Irga smoki description. Irga: the best varieties, care and reproduction

How often there is an irga in dachas ... Almost all varieties are suitable for the Moscow region, since the berry is picky. Everyone knows this bush under different names, but the essence does not change. Children and birds love him alike. Over time, the overgrown bush begins to take up a lot of space, which is not very good for a small area. But this disadvantage is compensated by a huge harvest of delicious blue berries. But it is worth picking up scissors, and the tree obediently turns into a beautifully formed ball or cube; this way you can make a charming hedge that will delight you with the harvest. So, the topic of our conversation is Irga and its varieties. Let's get started!

Pros and cons

You need to figure this out if you decide whether you need an irga on your site. Varieties for the Moscow region - all as one - very tenacious and prolific. They will not dry out in the hottest summer and will not freeze out in the harsh winter, and from spring to autumn they will diligently occupy your site with young shoots. Therefore, you need to remember to keep an eye on your garden. Moreover, watering and feeding are far from the first role, the most important thing is to restrain the growth of the irgi, form its crown and shape the bushes docked in a row. But with the overgrowth it will be more difficult, it will still crawl out, no matter how much you destroy it.

However, many gardeners still want irga to grow in them. Varieties for the Moscow region are surprisingly durable and hardy plants that, despite nothing, will yield a crop.

Spring in the garden

About two weeks after the appearance of green leaves, it releases delicate silvery irga flowers. The varieties for the Moscow region are famous for their early harvests, and the fragrant flowers feed many insects. The plant we are considering does not differ in the variety of species, usually it is either a round-leaved or spiky irga, although there are much more of them. And each is more or less productive, and also differs in shape and size. However, if you are replanting a plot with trees, then you will probably be interested in learning more about these varieties.

Irga canadian

Since we are limited by the scope of the article, we will note only the best varieties of irgi for the Moscow region. First, I would like to consider the Canadian variety, which is distinguished by its high decorative properties. The bush has a natural rounded shape with drooping branches. The plant is especially beautiful during the flowering period. By the way, irgu can be grown as a bush or as a tree, it all depends on your skills. In the first case, it turns into a luxurious bush up to 6 meters high. Keep in mind that the irga in the garden area should be available for harvesting, so it makes sense to form a shrub lower. Thin drooping shoots are beautiful at the time of flowering: they are literally covered with white flowers. And then they become completely gray from berries.

Irga round-leaved

We continue to consider what kind of irga is. The types and care are not too different, but there are still certain traits characteristic of each variety. This variety grows up to three meters without pruning. It grows practically throughout the entire territory of Russia, and bears excellent fruit in the Moscow region. Leaves are oval, serrated. Differs in good productivity, as well as amazing resistance. It is even very difficult to remove it from the site on purpose.

Irga alder-leaved

This is a multi-stem shrub, its height is up to 4 meters. The leaves are rounded, yellow in autumn. The flowers are white, with a weak aroma. The fruits are purple, very sweet and quite large. It can produce up to 10 kg of berries per season, which can be attributed to good results. The tree itself is unpretentious, resistant to various diseases. Another species, called the blood-red irga, is very similar to her. This is a shrub up to 3 meters high. Its leaves and flowers are oblong, the berries are sweet, dark, very pleasant to the taste.

Large-fruited varietal plants

The work of breeders does not stand still, and today such species and varieties of irgi as Alytaglou are demonstrated at exhibitions. Its peculiarity is its white fruit. Another good variety for the Moscow region is the large-fruited Forestburg and the very fragrant Pembina. Other types of irgi are presented at the exhibitions, distinguished by record-breaking large berries: Moonlake, Nelson, Slate, Regan and others. We will not dwell on the features of caring for them in more detail, since the opportunity to purchase these plants is still very small. Usually, the stores sell old, good, proven varieties.

Bush care

Have you decided to plant an irgu in your summer cottage? What good variety to choose, you can ask in the next issue of "Dachnik". Most often, only the varieties listed above will be presented there. By the way, they can be borrowed from neighbors completely free of charge, because the sprouts of irga give a lot. This is a completely unpretentious plant that will withstand even the most severe frosts.

However, she also has her own requirements for the conditions of detention. Irga will survive in any conditions, but it shows the maximum yield on fertile, loamy soil. The plant likes well-lit areas, but will grow even in full shade. He is completely calm about drought. Planting irgi along fences can be a great design idea. This will give it a special decorative effect, especially if the bushes are cut beautifully.

Shrub planting

Irga can be planted both in spring and autumn. At the same time, choose seedlings that have reached the age of 1-2 years, because fruits from younger ones will have to wait long enough. The hole for one plant must be at least 80 cm in diameter. After planting, do not forget to water the seedling abundantly. It remains to mulch the soil around - and you can leave the plant alone. It takes root almost immediately, it is for this quality that many gardeners fell in love with irga. Grooming and breeding is intuitively simple. The only thing that is required for a good harvest is regular watering.

Bush formation

In order for the plant to look good and not obstruct too much usable area of ​​the site, but at the same time it was convenient for you to pick the berries, you need to regularly prune. First of all, you need to make the bush as strong as possible. He will need care in the form of sawing out old trunks, removing long and weak branches, and cutting off damaged shoots. To emphasize the decorativeness of the planting, you can form the irgu as a multi-stem bush. To do this, you need to leave only strong shoots, and cut off the weak ones. In this case, you will need to follow a number of rules. In the first three years of the plant's life, leave all strong shoots, then annually control their number, leaving a new one in the place of the remote. A fully formed bush consists of 10-15 branches of different ages. After that, leaving will consist of an autumn inspection, removal of broken branches and excess shoots. If you see that the growth and fruiting of the bush is deteriorating, then once every 4 years you can perform a rejuvenating procedure, that is, cut off all 2-4-year-old shoots.

Reproduction

If you have enough time, you can try growing irgu from seeds. To do this, you need to collect ripe berries, select seeds from them and rinse them from the pulp. Immediately after washing (preferably in September), the seeds should be sown into the soil. They will sprout next year or a year later.

However, it is much easier to use vegetative methods. Most often, the plant is propagated by root shoots. What is needed for this? Dig out the growth and select seedlings 10-15 cm long, with well-developed roots. An excellent result is shown by those, the thickness of the shoots of which is from 0.5 cm or more. They should be planted vertically. Such seedlings need constant care in the form of abundant watering. Young irgi bushes can be propagated by division, but this method is not suitable for old plantings. You can also use the cuttings procedure. To do this, cut the annual shoots 12-15 cm long. After cutting, the material must be planted in a greenhouse. If the air is humid enough, then roots will soon appear, and after a month it will be possible to plant young seedlings. However, it will give roots no more than 20% of the total number of cuttings.

Top dressing

For the harvest to please you every year, you need to feed your plant. For this you can use organic and mineral - in the spring. Like all fruit trees, irga is very responsive to feeding, since when growing a large number of berries, a large amount of nutrients is expended. If the soil is very poor, then the bush will shed some of the fruits, and those that remain will be small, and there will be much less useful trace elements in them.

Pests and diseases

Irga rarely suffers from diseases, most often it is only slightly affected by leaf-eating insects, which do not cause much harm. Birds do much more damage to the crop - they love to feast on berries. However, usually the irgi bush gives so many fruits that it will be enough for both you and your feathered friends. If the bush is small, then you can tighten it with a net so that it is difficult for the birds to get to the berries.

