Pieris

Previously, the genus Pieris was called Andromeda. It belongs to the Heather family (Ericaceae). This genus includes 10 shrubby and evergreen species, which are grown mainly as decorative-leaved plants (the leaves have a reddish or bronze color as they grow, and then a dark green color) and beautifully blooming plants in spring. Small white waxy flowers, similar to the lily of the valley, are collected in drooping brushes. Various species originated from North America and some regions of Asia (Japan, China, and the Himalayas). The most common species are Pieris floribunda, a slow-growing shrub native to the United States; and Pieris formosa, a large shrub native to Southern China and the Himalayas, where it grows at an altitude of more than 3,000 m above sea level. Young shoots of Pieris Forresta (P. forrestii), native to Southwestern China and Myanmar, have a characteristic red-scarlet color. The most famous species is Japanese pieris (P. japonica)-a shrub native to Japan, up to 3 m high with oblong - oval leaves; young shoots are red, later they turn green. In March-April, white pieris flowers bloom, collected in apical inflorescences. There are many varieties and hybrids that differ in leaf, flower, and fruit color, size, appearance, and stability, such as 'Bertha Chandler', 'Blush', 'Forest Flame',' Eternal Flame',' Pinkish',' Milla Red',' Scarlet O'Hara',' Motley', and 'White Pearl'. From crossing the 'Wakehurst' variety of Pieris Forrest with Pieris Japonica, a beautiful and unusually widespread hybrid 'Forest Flame', large and stable, was obtained. The leaves are bright red at first, then turn pink, then creamy white, and finally green.

Previously, the genus Pieris was called Andromeda. It belongs to the Heather family (Ericaceae). This genus includes 10 shrubby and evergreen species, which are grown mainly as decorative-leaved plants (the leaves have a reddish or bronze color as they grow, and then a dark green color) and beautifully blooming plants in spring. Small white waxy flowers, similar to the lily of the valley, are collected in drooping brushes. Various species originated from North America and some regions of Asia (Japan, China, and the Himalayas).

The most common species are Pieris floribunda, a slow-growing shrub native to the United States; and Pieris formosa, a large shrub native to Southern China and the Himalayas, where it grows at an altitude of more than 3,000 m above sea level. Young shoots of Pieris Forresta (P. forrestii), native to Southwestern China and Myanmar, have a characteristic red-scarlet color.

The most famous species is Japanese pieris (P. japonica)-a shrub native to Japan, up to 3 m high with oblong - oval leaves; young shoots are red, later they turn green. In March-April, white pieris flowers bloom, collected in apical inflorescences.

There are many varieties and hybrids that differ in leaf, flower, and fruit color, size, appearance, and stability, such as 'Bertha Chandler', 'Blush', 'Forest Flame',' Eternal Flame',' Pinkish',' Milla Red',' Scarlet O'Hara',' Motley', and 'White Pearl'. From crossing the 'Wakehurst' variety of Pieris Forrest with Pieris Japonica, a beautiful and unusually widespread hybrid 'Forest Flame', large and stable, was obtained. The leaves are bright red at first, then turn pink, then creamy white, and finally green.

Cultivation

At first, pieris can be grown in pots, but later they must be planted in the garden. Although they are sold as indoor flowering plants, but they will last only a few weeks. Then you still need to expose the plants to the open air: a balcony or terrace, protected from direct sunlight, or, when they are sufficiently developed, plant them in the garden. In cold and humid climates, young plants are always transplanted into the garden in spring; in warmer climates, this operation can also be performed in September and October. The soil should be moist and not alkaline. Every April, the soil should be enrich with rotten foliage or peat. These plants thrive well in slightly acidic and sandy soils, so it is recommended to use a groundcover designed for azaleas and rhododendrons.

At first, pieris can be grown in pots, but later they must be planted in the garden. Although they are sold as indoor flowering plants, but they will last only a few weeks. Then you still need to expose the plants to the open air: a balcony or terrace, protected from direct sunlight, or, when they are sufficiently developed, plant them in the garden. In cold and humid climates, young plants are always transplanted into the garden in spring; in warmer climates, this operation can also be performed in September and October. The soil should be moist and not alkaline. Every April, the soil should be enrich with rotten foliage or peat.

These plants thrive well in slightly acidic and sandy soils, so it is recommended to use a groundcover designed for azaleas and rhododendrons.

Location

It is advisable to grow pieris in a shaded and sheltered place from the wind.

Temperature

Pieris trees, as a rule, can withstand a temperature drop of up to -10 °C, for example, P. formosa, others even up to -20 °C-P. japonica, P. floribunda. But at such a low temperature, the young organs of the plant are usually damaged. The optimal temperature for cultivation is in the range from 10 to 20 °C.

Watering

In the warm season, potted plants are watered quite often: 2-3 times a week, in winter-much less often. Garden plants are watered 1-2 times a week in summer, unless, of course, it is hot and dry in summer.

Transplant

It is advisable to transplant pieris into a new pot in March-April, using peaty soil with the addition of pine needles with a pH of 5-5. 5 and a pot 2 cm larger than the previous one.

Care

In addition to removing dried twigs, it is recommended to pluck the inflorescences after they wither.

Reproduction

Pieris are propagated in the summer by cuttings of 8-10 cm, they are usually taken in August, using not young, but still not completely lignified branches. Cuttings are placed in sand or peat-sand mixture (phytohormones are recommended). Later, the" accepted " cuttings are transplanted singly into new pots filled with acidic soil, which is a mixture of peat, sand, rotten foliage and pine needles. Seeds are sown in November or March in flat bowls filled with soil (a mixture of sand and peat in equal parts). Young plants are transplanted into the garden in autumn or early spring, in wet and acidic ground.

Diseases

If the soil is over-exposed, then chlorosis occurs - the leaves become lighter at the veins, then along the entire leaf plate. This disease can be "cured" by changing the pH of the soil by adding peat in the amount of 30-40 g per m2 or treating it with iron chelate in a concentration of 5-10 g per bucket of water. The fungus Phytophthora cinnamoni causes yellowing, falling leaves and death of the plant-it remains only to destroy the diseased specimen. Phylosticta maxima provokes the appearance of uneven spots on the leaf plates. In this case, the plants are treated with fungicidal preparations.

If the soil is over-exposed, then chlorosis occurs - the leaves become lighter at the veins, then along the entire leaf plate. This disease can be "cured" by changing the pH of the soil by adding peat in the amount of 30-40 g per m2 or treating it with iron chelate in a concentration of 5-10 g per bucket of water. The fungus Phytophthora cinnamoni causes yellowing, falling leaves and death of the plant-it remains only to destroy the diseased specimen. Phylosticta maxima provokes the appearance of uneven spots on the leaf plates. In this case, the plants are treated with fungicidal preparations.

Acquisition

The best time to buy pieris seedlings in nurseries or gardening centers is in early spring, when the young foliage is most beautiful, and therefore it is easier to navigate among the many varieties. Choose strong, well-formed plants that do not have obvious defects.