Catalpa (tree): photo, description. Landing and care. Catalpa: how to grow a southern "guest" in the harsh conditions of the Moscow region Catalpa planting and care

The extraordinary catalpa tree that appeared on the territory of Russia in the 19th century won the hearts of many gardeners. An ornamental tree originally from the southern regions, but after a while it adapted without much effort to cold zones. You can meet the plant both in gardens and in parks, where it serves as an excellent exotic decoration.

The "Tree of Happiness" is what the Maya Indians called it. This unusual tree is valued only for its highly original decorative qualities, because it does not have any useful fruits.

Because of its unusual leaves, in the shape of a heart, the catalpa was also nicknamed "the tree with elephant ears."

Magnificent catalpa tree: description

Magnificent catalpa

A deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Endowed with large heart-shaped whorled leaves, the length of which reaches 30 cm and a width of 17 cm.

With the onset of autumn, the foliage does not turn yellow, but remains rich green.

This is a tree with a straight trunk, as well as dense gray bark. Catalpa wood is valued, because in its characteristics it looks like oak, it is just as strong and strong.

A variety of varieties have appeared in North America, where their height can reach a record 30 meters.

In our natural conditions, the catalpa does not exceed 12 meters.

Flowering tree of happiness

Since it begins to release buds quite late, this plant is valued by original gardeners, because during this period it is simply impossible to find a flowering tree.

As soon as the magnificent one begins to bloom, you can enjoy its unusual, fragrant and large inflorescences, which are collected in panicles up to 40 cm long. Because of the shape and general appearance of the inflorescences, the catalpa orchid tree is also called. There are white and cream patterned flowers, some of which may be covered with small speckles.

The tree begins to bloom in June or July, and this process lasts for a long 4 weeks. You can enjoy the flowering of bluebells only 5 years after planting the catalpa.

Large inflorescences have a clear resemblance to flowering chestnuts, and a single flower resembles a miniature one.

What is the name of the tree with long pods

1. pasta tree
2. happiness tree
3. elephant
4. tree with pods
5. orchid
6. golden catalpa
7. monkey tree
8. pipe

And many more other names.

Pod fruits

It has fruits, which are boxes, reaching a size of up to 40 cm, inside which flying seeds are formed. Thanks to these unusual fruits, which adorn the catalpa throughout the winter period, it has an unforgettable look.

The fruits of this tree are pods containing many seeds, somewhat reminiscent of dandelions. As soon as you decide to open an unusual long icicle, they will scatter in different directions. This shape of the fruit was the reason that the catalpa is quite often called the macaroni tree. Pods with seeds can sometimes even reach 50 cm in length, and their width is about 1.5 cm. period.

Catalpa is endowed with soft, flexible, non-rotting wood. It is best to grow such a plant in places where the sun's rays pass, as well as with constantly moist soil. In addition, it is able to tolerate frost, which plays an important role. With the onset of cold weather, the catalpa gets rid of green foliage.

Magnificent catalpa tree planting and care in the suburbs

There are only 13 different types of catalpa, most of which can be grown in Russia.

These varieties managed to adapt in central Russia, and they can easily cope even with severe frosts.

But young specimens are still worth covering.

The tree was able to win the love of those around the catapult thanks to flowering, which does not begin in spring, like other trees, but in summer, when you can no longer meet a flowering tree.

The shape of the petals, reminiscent of orchids, is also taken into account, as well as the subtle and unobtrusive aroma that surrounds the blooming ball and attracts many insects.

What types of catalpa are found:

• catalpa ovoid

An egg-shaped tree appeared on the territory of China, which begins to bloom at the very beginning of summer and pleases with its inflorescences for about 4 weeks. It has large broad foliage with a pointed tip. Panicle-shaped inflorescences delight those around with white-cream flowers with dark specks and sunny stripes. Can be found in the form of a bush. It differs from bignon-shaped and magnificent species in that the vegetation is much faster. Thanks to this feature, tree trunks become woody rather quickly and with the onset of cold weather, it is practically not afraid of frost. Catalpa of this species can cope with frosts down to -29 degrees.

• Catalpa splendid or beautiful

The shape of this species resembles a pyramid. The bark is grey. The leaves of the tree reach 30 cm in length, while their width is 15 cm. Their upper part is smooth and painted in rich green, while its lower part is lighter and pubescent. Seven-centimeter inflorescences are endowed with a creamy shade with specks and yellowish stripes. The aroma of inflorescences is very similar to apple. The catalpa will decorate the garden with its flowering for 4 weeks. Prefers to grow in well-moistened soil with the addition of the necessary fertilizers. The tree grows quite quickly, the height reaches 10 meters. Endowed with large foliage and spreading crown. It is a species that is better than others able to cope with winter frosts.

• Bignonioide catalpa (catalpa bignonioides aurea)

The height of this species reaches 20 meters. Thanks to the decomposed branches, the crown of the tree has a rounded shape. The leaves are very large and reach up to 20 cm long and 15 cm wide. The upper part of the foliage is shiny and has no villi, which cannot be said about the lower part, since it is endowed with small villi, and its shade is lighter.