If you notice spots that look like rust on the leaves of the irgi, then this is a clear sign of a fungal disease. With moniliniosis, brown rot forms on the fruit, and the crop will be ruined. Nectric necrosis of the bark leads to the drying out of shoots and branches, which can contribute to the death of the entire bush. In addition, it is not uncommon to find the defeat of the irgi by the gray tinder fungus, which causes a white, fibrous, putrefactive plaque on the trunks of the old irgi. To protect your garden, it is necessary to timely process the treatment with insecticides and antifungal drugs. One procedure in early spring will help avoid all these problems, which means you will calmly enjoy delicious and healthy berries.

In the wild, there are more than two dozen species of irgi - a winter-hardy shrub with tasty and healthy berries. Thanks to breeders, today there are many cultivated varieties of irgi, devoid of the shortcomings of their wild ancestors - almost all popular varieties are large-fruited and do not form abundant root shoots.

Types of irgi

Unlike other cultivated plants, irgu is more often distinguished by species, and not by varieties. In nurseries, they often sell exactly the types of irgi, which are known today, according to various estimates, about 25. Each species can have one or more varieties. More than others, for cultivation, two types of irgi are suitable - alder and canadian. Before moving on to varieties, consider the most popular types of irgi.

Irgi fruits are capable of provoking allergies and lowering blood pressure. Overeating berries causes sedation, worsens the reaction.

This type of irgi is ideal both for obtaining fruits and for decorating the backyard. The alder-leaved irga is a large, spreading shrub that needs regular moisture - this is the main condition for its successful growth and fruiting. The bushes reach a height of 4 m. The leaves are rich green, oval.

The shrub will bloom in May. Snow-white flowers do not smell, fading, they fall like snowflakes. Ripening, the berries acquire a dark purple, almost black color. Coloring juice of berries, due to the high content of pectin, has gelling properties. The berries taste sweet, with a slight sourness. The seeds in the fruits are small, almost imperceptible when eaten.

The seeds of alder squirrel contain amygdalin, a substance useful for cardiac activity. It is recommended to eat them, chewing thoroughly.

Benefits of alder squirrel:

• The tall shrub is very decorative at any time - it blooms beautifully, is good during fruiting, even dropping foliage, it looks great.
• Large berries. Fruit diameter - 15 mm.
• High winter hardiness, drought resistance, immunity to diseases and pests.

Peculiarities:

• planting a plant - in spring or late autumn;
• the best planting method is shoots or cuttings;
• exactingness to the quality of the soil and its moisture;
• grows well in urban environments;
• harvest peak - in the 5th year after planting;
• winter hardiness is high, but freezing of the tips of the branches is possible during severe frosts.

Alder-leaved irga is a long-lived plant. The shrub lives for over 60 years, becoming more and more similar to a tree over the years.

Canadian

This species of irgi is the "progenitor" of most combs and hybrids. The Canadian Irga is so beautiful that it is often used only for decorative purposes. Homeland - North America. The height of the shrub is 3-3.5 m. But this is not the limit, in nature the Canadian irga grows up to 15-18 m. The shoots are bent, the leaves are light green, oblong with carved teeth. The bloom is not as spectacular as that of the alder irgi, but its flowers are larger. The crown is large, rounded.

Flowers are yellowish-white. Flowering lasts a week and a half. The fruits of the canadian irgi, ripening at the end of July, taste better than other species - they have more acidity, and the taste is more harmonious. The berries are spherical. The color is dark purple with a scarlet tint. Ripening time - early August. Harvest - 5-6 kg per bush.

Benefits of Canadian Irga:

• high frost resistance and wind resistance;
• does not require regular watering;

Peculiarities:

• the birds like fruits - it is necessary to organize protection from their invasion;
• yield increase is achieved by spring pruning of stepchildren;
• it is necessary to remove or transplant excess shoots of the root system;
• the plant reproduces well by cuttings and poorly by seeds;
• undemanding to soils - grows on saline and alkaline soils;
• seedlings are planted in pits with a drainage system, through which watering is subsequently carried out.

If the Canadian Irga is planted solely for the sake of decorativeness, there is no need to remove the shoots growing from the roots - new shrubs will soon grow out of them.

This is the most decorative look. Earlier it was believed that Irga Lamarck is a mutation of the Canadian species. Today botanists have identified it as an independent species. It differs from other varieties in especially large fruits and leaves, as well as in abundance of flowering. Irga Lamarck is from North America. Its main function is landscaping and decorative. We rarely see this view.

The height of the shrub is up to 5 m. The crown is spreading. The leaves are narrow, serrated. The flowers are snow-white or slightly yellowish, odorless. The berries are juicy and sweet, blue-purple in color. Harvest per bush - 6-7 kg.

Advantages of Irgi Lamarck:

• frost resistance - up to minus 35 ° C;
• fruiting on any soil, except marshy;
• high drought resistance;
• diseases and pests are extremely rare;
• excellent honey plant - Lamarck's irgu is often grown near apiaries.

Peculiarities:

• the length of the shoots increases by 25 cm annually;
• over time, the lower parts of the branches become bare;
• leaf color during blooming and in autumn - copper-red;
• ripe fruits hang for a long time, without crumbling until frost;
• fruits like to peck birds - scare away is necessary;
• propagated by cuttings, grafting or seeds;
• stepchildren are removed every 4-5 months - to increase yields.

Oval-leaved (round-leaved)

Oval-leaved or round-leaved irga widely spread throughout the territory of the Russian Federation. She comes from the south - Crimea and the Caucasus. Thanks to the transfer of seeds by birds, this shrub has even mastered Western Siberia. Plant height - 2.5-3 m. The crown is spreading, the fox is ovoid, the edges are serrate. In autumn, the dark green foliage becomes scarlet and crimson - the bushes become incredibly beautiful.

The flowers are snow-white, collected in large inflorescences. Because of their bent petals, the shrub has a "fluffy" appearance. The spherical or pear-shaped fruits are small - pea-sized, with a diameter of 8 mm. The skin color is violet-black, and the flesh is raspberry-colored. Sweet berries have a honey-cinnamon flavor.

The advantages of oval-leaved (round-leaved) irgi:

• the berries, although not particularly tasty, are useful and perfectly stored in any form;
• high cold resistance - no special preparation for winter is required;
• returnable spring frosts are not terrible;
• grows on any soil;

Peculiarities:

• prefers sunny areas;
• actively forms root shoots;
• despite good immunity, high humidity provokes gray rot.

Spicate

It is a relatively low ornamental shrub with a dense and wide crown. It reaches a height of 4-5 m, but usually, forming a crown, it is cut off to 2-2.5 m.

The foliage is covered with felt down, whitish or silvery. The shrub is gorgeous in the fall - with its yellow, red and orange foliage, it looks like a blazing bonfire. The flowers are white or pale pink. The diameter of the berries is 9-10 mm. Ripening - the first decade of August. Fruit color is almost black, with a red tint. Sweet, but the taste is mediocre.

Benefits of spiky irgi:

• drought resistance;
• undemanding to the soil;
• does not need fertilizers;
• circumcision of stepsons is not required;
• when planted in a row, it serves as an excellent hedge.

Peculiarities:

• fruits with a bland taste, but they are actively pecked by birds;
• often affected by a leafworm caterpillar;
• thanks to pruning, they give the bush any shape.

Spikelet irga is often used as a stock and to strengthen erosion-prone soils.

