Broom broom(Cytisus scoparius) is a deciduous shrub with an irregular shape and lush flowering. Its butterfly flowers decorate the garden in spring, and dark green shoots distinguish this shrub in the fall. See whatgrowing broom in the garden looks likeand what its requirements are, when to performbroom cuttingand what it looks likereproduction of broom shrubsin amateur conditions.
Broom broom - Cytisus scoparius
Fig. Javier martin, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Broom Żarnowiec - cultivation
"Broom broom, also known as the broom , is a shrub 1.5 to 2 m high with broom-branched, dark green, erect shoots. The broom-like arrangement of the shoots meant that in the past, its twigs were used to make brooms in the countryside, and today it owes its name to the broom. In the garden, the broom shrub looks great as a background for other plants. "
Broom broom blooms at the end of May or June , usually very profusely. Depending on the variety, it can have yellow, ruby red, pink and even white flowers. The fruit are pods up to 5 cm long, initially green, silky-hairy, and later brown-black. Ripe ones burst, spilling seeds.
Broom grows best in dry , sandy, gravely and slightly acidic soils. Broom broom is an ideal shrub for planting the so-called "Difficult" positions where other plants would not cope (it is used, among others,in for strengthening the dunes). However, it will not grow well in calcareous soil.
Blooming broom shoot
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Broom broom requires a sunny and warm positionIt is best that the broom cultivation stand is also sheltered from the wind. Żarnowiec is an ornamental shrub that is easy to grow and a drought-resistant plant. Sometimes, however, it freezes to the ground during dry, snowless winters. Fortunately, it grows back quickly in the spring. If we want to prevent freezingin winter, it is recommended to cover the broom with spruce branches
Note!
Żarnowiec does not tolerate transplanting well, so we should choose an appropriate position for it, on which it will be able to grow for many years.
Cutting the broom
Broom broom does not require annual pruning Right after the flowers have flowered, in July, you can cut the blooming inflorescences with a pruner, and remove dry, damaged, crossing or distorted shoots. This way, we geta more regular habit of the broom bush
After winter, it is worth checking the condition of the broom shoots . Cut those that are frozen to the ground level. Don't worry though, as the broom grows back relatively quickly.
Green shoots of the broom in the leafless period
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Propagation of broom bushes
The broom bush is propagatedby seeds or semi-woody cuttings.
Broom fruitsare in the form of pods and appear on the bush since July. At first they are green in color, becoming darker with time. In sunny, dry weather, the pod opens abruptly and ejects seeds with a crack.
However, it should be remembered thatfrom seeds propagates only the basic species of broomBroom cultivars propagated from seeds usually do not inherit the characteristics of the mother plant, so they may have, for example, a different color of flowers than expected. Thereforegarden varieties of broom are better to propagate from cuttings
Fruits of the broom
Fig. AnRo0002, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
We propagate the broom bush from cuttings in JulyCut cuttings 8-10 cm long with a heel from semi-woody side shoots. Then the seedling is planted in a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 1: 1. Additionally, it is a good idea to use a rooting cutter for semi-woody cuttings and dip the tips of the cuttings into it before planting them into the ground. The container should be covered with a perforated foil to maintain constant, high humidity. After rooting, we gradually reduce the sprinkling and ventilate the containers.In the spring, we leave the young broom trees to a permanent place
A variety of broom with carmine-red flowers
Fig. pixabay.com
Blackberry - diseases and pests
Broom shrubs are very rarely attacked by diseases or pests. Broom broom diseases may includedieback of broom shootsThis disease can be caused by several different species of fungi, with symptoms such as oval, round or irregular spots appearing at the tops of the bush. The spots are brown at first and turn brown and gray with time. The rush above the spot where the spots appear turns yellow and gradually dies or breaks.
The second broom disease isblotch of the broom shoots . As a result of infection with this disease, broom leaves turn yellow and become covered with small spots. These spots are round, initially brown and then turn brown.
In both casesinfected shoots should be cut below the spot where the spots occurso as to leave only the he althy part and sprayed with fungicides such as Topsin M 500 SC or Scorpion 325 SC, alternating with natural with Biosept Active.We perform 2-3 sprayings at intervals of 10-14 days.
The pests on the broom shrubs may show a bugmonkshood(Arytaina genistae), and a characteristic symptom of its appearance is the bending of the tops of the shrubs downwards. The pest can occur in the period from May to October. During the year, it develops 2 generations, with individuals of the second generation being slightly smaller and darker than individuals of the first generation. After seeing adult forms of insects or their larvae, apply at least 2 sprays with a contact agent, e.g. Karate Zeon, Mospilan 20 SP, Polysect 005 SL or with the natural oil agent Emulpar 940 EC.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
