Dogwood is one of the most picky bushes. For its breeding, you do not need to specially select the soil, it survives frosts and droughts well. But, like any plant, it still requires attention.
Dogwood - planting and care at the cottage
How to plant dogwood?
The best place for shrubs is the border of the site. About four meters should be retreated from it. If the soil is fertile black earth - between the trees there should be a space of at least 5-6 meters. With poorer soil, you can plant a little closer - 4 m. Shrubs that grow too close will soon grow so large that the crown covers the fruit from the sun, which affects their ripening.
Dogwood is planted on prepared soil in early spring, when the buds have not yet blossomed. If the weather conditions are favorable, you can do this in the fall, but only in the first half. Sprouts need to be well watered and produce hilling. In this case, the plant will take root perfectly and will tolerate winter. The pit into which the dogwood is going to be planted should be 80 - 100 cm in diameter and with a depth of about 80 cm. It is not superfluous to add organic dressing for the plant. Watering is carried out with the calculation of up to 40 liters of water per bush. Do not forget to cut the shoots to balance the aerial and root parts.
How to care for dogwood
There are no special instructions in this regard. A shrub, like any other plant, needs timely watering, top dressing, and pulling out weeds. Slight shading has a good effect on dogwood growth. It is recommended to fertilize young seedlings with phosphorus and potash fertilizers. The first are perfect for autumn dressing, and the second - for spring.
For a better harvest, in the early years, the bush needs to be trimmed a little, forming a crown. The stamp of seedlings should reach 50-70 cm and have about 6 skeletal branches. The shoots that are below should be removed. Further, only broken and interwoven branches should be trimmed.
What does dogwood need for effective growth?
Although this is an unpretentious plant, it is best taken root on soils with a light mechanical composition. An excellent choice is the south and south-west side, where the soil is evenly warmed up and illuminated. This will help the dogwood to develop powerful roots. Groundwater should pass at a distance of not less than one and a half meters. The soil must contain calcium. To plant well pollinated, it is recommended to plant several varieties at once. For propagation, use green cuttings.
Useful properties of dogwood
Useful properties of this fruit can not be counted right away, let us dwell on the most basic ones.
This plant is one of the leaders in the content of vitamin C. In addition, the fruits have glucose, fructose, organic acids, pectins, essential oil, magnesium, potassium, calcium. The product can be used both raw and used to prepare various dishes, preserves, fruit drinks, fruit drinks, wine, liquors, and used as a seasoning.
The unique composition of dogwood makes it possible to consider it an antibacterial and antifungal agent. In medicine, he is considered an excellent assistant in the fight against diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. To do this, make tinctures with berries and leaves or grind fruits with honey. Cornel jelly is an excellent remedy for treating diarrhea in children. Also, this plant treats diseases of the skin, liver, kidneys, colds and problems with the urinary system. If patients with diabetes mellitus follow the recommendations for consuming dogwood juice, they will notice a significant improvement in well-being. Do you have headaches? You need to brew the fruits of dogwood and make lotions from the broth.The same remedy will cure problem joints. An ordinary cold is also afraid of the fruits of this shrub, as, among other useful properties, it is also an excellent antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.
Even if you do not need the “medical” help of dogwood, plant it in your personal plot. It is not difficult to take care of him, but you can regularly replenish the supply of vitamins and other necessary substances in the body.
Growing a shrub in your own garden is much more practical and economical than buying already ripened fruits in a market or in a store. Indeed, you will be sure of their quality.
And on our website you can find out how to grow oak from an acorn at home.
Vadim Yurievich
A good, supervitamin plant, and not only in the berries themselves is useful, but also in the leaves, too. I periodically “wind up” my dogwood bush with dolomite, the clay soil is ours.