Snow-white inflorescences with well-defined brown dots and yellow stripes have a delicate smell. After the tree has been planted, it begins to please the eye with its unsurpassed flowers after about 4 years. Flowering lasts about 1.5 months.

4 varieties of this species were bred, differing from each other in their unusual foliage.

Often this ornamental tree is called an orchid, since its inflorescences are quite similar to an orchid.

• globular catalpa

It has a crown in the form of a ball and foliage lowered to the ground. Large twenty-centimeter foliage is heart-shaped. Through the shape of the leaves-hearts, she was nicknamed the "Tree of Love". With the onset of autumn, the color of the leaves does not change. It begins to bloom in July and for a month pleases others with its pleasant, apple-like aroma, smell. The pod-shaped fruit includes flying seeds. In order for a tree to develop perfectly, it needs a well-lit area with high humidity. It tolerates winter cold without problems. If the temperature drops sharply, then the catalpa sheds its foliage.

• ordinary

It has straight stems with chic elephant leaves. The height of the sample does not exceed 8 meters. Common catalpa blooms for 3 weeks. The seeds are enclosed in chocolate pods. Both November and spring are suitable for collecting seed samples. In order for the tree to develop well and grow, it needs fertile, well-moistened soil. So that the catalpa does not freeze in winter, it must be covered before the onset of cold weather.

• Decorative

The height does not exceed 20 m. The wide-rounded crown has spreading long branches. Large twenty-centimeter foliage, up to 15 cm wide. Endowed with a light green tint with a small fluff on the reverse side. Loose erect inflorescences include snow-white flowers, the inside of which is decorated with yellow stripes and brown dots. Abundant flowering of this variety lasts about 25 days. The fruits are in the form of narrow boxes.

Catalpa pruning, crown formation video:

Catalpa planting and care

In order for the variety you have chosen to grow and actively develop, it is necessary to find areas for it that are perfectly illuminated by the sun's rays, but at the same time there are no drafts and gusty winds on them.

The soil should have low acidity and be saturated with organic fertilizers. In order for the seedlings to take root well, they need to be watered regularly, while not forgetting to loosen and mulch the soil. If correct and timely pruning of catalpa, shoots begin to grow much faster.

Combines hybrid catalpa with magnolia and oak. It will look great both in a single planting and when planting with other plants. As a rule, it is used to decorate park alleys and create street compositions.

How to plant a tree with icicles

The most suitable place, as already mentioned, is a well-lit area, but if you plant it in partial shade, it will also feel great. You can plant a tree near paths, with lakes and other bodies of water, as well as in the central part of the lawn. A seedling that is no more than one year old is suitable for planting.

Advice! If you decide to purchase a catalpa, then you should look at the nurseries that are located in your environment, in this case, the plant will be adapted to grow in this area.

Trees are unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but they will grow best in soil with high humidity, with slight acidity, as well as in soil saturated with organic fertilizers and with mandatory drainage. It is best to plant catalpa in early spring in a hole with a depth of about 0.7-1.2 meters.

In the event that you decide to place several trees side by side, then do not forget that there must be a distance of at least 3 meters between them.

To create a suitable soil, you will need:

• river sand
• leaf ground
• humus

which are mixed in the ratio 2:2:1:3.

Adding wood ash and phosphate rock to the pit is essential for successful development.

The seedling must be carefully placed in the hole from the prepared mixture and buried. After planting, the tree should be well watered and mulched with peat. The neck of the roots should not be buried, because after planting it should be level with the soil. That is why, when planting a catalpa, keep in mind that the earth will soon settle.

How to care

If the soil has been perfectly prepared and drained, then the catalpa will grow excellently on it. But in order for a tree to grow green and grow well, it must be properly looked after.

What needs to be done:

• Water the plant regularly.
• Make timely pruning of branches.
• Be sure to fertilize with organic and mineral fertilizers.
• Before the onset of winter, be sure to cover the seedlings with special materials.

Watering

In order for the plant to have enough moisture, it must be watered, pouring 2 buckets of water on each tree weekly. In the event that the summer is not too hot, then reduce watering to 3 times a month. Also, during the season, you should loosen the ground at least 2 times and remove the weeds that have sprouted around the trunk.

pruning

As soon as spring comes, the tree needs to prune all dry and excess shoots, which will give the plant a decorative look.

fertilizers

Catalpa welcomes the use of organic and mineral fertilizers. Several times during the season it is necessary to feed the plant with slurry. Be sure to water the plant before fertilizing. If desired, you can replace one top dressing with an organ fertilizer of a universal type, which is suitable for all plants.

If a young catalpa grows in your garden, then it will need special care. Before the onset of cold weather, using spruce branches, cover the seedlings so that they do not freeze. It is also welcome to wrap the trunk of a young tree with burlap.

For adults, frosts are practically fearless. In order for them to survive the winter, mulch the soil next to the shoot with dry foliage before the cold sets in. If with the advent of cold days you notice that your tree is partially frozen, do not worry, as soon it will release new shoots.

