Plant Description:
Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is native to North America and can be found in the eastern regions of the United States, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia. The plant is also known by its common names, which include Round-fruited Thorn, Dodge's Hawthorn, and Kruschke's Thorn.
General Appearance:
Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke is a small, bushy shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall. Its branches are covered with prickles, and its leaves, which are divided into several lobes, have a glossy underside. The plant produces clusters of white flowers in the spring, which are followed by small, round, red berries in the fall.
Uses:
The Round-fruited Thorn has been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous people for centuries. Its leaves, flowers, and berries are thought to have properties that can help treat a wide range of health conditions, including digestive disorders, heart problems, and skin conditions. The plant is also commonly used in landscaping due to its attractive foliage, flowers, and berries, which provide year-round interest to gardens and parks.
In conclusion, Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke is a small, bushy shrub native to North America. It is commonly used for medicinal purposes and landscaping due to its attractive foliage, flowers, and berries. Its branches are covered in prickles, and it produces clusters of white flowers in the spring, followed by small, round, red berries in the fall.Light Requirements
The Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke plant typically grows in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate a variety of light conditions, but it prefers bright, direct light for optimal growth.
Temperature Requirements
This plant is native to the eastern United States and can tolerate a range of temperatures. It can grow in USDA hardiness zones 4-9, which means it can handle temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius) in the winter. In the summer, it can handle temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
Soil Requirements
The Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke plant grows best in well-draining soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including loam, clay, and sand. However, it prefers soils that are rich in organic matter and nutrients.
Cultivation Methods
Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke grows well in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. The plant performs best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is a hardy plant that can withstand a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions, including drought and frost.
Watering Needs
Proper watering helps the Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke plant grow healthy. Watering should be done deeply and infrequently. The soil should be allowed to dry partially before watering again, to avoid waterlogging the roots. In dry weather, the plant should be watered at least once a week.
Fertilization
Fertilization is necessary to give the Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke plant the nutrients it requires to grow successfully. A balanced fertilizer, with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, should be used during the growing season. Fertilizer should be applied to the soil, at the base of the plant. It is not necessary to fertilize the plant during the dormant season.
Pruning
Pruning helps to maintain the shape and size of the plant, to promote healthy growth, and to encourage flowering. The best time to prune a Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke plant is during the dormant season, in late winter or early spring. The plant should be pruned before new growth starts. Dead, damaged, and diseased branches should be removed, as well as any crossing branches, to improve air circulation. If the plant is overgrown, it can be thinned by removing up to one-third of the oldest branches.
Propagation of Crataegus Dodgei Ashe var. Rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke
Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke, commonly known as the roundleaf hawthorn, can be propagated by various methods such as seeds, cuttings, and grafting.
Propagation by Seeds
The easiest way to propagate Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata is through seeds. Collect the ripe berries of the plant and extract the seeds. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours and stratify them in a cold, moist place for at least three months. After stratification, sow the seeds in pots or seed trays with well-draining soil and keep them moist. The seeds should germinate within 15-30 days.
Propagation by Cuttings
Another method to propagate Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata is through cuttings. Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or early autumn from healthy, disease-free plants. Make a clean cut just below a node, dip the cuttings in rooting hormone, and plant them in well-draining soil. Cover the cuttings with a clear plastic bag and place them in a warm, bright location. The cuttings should root within four to six weeks.
Propagation by Grafting
Grafting is a more advanced technique to propagate Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata. This method involves joining the scion of the desired plant with the rootstock of another related plant. This technique is useful when you want to propagate a variety or cultivar that does not root easily from cuttings. Grafting can be done in late winter or early spring before the emergence of new growth. The success of grafting depends on selecting the right rootstock, proper alignment, and making a tight, clean connection.
Disease Management for Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke
The Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke, commonly known as Roundleaf hawthorn, may suffer from various diseases, affecting its growth and health. The following are common diseases that can affect the plant and ways to manage them.
Cedar-Hawthorn Rust
Cedar-hawthorn rust is a fungal disease that affects hawthorns and junipers. The disease occurs in areas where both trees grow. It can cause yellow spots on leaves, stem cankers, and fruit rot. To manage the disease, remove infected leaves, twigs, and fruits. Use resistant cultivars, avoid planting hawthorns near junipers, and apply fungicides during spring when the fruit is forming.
Hawthorn Leaf Blight
Hawthorn leaf blight is caused by a fungus and affects hawthorn foliage. The disease can cause premature defoliation and weaken the plant. To manage the disease, rake and dispose of infected leaves, prune excess branches to provide sunlight and good air circulation, and avoid overhead watering.
Fire Blight
Fire blight is caused by bacteria that affect hawthorns and other members of the rose family, such as apples and pears. The disease can cause wilting, blackening of leaves and twigs, and branch dieback. To manage the disease, remove infected branches, avoid overfertilizing, and prune the tree in winter to encourage new growth.
Crown Gall
Crown gall is caused by a bacterial disease that causes tumorous growths on the root crown and stem. The growths can reduce the plant's vigor and eventually kill it. To manage the disease, remove damaged plants and replace the soil before planting new hawthorns.
Pest Management for Crataegus dodgei Ashe var. rotundata (Sarg.) Kruschke
Hawthorns are also vulnerable to pest infestations. The following are common pests that might affect Roundleaf hawthorn and ways to manage them.
Hawthorn Lace Bug
The hawthorn lace bug is a tiny insect that feeds on the underside of leaves, causing yellow speckling and leaf drop. To manage the pest, spray the plant with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil early in the season. Provide regular irrigation and fertilization to promote plant growth and health.
Hawthorn Psyllid
The hawthorn psyllid is a tiny insect that feeds on the emerging leaves, causing them to curl and distort. To manage the pest, remove and destroy infested leaves, apply insecticidal soap, and use sticky traps to catch the insects.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are common pests that affect various plants, including hawthorns. The insects can cause yellowing of leaves, branch dieback, and a sticky substance on leaves and stems. To manage the pests, prune and dispose of infected branches, use dormant oil sprays during winter, and introduce natural predators such as ladybugs.
