Ptelea
Ptelea (lat. Ptelea) is a genus of deciduous shrubs and low-growing trees of the Rutaceae family. Other names are elm or leather. The genus includes 10 species. Natural range: North America and Mexico.
Ptelea is an excellent honey plant; it is also highly valued for its decorative properties.
Characteristics of culture
Ptelea is a shrub or tree up to 6-8 m high with a sparse crown and powerful grayish branches. Young shoots are pubescent, reddish-brown in color. The leaves are dense, glossy, alternate, glandular, petiolate, have a pronounced odor, and consist of 3-5 sessile leaflets of ovoid or elliptical oval shape.
The flowers are unisexual, greenish-white or gray-green, with a specific odor, collected in paniculate inflorescences located in the axils of the upper leaves and at the ends of the branches. The calyx consists of 4-6 sepals and quickly falls off. The fruit is an oblong lionfish, usually yellow in color, has a hop smell, and contains 2-3 seeds.
Ptelea is relatively frost-resistant. The most cold-resistant species is considered to be the three-leaved ptelaea (lat. Ptelea trifoliata), so it is widespread in the Urals and Siberia. Despite the fact that the shrubs often freeze slightly in harsh winters, they actively bloom and bear fruit throughout the growing season.
Among the decorative forms of ptelei are also noted:
*Pentaphylla — shrubs with leaves consisting of five leaflets;
*Fastigiata — shrubs with a pyramidal crown;
*Glauca — shrubs with gray-green leaves, pubescent over the entire surface.
No less interesting in garden landscaping: Ptelea serrata (lat. Ptelea serrata) — is a shrub up to 3. 5 m high with complex trifoliate leaves; shiny ptelea (lat. Ptelea nitens) is a shrub up to 3 m high with yellowish-brown shoots and compound leaves consisting of 3-5 rhombic-lanceolate leaves.
Subtleties of cultivation and reproduction
Ptelea is a light-loving plant and needs good lighting for normal growth and development. Accepts light shade. Soils are preferred fertile, moist, neutral. Saline, swampy, highly acidic soils are not suitable for the crop. Ptelea can easily withstand short-term drought and lack of moisture.
Ptelea is most often propagated by seeds. Germination rate is low, only 10-20%. Seeds need preliminary stratification for 3-4 months. Cuttings are also acceptable, but this procedure causes many problems. The rooting rate of ptelea is 5-8%. Ptelea seedlings are planted in the spring; the optimal distance between plants is 2-3 m.
Care
The bird does not require special care. Systematic watering, weeding and loosening are important. Fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers is encouraged. The ptelea tolerates rejuvenating and sanitary pruning without problems and recovers quickly.
Usage
Ptelea is actively used in landscaping personal plots, both in single plantings and in the formation of decorative groups. Thunberg barberry, bush tea, Ottawa barberry, some coniferous and perennial flower crops can become excellent allies of the pteleya.