Elephant tree breeding

You can breed in the following ways:

• seeds

Before starting sowing, the seeds must be soaked for 7-12 hours in warm water. Seeds should be sown in February or March in an area with scattered sunlight. After placing the seedlings, sprinkle them with a thin layer of soil and cover with a film or glass. If the temperature in a kind of greenhouse reaches from 15 to 25 degrees, then within a month you will be able to see the first bores. As soon as this happens, remove the material that covered the seeds. Until May, it is necessary to take care of the sprouts, after which they should be moved to open ground. The method for catalpa propagation by seeds is very common.

• Cuttings taken in the summer

The procedure is carried out in July. The length of the cuttings should be about 10 cm. Catalpa should be planted in an earthen mixture of peat and sand. After waiting for the root system to form, transplant the cuttings into open ground, where they will continue to grow.

Where is wood used?

• Catalpa seeds are used to create a fast-drying oil that is prized in the paint industry.
• Also, the tree is an excellent honey plant, which plays into the hands of beekeepers.
• In addition, this is the best decoration for city parks and squares, as well as for private home gardens.
• Catalpa is used in folk medicine.

landscape design

The catalpa tree grows and develops very quickly. In addition, it is not whimsical and can grow in regions with constantly changing weather. If you plant a plant in the foreground of the planets, then it will look good in a single planting. If it is used to decorate the park area, then it will be in perfect harmony with other plants.

Catalpa (Catalpa) - a genus of deciduous, rarely - evergreen trees of the bignoniaceae family (bignoniacae), native to North America, the Caribbean, Western India and East Asia. Now it has 38 species.

The Indians have long used bignoniform catalpa, which they called Katoba, as a medicinal plant (roots, bark) for the treatment of whooping cough and malaria, although its roots are very poisonous. And the light, fine-grained wood of the thick straight trunks of the magnificent catalpa still has not lost its economic importance in North America.

For the first time, the genus was described by the Italian botanist and physician D. A. Scopoli (1723-1788) and gave it the name catalpa, involuntarily distorting the transcription of the Indian Catoba, which is still used by the local population in the regions of natural growth of these trees in the United States.

Catalpas are characterized by a beautiful, wide tent-shaped crown, large opposite or whorled leaves on long petioles, the shape is from oblong-ovate to heart-shaped, entire or lobed. Trees are especially attractive during flowering. The flowers are quite large, bell-shaped, collected in small apical three-forked whorls or brushes. The corolla of the flower is a wide open tube with a two-lipped limb of two small upper and three larger lower lobes, with two stamens, three filiform staminodes and a protruding filiform pistil. After flowering, original fruits are formed - long, narrow-cylindrical boxes similar to beans, opening with two wings, with numerous oblate-oblong seeds, equipped with lateral wings and tufts of white hairs at the top.

In a number of countries, catalpas are included in the number of forest crops, but are more often grown as ornamentals in temperate and subtropical climates. These are mainly 3 deciduous species - North American bignoniform and magnificent catalpas, as well as ovoid catalpa from China.

We have introduced 4 species that can be found in the landscaping of the southern regions, on the Black Sea coast, and in central Russia - mainly in botanical gardens.

Rita Brilliantova, biologist, website

Photo: Rita Brilliantova, Olga Dovbieva, Natalia Mologina, Maxim Minin

Botanical name: Catalpa (Catalpa), a genus of the Bignoniaceae family.

Homeland of catalpa: North America.

Lighting: photophilous.

The soil: fertile, moist, slightly acidic, fresh.

Watering: abundant.

Maximum tree height: 30 m

Average lifespan of a tree: up to 100 years old.

Landing: seeds, cuttings.

Catalpa globular

Deciduous tree with a spherical crown. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, whorled, 30 cm long and 17 cm wide. They do not turn yellow in autumn.

The flowers are funnel-shaped, up to 7 cm, fragrant, have a pleasant apple aroma, white, sometimes cream with dark spots, collected in erect inflorescences - panicles. Flowering begins in mid-June and lasts up to 4 weeks.

The fruit is a long box, up to 40 cm, filled with seeds - flying. The fruits hang on the trees throughout the winter, which gives the tree an unusual look.

The wood is soft, flexible, and does not rot. Catalpa prefers well-moistened soils and bright places. Frost-resistant. When the temperature drops, the tree sheds green foliage. All types of catalpa are decorative.

Planting and caring for catalpa

Catalpa is planted in a well-lit area, protected from the wind. The plant is planted to a depth of 1 - 1.2 m. A soil mixture of humus, leafy soil, sand and peat is suitable for planting. Before planting, the ground should be fertilized with wood ash and superphosphate and pour plenty of water over the pit. Soil acidity should be neutral. With proper care, flowering will begin in the fifth year.

Young plants are often exposed to frost. For the winter period, their trunks are wrapped with spruce branches or burlap. The ground under the tree is covered with a thick layer of leaves. The cover is removed in early spring, when severe frosts stop. In early spring, cut off damaged branches.