Smooth

A popular shrub among summer residents. The main difference between the bushes is the purple leaves. The plant can look like a bush or a tree, depending on how you cut it. Shrub height - 5-10 m. Shoots are thin, almost glabrous. Leaves are oval-elongated, serrated.

The flowers are white with a pleasant aroma. The berries are spherical, 10 mm in diameter. The color of the fruit is dark blue with a bluish bloom.

Advantages:

• excellent taste of berries;
• does not require regular watering;
• tolerates strong winds, cold weather, no shelter is required for the winter.

Peculiarities:

• when disembarking, drainage must be organized;
• problematically propagates by cuttings, preferably - grafting on mountain ash or another variety of irgi.

Low

The species is common in North America. Grows in deciduous forests. The shrub is low, up to 1.2 m high, has a dense crown and many shoots.

The flowers are snow-white, up to 1 cm in diameter. The berries are black, edible. Leaves are pointed, serrated.

Advantages:

• winter hardiness;
• very beautiful in autumn.

Peculiarities:

• when propagating by cuttings, there are difficulties;
• outwardly similar to a spiky irga;
• prefers sunny areas.

A medium-sized shrub with bright green leaves. Originally from North America. Its height does not exceed 3 m, width - 1 m. The trunk is short and branched. The leaves are rounded. Productivity - 5 kg per bush.

Ripening - later. The flowers are large, white. The berries are bluish-black in color, rounded or slightly flattened. Fruit diameter - 10 mm.

Advantages: good breeding material.

Peculiarities:

• leaves turn bright orange in autumn;
• the birds do not like fruits, they do not eat them.

Profusely blooming

The homeland of this decorative, low shrub - up to 2.5 m, North America. Today the plant has been adapted in most of Russia. The branches are erect, they form an oblong-oval crown. The leaves are rounded, light green. Fruiting begins in the 4th year after planting.

The abundantly flowering irga is similar to alder, but its flowers have wider petals, so the flowering bush looks very decorative - it looks like a fluffy one. Flowers - white, collected in small brushes. Bloom in May. Fruiting begins in July. Berries are dark purple to black. The pulp is juicy, sweet and sour taste. The diameter of the berries is 10-13 mm. Excellent honey plant.

Advantages:

• drought tolerance;
• high immunity;
• grows on any soil;
• tolerates soil salinity well;
• dust and gas resistant - the plant grows well in urban conditions.

Peculiarities:

• prefers sunny areas;
• life span - 20-30 years;
• propagates by seeds and cuttings;
• rooting cuttings - 50%;
• used to create fences that protect areas from dust.

Asiatic

The plant is common in Asian countries. It is a small shrub or tree that grows up to 12 m in height. Branches are sparse. Leaves are oval, serrated.

Late variety. The flowers are snow-white. The berries are sweet, black.

Advantages:

• decorativeness;
• winter hardiness.

Features: fruits ripen in late August, early September.

A tree that grows up to 5-12 m in height, maximum - 20 m. Trunk diameter - 15 cm, maximum - 40 cm. The crown is broadly ovate. Leaves are elliptical, elongated, pubescent from the inside out.

The flowers are medium in size, white. 4-10 pieces in each brush. The red-purple berries look like small apples. The foliage is colored red-yellow in autumn.

Advantages:

• decorativeness;
• endurance and unpretentiousness;
• undemanding to the ground;

Peculiarities:

• photophilousness;
• transfers the haircut safely;
• used to decorate gardens and patios.

Pleasant

Shrub 2-2.5 m high, with a rounded crown - its diameter reaches 1.5 m.

Delayed flowering - at the beginning of summer. Ripening of dark blue berries - the second decade of August.

Benefits: Grows successfully in shaded conditions.

Features: fast growth of young seedlings.

Irgi varieties

So far, only one irgi variety has been entered into the State Register of the Russian Federation. In total, there are over 30 varieties in the world. Each of them belongs to one of the types of irgi, has its own requirements for placement and cultivation, differs in yield and fruit taste.

Starlight Night

A new variety from Russian breeders, obtained by pollination of alder irrigation. It was entered into the State Register in 2016. These are bushes or small trees up to 3 m high. The yield taken from a plant aged 5 years is 4-5 kg. The variety is mid-season - the berries ripen in early July.

The berries are dark blue, almost black. When the fruits ripen, small whitish specks appear on the skin. The fruits are large, weigh about 2 g. In one cluster - 10-15 berries. The sugar content is 13%. Taste score on a 5-point scale - 4.8. Harvesting is massive or in 2 stages.

Peculiarities:

• the taste of the fruits is better than that of the alderwort, since they have more organic acids;
• restrained growth and a small amount of root growth;
• fruits are suitable for fresh consumption and for processing;
• in autumn the foliage turns yellow-orange - the plant looks extremely decorative;
• shrub prefers light, but tolerates shade well;
• responsive to moderate moisture;
• frost and drought resistance;
• high immunity to disease.

Mandan

Irga Mandan (Amelanchier Mandan) is a compact shrub that grows up to 2 m in height. The crown is in the form of a candle. The variety is obtained by selection from the Canadian irgi species. Fruiting occurs 3-4 years after planting in the ground.

The berries are large, sweet, in clusters of 10-12 pieces. The weight of the berries is up to 0.9 g. The pulp is unusually juicy. Ripening is not massive - the fruits ripen gradually. Refers to varieties with an average ripening period.

Peculiarities:

• large-fruited;
• resistance to moisture deficiency;
• winter hardiness - up to minus 40 ° C;
• moderate growth;
• self-fertility;
• can bear fruit for 30 years or more;
• immunity to disease.

Slate

Slate is the most popular variety of Canadian Irgi. It is used more for decorating plots than for obtaining berries. The height of the bushes is 1.5-2 m. The crown is dense.

An early ripe variety with black, juicy berries. Fruiting begins in June. The fruits are large, with increased sugar content, excellent taste and aroma. Fruit diameter - 15 mm.

Peculiarities:

• dense green leaves turn bright orange in autumn;
• withstands frosts down to minus 35 ° C;
• landing is preferable on the south side of the site;
• saplings are planted in the spring until the buds have blossomed;
• the plant is not affected by American powdery mildew;
• the fruits are harvested as soon as they ripen - until they are eaten by the birds.

Smokey

Variety of Canadian selection, obtained from the species of the same name irgi. In Russia, Smokey is not particularly famous and widespread. Vigorous shrub, at first erect, then spreading. Bears fruit 3-4 years after planting. Productivity - 7.5 kg per bush.

The variety is mid-season - the ripening of berries begins at the end of July. The berries are large, up to 14-16 mm in diameter. They have a rich aroma. The color is dark blue to black. The skin is covered with a waxy coating. The shape is spherical. The berries are tasty fresh, good for processing. The fruit contains many small seeds.

Peculiarities:

• planted at least 3 m from plants of other species;
• shoots are often cut out, thickening the crown;
• watered regularly - the variety does not tolerate aridity;
• so that the ripening fruits are not pecked by birds, they organize protection;
• high winter hardiness;
• gives a lot of root growth;
• excellent immunity.

Honeywood

Honeywood is a Canadian product. As a variety, the plant was entered in the Canadian register in 1973. The bushes are straight when young, as the shoots grow, the shoots bend and hang down. The maximum height is 5 m, the width is 4 m. The plant has lived for about half a century. Fruiting already 2-3 years after planting.

