Vitex

To the genus Vitex (Vitex) has more than 250 species of deciduous trees and shrubs up to 4 m high. They are characterized by opposite complex leaves on long petioles, consisting of 3-7 leaves of grayish-green color, slightly pubescent. The flowers are small white, yellowish, red or various shades of blue, collected in very lush dense apical spike-shaped inflorescences. The most common type is the Abraham tree (Vitex agnus-castus), which is also often found in nature. This is a shrub with complex palmate leaves of 5 (rarely 7) lanceolate leaflets, covered with light down on the underside; if the leaves are rubbed, they emit a pleasant smell. The flowers are fragrant, purple-lilac in color, collected in dense branched apical ears, bloom in July-August. Flowering occurs on young branches and shoots of the current year. This shrub has a significant life span. The decorative form 'Variegated' has variegated foliage, 'White' has white flowers, 'broad-Leaved' is characterized by wider leaves than in the Botanical species. Much less common is Vitex American (Vitex negundo), a species with complex, 3-5 wide lanceolate leaflets, pubescent on the underside of the leaves. The flowers are lilac.

To the genus Vitex (Vitex) has more than 250 species of deciduous trees and shrubs up to 4 m high. They are characterized by opposite complex leaves on long petioles, consisting of 3-7 leaves of grayish-green color, slightly pubescent. The flowers are small white, yellowish, red or various shades of blue, collected in very lush dense apical spike-shaped inflorescences.

The most common type is the Abraham tree (Vitex agnus-castus), which is also often found in nature. This is a shrub with complex palmate leaves of 5 (rarely 7) lanceolate leaflets, covered with light down on the underside; if the leaves are rubbed, they emit a pleasant smell. The flowers are fragrant, purple-lilac in color, collected in dense branched apical ears, bloom in July-August. Flowering occurs on young branches and shoots of the current year. This shrub has a significant life span. The decorative form 'Variegated' has variegated foliage, 'White' has white flowers, 'broad-Leaved' is characterized by wider leaves than in the Botanical species.

Much less common is Vitex American (Vitex negundo), a species with complex, 3-5 wide lanceolate leaflets, pubescent on the underside of the leaves. The flowers are lilac.

Cultivation

Avraham tree is grown in the open ground in parks and gardens, they are finally planted on the site in the spring. There are no special requirements for the soil. The main application of fertilizers - when planting, in spring, apply well-rotted manure or compost at the rate of 5 kg/m2. Only if the soil is very poor, from May to August, once a month, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10-30 g per bucket. In late winter and early spring, old branches are cut to 2/3 of the length to better develop new ones, on which flowers are formed.

Avraham tree is grown in the open ground in parks and gardens, they are finally planted on the site in the spring. There are no special requirements for the soil. The main application of fertilizers - when planting, in spring, apply well-rotted manure or compost at the rate of 5 kg/m2. Only if the soil is very poor, from May to August, once a month, a complex mineral fertilizer is added to the water for irrigation in the amount of 10-30 g per bucket. In late winter and early spring, old branches are cut to 2/3 of the length to better develop new ones, on which flowers are formed.

Location

Plants prefer a place protected from the wind in the open sun.

Temperature

The Avraham tree is resistant to high air temperatures, so it is particularly suitable for mild and warm climates. Plants also tolerate cold winters, because only the bases of bushes are damaged by frost, and new shoots grow from the roots.

Watering

It is necessary only for young plants immediately after planting in the ground and in particularly dry periods.

Reproduction

The most common method is cuttings. In July-August, semi-woody cuttings 10-12 cm long are taken from the side shoots and planted in a mixture of peat and sand (1:1). After the roots are formed, the seedlings are transplanted one at a time into pots filled with a mixture of peat and fertile land with the addition of complex mineral fertilizers at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of soil. In the first year, they are kept in a cool room. Planted on a permanent planting site in 1-2 years. To a lesser extent, it is used for propagation by sowing seeds. It is held in autumn or early spring, using a mixture of peat and sand. Grown seedlings are transplanted into pots and treated the same way as seedlings from cuttings.

The most common method is cuttings. In July-August, semi-woody cuttings 10-12 cm long are taken from the side shoots and planted in a mixture of peat and sand (1:1). After the roots are formed, the seedlings are transplanted one at a time into pots filled with a mixture of peat and fertile land with the addition of complex mineral fertilizers at the rate of 20-30 g per bucket of soil. In the first year, they are kept in a cool room. Planted on a permanent planting site in 1-2 years.

To a lesser extent, it is used for propagation by sowing seeds. It is held in autumn or early spring, using a mixture of peat and sand. Grown seedlings are transplanted into pots and treated the same way as seedlings from cuttings.

Diseases

Plants are susceptible to fungi of the genus Cercospora (Cercospora, which cause spots on the leaves, weakening of plants. They get rid of them with the help of fungicides. The fungus Phymatotrichum omnivorum (Phymatotrichum omnivorum) provokes root rot, called Texas root rot, which manifests itself in too dense earth. Fungicide treatment is recommended, but it is better to transplant the plants to a looser, more suitable soil.

Acquisition

The Avraham tree is quite easy to find in horticultural centers and specialized nurseries. Choose small plants, they are easier to plant in the ground. Check that there are no spots on the leaves, blackened stems or dead roots.