Catalpa care consists in the timely removal of weeds under it and loosening the soil to a depth of 30 cm. The plant does not require frequent watering, it is enough to water catalpa abundantly once a week. Top dressing is carried out at planting and during the growing season. Mature manure is suitable as top dressing.

Propagation of catalpa by seeds and cuttings

Catalpa is propagated by seeds and cuttings. Before planting, the seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for 7-12 hours. Sowing is done in February - March in a place with diffused sunlight. Seeds are sprinkled with a thin layer of earth and covered with a film or glass. With regular watering and a temperature of 15-25 degrees, seedlings will appear within a month. After the emergence of seedlings, the shelter is removed. Seedling care continues until May, then the seedlings are moved to open ground.

Catalpa cuttings are made in the second half of summer. Cut cuttings 10 cm long, plant them in a mixture of peat and sand. Care is carried out in the same way as when propagating catalpa seeds. When sprouts appear in seedlings and the root system is formed, they are transplanted into open ground.

Pests and diseases of the catalpa tree

The catalpa tree is disease resistant. The main pest of the plant is the Spanish fly. You can get rid of it by spraying the tree with kinmix or decis. When insects appear on the buds, catalpa should be treated with insecticides before the buds open. Otherwise, the shoots are deformed. To avoid infection with Verticillium fungus, you need to monitor the condition of the soil. It should be sufficiently loose, uncompacted and pass water well. The fungus leads to drying and death of the plant.

Sick catalpa tree in the photo:

Common types of catalpa

Below you can find the most common types of catalpa. The information obtained will help you choose the right tree for your garden.

catalpa bignoniformis

Catalpa bignonioides (Catalpa bignonioides) - a tree up to 20 m high. Spreading branches form a wide-rounded crown. The bark is light brown, thin-lamellar.

The leaves are large, 20 cm long and 15 cm wide, shaped like lilac leaves. Above naked, light green, pubescent below.

The flowers are white, with red-brown specks and yellow stripes inside, up to 5 cm long. They have a weak aroma.

It begins to bloom in the fifth year of life. Flowering lasts up to 25 days.

The fruits are narrow, pod-like capsules with numerous seeds and thin walls. The bignoniform catalpa grows very quickly. It is frost-resistant, it is not exacting to the soil. Young individuals can freeze slightly at low temperatures, so they are insulated for the winter.

Bignonian catalpa is a beautiful tree often used for solitary plantings. It acquires decorative value during flowering and in autumn, when the leaves appear golden in color. In winter, bignoniform catalpa look unusual, as its branches adorn fruit boxes.

This type of catalpa is used in single and group plantings, when planting alleys, parks and squares.

It looks advantageous on garden plots in the middle of a green lawn. The tree is combined with oak and magnolia, herbaceous perennials and bulbous flowers: crocuses, tulips and daffodils.

Decorative forms of catalpa: golden, Quene, low (dwarf). Catalpa bignoniform golden is distinguished by yellow leaves. A variety of catalpa Kene is interesting for its bright yellow leaves with a dark green spot in the middle and green veins. Low bignoniform catalpa or dwarf catalpa has a spherical crown and a height of up to 2m.

Catalpa Nana

A low tree, reaching 4-6 m in height. The crown is dense, dense, spherical. The leaves are light green, heart-shaped. Does not tie flowers. Prefers lit places, protected from the wind. Requires fertile, fertilized soil. Suitable for planting and fresh loam. Grows slowly. Young individuals are less frost-resistant than adults; they can be damaged at the first frost.

Catalpa Nana does not tolerate high temperatures and excessive drying, so on hot days you should water the plant abundantly and often. The crown of the tree is susceptible to damage. Digging, loosening and transplanting a tree must be done very carefully. Catalpa Nana is used for landscaping public places and garden plots.

Catalpa beautiful

An ornamental tree with a wide pyramidal crown. The height of the beautiful catalpa reaches up to 35 m. The trunk is gray, with thin-lamellar bark. The leaves are large, 30 cm long and 15 cm wide, on thin, long petioles, smooth, light green above, white below, pubescent. The flowers are white-cream in color, with yellow stripes and purple-brown dots inside, large, up to 7 cm. They have a pleasant aroma. Flowering time is 20-25 days. It begins to bloom at the age of 10-12 years. The fruits are seed pods. They appear in the middle of summer. Propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering. Grows in deep, fertile, moist soils. It tolerates transplant well. Planting is done in early spring. More frost-resistant than other types of catalpas. It is used in single, group plantings and to create alleys.

Catalpa globular

A tree with spreading branches forming a wide-rounded crown, up to 20 m in height. The bark is light brown, thin-lamellar. The leaves are large, up to 20 cm long, up to 15 cm wide. Above are bare, light green, pubescent below are white. When rubbed, they emit a characteristic odor. The flowers are white, fragrant, up to 5 cm long, with two yellow stripes and dark brown spots inside. The catalpa spherical plant blooms for 20-25 days. The fruits are narrow pod-like capsules with seeds.

