Description of the paulownia plant, recommendations for planting and growing exotic plants in the garden, breeding rules, methods of pest and disease control, notes to gardeners, species.
Paulownia (Paulownia) can be referred to in botanical sources as the Adam's tree, and also has a pronunciation similar to transliteration - Paulownia. This representative of the flora belongs to the Paulowniaceae family of the same name, but a little earlier the plants of this genus were included in the Begnoniaceae and Norichnikovye families. The main growing area falls on the lands of the East, namely Japan, China, Korea and Vietnam. Such plantings are also found in the European region, which includes not only Western European countries, but Russia and Ukraine, as well as the Caucasus. Paulownia can also grow on the North American continent. The genus itself has only seven varieties.
| Family name | Paulownia |
| Growing period | Perennial |
| Vegetation form | Tree-like |
| Breeding method | Seed or vegetative (by cuttings or root shoots) |
| Landing period in open ground | Disembarkation is carried out in the spring or with the arrival of September |
| Landing rules | The distance between seedlings is not closer than 1 m |
| Priming | Clay, drainage recommended |
| Soil acidity values, pH | 5, 5–8, 5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline), but optimal 6, 5 (neutral) |
| Lighting degree | Open and sunny place |
| Humidity parameters | Watering abundantly 2 times a week, while the plant is young, adults water minimally |
| Special care rules | Does not tolerate waterlogging of soil and sea salty air |
| Height values | Usually 5-9 m, occasionally reaching 25 m |
| Inflorescence shape or type of flowers | Pyramidal paniculate inflorescences |
| Flower color | Pale purple or whitish |
| Flowering time | Spring, for 1, 5 months |
| Decorative period | Spring-autumn |
| Application in landscape design | In gardens and parks as a tapeworm |
| USDA zone | 5–9 |
The name of this plant was given by German botanists Philip Franz von Siebold (1796-1866) and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini (1797-1848). Both of these scientists decided to do something nice to the daughter of the Russian Emperor Paul I, Anna, but since there was already a clan bearing the name Anna, it was decided to use the middle name of the crowned person - patronymic. Because of the leaf plates that resemble a huge human palm, the plant is called the Adam tree, in China it bears the nickname Dragon tree, and in Japan - the Imperial tree.
All paulownia species have a tree-like shape, while the height values can vary from 9-15 m, but some specimens reach 25 m. The plant is deciduous, characterized by a straight trunk. It has a branched root with a rod-like shape. It can reach a depth of about 4.5–6 m, which helps to obtain moisture during dry periods. Branches and leaves on them form a spreading extensive crown. Its width can be 6 m across. In this case, the girth of the trunk is measured at 1, 1–1, 5 m. It has a greenish tint, while the tree is young, but gradually takes on a greenish-brown color.
Particularly attractive are leaf blades, which are large and pubescent on both sides. Their length is 30 cm, and their width is 25 cm. The outlines of the leaves are entire, they have a division into three lobes or deep teeth. Stipules do not grow. The foliage is attached to the shoots by means of elongated pleasant green petioles. The arrangement of leaves on the ropes is opposite. They are painted in a rich green hue.
Curious
The growth rate of paulownia exceeds that of all other tree-like representatives of the flora, and already having crossed the 8–9-year boundary, the plant's wood fully reaches maturity. For a year, the increase can be almost 1.5 m.
When flowering, which occurs in spring and lasts for 1, 5 months, paulownia is decorated with paniculate inflorescences of a pyramidal shape, composed of flowers with petals of a pale purple or whitish shade. Inside the rim, the center takes on a yellow color scheme. Flowers have a large calyx with a bell-shaped shape can reach 20–30 cm. Inflorescences crown the tops of the shoots. Curiously, the flowers open before the leaves unfold on the branches. When flowering is in full swing, a pleasant fragrant aroma is heard near the tree.
After pollination, the formation of fruits occurs, which are egg-shaped capsules. They may not fly around and so remain intact on the branches until the next summer season. The capsules are filled with small seeds, characterized by the presence of wings, which allows them to be carried by the wind.
The plant is nevertheless distinguished by its thermophilicity and it makes sense to cultivate it in the south of Russia and the southern regions of Ukraine, as well as in neighboring countries. This giant tree shows its growth well on the southern coast of Crimea, and in the Caucasus. But a plant planted in more northern regions in winter can be exposed to frost.
