Sea buckthorn fruits are very valuable compared to other berry crops. They are rich in vitamins, carotene, trace elements, sugars and organic acids necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Many gardeners want to have such a shrub in their backyard. Unfortunately, it often happens that, having acquired a plant and given it the necessary care, the gardener does not receive fruits. The fact is that plants are divided into male and female. How to distinguish female sea buckthorn from male? Is it necessary to have both shrubs on the plot for a guaranteed harvest?
How to tell?
How to distinguish female sea buckthorn from male sea buckthorn? You can determine this by the following features:
- Shrub bud shape. On female plants, they are located singly with a small distance from each other; on the male tree, they are collected in some inflorescences of several pieces that look like cones. Unfortunately, this difference is imperceptible on plants that have not reached the age of 3-4 years.
- Women'sflowers have a yellow tint and are collected in inflorescences, male flowers are greenish-silvery.
- In late spring, when the leaves have already grown to their final size, on female shrubs their shade is greener. Male plants have a bluish bloom on the foliage.
- The shape of the leaves of the male trees is flat, the female - reminiscent of the shape of the bowl.
When buying shrub seedlings, you need to know how to distinguish female from male sea buckthorn, but it is almost impossible to determine gender on young plants, you have to rely on the words of the seller. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase adult plants that are 3 years old. How to distinguish male from female sea buckthorn, the photo will show clearly.
Growing Nuances
The shrub is dioecious, meaning that the female plant must be pollinated by the male plant in order to bear fruit. That is why it is important to know how to distinguish female from male sea buckthorn when buying seedlings.
Pollination of plants occurs through the work of insects and wind. One male plant is able to pollinate five female plants at a distance of 10 meters from him. Of course, a female sea buckthorn shrub can be pollinated, located at a distance of up to 50 meters from the male one, however, for a better result, the plants are planted nearby.
Where to plant sea buckthorn in the country
After we've learned how to tell a male from a female sea buckthorn tree, it's worth thinking about the right place to plant it. The shrub is quite photophilous, so it is importantplace it in a site with sufficient lighting, avoiding close proximity to tall trees with a spreading crown.
The soil for planting shrubs should be fertile, nutritious, loose, with a neutral ph. In swampy and waterlogged soils, the tree will not bear fruit, in addition, there is a high probability of its death.
When watering and fertilizing, one should take into account the fact that the root system is located superficially and has a diameter that is 2 times the height of the crown. The plant responds positively to the introduction of phosphorus and loosening the soil.
Correct selection of shrub varieties
Fruiting depends on the correct choice of a tree variety. Since it is desirable to select one variety of sea buckthorn for successful pollination, it is important to understand how to distinguish a male plant from a female one. The variety of the shrub should be suitable for the climatic conditions of the region, as well as for the characteristics of the soil.
Shrubs with small growth (up to 2 meters), low thorniness, high yield, large-fruited are ideal for a temperate climate. According to these parameters, varieties such as Orange, Excellent, Chuiskaya, Amber, Moscow Beauty, Gift to the Garden are most suitable.
Planting and caring for plants
Before planting sea buckthorn, you need to know how to distinguish female and male bushes so as not to accidentally plant two same-sex bushes, because in this case there will be no harvest.
How sea buckthorn is planted:
- Forplantings dig a hole about 50 cm deep and 50 cm wide.
- The soil from the pit is combined with fertilizers - compost, potassium phosphate and superphosphate.
- Part of the nutrient soil is poured into the bottom of the pit.
- The seedling is fixed in a vertical position and covered with the remnants of the soil. In this case, the basal neck should be deepened by 5 cm.
- A newly planted plant is watered with a bucket of water, to which 1 cup of dolomite flour was added per 10 liters of liquid.
When properly planted, plants should be spaced 2 meters apart due to the well-developed root system.
Care for sea buckthorn consists of regular watering, loosening the soil, feeding and removing weeds around the bush. In hot weather, watering should be especially plentiful and preferably carried out by sprinkling. Periodic shaping pruning required.
There are no particular difficulties in growing sea buckthorn, for a bountiful harvest, you just need to choose and plant heterosexual plants correctly.
