What is rowan how much. Rowan is a shrub or tree, a description of the rowan. The meaning of rowan in ancient rites

Mountain ash (Sorbus) is a genus of deciduous trees or shrubs of the Rosaceae family. The leaves are alternate, pinnate to lobed and entire. Large, numerous white flowers at the ends of the branches are organized in dense corymbose inflorescences, emitting a bright specific aroma. The fruits are 2-5-celled, spherical, resembling a small red apple with small seeds.

About 50 (according to other sources, about 100) species distributed in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere. The most important is the mountain ash (sorbus aucuparia) - a tree or shrub with a smooth gray bark. Its leaves are pinnate, the flowers are white, the fruits are spherical, red, serve as food for birds.

Species with simple whole or lobed leaves are often isolated into separate genera. Common in culture, chokeberry (originally from North America), as a rule, is attributed to a special genus of chokeberry. Propagated by seeds (species mountain ash), cuttings (varietal mountain ash), grafting a dormant bud or cuttings.

In nature, there are many varieties of mountain ash. More precisely, about 190, and a third of them grow on the territory of the former Soviet Union. Rowan is also quite common in Europe, Asia and North America. The most famous is Sorbus aucuparia or mountain ash, which grows wild in forests and gardens throughout the European part of Russia. In the southern regions of the country, the Crimean large-fruited mountain ash (Sorbus domestica) is bred, whose pear-shaped fruits contain almost twice as much sugar as the fruits of the common mountain ash, and reach a size of 3.5 centimeters in diameter.

For a long time, rowan was endowed with magical properties. She played an important role in the magical practices and beliefs of the ancient Celts, Scandinavians and Slavs. Once upon a time, it was believed that crosses made of rowan twigs, tied with red thread, sewn to clothes, protect against witchcraft and the evil eye and provide assistance during military battles. Clusters of mountain ash were hung at the entrance to dwellings and cattle pens, it was customary to cover the shoes of newlyweds with rowan leaves, it was rowan groves that grew in the sacred places of the ancient gods. Perhaps such a special attitude to the mountain ash was due to the unusual shape of the underside of the rowan berry - the shape of an equilateral five-pointed star, considered in ancient pagan cults to be a powerful symbol of protection.

Rowan - bitter. Only until the first frost. After them, the sorbic acid glycoside, which is unpleasant for taste, is destroyed, and the fruits cease to be bitter. Some varieties of mountain ash, for example, Nevezhinsky, have a sweetish taste even before cold weather.

Rowan fruits are red. In fact, among the various types of mountain ash, you can find trees with scarlet, pink, orange (mixed mountain ash), cream (Wilmore mountain ash), yellow (Joseph Rock mountain ash), white (cashmere mountain ash) and brown fruits. Especially often such a variety of colors is found among narrow-leaved decorative mountain ash.

Rowan is contraindicated in pregnancy. And also when breastfeeding infants. It is not recommended to use mountain ash and people over 45 years old.

Among the varieties of mountain ash, the chokeberry is found. In fact, this is not entirely true, since "chokeberry" is a special variety of chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) bred by Michurin, which differs from mountain ash in its set of chromosomes.

From the fruits of mountain ash, you can cook many different dishes. Jam, jam, marshmallow, marmalade, jelly, jelly, tincture, liquor, syrup, kvass, vinegar, coffee and tea surrogates - this is not a complete list of what can be prepared using rowan fruits. Among other things, the latter are also consumed fresh, soaked and pickled. Powder obtained from dried rowan berries can be used as a filling for pies.

Rowan fruits have an antiseptic effect. More precisely, this effect is endowed with sorbic acid contained in rowan berries. In addition, rowan fruits contain about 8 percent of sugars, various trace elements, organic acids and vitamins, among which ascorbic acid should be highlighted.

Rowan fruits are used in folk medicine. As a hemostatic, diaphoretic, diuretic - fruits, flowers and leaves, choleretic, antiscorbutic (decoction of leaves and fruits), laxative and multivitamin (decoction of fruits). Unripe rowan has an antidiarrheal effect (it is enough to eat about 50 fruits). Fresh leaves of this plant are used as an antifungal drug (grind and applied to the affected areas for about a day). Infusions of rowan fruits are also useful for heavy menstruation (2 tablespoons of berries per half liter of boiling water). Vitamin drink with dry rowan berries improves complexion.