Curious
Due to the fact that paulownia is famous for soft wood, suitable for making musical instruments, but also for other household items, it was customary in Japanese lands that when a female baby was born, this tree was planted. When the girl was going down the aisle, the craftsmen made a chest from the wood of the plant, in which her dowry was placed.
Since the Adam tree is considered a long-liver, some of its specimens reach a hundred years of age, then with their outlines they can successfully decorate a garden or park for a long time.
Planting Tips for Paulownia - Outdoor Growing
- Landing place the dragon tree should be selected open so that the sun's rays fall on the crown from all directions. Only partial shading is allowed. The proximity of groundwater is undesirable. It is important to take care of protection from sudden gusts of wind, since the trunk of young plants is not strong enough and can break off.
- Soil for paulownia it is required to pick up well-drained or sandy. Although the plant is not particularly picky about any substrate. The recommended acidity index is in the range of 5–8, 9 pH, that is, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. But it is best when the soil is neutral with a pH of 6, 5. If the soil on the site is clayey, heavy and has a large amount of clay in itself, then the plant will not be able to develop normally in it due to the fact that water and air will not penetrate to the root system. The Adam tree may even die then.
- Planting paulownia. For this, it is recommended spring or autumn time, when the seedling is one year old. In order to plant a plant, you should dig a hole with parameters 60x60x60 cm or more if the root system has grown, and the soil on the site is depleted. Usually they try to make the depression 3-4 cm larger than the volume of the root system with the earthen clod of the imperial tree. The pit is covered with a soil mixture consisting of garden soil and peat moss. A recess is made in the center of the hole and a seedling is installed there. The root collar of the seedling should be flush with the substrate. The soil around the seedling is squeezed lightly and very carefully. The plant is watered with water and wait until it is completely absorbed. Since the plant is rather large, the distance between the seedlings should be at least 100 cm.
- Watering when caring for paulownia, it is carried out when the substrate is completely dry. Moistening is performed abundantly so that the soil is deeply saturated with moisture. If the weather is hot and dry, then watering is carried out 2-3 times a week. While the seedlings of the Adam's tree are still young, then this irrigation regime should be maintained at normal temperature. But as the roots grow older and deepen, the specimen will need less and less moisture. It is the deep moistening of the soil that will ensure that the roots begin to grow downward. If, on the site, watering is carried out using a sprinkler system, that is, surface irrigation of the soil occurs, then all the root canes of the Adam's tree over time will begin to develop precisely in the part close to the surface and subsequently this can become a problem. With deep watering, when the substrate is moistened down enough, the roots will rush there and the garden area will remain clean. When watering, it is impossible to allow both waterlogging of the soil and its complete drying, otherwise the immunity of the dragon tree will decrease. You can use the following rules when caring for paulownia. When a tree is 1-3 years old, then every 10 days it is watered with a bucket of water (about 10 liters). An adult specimen will need 15–20 liters of water every 14 days.
- Fertilizers for paulownia, it is recommended to apply after planting throughout the year containing a large amount of nitrogen in its composition. This will help the growth of deciduous mass and the development of shoots. Preparations are poured into water for irrigation every 7 days. Such agents can be ammonium nitrate or urea. It can be noted that top dressing is not a prerequisite for growing an imperial tree, but if you carry out such care, it will respond with rapid growth and beauty. Many gardeners recommend using chicken manure or crushed peat. These drugs are applied both in the spring and autumn. The imperial tree responds well to vermicompost.
- Pruning for an Adam's tree, it is not a mandatory procedure, since the crown is branchy and forms beautiful outlines without assistance. But if you want to give it special contours, then in the spring, before the juices move, you can cut off branches that have frozen over the winter, dried out or growing in the middle of the crown of the shoots.
- The use of paulownia in landscape design. It is clear that due to the size of the tree, it will not work like a regular garden plant. You can plant in parks to create extensive shade. On the garden plot, the Adam's tree can be placed as a tapeworm in the central part or so that benches for rest can be placed under it. Also, a dragon tree can be planted next to a gazebo or a house to protect buildings from the scorching sun rays.
Read more about planting and caring for tamarix outdoors.
Breeding rules for paulownia
To propagate the imperial tree, it is recommended to use seed and vegetative methods. The latter includes grafting or jigging root shoots.