Leaves fall green immediately after the first frost. In autumn, the color does not change. Grows slowly. Frost-resistant. Demanding on soil moisture. It is used in single and group plantings, for landscaping streets and creating parks. Used to decorate garden plots.

bigoniform catalpa

Tree up to 10 m tall. The crown is asymmetric, the shoots are arranged in the form of a funnel. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, up to 20 cm, the color is pale yellow. By the flowering period they become green. The flowers are white and yellow with crimson specks, up to 30 cm. The fruits are pods, up to 40 cm. By the end of summer they turn brown. They stay on the tree until frost.

Under natural conditions, it grows in the southeast of North America. Settles in deciduous forests and river valleys. Prefers moist, fertile, moderately acid soils. The root system is deep, unbranched, sensitive to damage.

It is used in garden plots as an exotic, unusual tree.

Catalpa is magnificent

An ornamental tree up to 30 m high. The crown is dense, broadly pyramidal. The bark is gray, thin-lamellar. The leaves are large, 30 cm long, 15 cm wide, on long petioles. The flowers are large, up to 7 cm, fragrant. The color of the flowers is white-cream with two yellow stripes and purple-brown dots inside, the edges are wavy.

The duration of flowering of the tree is 20-25 days. The fruit is a capsule with seeds, resembling a long pod of a dark brown hue. Seeds are stored in paper envelopes or bags in a dry, dark room. The shelf life of seeds is 2 years.

Sowing is done in autumn or early spring. When sown in spring, the seeds are soaked in water for two days. A place for landing catalpa should be chosen well-lit and protected from the wind. Young individuals grow quickly. The growth per year is up to 1 m. Catalpa is excellent frost-resistant, drought-resistant, but on dry days it requires abundant and frequent watering. Flowering begins at the 12th year of the tree's life, lasts from late July to early July. Spectacular magnificent catalpa is used in landscaping city parks and squares.

common catalpa

A slender deciduous tree 6-8 m high. It blooms from June to July. In the middle of summer, fruits appear - pod-shaped boxes with brown seeds. Catalpa fruits are harvested in autumn and spring. The best time to collect is October - November.

The tree prefers fertile, cultivated fresh soils. It grows very slowly on dry and compacted soil. The plant is drought tolerant, but requires frequent watering on hot days. In good conditions, the common catalpa grows and develops rapidly. In severe winters, annual shoots suffer, so they are wrapped in material for the winter period.

The plant is planted in early spring before bud break. Autumn planting is done before the onset of frost. Before planting, they dig a shallow hole, the dug-out earth is mixed with humus. When planting, you need to ensure that the root neck is above the soil surface at a level of 2-3 m. Care for young seedlings consists in monthly loosening of the soil, mulching, and timely pruning of affected shoots and branches.

Catalpa hybrid

Ornamental tree up to 20 m tall. The crown is wide-round with spreading, long branches. The leaves are large, 20 cm long and 15 cm wide, light green, pubescent below. The inflorescences are loose, erect with white flowers, inside of which there are two yellow stripes and red-brown speckles. Flowering time up to 25 days. Blooms profusely every year. The fruits are narrow boxes.

For planting a hybrid catalpa, well-lit places are recommended, protected from wind and drafts. Soils rich in organic fertilizers with low acidity are preferred. Young seedlings need regular and abundant watering, loosening the soil and mulching. After pruning, intensive growth of shoots is noted.

The hybrid catalpa tree is combined with oak and magnolias. It looks equally impressive in group and single plantings. Used to create alleys and street plantings.

Application of catalpa

The tree serves as an excellent honey plant. In the paint and varnish industry, catalpa is also valued, from the seeds of which a drying oil is obtained. In many settlements and large cities, the plant is used for landscaping public places, decorating private gardens and adjacent territories. Widely used in folk medicine.

Catalpa is a very beautiful and spectacular deciduous tree from 5 to 30 m high, which attracts the eye from early spring to late autumn. Its homeland is the southeastern part of North America, where it grows in abundance along the banks of rivers. In the 18th century, catalpa was brought to Europe, and today it is also widely distributed in Russia, China, India and Japan.

There is a legend that this is a tree of elephants and monkeys - elephant ears and monkey tails, according to the whim of Buddha, joined in this kind of tree.

Catalpa is the Indian name for picturesque deciduous, rarely evergreen trees of the bignoniaceae family, with a rounded crown that gives a lot of shade; with opposite, sometimes whorled, heart-shaped, very large leaves (30 x 17 cm) on long petioles.

The large, round, heart-shaped leaves of the catalpa make it stand out from the crowd throughout the season. The plant blooms for 3 - 4 weeks, starting from mid-June.

During the flowering period, the catalpa is covered with large inflorescences of unusually beautiful flowers, very similar to orchid flowers, and even having an apple aroma. Funnel-shaped, up to 7 cm long, white or cream flowers with a wavy edge, inside with two yellow stripes with large dark spots and numerous purple-brown dots in the throat, collected in large erect, paniculate inflorescences

Each inflorescence contains up to 50 flowers.