For the winter, you can harvest both fresh and dried rowan. In the first case, the berries (without tearing them off the stalks) are blanched for five minutes, placed in sterile jars and poured with boiling apple juice or well washed and dried, placed in the freezer, in the second, the berries are dried in air or in an open oven.

Rowan leaves are able to turn "dead" water into "living" water. It is known that in ancient times, Russian explorers insisted on stagnant and even marsh water on rowan leaves. With the help of natural phytoncides, rowan leaves disinfected poor quality water, and after two hours it was already drinkable.

Rowan is a low-value fruit tree. In fact, this is considered to be due to the widespread and rather mediocre quality of rowan fruits. It is often bred as an ornamental tree.

Rowan wood is used for construction work. In ancient times, spindles, runes and staves were made from durable and resilient rowan wood.

Rowan grows well in any soil. However, the most suitable for it is light and fertile land with good drainage. Rowan is not afraid of cold and wind, prefers sunny or, in extreme cases, semi-shady places.

Sorbus (common mountain ash) represents deciduous tree or shrub having a shallow root system. This plant is very tall, and sometimes reaches 20 meters in height. The bark of the trunk is gray, smooth. The leaves of the plant are alternate, oblong, young - pubescent, and later - naked. White or pink fragrant flowers are collected in an inflorescence - panicle. The rowan fruit is a juicy globular berry that comes in red or orange. Inside the fruit there are red seeds, sharp at the ends. The flowering of mountain ash falls on the month of May-June. The fruits ripen from early to mid-autumn. The tree bears fruit only in the 5th year of life.

The modest beauty rowan adorns parks and gardens in spring with carved leaves and caps of white flowers. In autumn, the tree is strewn with bright, tight clusters of berries. Throughout the winter, the tree serves as a natural bird feeder for birds remaining in their native places for the time of cold weather.

Rowan is planted in gardens as an ornamental plant and fruit crop. Propagated by seeds and cuttings. Many varieties of large-fruited mountain ash with a high sugar content have been bred. For decorative purposes, varieties with beautiful carved leaves are used.

Despite the apparent fragility mountain ash is a strong and durable tree. Previously, fishermen made rods from rowan rods, knowing about its flexibility and elasticity. Baskets were woven from rowan branches, and thicker ones were used for hoops for barrels. In addition, various crafts were made from wood; the strength of rowan allows you to carve the most bizarre patterns on it.

Berries have found a variety of uses in cooking. Jam, jams, jelly and other sweets are made from mountain ash. In Russia, rowan wine was known, which was considered healing and was used mainly with loss of strength. And fresh berries laid with hay were stored until the very spring and delighted the village children.

Rowan is harvested for livestock and birds. Berries contain a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. In addition, mountain ash is a good honey plant.

Rowan has found medical use in different countries. Its main properties are high-vitamin, hemostatic and diuretic. It was also used in diseases of the liver and kidneys. For scurvy, rowan is used in India. Rowan fruits are recommended for cardiovascular diseases: arrhythmias, hypertension and others.

Rowan is considered a sacred tree by many peoples. It was believed that it could not be cut and, moreover, burned in the house. Rowan planted around the house served as a talisman against lightning. The tree was usually dedicated to the local god of thunder (in Russia - Perun).

Rowan is used mainly in protective and love magic. During the wedding, the windows of the newlyweds were decorated with clusters so that their love would be bright as rowan berries and strong as its branches.

Everyone knows mountain ash - a tree without which it is hard to imagine a front garden at a house, a shady corner of a park, an alley on a city boulevard. However, mountain ash, along with the characteristics of its growth, as well as the beneficial and medicinal properties of this plant, are still a secret for many.

Description of mountain ash

The first word in the Latin name of the mountain ash - Sorbus aucuparia - means "bird". However, in our language, this is the name of another botanical species. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion, the Russian name of this plant is not a literal translation of the Latin.