Reproduction of paulownia using seeds
When autumn comes, the seeds from the capsules begin to spill out and, thanks to the lionfish, the wind picks them up, carrying them long distances from the mother plant. It is important to have time to collect the seed before it flies away. You can put gauze bags on the fruits, where the seeds will fall when the capsules are opened. Before sowing, they are engaged in seed germination.
Germinate seeds in two ways:
- Using a napkin. A small plastic container with a lid is used here. The bottom is covered with an ordinary napkin (its density should be low) and carefully sprayed from a spray bottle. A little seed is spread on it, which is also moistened. The container is covered with a lid and placed in the vegetable compartment in the refrigerator (the temperature there is only 0-5 degrees). When a couple of days have passed, the container is moved for 10 days to the windowsill, which is well illuminated by the sun. It is recommended to lift the lid of the container every couple of days. When 10-14 days have passed, you can see that the seeds have hatched and then they are planted in pots. The soil is used peat-sand, on the surface of which sprouted seeds are carefully distributed and only slightly powdered with the same substrate. Then humidification is performed. Seeds are sown in autumn so that by June they have seedlings ready for transplantation. When the germinated seeds are moved, they are not “removed” from the napkin, but moved on it.
- Sowing directly into the pot. To do this, it is recommended to take a planting container and fill it with peat-sandy soil. Then watered enough to turn the soil into a "swamp". Seeds are laid out on top of this soil mixture and the pot is covered with transparent plastic wrap. Water must be poured into the pot so that it remains there for 10 days. Care for such crops is carried out for 10-14 days, every two removing the film to ventilate and remove condensation from it. The disadvantage of this method is that if there is a lot of water and it is not absorbed in 2 weeks, then the seeds will simply rot. As soon as the first shoots of paulownia appear, the shelter is removed every day for airing for 15–20 minutes, but over time this period is increased.
When the seedlings of the Adam's tree grow up a little, then they are dived into separate pots with the same soil. But this is not earlier than 7-10 days will pass. Care at this time consists in spraying the soil when it begins to dry out. The transplant is performed very carefully so as not to injure the young, fragile root system.
Important
Sowing paulownia seeds should be carried out immediately after they are collected or purchased, because after six months their germination will be lost.
Propagation of paulownia by cuttings
This method is simpler and faster. It is recommended to cut blanks from the tops of the shoots from the parent tree. For slicing, August or autumn time is suitable. The length of the cutting should be about 5-8 cm. The lower cut is treated with a rooting stimulator (for example, Kornevin or Heteroauxin) and the branch is planted in a separate pot filled with nutrient soil (you can take the same one as for seed propagation). Deepening is carried out in such a way that the upper cut of the workpiece does not rise above the surface of the substrate by more than 2–3 cm. You can put a glass jar or a cut plastic bottle on top.
The care itself includes airing and moisturizing the soil. If the shoots on the cuttings reach 10 cm, then only one is left so that it continues its development, the rest must be removed. When rooting has completely passed and a new spring has come, it will be possible to transplant the seedlings into open ground.
Reproduction of paulownia by root shoots
This method is quite rare, since the root system does not differ in a high degree of branching, and also has a slow growth rate, so it happens that root processes are not formed. But if, nevertheless, you are lucky enough to see additional shoots suitable for transplanting, originating from the root system, then you can excavate them and perform separation from the parent specimen. The roots are cut with a pointed shovel or garden tool. This operation is best done in the spring or fall. A seedling of a rhinestone is cut with crushed charcoal and planted in a prepared place in the garden.
Pest and disease control methods for growing paulownia
Although the plant is not too capricious, but if the rules of agricultural technology are often violated when caring for the Adam tree, namely the soil is constantly in a flooded waterlogged state, then this can give rise to diseases of fungal origin. Nimi can act as gray rotand powdery mildew (linen or ash):
- in the first case, the leaves begin to become covered with a grayish bloom, which resembles a fluff, but if you do not fight the disease, then in such places the leaf plate begins to soften and rot;
- with ash, some leaves are covered with a layer that resembles a dried, whitish lime solution, leading to yellowing of the leaves and their discharge.
To fight, you need to remove all affected parts, treat with fungicidal preparations, for example, Bordeaux liquid or Fundazol. After all, it is imperative to align the irrigation regime. If possible, then a transplant is performed with the removal of decayed root shoots into a disinfected substrate. In the old place, all the soil is watered for disinfection with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.