Belongs to late-ripening varieties, berries ripen in early August. Flowering begins later than other varieties of Canadian irgi, so flowers are less likely to be affected by spring frosts. Fruits are blue-black, 16-18 mm in diameter, round or slightly flattened. There is a waxy coating on the skin. Berries are collected in a bunch of 10-15 pieces.

Peculiarities:

• a small amount of overgrowth;
• the fruits are sugary-sweet, they are rarely allowed for processing, they are usually used as a delicious dessert;
• high winter hardiness and drought resistance;
• grows on any soil, does not need feeding;
• demanding on humidity.

Forestburg

Forestburg is a variety representing the Canadian Irga. Breeding work was carried out in Canada - the homeland of the plant. Bushes are vigorous, spreading. Bears fruit for 3-4 years of planting.

The berries ripen at the end of July. Blossoming in May. The berries are spherical, large, 13-16 mm in diameter. Color - dark blue, to black, there is a waxy coating. The pulp is juicy and tasty. Fruits grow in clusters - 8-10 pieces each. Maturation is amicable. The purpose of the berries is universal.

Peculiarities:

• moderate number of root growth;
• birds love to eat fruits;
• decorativeness of the bush - it is beautiful in bloom, with fruits, in autumn dress;
• consistently high yields every year;
• high immunity.

Krasnoyarsk

Late-ripening variety of Russian selection. Fruit and ornamental shrub up to 3.5 cm high. Up to 10 kg of fruits are harvested from one bush.

The berries ripen in July, they are large - 10-15 mm in diameter. The skin is purple, the pulp is juicy and fragrant. The mass of one berry is from 1 to 4 g. The taste is sour, the more ripe the berries are, the better their taste.

Peculiarities:

• prefers sunny areas;
• self-fertility;
• bears fruit for 30 years or more;
• universal purpose of fruits;
• landing in spring or late autumn;
• leaving is minimal, the formation of a bush without human intervention;
• reproduction by root suckers;
• high winter hardiness - withstands frosts more than -40 ° С;
• the interval between plants is from 3 m.

Martin

This fruitful variety was bred by breeders in Canada. "Martin" belongs to the Canadian irgi species and is very popular in North America. Bushes are low, multi-stemmed. Fruiting 3-4 years after planting, and the peak yield - 6-8 years.

Early variety, ripening in June. The berries are large, spherical, dark blue, up to 18 mm in diameter - comparable in size to cherries. Delicious fruits.

Peculiarities:

• withstands frosts down to -40 ° С;
• amicable maturation;
• berries must be protected from birds;
• fruits, ripening, do not crumble;
• do not require careful pruning;
• not afraid of aphids and ticks, but can be affected by powdery mildew.

Pearson

The variety belongs to the round-leaved irge. Bred by Canadian breeders. Vigorous, multi-stemmed shrubs with a large number of root shoots. Bears fruit for 3-4 years of planting.

Maturation - at the end of July. The berries are large, round, about the size of a cherry. The diameter is 16-18 mm. The fruits are dark blue, almost black, with a waxy coating. Excellent taste - the pulp is juicy and aromatic. Berries are good for any purpose - tasty fresh, suitable for processing.

Peculiarities:

• protection of berries from birds is necessary;
• consistently high yield;
• amicable maturation;
• high winter hardiness;
• immunity to disease.

Nelson

This wild plant, discovered in 1974, was named after its discoverer. The variety was entered into the register in 1992. The height of compact shrubs is up to 1.5 m. The maximum height is 4.5 m.

Fruits are spherical, large - up to 13 mm in diameter. Ripening, they become blue-black. The fruit contains several seeds. Berries grow in clusters of 10-12 pieces.

Peculiarities:

• fruits ripen unevenly;
• large-fruited;
• high winter hardiness.

Northline

An early ripe variety from Canadian breeders. This variety belongs to the alder-leaved species. Bushes are erect, medium-sized, up to 4 m high. Fruiting in the 3rd year after planting of seedlings. Productivity - up to 10 kg per plant.

Pear-shaped berries grow in clusters of 10-12 pieces. The fruits are large, up to 16 mm in diameter. Ripening in June. Fruit weight - 0.9-1.4 g.

Peculiarities:

• amicable maturation;
• unpretentiousness to soils;
• grows well in the sun and in partial shade;
• excellent honey plant;
• withstands frosts down to -25 ° С;
• not afraid of the winds;
• does not need regular watering;
• good transportability.

Pembina

A low-growing, perennial shrub of the Canadian selection and of the species of the same name. The bushes are decorative, grow up to 3.5 m in height.

Ripens in mid-July. The diameter of the berries is 14-18 mm. The bluish-colored fruits, fleshy and juicy, have a sugary-sweet taste. At first, the berries are reddish, ripening, they become blue-black.

Peculiarities:

• few basal shoots;
• extremely winter-hardy plant - withstands frosts down to -40-50 ° C;
• suitable for organizing wind barriers;
• propagates well by cuttings;
• the berries are used to prepare wine to taste reminiscent of Cahors.

Altaglow

The variety is obtained from alder irriga. The spectacular shrub looks great at any time of the year. They are planted for the sake of decorating the site and for obtaining fruits. The height of the shrub is 6-8 m. The crown is pyramidal-elongated.

The fruits, unlike other varieties of irgi, are not blue, but creamy white. The berries are distinguished by their excellent taste and aroma.

Peculiarities:

• in the fall, the foliage becomes crimson and does not fall off until frost - the plant looks especially decorative;
• slight formation of root growth;
• the crown thickens slowly - little maintenance is required.

Thyssen

Another variety of Canadian selection. It belongs to the alder-leaved species. Bushes are multi-stemmed, vigorous, up to 5 m in height. The crown is rounded, over time - broadly. Fruiting - 3-4 years after planting.

Fruits are spherical, blue-black, very large, 18 mm in diameter. Ripening - from the end of July. The berries are delicious - they are eaten fresh and processed.

Peculiarities:

• moderate number of root growth;
• protection from birds is required;
• the ripening period is extended in time;
• high immunity to disease;
• loves sunny and semi-shaded areas;
• may be affected by recurrent frosts during flowering;
• the variety is very durable - it bears fruit for 70 years or more.

JB30

A tree-like shrub with a wide and compact crown - up to 6 m. Height - 5-6 m. 20 kg are harvested from one plant.

The fruits taste like wild irga, but much larger, their diameter is 15-17 mm. Ripe fruits turn dark blue. They are delicious, although they are low in sugar.

Peculiarities:

• prefers sunny places, but grows well in the shade;
• requires moderate moisture;
• winter hardiness is high;
• fruits are universal.

Vir-17

A vigorous shrub with a compressed crown, densely leafy. Fruiting - 3-4 years. Blooming - the second half of May.

Fruit ripening - late July - early August. The berries are large, 15-16 mm in diameter. In terms of fruit size, it competes with the large-fruited Smokey variety. The berries are round-oval, dark blue in color. When ripening, the fruits become almost black. The pulp is juicy and aromatic, sweet.

Peculiarities:

• protection from birds is necessary;
• stable yield and high immunity to diseases.

Prince William

Shrub height - up to 3 m. It is used for landscaping backyard landscapes. If you do not apply formative pruning, the plant becomes a multi-stem shrub. A lot of root growth is formed. Abundant foliage. The plant lives, bearing fruit, for about 40 years.

The plant blooms profusely. The flowers are snow-white, large, up to 2 cm in diameter. Fruits 12-13 mm, spherical, red-purple, sweet in taste.