Vonega, bogoroshnik, vispina, sparrow, yudik, pea, grouse - this is how mountain ash is called in different places in a popular way. This tree has been known since ancient times. It was mentioned in the works of ancient scientists, in particular Virgil and Pliny. Its fruits are edible and have been eaten in the past.

Rowan is a shrub or low tree with a height of four to fifteen meters. The bark of its trunk is usually brown-gray (in young shoots it is light gray). The leaves are pinnate in shape, they reach a length of twenty centimeters. The individual plates of which it consists are oblong and have sharp teeth along the edges.

Rowan inflorescences are small shields (up to ten centimeters in diameter), white flowers. The fruits are round, up to one and a half centimeters in diameter, bitter or tart in taste. Usually they are bright red, but sometimes the color can be yellowish or orange. They ripen, depending on the place where the mountain ash grows, mainly from September to October (less often - November).

Distribution area

Rowan refers to frost-resistant plants. It is widely distributed in northern Europe and Asia. It is known that places where mountain ash grows are sometimes found even beyond the Arctic Circle.

In the wild, these trees tend to grow singly or in small groups. Favorite habitats - slopes of ravines, glades and Rowan prefers sod-podzolic and medium loamy soils. It grows poorly on poor and sandy soils. Science has also proven that the life expectancy of mountain ash is longer with high humidity.

In large quantities, mountain ash grows in Belarus, Ukraine (Galicia, Polissya), and also in the European part of Russia. In the Baltic States, the Scandinavian countries, the Far East and Siberia, there are other species of this plant.

Features of the growth of mountain ash

During germination, the cotyledons are brought to the surface. They usually live from fifty to eighty days. Rowan begins to grow earlier than apple or pear, but blooms a week later than they do.

In the first year of life, rowan seedlings develop slowly, and from the second or third year, the shoots begin to grow vigorously. In young trees, the crowns are often pyramidal in shape, which later changes to rounded under the weight of foliage and fruits. In most species of mountain ash, apical growth predominates.

Under the forest canopy, the life expectancy of mountain ash is reduced. These trees grow best and bear fruit more abundantly in well-lit places with moderate humidity.

How long does a mountain ash live

Compared to other deciduous trees, this plant is not considered a long-liver. On average, the life expectancy of mountain ash in nature is eighty to one hundred years. Sometimes the age of individual specimens reaches one hundred - one hundred and fifty, and sometimes even up to two hundred years, but these are exceptional cases.

Less than mountain ash, only alder lives (fifty - seventy years) and domestic plum (up to sixty years).

Beneficial features

The fruits of mountain ash are recognized not only by folk, but also by official medicine. This product contains a high level of vitamins (primarily A and C), its diuretic and hemostatic effects are also known.

After the first autumn frosts, ripe rowan berries lose their bitterness, acquiring a sweetish taste. On the day of Peter and Paul - "Ryabinnikov", celebrated on September 23, our ancestors prepared healing rowan kvass, which was considered an excellent laxative and coolant, and also helps to treat various inflammations. Compotes were cooked from berries and infusions were made, which were then used in the treatment of colds, atherosclerosis, rheumatism, and heart failure.

Tea from rowan flowers and berries with the addition of mint is a good remedy for overwork.

Even today, residents of the northern regions often eat rowan berries in their raw form, as well as dry them, soak them and ferment them. This berry makes a very tasty jam, marshmallow, marmalade, jelly and jam.

It is also known that fruits and vegetables, which, when stored in cellars, were lined with rowan leaves, are stored much longer and better.

Folk omens associated with mountain ash

Knowing how long the mountain ash lives, where it grows and what healing qualities it has, we can complete its brief description with some folk signs that have been associated with it since ancient times.

It was believed that the late flowering of mountain ash portends a long autumn. And if the leaves on this tree turned yellow early, you should wait for early autumn and cold winter.

A swarm of bees buzzing around the blossoming mountain ash predicted a clear, serene next day.

When a large crop of berries was seen on these trees in the forest, it was believed that it would rain in autumn, and in winter there would be a lot of snow and cold. If the mountain ash disfigured badly, it means that autumn is destined to be dry.

