tree that appeared in Russia in the 19th century. Over time, this plant, originally from the southern regions, has adapted to climatic zones with cold winters. Today it can be found in parks and on personal plots in the middle zone of our country, where it looks very exotic. Catalpa is valued for its beauty and high decorative qualities, but it is especially attractive during the flowering period, which is clearly visible in the photo.

Varieties and varieties of catalpa

The natural habitat of this exotic plant is North America, Asia and the West Indies. There are 11 known species. Some of them are grown as an ornamental tree or shrub in many countries.

Catalpa is an adult plant

Catalpa leaves are rounded or in the form of a heart, stick to the branches until frost, falling off with their arrival. The flowers are fragrant, white, pinkish or creamy with purple veins on the inside, bell-shaped, collected in large panicles or clusters. Long bloom, mainly in June-July. Catalpa at this time looks very beautiful, as can be seen by looking at a photo of a flowering plant. Fruits up to 50 cm long in the form of a narrow box with flying seeds, outwardly resemble pods or icicles. With absence strong winds the fruits can stay on the branches all winter, giving the snow-covered trees an unusual look.

Several varieties of catalpa take root well on the territory of Russia:

1. Ovate - with short term vegetation, occurs in the form of a shrub form in several trunks.
2. Gorgeous - a fast-growing tree, reaches up to 10 m in height, with large leaves and a wide crown.
3. Bignoniform - with spreading branches and a rounded crown, blooms for a long time - about 1.5 months.

Flowering catalpa

These species have adapted well to the conditions of central Russia, they can withstand frosts even quite strong. Gardeners love catalpa for its beauty during flowering, which occurs in summer, not spring. Others ornamental shrubs and the trees are already fading by this time.

Breeders have bred several varieties of bignonium catalpa, which are distinguished by the elegant foliage:

• Aurea - with golden yellow foliage at the beginning of the growing season, often grown as a coppice crop;

Aurea variety

• Nana - with a crown resembling a ball, up to 2-4 m in diameter;
• Kene - with a dark green center and veins on yellow leaves;
• Purpurea - foliage of reddish-brownish shades at the time of blooming.

Variety Nana

The most promising of these decorative forms for growing in the middle lane is the "Nana" variety, as the most winter-hardy.

Planting catalpa seedlings

A place well-lit by the sun is optimal for planting a catalpa, but it also grows in partial shade. These trees look great along garden paths, near a pond or in the center of a lawn. For planting, it is better to purchase a one-year-old seedling.

Advice. To buy a catalpa seedling, it is best to contact a garden center or specialized nursery in the nearby area. In this case, the purchased plants will be maximally acclimatized for growing in their area.

This culture is not very demanding on soils, but prefers moist, not too acidic, rich in organic matter and drained. The optimal time for planting is early spring. To plant a seedling, it is necessary to dig a hole about 0.7-1.2 m deep.If several trees are planted, it is necessary to maintain a distance of about 3 m between them.

Catalpa seedlings

When preparing the planting substrate, mix river sand, leafy soil, peat, humus in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 3. Additionally, add wood ash and phosphate rock to the prepared pit. Place the seedling in the resulting mixture, bury, water well and mulch the surface with peat. The root collar of the tree should be level with the ground. Therefore, when planting a plant, further subsidence and compaction of the soil must be taken into account.

Attention! Large leaves and branches of the catalpa can break from gusts of wind. When planting a tree, you need to choose places protected from the winds, especially from cold winter ones, which can be destructive for plants.

Proper wood care

On well-drained and fertile soil, catalpa will grow without any problems, significantly stretching in height and giving a large increase in green mass every season. Plant care consists of:

• timely watering;
• sanitary pruning of branches;
• the introduction of organic matter and mineral dressings;
• sheltering seedlings for the winter.

It is recommended to water the catalpa every week with 2 buckets per plant. If there is no particular heat in the summer, watering can be reduced to 2-3 times a month. In addition, several times per season it will be necessary to loosen the soil in the near-trunk circle with the removal of weeds.

Young plants need to be watered regularly.

Young trees require special attention. They need to be covered with spruce branches for the winter so that they do not freeze. You can also wrap the trunk with burlap several times. Mature plants are less afraid of frost. It is often enough just to mulch the trunk circle with dry leaves before the cold weather. Nevertheless, in severe frosts, catalpa can partially or completely freeze out, but then grows back in the next season.

This culture as well as others decorative trees, pruning is required, mainly sanitary. In the spring, damaged, dry and weak branches are removed.

Catalpa: feeding and fertilizing

The plant reacts gratefully to the introduction of organic matter and mineral fertilizers. Have a good result can be achieved by dressing 2-3 times per season with slurry. Water the tree abundantly before feeding it. One of the organic fertilizing can be replaced with a universal fertilizer.

Culture propagation methods

Catalpa reproduces in such ways as:

• seminal;
• summer cuttings;
• layering.

Catalpa cuttings

When propagated by cuttings, in the second half of summer, they are cut to a size of about 10 cm and planted in a substrate consisting of peat and river sand. To increase the survival rate, growth stimulants are used.

The seed method is also quite common. The seeds are soaked for several hours in warm water, then sown in a container with soil under a film to a depth of 1.5 cm. They can be planted both in autumn and spring. With the emergence of seedlings, the film shelter is removed, diving as they grow.