Peculiarities:

• grows in the sun and on the shaded side;
• prefers moderate air humidity;
• at high humidity, powdery mildew is observed;
• frost resistance - up to minus 34 ° C;
• the leaves are reddish in spring, green and shiny in summer, and yellow, red, orange in autumn.

"Prince William" safely tolerates difficult weather conditions, which ruin other varieties of irgi - intense heat and high humidity.

Other varieties

Sturgeon. A variety of Canadian irgi. New selection. Multi-stemmed, medium-sized shrubs 2.5-3 m high. Berries, large and sweet, are located on long clusters. Differs in stable fruiting.

Linnes. Weak, compact shrub of the canadian irgi. The average plant height is 1.8 m. The fruits are large, sweet, pleasantly smelling. The bush is light-requiring, but tolerates shade well. This is an early, winter-hardy variety that is not demanding to care for.

Surprise. Large-fruited Irga of Canadian selection. Instead of the original, lost name, the variety was named "Surprise". The height of the shrub is up to 3 m. The berries are round, dark purple in color. Fruits covered with a bluish bloom look great against the background of leaves. Winter hardiness - up to minus 35 ° C.

Helvetia. Dwarf plant. Reaches a height of 1.2 m by 10 years. The plant blooms with white flowers. The berries are delicious. The leaves are beautifully colored in autumn in bright colors.

Bluff. A novelty of Canadian selection. Fruits reach 11 mm in diameter. The berries are tasty, with a moderately tart, balanced taste. The variety is medium-yielding, ideal for processing - the fruits have small seeds, they retain their taste and aroma.

Buffalo. Medium yielding variety with dark blue fruits. The size of the berries is 11 mm in diameter. Sweet and sour fruits have a balanced taste and pleasant aroma.

Sukkess. Medium-yielding variety with quite tasty berries. Fruit size is 11 mm in diameter. Immunity to fungal diseases.

Regent. Low shrub - up to 1.5 m. Berry size - 13 mm. Delicate and sweet. The variety is medium-yielding, decorative. It belongs to the most winter-hardy varieties. Able to withstand frosts down to minus 45 ° C. This is a small plant with a spread-out crown, if necessary, it can be covered for the winter.

Lee # 3. A medium-sized bush - up to 3 m high. The plant is compact, and during fruiting it is spreading. Little shoots are formed. Berries with a diameter of 16 mm, oval-round, dark blue.

Tradition. This tree-like shrub, reaching a height of 8-10 m, has an early and abundant flowering. The crown width is 4.5 m. The plant has a pronounced trunk and beautiful branching. The fruits are dark blue. The variety is high-yielding. The foliage is gray-green in summer and red-orange in autumn.

Gypsy girl. A variety with increased immunity to various kinds of diseases. The plant is tall, multi-stemmed. Blossoming in May. The berries are large, blue, with black. The taste is bland, the pulp is aromatic. The variety is high-yielding, decorative, unpretentious to soils, does not need special care, is a generous honey plant. It tolerates temperature changes well, does not need a winter shelter.

Bluesun. A medium-sized plant, reaching a height of 2.5 m by 5 years. It blooms profusely. The berries weigh 1.1 g. The dark blue spherical fruits have a juicy, tasty pulp. Pros - winter hardiness, early maturity.

Ballerina. A tall, winter-hardy plant up to 8 m high. Ripens in early July. The fruits are large, red, pleasant to the taste. The variety is responsive to fertile soils and needs regular watering. It tolerates dry periods well, but does not give a good harvest without abundant watering and feeding.

Variety criteria table

- a useful and beautiful plant. When choosing a variety for your plot, evaluate the proposed options for key characteristics, and compare them with the goals for which you are going to plant irgu on the plot. Table 1 - types of irgi and varieties obtained from them as a result of selection.

Table 1

Comparison of several popular varieties of irgi by evaluation criteria is shown in Table 2.

table 2

	Criteria
	Bush shape	Crown width, m	Height, m	Ripening terms	Yield	Berry size (diameter), mm
Smokey	upright			average	high yielding		sweet, soft
Pembina	upright			average	fruitful		full, sharp
Northline	upright			average	high yielding		full, sweet
Thyssen	sprawling			early	high yielding		spicy, juicy
Honiwood	upright			late	fruitful, especially at a young age		full, sharp

Irga canadian is a very interesting fruit and ornamental crop. Deciduous shrub with a height of 1.5 to 8 meters is beautiful at any time of the year. In spring, irga looks attractive during bud opening, when it is as if shrouded in silvery-white frost.

Later, during flowering, it is strewn with bunches of fragrant white flowers surrounded by bees. Until mid-summer, the shrub is decorated with clusters of blue-purple berries. Until late autumn, the decoration of the bush is foliage, which gradually changes color from green to crimson. Burgundy-brown branches look spectacular against the background of a snow-covered winter garden.

Description of canadian irgi

Let's start with a description of Irga is a fast-growing, fast-growing, long-lived shrub. The culture enters fruiting after planting in the third year. The life expectancy of an irgi is 40-50 years. Frost resistance is excellent, tolerates frosts up to 40 degrees without losses. In the conditions of the Moscow region, it does not need shelter for the winter. The plant also feels good in more northern regions. Well-growing bushes are very light-requiring and, if too densely planted, stretch up strongly and bear poor fruit.

The root system of the bush is superficial, the bulk of the roots is located at a depth of 40 cm, some of them go down to 1 m. The radius of spread of the root system reaches 2 m.

Irga blooms in late April - early May, for 10-15 days. The flowers can withstand short-term spring frosts down to -7 ° C.

The shrub is not picky about the quality of the soil, it is drought-resistant. Irga grows quickly - already in the third year after planting it begins to bear fruit, and at the age of 8-10 years a period of full productivity begins. The period of productivity is 20-30 years with an average yield of 8-10 kg of berries per bush.

The advantages of the shrub are early and abundant fruiting, the self-pollination of the plant ensures annual fruiting. Irga is unpretentious to growing conditions, very winter-hardy and drought-resistant.

Beneficial features

Irgi berries are a good multivitamin product containing vitamins C, B2, carotene, pectins, anthocyanins and trace elements (cobalt, copper, lead). The fruits are useful in the treatment of hypo- and avitaminosis, for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system.

Flowering of the canadian irgi Slate

The healing properties of irgi berries

• calms the nervous system, useful for insomnia and restless sleep;
• increase the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels and strengthen them;
• used for the prevention of myocardial infarction and varicose veins (prevents the formation of blood clots);
• have a tonic effect, lower high blood pressure and normalize cholesterol levels;
• used for the prevention of peptic ulcer disease and as an anti-inflammatory agent for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• the berry is useful in the fight against sclerosis;
• juice from fresh berries has astringent properties, so it is used to gargle with an inflammation of the throat.

Types and variety of varieties

Irga is from the Rosaceae family and has more than 25 species. The most common ones are:

1. Irga canadian- shrub with drooping branches up to 6 meters high. It is appreciated for very sweet, tasty berries weighing up to 1 g. Yields up to 6 kg / bush. The greens are lush, very good in hedges when planted after 2 meters. It is a fast-growing shrub with an annual growth of up to 40 cm in height and width.

