Lingonberry(Vaccinium vitis-idaea), also known as blueberry, is a short evergreen shrub, reaching a height of 20 to 30 cm. In gardens, it can be used as a turf ornamental plant, as well as a source of fruit used for preserves. Thanks to its numerous advantages, it is worth planting in the garden. See what planting looks like andgrowing lingonberries , is it possible to reproduce lingonberries in the garden and what diseases can threaten this plant.
Lingonberry - fruit
Lingonberry - application
When we talk about blueberries, the first thought comes to the high blueberry (American). Meanwhile, it is also worth getting interested in growing other blueberries, e.g.lingonberries .
This species is common in temperate and cool zones throughout the northern hemisphere. In Poland, it can be found both in the lowlands and in the highlands, where it grows on wet peat bogs, moorlands, spruce forests and dry pine forests.
To be planted in the gardenlingonberry they predispose relatively low inconvenience to cultivation, the rare occurrence of diseases and pests, high frost resistance and decorativeness almost all year round. During the flowering period, which falls from May to July, it is decorated with white or pale pink flowers gathered in clusters. However, it is also decorative in the process of fruiting. Its fruits are initially white, and as they mature, they change color to an attractive red color. The slightly overlapping, delicately mossy shoots of the lingonberry are covered with evergreen leaves all year round.The leaves on the top are dark green and glossy, and on the underside - slightly bluish, dull.
As I have already mentioned,the decorative qualities of the lingonberryare not everything. Its fruits are tart, bitter-sour and rather not eaten fresh, but they are perfect for preserves and frozen foods. Especially delicious jellies are prepared from them, which are a great addition to dark meats and game.
Lingonberry - flowers
Planting lingonberries
Forlingonberry plantingusually biennial plants are selected, and they reach full fruiting in the 4th - 5th year.
For lingonberry cultivation, choose a sunny (or slightly semi-shaded) place, with light, humus and acidic soils (pH 3.5 to 4.5). The conditions in which it grows in the natural environment show that it is quite tolerant to soil moisture, however, it is necessary to avoid wet soils where water remains, and to prevent complete drying of the soil in periods of drought and hot weather.
Beforeplanting lingonberries , the soil should be weeded. Usually, it is also necessary to lower the pH of the soil, which can be achieved by adding sulfur to it. It is also worth mixing acid garden peat or sawdust from coniferous trees (they are a material cheaper than peat), remembering, however, that during the decomposition of sawdust nitrogen is consumed and additional nitrogen fertilization is necessary, e.g. with ammonium sulphate.
In such prepared soil, we canplant lingonberryIt is best to plant it in spring or autumn. After planting, mulch the soil around the plants with conifer sawdust or pine bark. These mulch materials will help keep the soil acidic, keep the soil moist, and reduce the growth of weeds.
Plants also benefit from mycorrhiza, because cowberry, like other heather plants, responds well to the administration of the mycorrhiza vaccine. The mycorrhizal mycelium is best administered directly to the root ball before planting. Mycorrhiza makes it easier for plants to take up nutrients from the soil, thus reducing the need for additional fertilization and irrigation.
Lingonberry - cultivation
In the following years of cultivation,lingonberryshould be regularly irrigated and weeded. If we want the clumps of blueberries to thicken, it is worth trimming the tips of the most developed shoots in spring.
Forlingonberry , other heather plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons, heathers and heaths will be a great companion in the garden bed. It can also be grown with high or medium blueberry, as it has similar requirements.
Lingonberry reproduction
Lingonberrygrows by itself, creating underground stolons. In late summer, you can take non-lignified cuttings with a fragment of an older shoot, which are rooted in an incubator, in a mixture of sand and peat. If you grow a pure species, you can also sow seeds in the autumn in an inspection with moist peat.
Lingonberry - diseases and pests
Lingonberryis rarely attacked by pests and diseases of blueberries. Just remember not to allow the plants to flood and to prevent overdrying in summer. Sometimes the shoots are gnawed by hares and deer, and the fruits are eaten by birds. To prevent the birds from eating the fruit, you can cover the plants with a net.
Lingonberry varieties
The oldest and best knownblueberry varietyis 'Koralle'. It bears fruit twice a year - a small congregation is possible in early August, and a larger one - from late September to mid-October. When planting it, however, it must be remembered that it grows from underground tracts quite quickly and is considered by some to be too invasive.
When looking for other, typically amateurvarieties of lingonberry , with high decorative value, it is also worth paying attention to the lingonberry 'Ida' and 'Sussi'. Both bear fruit twice. The first fruits ripen in mid-August and the second harvest is possible in October.'Ida' grows quite strongly, while 'Sussi' grows much slower.
Lingonberry - cut
Lingonberry cutting is performed in early springHowever, this procedure is not performed every year, as it would weaken fruiting.
Lingonberry grows very well and bears fruit no trimming needed.Lingonberry pruning is done every 7-8 yearsIt is the so-called rejuvenating cut. All shoots are shortened 4-6 cm above the ground.We don't have to worry if we forgot to trim the lingonberry after 8 years. Some experts say that it is enough to prune the plant every 10 years. Therefore, in the case of very old shrubs, simply trim them after the next winter.
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