Medlar is not a very popular plant in our latitudes, but some exotic lovers would like to grow it. The most common 2 types of medlar - German and Japanese. They grow in places with warm climates and mild winters, but due to the high thermophilicity it is not always possible to grow it in the open ground.
Did you know? In the post-Soviet countries, it is easier to grow the German medlar, which is more resistant to the characteristics of the local climate. The Japanese medlar is much more superior in terms of demands on growing conditions.
Where better to plant medlar
In natural conditions, the medlar can reach 8 m in height. But, growing it at the dacha, you should not expect that the tree will be above 3 meters. However, the size of the plant is important to consider when choosing a place for it. It is desirable that it is completely in the light, as in a well-lit area the yield will be higher.
The cultivation of the medlar should be carried out on slightly acidic or neutral soil, in areas where there is no stagnation of groundwater. If the groundwater level is 1 meter below the soil level, then in such a place it is not necessary to plant a tree. It is better to choose a place higher.
Rules for planting medlar seedlings
Medlar seedling can be grown from the pits of the fruit of this plant. It must be fresh, recently withdrawn from the fruit. The fact is that after drying, the probability of germination of this stone decreases significantly.
Thus, it is possible to grow a sprout of a medlar, and in house conditions, and on a summer residence to plant already 25-30 centimeter plant. Such a loquat seedling will require adherence to the same rules of planting and care as the bone of the plant.
Land for planting is prepared in such a way that it is suitable for the favorable development of the tree. Peat, humus, sand and substrate are taken in equal proportions, after which holes are made. Holes should be 1/3 larger than the size of a clod of earth that will remain on the seedling's root system. After placing the seedling in the hole, it is filled with the prepared soil mixture.
Did you know?In general, young plants of medlar give the first color in the third year of life. The medlar blooms in October-November, and the fruits ripen in May-June.
Features care for heat-loving plants
After planting exotic loquat, it is necessary to properly care for her. In the case of growing from the stone, after its germination, it is necessary to ensure the temperature is not below +18 degrees.
In fact, the answer to the question "How to care for the loquat?" not so difficult, because the process itself is no different from the care of ordinary fruit trees.
Watering
Medlar loves moderate watering. It is necessary to avoid over-soil at the plant root system. That is why, when choosing a landing site, the depth of groundwater and the likelihood of rainwater runoff are taken into account.
In the period of flowering and the formation of the fruit of the medlar requires regular watering. Although the plant is able to tolerate drought normally, it can adversely affect the yield.
Top dressing and drainage of soil
Seedlings of this plant are often fed - once every 3 weeks. A good medlar fertilizer is a mixture of mullein and organic fertilizers. Mullein diluted with water in a ratio of 8: 1.
The medlar is not so fastidious to the soil, but its regular fertilizer can increase the yield. A mature medlar tree is usually fertilized two or three times a season.
Pruning plants
As in the case of any other trees, trimming the loquat is required (to form the crown). It is rather a cosmetic procedure to give the plant a decorative look. But, as for dry and damaged branches, it is worthwhile to get rid of them on a compulsory basis, because here we are talking not about beauty, but about the health of the plant.
In the spring, you can thin out the crown to get rid of excess pomp, as a result, all the forces of the plant will go to the formation of fruits.
How to deal with medlar pests
There are such medlar pests as aphid and shitovka. To protect the tree from their misfortune, it is necessary to spray it with insecticides. This procedure must be carried out twice a season.
For spraying, such preparations as "Fitoverm", which is diluted in proportion of 2 milliliters per 1 liter of water, "Insegar" - 5 grams per 10 liters of water and "Lepidocid" - 30 grams per 10 liters of water are well suited. It is also possible to use other similar compounds used in the fight against insects.
Breeding medlar
Different types of medlar recommended to multiply in different ways (due to the characteristics of the species), although each of them can be grown by the seed method.
The German medlar is well propagated by layering. This procedure is carried out safely in the autumn period. And the Japanese medlar is more often propagated by cutting.
Important! Medlar contains various micro and macro elements. Among them emit iodine, potassium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium. The excess of any of these substances in the human body, adversely affects its functioning, therefore, in some cases, you need to be very careful about the use of this exotic fruit.
Seed method
Stone, before being placed in the ground, must be kept in the cold with high humidity. This can be done by putting the seeds in the refrigerator before placing them in the wet sand.
If you do not know how to plant a medlar in the seed way so that it will quickly germinate, then try to moisten the soil in advance. Stone must be placed at a depth of 2-4 cm. Soil for favorable germination can be prepared as follows: take humus, sand, turf, leaf soil and mix it all up.
After bone landing, she needs to provide regular hydration. But it is worth remembering that the water should not stagnate. Also, to accelerate the shoot of the plant will help plastic film, which cover the landing site.
It can be completely removed when the sprout reaches 2 centimeters in height. It is desirable to remove and remove condensate daily, otherwise the soil at this place will be covered with mold.
In regions with a warm climate, the bone can be immediately planted in open ground. In areas with a temperate climate, it is practiced to grow seedlings in closed conditions, which, as a result, are planted in open ground.
With the help of seeds, it is best to plant the medlar in late October - early November. In the spring you can also plant an exotic tree, but only after the mandatory stratification, which was described above.
Important! When growing medlar at home on the windowsill, after the germination, the plant pot should be removed from the bright sun, as it is harmful for them to be in direct sunlight.
Vegetative method
Vegetative breeding methods include reproduction by layering and grafting. The German medlar is propagated by layering in the autumn. For this standard use of bending the branches and attaching them to the ground. An incision is made on the bark intended for branching the branch.
The soil under the cuttings must be moistened, which will contribute to more rapid germination of new shoots. Of course, This is not a quick process and it lasts about 2 years. But during this time the plant has a strong root system and shoots appear. Separate otvodokot maternal plants and transplanted to another place, it is possible only after the leaves fall.
The Japanese medlar is propagated by cutting. To do this, take a cutting length of 15-20 centimeters, which has 2 developed nodes. To reduce the evaporation of moisture, the leaves on the handle are cut in half, and the cuts are treated with wood ash.
To root the stalk in a pot, it is necessary to arrange a good layer of drainage. Strictly upright, the stalk is deepened to the ground by 4-5 centimeters, after which it is well watered.
Both German and Japanese medlar can be planted on other fruit trees - quince, pear, hawthorn.
As you can see, to grow the described exotic fruit, you need to make some effort. The main difficulties are the care of seedlings and their transfer to the open ground.
An important factor is the climate in which the tree will be grown, because its yield depends on it. However, vitamins rich in fruit are worth the effort to make a tree.