Over the past 60 years, Canada has been a breeding center for the best varieties of Irgi. The most popular among gardeners are:

• Pembina- the height and width of the shrub reaches 5 meters. The crown is spreading. The advantage of the variety is the formation of a small amount of root growth.
• Smokey- shrub up to 4.5 m high, crown in the form of an open umbrella. A variety with a late flowering period, which makes it possible for it to avoid the loss of the ovary during late spring frosts. Smokey's berries are large, up to 14mm in diameter, with a great aroma. The berries are the sweetest of all available varieties, fleshy and without astringency.
• Northline- a multi-stemmed bush of medium size, vertical trunks. The berries are very large, up to 16mm in diameter, blue-black with a waxy bloom, ripening of non-cracking berries is amicable. The variety forms a lot of root growth. Needs a pollinator.
• Sturgeon- a multi-stemmed, spreading shrub up to 3 m high. The variety is high-yielding, the berry clusters are long, the fruits are large and sweet.
• Thyssen- a shrub reaching a height of 5 m with a highly spreading, rounded crown. This is the earliest, fastest growing variety. The size of berries of excellent taste reaches 17mm in diameter. Fruits are fragrant with a slight sourness. Due to the uneven ripening of the berries, the harvesting period is extended in time. Frost resistance up to - 28 ° С.

1. Irga Lamarca Is a large shrub or small tree up to 8 meters high. The crown has a rounded shape. Unlike Canadian Irga, it grows more slowly, the annual growth is no more than 25 cm in height. Irga Lamarca is very beautiful during the flowering period and in the crimson foliage decoration in autumn.

The trunks take on a beautiful curving shape when shaped regularly. Such trees look good in single plantings and alleys.

Blooming Canadian Irgi Lamarck

Often in the gardens there is also spike irga and round-leaved irga, they are decorative and their fruits are also eaten, but they are smaller in size and the taste of berries is low.

Planting, growing and care conditions

Irga is undemanding to the growing conditions, and is not capricious in care.

In the garden or in the garden, it can be planted from the north side, as its multi-stem bushes trap snow and protect from cold northern winds. It is good to plant raspberries, currants, gooseberries next to it, for them it will serve as good protection.

Irga can be planted both in spring and autumn. In a prepared hole, seedlings are planted 5-10 cm deeper than they grew before, this will contribute to the growth of more basal shoots. After planting and abundant watering, the soil around the seedlings is mulched, the plant is cut to about 1/3 of the height, leaving no more than 5 well-developed buds. Plants are planted every 2-3 m, and when creating a hedge, it is preferable to plant in a checkerboard pattern every 0.5-0.7 m in rows and between plants.

Further care consists in watering during dry periods, loosening the soil around the bushes and feeding. Irga is responsive to fertilizers. During the season, it is advisable to feed it monthly with liquid organic fertilizers (infusions of mullein or bird droppings), combining them with watering and making foliar dressing with microfertilizers. The plant will be grateful to you.

Variety of canadian irgi Linez

Pruning

If you decide to form the plant in the form of a multi-stemmed bush, then in the first years after planting it is necessary to remove all weak shoots, leaving 2-3 of the strongest zero shoots from the root growth. A well-formed bush consists of 10-15 branches of different ages.

When the annual growth of shoots is no more than 10 cm, they begin rejuvenating pruning, which consists in removing all weak and strongly elongated shoots. The rest are cut to a height of 2.5 meters. All places of large cuts must be treated with garden varnish.

For greater decorativeness of the Canadian Irga, its crown should be formed in an oval shape when pruning. The result of such pruning will be a powerful growth of young shoots with the formation of fruit buds.

Irgu Lamarca is formed with a tree with 3-5 trunks, the rest of all basal shoots are removed throughout the season. The branches are shortened annually.

When using Irgi canadensis in creating a hedge, it is necessary to cut it annually, shortening the annual growth by 10-15 cm. Annual pruning will contribute to better branching.

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate Irga Canadian:

Ripe juicy berries of canadian irgi

Pests and diseases

Irga canadensis is resistant to major fungal diseases and pests. It can be affected by the caterpillars of the currant leafworm, the caterpillar of the rose leafworm. They harm the leaves and gnaw the tops of young shoots. To combat pests when processing the garden, you must not forget to spray the irgi bushes.

During the ripening period of berries, birds do great harm to it, which also love to feast on its juicy and tasty berries. To avoid loss of yield, young bushes can be covered with a net. When the plants are already large, there are enough berries for everyone.

Vitamins - for future use

Irga bears fruit annually and abundantly, but its berries ripen unevenly and therefore they are harvested in several stages.

The shelf life of the harvested berries is short, only 2-3 days, provided they are stored in a cool place (basement or refrigerator).

Compotes, juices, preserves, jellies, wine are prepared from sweet irgi berries, they are dried and frozen. Irgi berries, due to their low acid content, do not have a bright taste, but they have a very bright color. In this connection, it is very good to add them to compotes from apples, pears and other fruits that do not have a pronounced color.

Particular attention should be paid to the dried fruits of the irgi, they may well replace the expensive raisins. Dried berries retain their properties for a long time. They are kept in closed glass jars.

A characteristic feature of the irgi is the poor juice yield from fresh berries. After 5-7 days of storage, the juice yield during processing will be up to 80%.

Blanks

Irgi berry juice is good for the eyes, heart, throat, blood vessels. The prepared juice is used for the preparation of fruit drinks, drinks, jelly.

Sugar Juice

The berries that have lain in a cool place for a week are washed, squeezed out, mixed with sugar in a 1: 1 ratio. Heat the juice over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, without bringing it to a boil. The heated juice is poured into glass jars or bottles, sealed and stored in a cool place.

Natural juice

Juice is squeezed out of the prepared berries, poured into liter cans, pasteurized for 15-20 minutes and rolled up with lids.

Irga canadian, due to its medicinal, taste and decorative qualities, deserves a place of honor in the garden or in the country. Leaving is minimal, but benefits and pleasures are abundant.

In terms of endurance, decorativeness, taste, Irga canadian is one of the best representatives of a vast genus. Canadian breeders have successfully worked on the "image" of the fruit shrub, creating dozens of large-fruited varieties on the basis of the natural species. The similarity of climatic conditions allows most of them to be successfully cultivated in the European part of Russia, Siberia, and the Urals.

Unusual berry - fresh like blueberries, dried like raisins

Natural potential of irgi canadian

Irga canadian is a large multi-stemmed shrub, rather resembling a tree with thin bare trunks and a lush broad-oval crown. It has great energy and growth rates - in 3-4 years it grows 2 or more meters in height, in adult form reaches 6-8 m, in botanical gardens there are specimens under 11 m. The plant is distinguished by its durability, in one place it can grow over 50 years.

The vegetation of the bush begins in the second half of April with bud break. Young leaves are soft, tomentose, brown-green, pubescent. Then comes 1–1.5 weeks of boiling white bloom with large drooping clusters. They are replaced by brushes of fruits - tiny apples, which during the ripening period change color from cream with a pink barrel, through all shades of red, to bright purple, and then dark purple. Irgi berries begin to ripen in July, depending on the variety, the yield can last from one to several weeks.

Note! Species representatives of the Irga canadensis begin to bear fruit at the age of 5 years, varietal shrubs are distinguished by early maturity - they give the first berries already at 2–3 years.

The biological characteristics of irgi contain clear signs of endurance and unpretentiousness.

• Like most fruit crops, it is photophilous.
• It does not need a lot of heat for development, it can withstand frosts in the range of 40–50⁰ С.
• It is not afraid of spring frosts even during the period of swelling of flower buds.
• Feels comfortable on soils with a minimum nutrient content.
• Drought-resistant, does not need regular watering.
• Self-fertile, with abundant ovary.

