Parrotia

The genus Parrotia, or Iron Tree (Parrotia), belongs to a single species-a deciduous tree with a height of 15-20 m, Parrotia Persian (Parrotia persica). It is valued for its autumn foliage color and decorative bark. The crown is ovate, with numerous branches. Touching trunks and branches can grow together with each other and with other species. As a result, impassable thickets are formed. The leaves are round-ovate, with large teeth on top. In autumn, they acquire a bright color: scarlet, orange or yellow, they stay on the plant for a long time. Small flowers surrounded by pubescent brown bracts, without petals, with red stamens collected in dense axillary heads or bunches, they bloom until the leaves open. The fruits are oval seed pods. On adult plants, the bark peels off in strips, creating a beautiful pattern of green, gray, brown and white flowers. Growth is quite slow.

The genus Parrotia, or Iron Tree (Parrotia), belongs to a single species-a deciduous tree with a height of 15-20 m, Parrotia Persian (Parrotia persica). It is valued for its autumn foliage color and decorative bark. The crown is ovate, with numerous branches. Touching trunks and branches can grow together with each other and with other species. As a result, impassable thickets are formed. The leaves are round-ovate, with large teeth on top. In autumn, they acquire a bright color: scarlet, orange or yellow, they stay on the plant for a long time. Small flowers surrounded by pubescent brown bracts, without petals, with red stamens collected in dense axillary heads or bunches, they bloom until the leaves open. The fruits are oval seed pods. On adult plants, the bark peels off in strips, creating a beautiful pattern of green, gray, brown and white flowers. Growth is quite slow.

Cultivation

Due to its beautiful foliage and unusual branching, parrotia is very decorative, especially in autumn, and is widely used for landscaping in parks and gardens. Tolerates cutting and shaping well. The plant prefers slightly acidic (pH 5-6,5) podzolized, well-drained land, it is also suitable for lime-based slightly alkaline soil with the addition of 2-4 kg (depending on the size of the plant) of organic fertilizers per plant during planting. When growing in pots, a mixture of fertile land and peat is used with the addition of 20-30 g of complex mineral fertilizer per bucket of soil. Once every 2-3 years, at the end of winter, top dressing is performed - a superficial application of organic fertilizers at the rate of 2-3 kg per plant. In the spring, dry, damaged and unsightly branches are removed.

Due to its beautiful foliage and unusual branching, parrotia is very decorative, especially in autumn, and is widely used for landscaping in parks and gardens. Tolerates cutting and shaping well. The plant prefers slightly acidic (pH 5-6,5) podzolized, well-drained land, it is also suitable for lime-based slightly alkaline soil with the addition of 2-4 kg (depending on the size of the plant) of organic fertilizers per plant during planting. When growing in pots, a mixture of fertile land and peat is used with the addition of 20-30 g of complex mineral fertilizer per bucket of soil.

Once every 2-3 years, at the end of winter, top dressing is performed - a superficial application of organic fertilizers at the rate of 2-3 kg per plant. In the spring, dry, damaged and unsightly branches are removed.

Location

They prefer a place in the open sun, but partial shade is also suitable for them, although the autumn color of the foliage in this case will be less intense.

Temperature

This is a fairly resistant plant to changes in air temperature.

Watering

Ironwood is quite resistant to drought, so only young plants are watered immediately after planting in the ground on the site.

Reproduction

The most common method is seed propagation. They are sown in September-October in seed soil in a closed, unheated room. Seeds sometimes take 1.5 years to germinate. As soon as the seedlings grow up, they are transplanted into pots one at a time. Planting at a permanent planting site is performed after 4-5 years. Another method used is layering. A long branch growing close to the base, making an incision from below, is dug into the ground, and the new plant is separated from the mother plant after 1.5-2 years. Seedlings from seeds and plants obtained by layering, they look different. The former are erect, the latter are more creeping, and usually the latter have a brighter autumn color. Parrotia branches directed vertically downwards, reaching the soil, easily take root.

Diseases

This species is not particularly susceptible to diseases, but if the environment is not suitable for it (high humidity, cold, too shaded position), it is affected by fungi that cause spots on the leaves. The color of the leaves is more muted, and the growth is slowed down. These problems can be prevented by using suitable land and carefully observing the rules of cultivation. Up to a quarter of the seed crop can be destroyed by the dormouse pest (Myxoxis gris). They get rid of it with the help of appropriate insecticides.

This species is not particularly susceptible to diseases, but if the environment is not suitable for it (high humidity, cold, too shaded position), it is affected by fungi that cause spots on the leaves. The color of the leaves is more muted, and the growth is slowed down. These problems can be prevented by using suitable land and carefully observing the rules of cultivation.

Up to a quarter of the seed crop can be destroyed by the dormouse pest (Myxoxis gris). They get rid of it with the help of appropriate insecticides.

Acquisition

Parrotia persiana can be found in horticultural centers and the most well-supplied specialized nurseries. Choose plants that are well-formed, branched, and relatively small in size, as they are more resistant to the shock of transplanting.