Important
To avoid fungal diseases, before planting seedlings, the soil is treated with biofungicides (for example, Trichodermin or Fitosporin), which help prevent the growth of fungi. Most often, it is young seedlings that are exposed to such a defeat, since their immunity is still very small.
Pests that can harm the imperial tree are scabbard or aphid:
- The first insect can be identified by the appearance on the reverse side of the leaf plates of small tubercles of a light brown hue, as well as a sticky substance - honeydew, waste products. The leaves then begin to turn yellow and gradually deform, which will lead to their dropping.
- The second small bugs will actively suck out useful substances from the leaves and can even destroy the plant, if measures are not taken in time, again you can see a sticky bloom. Aphids are often a carrier of viral diseases that cannot be treated, therefore, the pest must be destroyed immediately.
In addition, the fall can lead to the development of such a serious disease as black fungus, the fight against which will not be quick. It is recommended for getting rid of harmful insects, treatment with folk non-chemical agents or insecticidal preparations of a wide spectrum of action, such as, for example, Actellik, Karbofos or Aktara. To solve the problem, you can use a soap solution based on laundry soap or a tincture of garlic gruel or onion peel.
Important
You can never treat paulownia with an insecticide from weeds, otherwise the plant may even die, but if it remains alive, then it cannot be avoided severe damage.
Notes for gardeners about the paulownia tree
The wood of this plant is famous for its very high growth rates, as well as lightness, resistance to fire (due to the low content of resins), the presence of large quantities of tannins, which protect the material from harmful insects, has high acoustics and excellent insulation. Therefore, paulownia is deservedly popular with craftsmen who make not only furniture, but also musical instruments, souvenirs, sports equipment and crafts. And also in more serious areas, such as aircraft and shipbuilding, the specified wood material is used. Traditional Japanese dwellings often have a significant amount of imperial timber structures.
The rapid growth rates, as well as the activity of the development of the root system, did not go away from the attention of gardeners. Planting from such trees helps to prevent erosion on fertile substrates, and stimulates their recovery in a very short time from fires, due to mudflows or landslides, or other destruction caused by nature. In addition, the roots of the Adam's tree help to cleanse the substrate from heavy metal salts. Since the leaves are quite large in size, a large number of them that have fallen on the ground will, rotting, enrich it with nutritious organic matter.
It is recommended to plant paulownia in city parks, not only for landscaping purposes, but also for shading and the formation of coolness, which can be provided by a crown of giant leaves. In addition, a large area of sheet plates helps to purify the surrounding air, which is invariably useful in polluted areas of the city from burning and soot.
In oriental folk medicine and pharmaceuticals, healers actively used the medicinal properties of paulownia. Thus, the extract prepared from the foliage helped to establish the work of the gallbladder and liver, and eliminated lung diseases. With the help of seeds, you can get technical oil. It is said that in ancient times, in order to safely transport precious porcelain items, seed was poured in the middle.
The plant is not only a source of valuable wood, but also an excellent honey plant. At the same time, the honey of the dragon tree eliminates diseases of the respiratory tract. Its medicinal properties are similar to acacia.
Description of the species and varieties of paulownia
Although the number of representatives in the family is small, not all of them have earned recognition from gardeners. The most commonly grown ones are described below:
Paulownia fargesii
represented by a tree-like deciduous plant, which is characterized by a spreading crown of an ovoid or conical shape. The height of the trunk reaches 20 m. Shoots are colored in shades ranging from purple to grayish brown. Convex lentils are clearly visible on the branches. The surface of the branches has pubescence, which disappears over time.
When blooming, buds open, the petals of which have a pale purple (occasionally whitish) shade. A little later or rarely, simultaneously with them, large leaf plates unfold. The length of the petiole with which the leaf is attached to the shoot can be 11 cm. The outlines of the leaves vary from ovoid-cordate to ovoid. The length of the leaf plate reaches 20 cm and may be greater. On the upper side, the leaf has moderate pubescence or is almost naked, the underside is characterized only by slight pubescence. With the arrival of autumn, the foliage flies around, covering the soil under the tree with a thick layer.
The panicle inflorescence takes the shape of a wide cone, its length can reach 1 m. The calyx of the flower is inversely conical and its diameter is 2 cm. The corolla is made up of white petals decorated with grooves of a violet tone, or their color is completely purple. The corolla is bell-shaped, it reaches 5, 5–7, 5 cm in length, the surface is pubescent. The length of the stamens varies from 2 to 2.5 cm.