And a few words about the decorative value of culture. If the Irga is common or spiky, common in the middle lane, is more suitable for hedges, group plantings, then the Irga canadian is a soloist, "the first beauty", capable of outshining many. Graceful trees look like slender dancers, depending on the season in snow-white, dark green berries with purple beads, crimson outfits.

The best large-fruited varieties

One of the reasons why a shrub with tasty and healing fruits is not very popular - small berries (up to 0.7 cm in diameter) and low yield per bush. The large-fruited irgi varieties, which have become the hallmark of Canadian breeders, are devoid of this drawback. "Yablochko" with a diameter of up to 20 mm, large brushes, sweet pulp, amicable ripening - this is not a complete list of the advantages of varietal irgi. Unfortunately, there is not a very extensive assortment of culture on free sale, but there is plenty to choose from.

• Irga Martin is a second generation hybrid derived from the Thyssen variety. I took only the best features from the parental form - large (ø15 mm) juicy berries with an excellent refreshing taste, early ripening, stable yield, compact bush with a moderate amount of growth. Unlike the Thyssen variety, it is characterized by amicable ripening of berries, it is resistant to pests.
• Irga Prince William is not as large as the previous variety, but has a number of other advantages, including high frost resistance and decorative effect. In autumn, the foliage turns into an intense red-orange color and does not fly around for a long time, pleasing the eye with a bright outfit. Suitable for small gardens - the plant has a compact crown and a height of no more than 2.5 m.
• Irga of the Pambina variety, on the contrary, belongs to large shrubs. In its adult form, it is a sprawling multi-stemmed tree up to 5 m high and with the same crown diameter. Taking into account the large berry (ø15 mm), stable and high yield, one plant is enough to provide the family with fresh fruits and prepare a vitamin supplement for the winter. Gardeners appreciate the variety for the small amount of root growth.
• Irga Canadian Ballerina was named for her graceful silhouette and decorative properties. The variety is tall, large-fruited (berries ø12 mm), the pulp is juicy, sweet, with a light almond aroma. Fruits ripening times are average (starting from July). The plant is winter-hardy, unpretentious to moisture and nutrition, but on fertile, moderately moist soil, the size and taste of the berries noticeably improves.
• The variety of Irgi Slate possesses attractive characteristics, the description of which includes the early ripening of berries (June), large-fruited (up to 12 mm), rich sweet taste, enviable winter hardiness. These qualities are especially valuable for regions with short summers and cold winters. Another plus is amicable ripening and simultaneous yield of the crop.
• The Canadian Irgi Smokey variety has become almost classic. The tall, spreading tree is literally strewn with full clusters of large, even, dark blue fruits. The berries have a balanced amount of sugars and acids, which gives them a very pleasant, incomparable taste. The highlight of the variety is its extremely high yield. Smokey belongs to the late group, therefore, generative buds are practically not damaged by recurrent frosts and give an abundant ovary. In Canada, it is an industrial grade.
• Irga Honiwood is also a classic, but large-fruited. Its juicy, fleshy fruits, reaching almost 2 cm in diameter, have a balanced taste and pleasant aroma. The attractiveness is added by the high yield and the ability of the plant to bear fruit for 2-3 years after planting a one-year seedling. In terms of large fruit size, Canadian varieties Northline, Mandan, Forestburg, Linnez are on a par with Honiwood.

The dignity of the Ballerina is not only in a slender silhouette, but also in delicious berries

Harvestable and "friendly" Martin

The fruit cluster of the Smokey variety is not just 5-6 berries, but a whole "grape" bunch

A distinctive feature of Irgi Slate is blue-black, large fruits

Note! Irga canadensis Lamarca is often ranked among the varieties, although it is a species close in botanical characteristics. Among the characteristics of this plant attractive to the gardener, decorativeness is in the first place. As a tapeworm, it will decorate the lawn, place accents in group plantings. The shrub lends itself well to cutting.

Growing irgi in the regions of Russia

Irga canadian is such an unpretentious plant with a high natural potential for survival in unfavorable conditions that most of its varieties are successfully cultivated in Ukraine and Belarus, they are suitable for the Baltic States, the Moscow region and other regions with a cold climate.

In the middle lane

The main problem of growing fruit and berry crops in this region is not so much the frosty winter as the unstable spring weather. Prolonged thaws, return frosts often lead to freezing of flower buds, and gardeners are left without a crop. Irga is not threatened, since most of its varieties are resistant to spring temperatures down to -7⁰ С, which is the norm for the middle lane.

In outskirts of Moscow

Irga canadian, with proper planting and minimal care in the suburbs, will delight you with gorgeous flowering and an abundant harvest of sweet fruits. The weather here allows the berry to pick up the right amount of sugar and acquire a pleasant specific taste and aroma. The following varieties received rave reviews from amateur gardeners:

• Pambina;
• Smokey;
• undersized up to 1.5 m Northline;
• high-yielding Sturgeon;
• time-tested Thyssen;
• rare Mandan et al.

Gorgeous bush of Irgi Smoky in the Moscow region

In the Urals and Siberia

Irga grows and bears fruit even where apple and pear trees cannot stand, therefore its large-fruited varieties are a godsend for Siberia and the Urals. It is no coincidence that this tasty and healing berry is called northern raisins.

Canadian varieties Slate, Mandan, Pambina, domestic cultivars Krasnoyarskaya, Surprise have passed the test of Russian frosts and received a residence permit in this region. Some gardeners try to grow the Bluessant variety, but its frost resistance ends at -35-37⁰ С.

Features of growing irgi in central Russia:

Moscow, Russia, on the site since 11.01.2017

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Irga canadensis is a very decorative and abundantly fruiting shrub. Its berries are not only tasty, but also very healthy. The plant is appreciated by gardeners for its general unpretentiousness, high yield, immunity to many common diseases and pests.

Description of irgi canadian

Irga is a deciduous tree shrub from the rose family. In nature, it is mainly distributed in North America. There it grows like a weed without any care, including on the sides of roads, as well as on the edges of forests, on the slopes of mountains. In Russia, some varieties are found in the Crimea, in the Caucasus. The period of productive life of the shrub is rather long, at least 45-50 years. Moreover, it is distinguished by its rapid growth and early maturity. The first crop is harvested within 3-4 years after planting in a permanent place, by the age of 8-10 years, the irga reaches the maximum possible indicators. On average, you can count on 20-25 kg of berries per bush. They ripen in the first half of July.

The first crop of irgi is harvested within 3-4 years after planting in a permanent place

Since the temperate climate is ideal for irgi, it is by nature intended for cultivation in most of Russia. High frost resistance allows her to winter without special shelter, not only in the Moscow region, but also in the North-West region. As practice shows, the plant survives and bears fruit even in the forest-tundra, tundra.

Irga canadensis, cultivated by gardeners since the 17th century, is known by many different names. At home (in Canada) it is called a word borrowed from the language of the Aboriginal Indians - "saskatoon". Other nicknames - "northern grapes", "wine berry" (irga is widely used for home winemaking), "shade bush", "children's", "useful" or "June berry", "cinnamon" (due to the similarity with small black grapes) ...

The average height of an adult plant reaches 2–7 m. Moreover, it can have 20-25 trunks. Shoots are long, with a smooth bark, slightly drooping under their own weight. Young branches cast reddish or brick, then gradually turn brown. The crown is spreading, in the form of an ellipse or umbrella.