If the bunches of mountain ash were covered with hoarfrost early, they believed that one should prepare for a long winter.

However, scientists note that today not all of the above signs are valid.

Sorbus aucuparia L.

Distributed in the forest and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia, Siberia and the Far East. It grows singly in the second tier of the forest, along forest glades, edges, river banks. Shade-tolerant mesophyte, microtherm, mesotroph, stable assectator of the second tier of the stand. Protected in nature reserves.

A small tree (up to 11 m) or a large shrub with alternate, pinnate leaves, dark green above, bare, lighter below, pubescent. Flowers up to 1 cm, in large corymbs. The fruits are orange-red, spherical, they remain on the branches for a long time, very decorating the walnut tree. It is frost-resistant, puts up with a slight shading, undemanding to the soil, but develops better on loose. Avoids sickness.

In GBS it grows as part of a natural oak forest. 14 samples (34 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from natural habitats, various botanical gardens and GBS reproductions. At 52, height 16.6 m, trunk diameter 31 cm. Plant grows from 18.IV±5 to 27.IX+15 for 161 days. The growth rate is average. Blossoms from 28.V±5 to 8.VI±6 for 11 days. Winter hardiness is complete. Seed viability 90%, germination rate 20%. 68% of cuttings take root when treated with a 0.01% IMC solution for 16 hours.

It has many decorative forms: according to the shape of the crown, the color and taste of the fruit, the color of the leaves, which can be successfully used in green building. These are "liqueur", "burka", "pomegranate", "Michurin dessert. A typical form, its hybrids and varieties are decorative throughout the growing season. They are very beautiful in solitary and group plantings, edges, alleys throughout Russia.

"Asplenifolia". Tree. In GBS since 1958, 1 sample (1 copy) was grown from seeds obtained from Scotland. At 34 years old, height 13.3 m, crown diameter 16 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main species. The growth rate is average The fruits ripen in August.The cuttings take root weakly.

"Copper Glow". Tree. In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (9 copies) were grown from seedlings obtained from Holland and cuttings of GBS reproduction. At 35 years old, height 3.0 m, trunk diameter 19 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main Growth rate is average Seed germination rate is 71.4% 38% of cuttings take root when treated with IMC.

"Coral Beauty". Wood. In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (2 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from Holland and reproductions of GBS. At the age of 35, the height is 9.0 m, the trunk diameter is 14 cm. The terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. The growth rate is average. Seed germination 9%. 100% of cuttings take root when processing IMC.

"Dirkenii"("Aurea"). A low tree up to 5-7 m high, grows slowly. Its young leaves are unevenly colored in light yellow. It blooms and bears fruit like an ordinary mountain ash, but weaker. When grown in an open sunny place, the leaves often "burn" tips. In GBS since 1956, 1 sample (4 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from VDNKh. At 36 years old, height 7.2 m, trunk diameter 16 cm. Terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. Growth rate medium Rooted 20% cuttings (without processing).

Rowan "Burka"

Rowan sweet or Moravian(f. edulis) - a variety of mountain ash, was discovered in the 19th century in the Sudeten Mountains of Moravia and transferred to culture because of the beautiful, tasty fruits. It grows in the form of a tree 10-12 m tall, in youth with a narrow pyramidal crown (in old age the crown is wide pyramidal). Branches of medium thickness, grey. Leaves up to 25 cm long, pinnate, non-leather, somewhat different in appearance from the leaves of other mountain ash. The leaf consists of 7-9 pairs of leaflets spaced 2-3 cm apart on a common petiole, which makes the leaves and the entire crown look openwork. Leaflets (7x2 cm) are lanceolate, with a pronounced serrated edge. Blooms 1-2 days later than other species. Inflorescence up to 15 cm across, sometimes containing up to 350 flowers. Fruits up to 1 cm in diameter, round-oval, scarlet-red, with pale orange, juicy, sweet and sour pulp. Propagated by seeds, root offspring, grafting. It deserves attention due to its high decorative qualities.