Another difference between Catalpa and most trees is that in autumn it practically does not turn yellow and sheds green leaves when the temperature drops below zero.

The fruit that appears in autumn is a long, hanging, pod-like capsule up to 40 cm long, filled with a mass of flying seeds. The fruits remain hanging on the branches almost all winter, giving the tree a rather original look and arousing the curiosity of passers-by. Hanging long fruits sometimes resemble pasta, hence the name of the catalpa - pasta tree.

In total, the plant counts 10 species, but in our country they usually grow Catalpa bignonioides (Catalpa bignonioides) and magnificent Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).

Magnificent catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).

Catalpa Magnificent is a beautiful tree up to 30 m high, with a dense broad-pyramidal crown and a relatively slender trunk, covered with red-brown, thick-lamellar bark, separated by thick scales. It has very large leaves on long petioles, which unfold earlier than the leaves of other types of catalpas. Leaves ovate, entire or with 1-2 lateral teeth reach 30 cm in length and 20 cm in width. In adult leaves, the leaf blade is shiny, green, smooth above, slightly pubescent below, densely pubescent below, especially along the veins.

The fruits are long (up to 45 cm), cylindrical brown capsules, leathery, hard, matte, crack lengthwise into 2 flaps, gradually tapering towards the top, contain winged seeds with a fringe of short hairs. In a box from 53 to 146 seeds.

Beautiful, large, up to 7 cm, fragrant flowers of creamy white color, with a wavy edge, a two-lipped corolla, inside with two yellow stripes and numerous purple-brown dots, are collected in wide panicles 15-20 cm long. Flowering occurs at the end of June and lasts the first decade of July. Flowering time is 20-25 days. The fruits adorn the tree from the second half of summer.

Catalpa bignonioides, or common catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides).

• Native to southeastern North America. A tree with a spreading rounded crown, with a spectacular bright yellow color of the leaves. The leaves are heart-shaped, very large, golden at first, then light yellow-green. The flowers are white, the fruits are long beans. Reaching 15 meters in height and a trunk diameter of about one meter, it has a wide, tent-shaped crown, especially well developed when the tree stands alone. The bark of large trees is brownish, cracking into small scales.

  The leaves are broadly ovate, up to 20 centimeters long and 15 centimeters wide, entire or with two small lobes. When blooming, they are felt-pubescent below, later somewhat bare. The flowers are white with two yellow stripes and purple-brown spots in the corolla. They form broad-pyramidal panicles up to 25 centimeters long.

  The fruits are light brown in color, very narrow and long (up to 8 mm in diameter and up to 45 cm in length), crack with two valves, pouring out small silver-gray winged seeds with tufts of whitish hairs. Grows pretty fast. The first flowering is in the fifth year of life.

Catalpa belongs to the representatives of the genus Bignoniaceae. In the wild, it grows in eastern India, Japan, China and North America. In ancient times, this unusual tree was used by the Indians, who prepared remedies from it to help fight such dangerous ailments as whooping cough and malaria.

General information

They called it "katoba", however, a little later it was renamed catalpa by the Italian scientist and botanist Scopoli. It was he who first studied and described the catalpa, opening this exotic plant to the world.

The genus Bignoniaceae combines from 10 to 38 species of catalpas. Some of them are cultivated in the southern strip of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, while the rest can only be seen in the wild.

Catalpa is an unpretentious and fairly easy-to-care plant, so if you want to decorate your garden plot, giving it beauty and unusualness, then it is exactly what you need.

Catalpa species and varieties

- In the wild, the tree can be found in North America. It grows on the banks of rivers. The plant reaches a height of 20 meters. Catalpa has a spreading rounded crown. The bark of the catalpa is thinly lamellar with a light brown color. The leaves are large, light green, resembling a lilac in appearance.

The inflorescences of the plant have a pyramidal shape. They are up to 20 cm wide and 30 cm long. Inflorescences consist of small fragrant white flowers with red-brown specks. The flowering period is 20 days, after which long, narrow fruits in the form of pods with small seeds begin to form.

- The birthplace of this variety of catalpa is North America. An adult tree reaches a height of 30 meters and has a broad pyramidal crown with large light green leaves and thin gray bark.

The inflorescences of the plant are panicle-shaped and consist of small, pleasantly smelling cream-colored flowers with purple specks. Catalpa fruits are small boxes that crack when ripe and drop seeds to the ground.

The crown of the tree has a pyramidal shape. The trunk is covered with thin gray bark. The leaves are large dark green. The inflorescences are creamy with yellow stripes and dark dots.

The aroma of flowers is vaguely reminiscent of apple. Catalpa blooms for only a month. Grows in fertile soil and loves importance. This type of plant is characterized by frost resistance and good resistance to diseases and pests.

- is a small, slowly growing tree with a spherical crown with a dense light green leaf. In height, the catalpa reaches from 4 to 6 meters.