After pollination of flowers, fruits ripen, which have the form of a box with an elliptical or ovoid-elliptical shape. The length of the capsule reaches 3-4 cm, the fruit is characterized by a thin pericarp. The capsules are filled with small oblong seeds. The diameter of the seed is 5–6 mm, where the wing is included.
The territory of natural distribution falls on the eastern lands, which include China and Vietnam. Due to the low frost resistance (only up to -20 degrees), it is not possible to grow in the northern regions.
Paulownia fortunei
also a tree-like perennial, the foliage of which flies around in the fall. The straight trunk grows up to 30 m, the crown has a conical shape, its diameter can be measured about 2 m. Its covering bark has a grayish-brown color. When the branches are young, as well as inflorescences and fruit-capsules are characterized by yellowish-brown pubescence. The length of the leaf petiole reaches 12 cm, the leaf plate has narrowed ovoid-cordate outlines, sometimes the contour becomes ovoid-cordate. The length of the sheet can be 20 cm. Its upper side is always naked.
During flowering, semi-cylindrical narrowed or elongated panicle inflorescences are formed from the buds. Their length reaches 25 cm. The surface of the peduncle is bare. The calyx has an inverse conical shape, is 2–2.5 cm long. The petals that make up the corolla can be white, pale purple or violet. The outline of the corolla is tubular-funnel-shaped, with a length not exceeding 8–12 cm.
The fruit ripening after pollination of flowers looks like a box filled with seeds with wings. The shape of the capsule is elongated or elongated-elliptical, with a length of 6–10 cm. The parameters of the wall thickness of the woody pericarp are 3–6 mm. The diameter of the seeds is not more than 6–10 mm, including the winglet.
In nature, the species can be found in China, Vietnam, Laos and Taiwan, preferring mountain slopes, forests or valleys in the mountains, located at an altitude of no more than 2000 m above sea level.
Paulownia elongata
also found under the name Paulownia is elongated. It is represented by a tree, the height of which does not exceed 10 m. The outlines at the crown are wide-conical. The color of young shoots is brownish, they are covered with convex lenticels. The leaves are ovoid-heart-shaped. They can exceed the length parameters in width, or be slightly smaller. The surface of the upper part of the leaf is bare, and its reverse side is characterized by densely growing hairs. The shape of the leaves is solid or there is a slight division into lobes. There is a sharpening at the top.
When flowering, the length of the inflorescence will be 30 cm. The shape of the inflorescence is paniculate. The corolla has funnel-bell-shaped outlines. The length of the corolla does not exceed 7–9.5 cm with a width of about 4–5 cm. The corolla is composed of 5 petals, the color of which includes a pale pinkish or violet hue. The fruit is an egg-shaped box.
Natural growth and cultivation mainly falls on Chinese territories, while there is no way to specify the province for sure, since the cultivation area is quite wide.
Felt paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa)
often found under the name Imperial tree … The height of the plant can vary within 15–20 m, but some specimens reach 25 m. The diameter of the straight trunk is 0.6 m, but sometimes it reaches up to a meter. The crown has spreading outlines, while its shape can take both a rounded and an ovoid contour. In large leaf plates, the length varies within 20-30 cm. But if the plant is growing strongly, then this value approaches half a meter. The upper side is pubescent, the back also has pubescence resembling felt. The outlines of the leaf can be cordate or broadly ovate, there is a sharpening at the apex, the edge is smooth, and occasionally there is a division into 3 lobes. The leaves unfold rather late, but they do not fall off for a very long time.
Inflorescences formed from buds have a paniculate shape and a length of about 30 cm. The flowers in them are fragrant, painted in a pale purple hue. The diameter at full disclosure is 6 cm. At the end of the summer period, new flower buds are laid, which, after overwintering, open in the spring months. In this case, the flowering process can occur simultaneously with the unfolding of the leaf plates or precede them.
The fruit looks like a box, with a broad-ovate contour. The seeds in it are rather small, so it is estimated that the box fills 1200–3000 of them. If we talk about their weight, then 1000 seeds does not exceed 0.15 grams.
The lands of China are recognized as a natural habitat, but today the variety is cultivated on the North American continent, in European countries, in Korea and Japan, and is found on the Black Sea coast and the Caucasus.
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Video about growing paulownia:
