Overview
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist, also known as desert hawthorn, is a plant species that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This plant is found in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. It is known for its ornamental and medicinal uses, as well as its ability to serve as a natural barrier.
Appearance
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum is a shrub or small tree that typically grows up to 15 feet in height. It has a dense, multi-branched structure that can spread up to 10 feet wide. The crown of the tree is compact and rounded, with branches that are armed with hard thorns. The leaves of the plant are shiny and dark green, with an oval or lobed shape and serrated edges. Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum produces small white flowers in the spring, which develop into small, red, apple-like fruits in late summer or early fall, measuring up to 1 inch in diameter.
Uses
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum has several uses, including as an ornamental plant in gardens or as a natural barrier along fences or borders. The fruits of the plant can be consumed fresh or dried, and are often used to make jams or jellies. It is also used in traditional medicine, particularly among the Native American tribes in the southwestern United States, to treat various ailments such as heart disease, digestive issues, and respiratory problems. The plant contains compounds that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as cardioprotective and hypotensive effects.
Common Names
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum is commonly known as desert hawthorn, canyon hawthorn, or chaparral hawthorn. In Spanish, it is referred to as espino de la sierra or manzanilla del desierto.
Light Requirements
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist generally prefers to grow in full sunlight or partial shade areas. It can tolerate some shade, but the plant's overall growth and productivity may be slowed down. The plant should be protected from strong winds, especially in areas with intense sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
The plant can withstand temperatures up to -20°C during the winter months. However, during the summer months, it requires temperatures between 18°C to 25°C for optimal growth. Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist generally thrives in areas with moderate temperatures and low humidity.
Soil Requirements
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist grows well in well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic pH between 6.5 to 7.5. The plant can adapt to different soil types, but it prefers soil that is rich in organic matter. It is important to avoid overwatering the plant, as it can lead to root rot or other fungal diseases.
Cultivation
When cultivating Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist, it is essential to choose a suitable location for the plant. The plant needs full sunlight exposure and well-draining soil. It can grow in different types of soils, but the ideal pH for its growth is between 6.0 and 7.0.
The plant is hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F. It can grow up to 25 feet in height and 25 feet wide when unpruned. It is a slow-growing plant and may take up to five years to produce fruit.
Watering Needs
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist needs consistent watering during its first year of growth. Water it once a week and ensure that the soil remains moist. After the first year, the plant becomes drought tolerant and needs watering only during periods of prolonged drought.
Overwatering the plant can lead to root rot and other fungal diseases. It is essential not to let the soil become waterlogged and have proper drainage.
Fertilization
The plant does not require much fertilizer for its growth. Fertilize it once a year in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Use a slow-releasing, organic fertilizer, or compost to avoid burning the roots. Fertilizing the plant too much can cause excessive foliage growth and reduce fruit production.
Pruning
Pruning Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist is essential to maintain its shape and promote fruit production. Prune the plant during the dormant season, i.e., late fall or early spring, before the first leaves appear. Remove dead or diseased branches and leaves.
The plant can be pruned into a single stem or a multi-stemmed tree. It is advisable to remove the suckers that appear at the base of the plant periodically. Pruning the plant too much can reduce fruit production.
Propagation of Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist, commonly known as desert hawthorn, is a hardy, drought-tolerant shrub or tree that is native to the Southwestern United States. It is a popular ornamental plant due to its attractive foliage, flowers, and fruits. Propagation of this plant can be done through different methods such as seeds, cuttings, and grafting.
Propagation by Seeds
Propagation of Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum through seeds is a simple method that requires some patience. The seeds can be collected from the ripe fruit in the late summer or early fall. The collected seeds should be cleaned and stored in a cool, dry place until the spring.
Before planting the seeds, they need to undergo a process known as stratification. This involves keeping the seeds in a moist environment for a few weeks to simulate the winter dormancy period. After stratification, the seeds can be planted in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist until they germinate.
Propagation by Cuttings
Propagation of Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum through cuttings is a reliable method that produces plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. Hardwood cuttings can be harvested from the parent plant in the winter when the plant is dormant. The cuttings should be about 6-8 inches long and should be taken from healthy, disease-free branches.
The cuttings should be dipped in rooting hormone and planted in a well-draining soil mix. The cuttings should be kept moist and in a bright, but not direct, sunlight until they develop roots. This usually takes about 4-6 weeks.
Propagation by Grafting
Grafting is a method of propagation in which a plant scion is attached to a rootstock of a related plant. This is done to propagate a plant that is difficult to propagate through other methods or to combine the desired traits of two plants.
The best time to graft Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum is in the winter when the plant is dormant. The scion should be taken from a healthy, disease-free branch, and the rootstock should be a related hawthorn species that is compatible with Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum.
The scion and rootstock should be cut and fitted together precisely to ensure a successful graft. The graft should be wrapped with a grafting tape to hold it in place and to prevent drying out. The grafted plant should be kept in a humid environment until it establishes.
Disease Management
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist is a susceptible plant and can be affected by various diseases:
- Fire Blight: This bacterial disease can cause severe damage to the tree and fruit. The symptoms are wilting, blackening of branches, and cankers. To manage it, prune and destroy infected plants, use copper sprays or antibiotics, use resistant cultivars and avoid over-fertilization.
- Cedar Hawthorn Rust: This fungal disease affects the foliage and fruit. The symptoms are yellow spots on the leaves and fruit, and growth of orange spores. To manage it, remove infected plants, prune out galls, use fungicide, and avoid planting near infected junipers.
- Leaf Spot: This fungal disease affects the leaves and causes yellowing and spotting. To manage it, remove infected debris, avoid overhead watering, use fungicide and improve air circulation.
Pest Management
Crataegus viridis L. var. desertorum (Sarg.) Keeney & Enquist is also prone to pests:
- Aphids: These small, soft-bodied insects can suck sap from the plant and transmit diseases. To manage them, spray with insecticidal soap, use biological control agents, prune infested areas, and avoid over-fertilization.
- Scale Insects: These insects can cause yellowing of the leaves, stunted growth and death of branches. To manage them, remove infected plants, prune infested areas, use insecticidal soap, and improve growing conditions.
- Mites: These small insects can damage the foliage, causing discoloration and deformation. To manage them, use insecticidal soap, improve humidity levels, and remove infected debris.