Flowering time from June to July. The flowers are collected in large inflorescences, which have a pleasant aroma and a soft beige hue with yellow stripes and brown specks. The fruits of catalpa are narrow, long, having the appearance of pods.

- this variety was bred by crossing the ovoid and ordinary catalpas. The tree reaches a height of 16 meters and has a luxurious rounded crown with a light green leaf cover. The inflorescences of the catalpa are loose and large, consisting of small white flowers with purple specks on the outer side of the petals.

The plant is native to Central China. An adult tree reaches a height of 10 meters, but when grown in a garden plot, the catalpa does not grow more than 4 meters.

She is the owner of large, pleasantly smelling white flowers with a purple throat collected in large brushes. The fruits of the plant resemble thin and long pods. For the growth and development of catalpa, you need a lot of light and nutritious soil.

- an adult tree reaches a height of 10 meters. It has a dense pyramidal crown with large, very unusual leaves. When the leaf plates are just blooming, they have a purple hue, but after a month, they change their color to light green.

The plant blooms with small flowers, similar to white bells with purple specks, collected in large and long brushes. The flowering time of catalpa falls in the middle of summer and lasts only a month.

- the tree has straight stems with a dense leafy cover of a light green hue. The height of the tree reaches 8 meters. Catalpa blooms for a month with large tassels with small white inflorescences with a purple throat. Seeds are thin and long pods that ripen in mid-autumn.

- the homeland of the plant is Northern China. The variety is named after the German botanist Alexander Bunge, who is the discoverer of this variety. The tree has a pyramidal crown with luxurious large dark green leaves. Catalpa inflorescences are small. They consist of 3-12 white small flowers with purple specks, after flowering, pod-shaped fruits appear.

It is a tree with a height of 8 to 10 meters. In the wild, its height can reach 20 meters. The crown of the catalpa is dense, having a pyramidal shape. The leaves are large and dark green. Small flowers are collected in large, racemose, pleasantly smelling white inflorescences with purple dots. The flowering time of the plant is in the middle of summer.

- this variety of catalpa reaches a height of up to 8 meters and has a dense, pyramidal crown with large light green leaves. The tree blooms in June. The flowers are small, fragrant, collected in large white inflorescences with brown spots.

- the tree grows up to 20 meters and has a round crown with spreading branches. The leaves are large, light green in color with a slight pubescence. The plant blooms in the middle of summer with beige-white flowers with a purple throat, collected in loose large brushes. After flowering, long pod-shaped fruits are formed.

- in the wild, the plant is found in the forests of Western China. The height of the tree reaches 20 meters. It has a wide, dense, spherical crown with a dense dark green leaf cover.

Catalpa blooms in June. Purple or pink flowers with an orange throat are collected in large, loose, pleasantly smelling brushes. After flowering, long and thin fruits are formed in the form of pods.

Catalpa landing and care in the suburbs

Planting a catalpa and caring for it is not much different from any other ornamental tree. Catalpa seedlings can be purchased from a nursery or grown from seeds on your own. It is necessary to plant a young tree in a garden plot in the spring, before the sap flow begins, or in the fall, when the trees shed their leaves.

To land a catalpa, you need to find a site with good illumination, which will be closed from winds and drafts. This is necessary because the tree has an extremely fragile leaf cover, which is easily injured during gusts of wind and strong drafts.

It will also be a plus if the groundwater on the site is as deep underground as possible. Catalpa loves space very much, so a distance of at least 5 meters must be kept between a young plant and other trees.

Planting catalpa in spring

The landing pit should be 100 centimeters deep and 70 centimeters wide. Drainage in the form of crushed stone or broken brick should be laid at the bottom of the pit. The thickness of the drainage layer should be about 15 centimeters.

When the drainage is laid, soil is poured on it, a little more than half the pit in volume. Then a tree is placed in the substrate, having previously straightened the roots. The remaining void is filled with soil and slightly compacted.

After the planting is completed, the tree is watered abundantly. It is necessary to ensure that, after absorbing moisture, the root neck descends to the level of the soil surface. Also, the trunk circle should be mulched with peat or straw.

Campsis is also a member of the Bignoniaceae family. It is grown during planting and care in the open field without much hassle, if you follow the rules of agricultural technology. You can find all the necessary recommendations for growing and caring for this vine in this article.

Watering the catalpa

Catalpa loves water very much, so watering should be systematic and carried out once a week. In the dry season, it is increased to two times. If the tree does not have enough moisture, its foliage will lose its elasticity and sag. To water an adult tree, you need to use 20 liters at a time.

If the summer is cool and rainy, watering should be reduced to twice a month. The same amount of watering is necessary for a mulched catalpa. After making water under a tree or after rains, the earth around the trunk should be loosened, while simultaneously removing weeds. With prolonged drought, the frequency of watering should be increased.

Soil for catalpa

The soil for catalpa should consist of humus, leaf soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 3: 2: 2: 1. 7 kilograms of ash and 50 grams of phosphate rock should be added to this substrate.

