Description of Crataegus sicca Sarg.
Crataegus sicca Sarg. is a deciduous tree belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is commonly known as the Dryland Hawthorn and is mainly found in the eastern regions of North America, such as the Appalachians and the Ozarks.
General Appearance
The tree can grow up to a height of 20-30 feet and has a spread of around 20 feet. The crown of the tree is rounded and has a dense arrangement of branches with thorns. The leaves are lobed, dark green, and have a glossy texture. The flowers are small, white, and bloom during the spring season. The fruit of the tree is a red, edible, and sweet-tasting berry.
Common Uses
The berries and leaves of the Dryland Hawthorn have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as digestive disorders, heart conditions, and high blood pressure. The fruit is also used to make jellies and jams. The tree is used in landscaping due to its ornamental value and ability to attract birds and beneficial insects.
Light Requirements
Crataegus sicca Sarg. requires full to partial sunlight to grow. It is important to provide a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Intense sunlight for long periods may harm the plant, so filtered light is preferred during the hottest hours of the day.
Temperature Requirements
The plant is native to the United States and grows in temperature zones 5 to 9. It requires cool to moderate temperatures to grow. The optimal temperature range for its growth falls between 13° to 27° Celsius.
Soil Requirements
Crataegus sicca Sarg. grows well in a variety of well-drained soil types such as loam, sand, or clay. It prefers slightly acidic soils with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. The soil should also be rich in organic matter to support growth. The plant is somewhat tolerant of drought conditions, but it prefers evenly moist soils.
Cultivation methods
Crataegus sicca Sarg., commonly known as the dry hawthorn, is a hardy plant that is easy to cultivate. It does well in a sunny or partially shaded position, in soil that is well-drained and fertile.
The plant can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sand. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, between 6.0 and 7.0. Ensure that the soil is free of rocks or other debris before planting, and mix in some organic matter like compost to improve soil structure.
You can propagate the plant by seeds or cuttings taken in the late summer or fall when the wood is semi-hard. Sow the seeds in the fall in a seedbed, and transplant the seedlings to their permanent positions in the following spring.
Watering needs
Crataegus sicca Sarg. doesn't require a lot of water once established. During the first growing season, water the plants frequently to help them establish deep roots. After that, water the plants only during periods of drought. Water the plants deeply, rather than a shallow watering which encourages shallow roots.
Fertilization
The dry hawthorn doesn't require a lot of fertilizer, but you can give the plant a boost in the spring by applying a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formulation. If the soil is poor quality, you can also spread a layer of compost or well-rotted manure around the base of the plant.
Pruning
Prune Crataegus sicca Sarg. in late winter or early spring while the plant is still dormant. Remove any dead or diseased branches, and cut back any crossing branches to maintain an open, airy canopy Remove any weak or spindly growth, and cut back the remaining branches to encourage new growth. Don't prune the dry hawthorn too hard, as it can put stress on the plant resulting in loss of shape or total failure to grow.
Propagation of Crataegus sicca Sarg.
Crataegus sicca Sarg. can be propagated through various methods, such as seed propagation, vegetative propagation, and grafting. The suitability of each method depends on the availability of resources, desired number of plants, and the purpose of propagation.
Seed propagation
Seed propagation is the most common and easiest way to propagate Crataegus sicca Sarg. Plants. Collect mature fruits in fall and extract the seeds by mashing the soft flesh. Clean the seeds and stratify them in the refrigerator for four to eight weeks. Seed stratification mimics the winter conditions that are necessary for the seeds to germinate in the spring. After stratification, sow the seeds in loose, well-draining soil and keep them moist until they germinate. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots or garden beds after six to eight weeks of growth.
Vegetative propagation
Vegetative propagation is a suitable method for Crataegus sicca Sarg. plants that have desirable traits and cannot be obtained easily through seed propagation. Vegetative propagation involves taking cuttings from the parent plant and creating a clone with the same genetic makeup. Hardwood cuttings should be taken in late fall or winter when the plants are dormant. Cuttings should be about 12 inches long with two to three nodes. Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in a pot or garden bed filled with well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist and place the cuttings in a shaded area until roots develop. It takes about six months for the cuttings to be fully established.
Grafting
Grafting is a specialized propagation method used to combine the desirable traits of two related plants. It involves attaching the cultivar plant (scion) onto the rootstock of another plant. Grafting is commonly used for ornamental Crataegus sicca Sarg. species and those grown for their fruit production. It requires advanced knowledge and skill, making it less common in home gardening. Consult a gardening expert or a horticulturist for guidance on grafting techniques and timing.
Disease and Pest Management for Crataegus sicca Sarg.
Crataegus sicca Sarg. is a plant commonly known as the dry hawthorn, and it belongs to the Rosaceae family. Being a woody plant, it may be affected by various diseases and pests, which can result in significant damage to the plant and ultimately reduce its productivity. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt a proper disease and pest management plan to detect and control any problem affecting the plant.
Common Diseases
The most common diseases that may affect Crataegus sicca Sarg. are leaf spot, fire blight, canker, and rust. Leaf spots may be caused by various fungi, and the symptoms include the presence of small to large spots with a yellow halo on the plant leaves. Fire blight is caused by bacteria, and it affects the plant's branches and leaves resulting in wilting, dark bark, and cankers. Cankers are caused by fungi that infect the bark of young plants resulting in stem dieback. Rust may also affect the leaves, which results in yellowing and the presence of rust-colored spots.
Disease Management
To manage the diseases affecting Crataegus sicca Sarg., it is essential to maintain good sanitation practices, which involve cleaning the pruning tools before and after use to prevent the spread of fungi and bacteria. Also, it is crucial to remove infected plant parts as soon as possible to avoid the spread of diseases. Fertilizing the plant regularly to maintain optimal conditions may also help prevent infections and promote the plant's growth. Applying fungicides may be helpful in controlling the spread of fungal diseases, while the application of antibiotics may help control bacterial infections.
Common Pests
The most common pests that may affect Crataegus sicca Sarg. are aphids, scales, and borers. Aphids are small insects that suck the sap from the plant leaves and may cause yellowing, curling, and stunted growth of the plant. Scales are insects that attach themselves to the plant stems, and sucking the sap may cause wilting, yellowing, and premature leaf drop. Borers are insects that eat into the plant stems or roots, resulting in significant damage to the plant.
Pest Management
To control pests affecting Crataegus sicca Sarg., it is essential to practice good sanitation, which involves removing any debris that may harbor pests and regularly inspecting the plant parts for any signs of pests. Natural enemies like ladybugs and lacewings may be used to control aphids and scales. Insecticidal soaps and oils may also help control insects like aphids and scales, while pesticide application may help control borers. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain the plant's health through proper fertilization and irrigation practices to reduce the plant's susceptibility to pests.