In GBS since 1951, 7 samples (10 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from various botanical gardens and reproductions of GBS. At the age of 41, height 16.8 m, trunk diameter 29 cm. The terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. The growth rate is average.

"Fastigiata". Tree. In GBS since 1960, 1 sample (2 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from Holland. Plants are 8.0 m high, crown diameter is 370 cm. Terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. Growth rate is average. Fruits The cuttings take root weakly.

var. glabrata (Hedl.) Perfil.- P.O. naked. Wood. In GBS since 1972, 3 samples (7 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from natural habitats and Nalchik. At 42 years old, height 12.0 m, trunk diameter 27 cm. The terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. The growth rate is average. Fruiting. The cuttings take root weakly.

"Maiden Blush". Tree. In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (3 copies) were grown from seedlings obtained from the Netherlands. Plants are 5.3 m high, crown diameter is 230 cm. Terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. Growth rate is average. Fruits 80% of cuttings are rooted when IMC is processed.

"Pendula". Tree. In GBS since 1947, 2 samples (7 copies) were grown from seedlings obtained from Holland and of unknown origin. Plants 7.8 m high, trunk diameter 18 cm. Terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. Growth rate medium bears fruit.

"pink queen". Tree. In GBS since 1957, 1 sample (1 copy) was grown from seeds obtained from the Netherlands. At 35 years old, height 11.5 m, trunk diameter 22 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main species. The growth rate is average 9% of cuttings take root when treated with IMC.

"red tips". Tree. In GBS since 1960, 1 sample (1 copy) was grown from seedlings obtained from the Netherlands. Plants are 4.8 m high, trunk diameter is 24 cm. The terms of phenological development coincide with the main species. Growth rate is average. Fruits Seed germination 19% 40% of cuttings take root when treated with IMC.

"Rossica". Tree. In GBS since 1978, 1 sample (4 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from Bratislava. At 14 years old, height 7.2 m, trunk diameter 11 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main species. The growth rate is average It bears fruit.The cuttings take root weakly.

"Saturejaefolia". Tree. In GBS since 1957, 1 sample (1 copy) was grown from seeds obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS. At 11 years old, height 16.0 m, trunk diameter 31 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main species. Growth rate medium fruiting, cuttings root weakly.

"Vermillion". Tree. In GBS since 1974, 1 sample (1 copy) was grown from seeds obtained from Holland. At 46 years old, height 10.0 m, trunk diameter 17 cm. The timing of phenological development coincides with the main species. The growth rate is average Seed germination rate 18% 40% of cuttings take root when treated with IMC.

From a decorative point of view, interspecific and intergeneric hybrids obtained by breeders in the 20th century are very interesting. Among them:

Mountain ash- obtained by I. V. Michurin from crossing mountain ash with chokeberry. Very winter-hardy tree with purple-black fruits, reminiscent of chokeberry. Looks good in single and avenue plantings.

Rowan pomegranate- obtained from crossing the mountain ash with large-fruited hawthorn in 1925. Tree up to 4 m tall, with simple leaves, up to 17 cm long (pinnately dissected in the lower part, solid, ovate or elliptical in the upper part), smooth, dark green, shiny, slightly pubescent. Cherry-sized fruits, burgundy in color, sweet and sour. Very winter hardy. Good in single, alley and group plantings.

Rowan "Titan"
Photo by Nadezhda Dmitrieva

Rowan Michurinskaya dessert- a hybrid of rowan liquor and German loquat. It grows as a small tree, up to 2-3 m tall, with a wide crown. The leaves are compound, pinnate, 16-18 cm long, from 6-7 pairs of light green, long (up to 8 cm) leaflets, slightly pubescent on the underside. Winter-hardy. Enters fruiting early. Fruits of medium size, dark red, somewhat reminiscent of medlar fruits in shape. Very interesting from a decorative point of view.

Rowan Burka- Obtained in 1918 from crossing the alpine ashberry with the common ashberry. Wonderful, small tree or shrub, up to 1.5-2 m tall, with a spreading, rather sparse crown, consisting of thin, skeletal branches. The leaves are simple, pinnately dissected, dark green, slightly pubescent. Flowering coincides with the timing of flowering of most mountain ash. Fruits of medium size, oval-oblong, reddish-brown, remain on trees for a long time. Decorative throughout the season.