Land for planting a plant should have an acidity of not more than 7.5.

Catalpa transplant

Catalpa is transplanted in two cases: if an adult tree has grown and there is not enough space for it on the site, or if it is necessary to transplant a young plant from a pot into open ground. Tree transplantation can be carried out both in spring before the start of sap flow, and in autumn, when the tree sheds foliage.

It is better to transplant a tree together with a clod of earth with which an adult tree or a young seedling grew before. The planting hole is dug to the same depth as when planting catalpa, the composition of the soil mixture also does not change. After transplanting, it is necessary to compact the soil and water the plant abundantly.

Top dressing catalpa

Fertilize the tree should be systematic. For this purpose, a solution of rotted manure diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 should be added to the soil where the catalpa grows. An adult tree needs 6 liters of such top dressing, and a young seedling needs 2 to 3 liters.

Top dressing is carried out twice a season. In the spring, nitroammophoska is introduced into the soil under the tree, and in the fall - phosphorus and potash fertilizers, since at this time the plant needs nitrogen.

Flowering catalpa

Catalpa buds appear in late March - mid-April. It all depends on which strip of Russia the tree grows in. The flowering period begins in mid-June and lasts about a month.

Catalpa flowers resemble exotic and beautiful small orchids that smell like apple flowers. The petals of the flowers have wavy edges and a white or cream hue with yellow stripes and purple dots in the throat. The size of the flowers reaches up to 7 centimeters. They are collected in large and long inflorescences, reminiscent of "candles" of chestnuts.

Catalpa pruning and shaping

Catalpa pruning is carried out in the spring, until the moment when the buds swell. When pruning, only injured, dry, frozen or damaged by diseases or pests branches are removed.

Usually, a tree is formed by creating a trunk with a height of 120 to 200 centimeters, above which the tree will branch out, forming a sprawling, low crown, consisting of 5 skeletal branches.

After a certain period of time, if necessary, the skeletal branches are shortened, and the thickening stems are removed. As a result, a dense, beautiful rounded crown with light green leaf plates is formed.

Preparing catalpa for winter

Catalpa does not tolerate cold. Young trees are especially afraid of them. For this reason, the tree should be prepared in advance for winter. For this purpose, it is necessary to wrap the trunk with burlap, and cover the soil around the tree with a thick layer of dry foliage and cover with spruce branches. Thus, it will be possible to avoid freezing of the root system. With the onset of spring, when the frosts completely stop, the tree is freed from shelter.

It should be taken into account the fact that as it grows and develops, the catalpa becomes more and more frost-resistant and tolerates winter better. The most frost-resistant variety is the ovoid catalpa, and the weakest, freezing almost to the ground, is the Aurea catalpa. However, this variety is capable of completely regrowing over the summer.

Catalpa from seeds at home

When growing catalpa from seeds, you should first stratify them. It is necessary to sow seeds in late February, early March. Before sowing, the seeds should be soaked in warm water for 12 hours. You can also sow them in the fall, but in this case, you do not need to soak the seeds.

In the prepared soil, small grooves are made into which the seeds are laid out and sprinkled with a layer of substrate. A box with seedlings is covered with a layer of film and cleaned in a lighted, warm place. The temperature for good germination of seeds should be at least 25 °.

Crops must be protected from direct sunlight, systematically watered and ventilated. Seedlings that have grown in a year can be planted in open ground when the threat of frost has passed.

Catalpa propagation by cuttings

When growing catalpa using cuttings, planting material should be harvested in July. The cuttings should be 8 centimeters long, and they must also have from 2 to 4 buds. When harvesting material for planting, you should choose an adult catalpa.

In order for the roots to appear on the cuttings, they need to be planted in the ground, which will include peat and sand, then cover the box with the cuttings with a film and put them in a warm and bright place. Hoopoe for cuttings should be the same as for seedlings. When the cuttings take root, young foliage will appear on them. Ready-made young animals can be planted in open ground in mid-May.

Diseases and pests

Catalpa is resistant to both diseases and pests. But while the tree is young and weak, it can be attacked Spanish fly . To destroy the pest, it is necessary to spray the young catalpa with the Decis or Fastak insecticide.

Also, the young plant is threatened and horntails , which settle on the trunk and in their appearance resemble hornets. They bite through the bark and lay their eggs there, and when the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on catalpa, as a result of which it weakens and dries. Mature trees are not threatened by the horntail invasion. Spraying with Actellik insecticide will help to destroy this insect.

Catalpa can get sick verticillium wilt , which primarily affects the lower part of the crown, and then covers the entire leaf cover. With verticillium, the leaves begin to turn yellow, wither and fall off. You can get rid of this disease of fungal ethology by watering with drugs such as Maxim and Rovral. The crown can be treated with "Fundazol". For prevention, the plant is sprayed with Previkur.

An exotic catalpa will decorate any garden plot, bringing originality and aesthetics to the overall landscape composition. And with proper care of the tree, it will delight for a long time with its decorative effect and unusual delicate flowers with a pleasant apple aroma.