Japanese Aukubais an evergreen shrub that, when planted in a shady corner of the garden, will brighten it and give it a new character. Where most plants will not want to grow, Aukuba will do well, although it will need cover for the winter. See whatcultivating and cutting Japanese Aukubalooks like, learnhow to winter Japanese Aukubaand what diseases can attack it.
Japanese Aukuba 'Variegata'
Fig. B.E.Z., forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Japanese Aukuba(Aucuba japonica) is a deciduous shrub with a rounded shape and thick green shoots, the color of which changes to gray-green with age.Aukuba has glossy dark green leaves. Thecultivar of Aukuba 'Variegata'with leaves with yellow spots is also very common.
The leaves of the Japanese Aukuba are oval with finely rounded edges. In spring, reddish-purple flowers appear on the shrub, which develop on the tops of the shoots. In autumn their place is taken by red fruits.
Note!
The Japanese aukuba is a dioecious plant. In order for fruit to develop on the bushes, at least 2 plants should be planted next to each other - a male and a female specimen.
Japanese Aukuba - cultivation
Aukubes are perfect shade plants. They grow well in the shade of taller trees and shrubs.There are no special requirements for the Japanese Aukuba soil- it grows well in a variety of soils, as long as the substrate is permeable.
Aukuba does not like pools of waterIf there is a heavy, clay soil in the garden, it is worth loosening it before planting the plant by adding sand.It's also a good idea to create a drainage layer underneath the plant. For this purpose, we dig a deeper hole and pour a layer of expanded clay on its bottom. Only then do we sprinkle the soil and place the plant. In this waywe will protect the roots of Aukuba from excess standing water
Japanese Aucuba flowers
Fig. Merghen, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The variegated-leaved Aukuba varietieslose their decorative color when grown in full shade. Therefore, you should choose a semi-shaded position for them, sheltered from the wind.
When cultivating Japanese Aucubait is worth feeding the bush with organic fertilizers, e.g. compost, at the beginning of the season. You can also sprinkle a granular universal mineral fertilizer under the plant.
Japanese aukuba can also be grown in a potas a terrace or balcony plant, which it hides indoors during winter. If the auqubus spends the whole year in the apartment, it should be provided with the coolest possible room (recommended temperature 10-18 ° C).The advantage of Aukuba as a houseplant is that it tolerates drafts well and can grow in poorly sunny rooms.
Japanese Aukuba - cut
Japanese Aukuba cuts wellWe make them in order to keep the round shape and to prevent the bushes at the base from getting bare and deformed.We cut the Japanese Aukuba in the spring , when the danger of frosts, which may damage its new growths, is over.
"The first cut of the Aukuba should be made after plantingThen trim all weak or damaged growths, and the remaining shoots are shortened by about 1/3 of their length to stimulate new shoots to develop from the ground-level part.
In the cultivars of Aukuba with two-color leaves, remove the green shoots that sprout completelyto prevent the so-called regression of the speckle feature.We also cut out all damaged shoots or those with signs of frost damage."
Fruit of the Japanese Aukuba
Fig. pixabay.com
Japanese Aukuba - Wintering
Formerly, Aukuba was grown as a typical winter garden plant. Today, in a warming climate,Aukuba is getting better and better when planted in the garden . However, it is worth planting it in a place sheltered from the wind, among other evergreen shrubs.
If we live in a warmer region of Poland,Aukuba can be overwintering in the gardenby covering it with agrotextile, spruce twigs and making a mound of soil.Without its cover, the Aucub can hibernate at temperatures down to -5 ° C , although some sources say that the Aucubes can withstand drops of up to -15 ° C. At lower temperatures, Aukuba leaves turn black and fall, but there is a chance that the plant will bounce in the spring and release new leaves. You can read more about the cultivation and wintering of Aukuba in the garden in the topic about Aukub on our forum.
However, whenwe grow a Japanese auuka as a terrace plant , we have to transfer it to a bright room at a temperature not lower than 10 ° C for the winter period, before the first frosts in October. It can be a winter garden or a bright porch. During the rest period, we limit watering the bush and also stop fertilizing.
Aukuba wintering in the garden
Fig. B.E.Z., forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Japanese Aukuba - diseases
Japanese aukuba is usually not attacked by any diseases or pestsThe problems that arise in the cultivation of Aukuba are in most cases the result of poor shrub care. Properly selecting the position for growing Aukuba, we will ensure its he althy appearance.
Japanese Aukuba likes semi-shaded positions. If it is grown in some sunlight, its leaves can get burned. Then we observebrown spots or curling of the Aukuba leaf blade We should also not water the plants directly after the leaves, because it additionally increases the appearance of spots and has a negative effect on the condition of the plant.
Brown auuba leaves after the wintermay indicate freezing. In this case, all the dark, frost-damaged leaves are cut with a pruner in spring.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