BEAD. The tree is medium. Enters fruiting 3-4 years after planting. Harvest ripens in late August - early September. Although the fruits are not the largest (weighing up to 1.2 g), they are very juicy, they taste like cranberries, but without caustic acid. The variety is resistant to extreme weather and climatic conditions and is characterized by abundant yields.

WEFED. One of the best sweet-fruited varieties for table and dessert purposes. Differs in high winter hardiness and productivity - up to 75 kg of fruits from a plant. Tree of medium height - up to 2.5-3 meters high. Harvest ripens in the second half of August. The fruits are elegant, yellow-pink.

SUNNY. It bears fruit annually and abundantly, gives up to 90 kg of fruit per tree. The fruits are bright orange, with an original reddish blush. They are especially tasty fresh, and successful in processing - they make juice from the berries and rub them with sugar.

SORBINCA. The variety perfectly adapts to harsh climatic and soil conditions. It is winter-hardy and productive - it gives up to 120 kg of fruit per tree, ripening in late August - early September. The fruits are large (weighing 2-2.4 g), red with noticeable yellowness, good both fresh and for all types of processing

Crataesorbus x miczurinii Pojark. (Sorbus aucuparia L. x Crataegus sanguinea Pall.) - Crategsorbus Michurin, or Rowan pomegranate

In GBS since 1953, 4 samples (7 copies) were grown from seeds obtained from Noginsk (Moscow region) and reproductions of GBS. At 39 years old, height 13.0 m, trunk diameter 15 cm plant grows from mid-April to mid-September. The growth rate is average. Blooms in late May-June. The fruits ripen at the end of August. Winter hardiness is complete. Recommended for landscaping Moscow.

Photo EDSR.

Rowan is a tree of the genus Sorbus of the Rosaceae family.

Characteristics of culture

Rowan is a slender tree up to 10 meters high with light greenish-gray bark. Rowan has a spreading openwork crown and large unpaired petiolate leaves with a serrated edge. The leaves are arranged alternately, consist of 9-17 oblong leaflets.

The flowers are collected in dense multi-flowered inflorescences-shields up to 10 cm in diameter, located on shortened shoots. The calyx consists of five green sepals, the corolla is white with a diameter of 1.5 cm. Flowering begins in May-June.

The fruits of mountain ash are bright red and red-orange in color, have a spherical shape, reach 1-1.5 cm in diameter. The fruits are very juicy, have a bitter taste, ripen in August or September, depending on the variety. In addition, the berries do not fall and can hang on the branches all winter until they are pecked by birds.

Spreading

Mountain ash grows in almost all regions of the European part of Russia. The culture is bred as an ornamental plant in gardens, parks, squares and roadside plantings, in nature there are wild varieties that grow on the edges, glades, in forest ravines of mixed forests, as well as along the banks of rivers and reservoirs. Since the 20th century, the culture has been grown as a food plant.

Culture varieties

The most popular rowan varieties:

Scarlet large is a rather valuable variety of this crop. It has large fruits of red-scarlet color, visually resembles a cherry. It has a tart taste without bitterness.
Bead - the variety is represented by a low tree with ruby-red fruits that taste like cranberries. Winter-hardy, disease-resistant variety.
Vefed - the variety is represented by a low tree with orange-pink fruits, characterized by high winter hardiness.
Pomegranate - the variety is represented by a hybrid of mountain ash with hawthorn. The tree reaches 3-4 meters, the fruits are large with a sweet and sour taste without bitterness. It has high winter hardiness and good yield.
Beauty - the variety is represented by hybrids of mountain ash and pear. The tree has a pyramidal shape, the height of which reaches 6 meters. The fruits of this variety are large, oblong, bright orange-red in color with a tart taste.
Hope - the variety is represented by a short tree, with medium fruits. The variety is fast-growing and high-yielding.
Ruby - the variety is characterized by a dwarf plant, whose height is 2-2.3 m, has a spreading crown. The fruits have a dark ruby color and a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
Titan - the variety is represented by a hybrid of mountain ash, pear and red-leaved apple. A tree of medium height with a wide rounded crown, has fruits of dark red color with a bluish bloom. The variety is winter-hardy.
Sorbinka - the variety is characterized by a medium-sized tree with large yellow-red fruits with a pleasant refreshing taste. The variety is high yielding.

