Japanese Willow(Salix integra) Hakuro Nishiki is an attractive shrub with colorful foliage, usually found grafted on a trunk with an attractive spherical crown. It is suitable for growing both in gardens and in pots on balconies and terraces. It is an interesting proposition for people looking for plants with an attractive appearance, and at the same time quite easy to grow. Here&39;s everything you need to know about theJapanese willow cultivation &39;Hakuro Nishiki&39; ! "
Beautifully colored young leaves of Hakuro Nishiki willow
Japanese willow Hakuro Nishikiis generally known as a trunk plant, grafted onto a rootstock and probably few of us know that it grows in nature in the form of a spherical, loose shrub, with overhanging twigs. We can, of course, experiment and lead it in this natural way (as a bush), making a cuttings from an adult plant, because the shoots root easily. It will then decorate the lower floor of the garden.
Most often, however,Hakuro Nishiki willowsare found as shrubs grafted on a trunk, i.e. a rootstock of a strongly growing species of willow. Then they take the form of miniature trees. "
The heights of the washers can be very different, usually in the range from 0.5 to 1.7 m. However, when we make a purchase, let's choose the height that suits us best. Let us not be fooled by the growth strength of the rootstock, because after the willow is inoculated on it, it will not grow more and will remain as high as on the day of purchase.On the other hand, the grafted Japanese willow will certainly grow, reaching a crown of up to 3 meters in diameter. Of course, if we want, because molding this plant according to our needs and tastes can be a very interesting activity.
"Due to its special beauty, Hakuro Nishiki willow looks best as a solitaire, e.g. on a lawn or possibly planted against the background of greenery of other plants. The willow&39;s shoots are brownish-red, while the leaves are multi-colored. Young spring leaves are white-pink-green, but with time they turn white-green and remain so for most of the season. The bases are very small and appear in late March and early April, before the leaves. Immediately after flowering, we can start forming it.
The spherical form of the Japanese willow, shaped by multiple cuts per season
Growing Japanese Willow
However, before we get into how to cut, let's take a look at the requirements and most important conditions for growing this miniature beauty.Like most willows,Japanese willowrequires a sunny location and does not compromise on this. In the shade it will grow very poorly and may even get sick or dry the tips of the leaves. Also, the color of the leaves will not be as intense as in a plant planted in a sunny position.
It also does not tolerate overdrying, so remember to water it frequently. To make the task easier, we can mulch the soil around the base of the trunk. Such treatment will not only reduce water evaporation, but also the development of weeds. Since Japanese willow also likes increased air humidity, it is worth sprinkling its leaves from time to time.
" Willow &39;Hakuro Nishiki&39;does not require exceptional soils, but has quite high nutritional requirements. Therefore, it is very important to regularlyfertilize Japanese willowFor this purpose, we can use compost, and if we do not have it - ready-made fertilizer mixtures, such as Azofoska. When using mineral fertilizers, however, remember to supplement them with organic fertilization from time to time. In general, the Japanese willow Hakuro Nishiki is quite frost-resistant, although it can freeze sometimes in very severe winters. We do not have to cover it for the winter, with the small exception of young specimens, for which the vaccination site must be secured for the winter. "
Important! In young willows, during the first 2-3 years of cultivation, it is worth securing the place of vaccination for the winter, because this part of the plant is most sensitive to frost in the first years of growth.
Willow in a pot
"In the case ofJapanese willow Hakuro Nishikiwe can try to grow it in a container or a pot, then the tree will be a beautiful decoration on our terrace. Of course, the container must be of the right size for the size of the tree. If we choose too small, the plant will not grow well and gusts of wind can easily knock it over. However, such cultivation requires a bit more effort from us. We must very carefully monitor the soil moisture and frequent fertilization, as well as secure the container against frost.For winter, it should be covered with straw, wrapped in a thick fleece or covered with pieces of polystyrene. Considering all the advantages of this beautiful plant, it is no wonder that it is very popular and can be found in most of our gardens. "
Japanese willow cutting
"Like most willows, the variety &39;Hakuro Nishiki&39; we are discussing is also pruning well.Japanese willow cuttinghas a very positive effect on crown density and the appearance of new shoots with young, decorative leaves. However, unlike other types of willows, miniature and standard forms need to be cut multiple times during the season. Japanese willow Hakuro Nishiki can be trimmed even every month, if we think it requires it. Many gardeners may find it very common, but this willow variety is really good and even likes pruning so often. "
Japanese willow cutting
In the first year, the shoots are cut very strongly, to a length of about 20 cm or several meshes, while the later cuts depend on how large the crown we want to obtain. One should only remember that it should not be too big in relation to the trunk formed by the rootstock, because the winds can easily break the tree. Also, let's not cut too far from the previous cut. The crown should spread gradually and fairly evenly. Make the cut with a sharp pruner just above the eyelet (just above a pair of leaves). A cut under an eyelet will cause nasty-looking, naked pieces of shoots to stick out on our spherical willow.
"The willow, left to itself, will not achieve the form of a compact, neat ball, and will form a very loose crown with slightly overhanging shoots. So similar to how it grows in nature. Of course, it can be led in this way, but then it is quite common for some of the shoots to strip off the leaves. Such a shoot has completely bald fragments, and when there are more similar twigs, the crown loses its attractiveness considerably.
Forming a regular, round crown naturally requires a bit of practice and time. But you definitely shouldn't be discouraged by the first failures, as all mistakes can be corrected in just 4 weeks. And actually all season long, until August. Then let's try to trim the willow for the last time, so that before the winter comes, it will have the opportunity to regenerate and prepare for the rest period.
Diseases and pests
This variety of Japanese willow can be threatened by fungal diseases such as rust, shoot dieback and melanoma, as well as pests such as willow aphid, willow mite and willow spider mite. After noticing these pests, it is usually necessary to cut out the damaged fragments of shoots and to spray them with appropriate protective preparations. Grafted willows are also eagerly inhabited by the critics of the Olchowiec.
Katarzyna Józefowicz
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