What pests and diseases threaten catalpa?

The plant is quite resistant to diseases and pests. But he can be attacked by a spanish fly, which can bring great harm to the tree in the form of deformation of the shoots. It is necessary to treat the plant with an appropriate garden insecticide. Moreover, for not proper care behind the soil around the tree there is a possibility of its defeat by the verticillium fungus, which leads to partial drying and even to the death of the plant.

Fungal infection of catalpa leaves

An exotic catalpa plant will decorate a park, garden or a backyard, and will add a certain amount of originality and surprise to the overall composition. And with proper care, the tree will delight the gardener for many years with active growth and lush flowering.

Catalpa in the garden: video

Growing catalpa: photo

A tree or, which many people want to admire. It comes from North America, where it reaches 10-12 meters in height. Extraordinarily beautiful. Catalpa was able to adapt to the conditions. Only planting and caring for her in this region have their own characteristics.

Acquaintance with a heat-loving southerner

Most species have heart-shaped, smooth, bright green leaves. They reach up to 25 cm in diameter.

Did you know? In the inflorescence of the catalpa, there are up to 50 flowers.

The fruit of the tree is a pod-box up to 55 cm long. They can persist in some regions on the tree throughout the winter. Flowers are large inflorescences of extraordinary beauty, white or cream in color with a pleasant smell. In shape, they are similar to an inflorescence.

The crown of the tree is very dense and wide, the bark on the trunk is fine-fibered, with a tendency to crackle. Huge heart-shaped leaves, beautiful inflorescences gave the Maya the inspiration to call it "the tree of happiness."

The grass under the tree does not grow, the bare place under it, resembling a halo, gave reason to call the catalpa a "heavenly tree."

Did you know? According to one of the legends, the tree was called by the Indians "the tree of elephants and monkeys", since in one tree the ears of elephants and the tails of monkeys were mixed, with which the leaves and pods of catalpa were associated. These same long pods gave reason to call this tree "macaroni".

Winter hardy species

In central Russia, catalpa can grow ordinary, bignoniform, hybrid, spherical. In the Moscow region, the most frost-resistant species of it will take root better, such as the magnificent, beautiful, non-flowering standard form of the bignonium-shaped Nana catalpa.

The most frost-resistant of them - beautiful catalpa... It can withstand temperatures as low as -40 ° C. Some parks have trees over 50 years old. In the 1930-1950s, the famous breeder NK Vekhov made great progress in the topic of increasing the frost resistance of catalpa.

In the Moscow region, it often reaches only 4 meters. But if you grow seeds and seedlings in the same region, do the right pruning, shelter, feed, then the tree will delight everyone with its beauty and size.

Application in garden compositions

It can be a decoration for any garden composition. Due to the short stature of the catalpa in this region, it is rarely used here as a separate one. More often, catalpa is made part of the overall composition, combining with deciduous and.

Often they are framed by paths, they well strengthen the soil on the banks of rivers and lakes, small fresh water bodies.

How to choose seedlings when buying

Site selection: soil and lighting

So that the tree does not give a large increase during the growing season, the soil must be poor, p. Too quickly formed and a large growth of the tree is subject to more frosting due to the fact that it did not have time to lignify.

It is very important to choose the right landing site. Light and heat-loving catalpe better fit sunny, sheltered from cold winds.

Important! Catalpa seedlings are very afraid of drafts.

Step-by-step process of planting seedlings

You can plant catalpa seedlings in spring or autumn in a soil close to neutral. Planted in spring are less prone to freezing. For such a finicky tree, the pit needs to be prepared a couple of weeks before planting the seedling. It is dug 0.8-1.2 m deep and wide, taking into account the fibrous shape and size of the root.
In the planting soil for catalpa, you need to add two parts of leafy earth, one part and two parts of sand. If necessary, a fertile soil layer, 5-7 kg and, for example, phosphate, can be added to the planting soil.

It is good to spill the pit with water. Water the seedling immediately after planting, the hole with peat.

Careful care

Warming must be done on time and removed on time, so as not to interfere with the removal of moisture from the soil.

Watering

Watering the seedling should be regular - once a week 1-2 buckets. Water a mature tree more abundantly, pouring out up to 18 liters at a time. Watering should also be systematic - once a week. In this case, it is necessary to prevent stagnation of moisture, waterlogging. In cloudy weather, water as needed.

Top dressing

Catalpa seedlings should not be fed immediately after planting. After a year or two, it is enough at the beginning of the growing season to feed them either with a sprinkle at the rate of 1 liter: 20 liters of water, pouring 1 bucket of this solution under the seedling.

An adult tree needs to be fed 2-3 times during the growing season. At the beginning and in the second half of the growing season, the tree must be fertilized with 5-6 liters of slurry in a proportion with water of 1:10 liters of water. are applied once during the flowering period after watering.

Pruning and shaping the crown

The crown is an important part of catalpa care.

Important! Pruning is carried out both to form the crown and to rid the tree of diseased and frozen branches at the beginning of the growing season.

Therapeutic pruning of all branches is carried out in the fall and during the dormant period of the plant. After such pruning, some branches may freeze over. In this case, they are additionally cut over the outermost of the living buds. They do it in the spring. In late spring and early summer, designers do decorative trimming.

Shelter for the winter

A heat-loving tree can suffer in the climatic conditions of the Moscow region.