Growing conditions

rowan blossom

Almost all varieties of mountain ash prefer sunny places, but they can easily tolerate partial shade. The culture grows well on loamy soils, does not tolerate smoke and gas pollution, and is undemanding to other conditions. Rowan prefers high humidity, but does not tolerate waterlogging and high groundwater. There are varieties that are tolerant of dry soil, such as Finnish mountain ash.

Soil preparation and planting

Rowan can be planted both in spring and autumn. Landing pits are prepared in advance, usually 2-3 weeks before planting. They dig holes with a diameter of 80-100 cm, a depth of 50-60 cm, 1-2 buckets of humus or compost, 150-200 g of superphosphate, 60-80 g of potassium chloride or 500 g of wood ash are added to the bottom of the pit, thoroughly mixed with the topsoil .

Low-growing varieties of mountain ash are planted according to the scheme 4 × 3 m, tall ones - 6 × 5 m. Under the roots, when planting, the soil of the upper layer without fertilizers is poured, the seedlings are planted 4-5 cm deeper than the root neck. After planting, the plants are watered abundantly (two buckets per seedling), then mulching is carried out with peat or humus. For two-year-old seedlings, it is recommended to remove the skeletal branches by 1/3 of the length and shorten the central conductor so that it is 20 cm higher than the skeletal branches.

culture propagation

The culture can be propagated by cuttings, grafting and seeds. Most often, gardeners propagate mountain ash by cuttings, and decorative varieties by grafting.

Propagation by seeds is a fairly simple method, however, some garden types of mountain ash do not always retain varietal characteristics, which can lead to late fruiting. In order to prepare the seeds for planting, they are laid for a long stratification in the fall. In spring or autumn, the seeds are soaked for 3-4 hours, and sown in open ground. It is worth remembering that winter crops must be mulched with a layer of fallen leaves to prevent freezing.

Reproduction by grafting is a rather complicated process, as a rule, mountain ash is grafted onto Finnish and common mountain ash to increase resistance to adverse conditions. Also, the culture is grafted onto hawthorn, chokeberry, pear or apple. Vaccination is carried out in late July - early August with the help of budding with a "sleeping" eye.

Propagation by cuttings is very often used by gardeners, it is not laborious and does not take much time. In addition, the chance of rooting reaches 60%.

culture care

Mountain ash care is not difficult, it includes regular removal of weeds, loosening the soil near the trunk circle, pruning, watering in dry weather and pest control. In areas with severe frosts, mountain ash is recommended to cover.

Pruning is carried out in early spring, best at the end of March, but before the buds swell. To obtain a dense crown, it is formed in one of two ways. A frequently used method (cascade) is a pruning on the third or fourth upper bud of each shoot of all branching orders. To limit the growth of mountain ash in height, reducing pruning is carried out, cutting off the upper part of the plant above the selected side branch.

Diseases and pests

Rowan is resistant to various diseases and pests. Most often on the culture you can find pests such as sawflies, ticks, scoop caterpillars. Mountain ash moth, apple fruit sawfly and bark beetles can settle on rowan flowers. Birds are also pests.

Rowan moth is considered the most dangerous for a plant. The pest damages up to 20% of the rowan crop, pupae easily endure winters in the soil and fallen leaves, and butterflies appear at the very beginning of summer. A week later, the butterfly lays eggs on the upper part of the berry, from which caterpillars of a pale red color, less often gray, hatch. They penetrate deep into the fruit and gnaw out the seeds.

For the fight, it is necessary to carry out regular spraying of trees in the evening, when the mountain ash moth begins to flock. The solution is prepared from coniferous concentrate or infusion of decoctions of herbs - wormwood or burdock.