The leaves are not too large (up to 10 cm in length), ovoid, soft to the touch. The surface of the leaf is rough on both sides, covered with a short soft "pile", which makes it appear covered with silvery frost. Young, freshly blossomed leaves are olive-colored with a brown undertone, in summer they are characterized by a bluish-gray or pinkish tint, and by autumn they acquire a very spectacular crimson hue interspersed with crimson-raspberry, dark purple and orange-golden. The edges are cut with small "teeth".

Leaves of Irga canadensis change color during the season

The root system of the Irga is well developed, but superficial. Most of the roots are located at a distance of 40-50 cm from the surface of the earth, some go deeper to 90-100 cm. But in diameter they grow up to 2-2.5 m. The plant is very active forms basal shoots, quickly spreads over the garden area.

It is extremely difficult to uproot an irga completely, even if you specifically set such a goal.

In the fall, Irga canadian looks very impressive

Flowering occurs in the last decade of April or early May. It lasts 12-15 days. The shrub looks very impressive at this time.

Irga is a good honey plant, attracting bees and other insects to the site. Its name, translated from Latin (Amelanchier), means "to bring honey."

Flowers rarely suffer from recurrent spring frosts; they can withstand a short drop in temperature down to -5 ° C. The buds are collected in beautifully falling brushes of 5-12 pieces. Almost everyone is a future berry. The petals are snow-white or vanilla-cream.

Flowers of canadensis canadensis attract many pollinating insects to the site.

The fruits of the irgi are round, in the form of an almost regular ball. Ripe berries are colored inky purple with a bluish tinge, slightly underripe - in dark blue, unripe - in pink. The harvest does not ripen at the same time, so on the bush you can see fruits of all three shades at once. Of all types of irgi, it is the Canadian one that has the best taste. The pleasant sweetness is due to its high sugar content and low fruit acid content.

The harvest of Irgi canadensis ripens gradually, over several weeks.

Irgi berries are suitable for home canning, but apples, red or black currants are added to preserves, compotes, and jams to add a slight sourness. Irga juice is very useful for the heart and blood vessels. But you won't be able to squeeze it out of freshly picked fruits. The berries should be allowed to lie in a dry, dark place for 5–6 days. If you leave it there for 1.5–2 months, the irga will turn into something similar to raisins.

Irga, alone or together with other berries and fruits, is widely used in home canning

Varieties popular with gardeners

Most of the varieties grown in garden plots are bred in Canada, but Russian breeders have their own achievements. The most popular are the following varieties:

• Pembina. The bush is almost spherical, 4.5–5 m in diameter, very decorative at any time of the year. It is distinguished by the reluctant formation of root growth, which is, in principle, atypical for irgi. The diameter of the berry is 1.4–1.5 cm;
• Smoky. One of the most popular varieties, almost a standard. It is grown on an industrial scale at home. Differs in high immunity. It grows up to 4–4.5 m. The shoots are clearly numb, the crown is in the shape of an umbrella. It blooms only in the last decade of May, when the probability of recurrent spring frosts is already minimal. The average fruit diameter is about 1.5 cm. The berries are very sweet, juicy, without astringency. The yield is high - more than 25 kg per adult plant;
• Northline. The bush consists of at least 25 trunks, erect shoots. The height is about 4 m, the crown diameter is 5.5–6 m. The average diameter of the berries is 1.6–1.7 cm, unlike most other varieties, they ripen at the same time. Their shape is not round, but rather ovoid. The fruits can be harvested not only by hand, but also in a mechanized way. Root growth is very abundant. A pollinator variety is required for the highest possible yield;
• Sturgeon. Sprawling shrub, 2.5–3 m high. It has a high yield and excellent fruit taste. The berry clusters are very long, resembling grapes;
• Thiessen. It grows up to 5 m in height, the crown is wide, spreading. The plant blooms early, the harvest ripens at the end of June. The berries are large, 1.7–1.8 cm in diameter, sweet, with a slight sourness. The pulp is very juicy. Fruiting lasts for several weeks. Frost resistance up to -30ºС;
• Martin. One of the Thiessen clones. A compact bush up to 3 m high and 3–3.5 m in diameter. The average fruit diameter is 1.5 cm or more. The yield is not too high, the formation of root shoots is moderate. Fruiting is amicable. The variety has a high immunity against diseases, is rarely affected by pests. The berries ripen 1.5–2 months after flowering;
• Sleith. One of the earliest varieties, the berries are almost black. They are distinguished by excellent taste and aroma. The average fruit diameter is 1.2–1.4 cm. Fruiting is amicable. Winter hardiness at the level of -32 ° C;
• Mandam. The variety is of medium ripening, the shrub is low, up to 3 m. Fruiting is stable. Berries with a diameter of more than 1.5 cm, there is no sourness in the taste;
• Ballerina. The shrub is tall (6 m and more), the shoots are very weak. The berries are juicy and very sweet, with hints of almonds in the aroma. It tolerates adverse environmental conditions well, grows and bears fruit even in the city;
• Nelson. Almost spherical shrub with a diameter of about 4.5 m. The berries are not too large, 1.2–1.3 cm. The pulp is very juicy, with a tart aftertaste and slight sourness. The variety has a genetically built-in immunity to rust, blooms 7-10 days later than most varieties of irgi, therefore, it is less likely to fall under recurrent frosts;
• Honeywood. The height of the bush is about 5 m, the diameter of the crown is 3.5–4 m. The first crop is harvested within 2–3 years after planting. The berries are dark blue; as they ripen, they acquire a purple hue. They can be spherical or slightly flattened. The average diameter of the fruit is about 2 cm. The clusters are long (each with 9-15 berries), reminiscent of grapes. The pulp is very aromatic, with a slight tart aftertaste. Little root growth, flowering later. Fruiting lasts 2-3 weeks;
• JB-30. The crown is 5.5–6 cm in diameter, the height of the bush is about the same. The berries are almost indistinguishable in taste from wild irgi, but much larger - about 1.7 cm in diameter. Perfectly ripe fruits are dark blue, yield - about 20 kg per bush;
• Bluff. One of the latest achievements of Canadian breeders, is still not widespread among amateur gardeners. The berries are not too large (1–1.2 cm in diameter), but they are ideal for processing due to the fact that their seeds are very small. The taste is pleasant, slightly tart;
• Prince William. The bush is compact, no more than 2.5 m in diameter. The variety is distinguished by its high cold resistance and decorative effect. In autumn, the orange-scarlet leaves are kept on the plant until the first frost. The average diameter of the berry is 1.2 cm;
• Pierson. Canadian variety. The plant is powerful, multi-stemmed. Differs in intensive formation of root growth. The average fruit diameter is 1.8 cm or more. Excellent taste. Blooms late, harvest ripens in early August;
• Forestbourgh. The bush is about 4 m high, at first the erect shoots will gradually disappear. Not too much root growth is formed. Berries with a diameter of 1.4-1.6 cm, collected in dense clusters of 8-13 pieces. The fruits ripen together. Winter hardiness up to -40 ° C, the variety is also resistant to drought. Immunity against diseases and pests is high;
• Krasnoyarsk. Russian variety of late ripening. The bush is not very tall, 3.5–4 m. The berries ripen in the last decade of July or early August. It depends on how warm and sunny the summer is. Differs in winter hardiness at the level of -40 ° C and more. Fruits are 1.8–2 cm in diameter, the taste is pleasant, sweet and sour.

Photo gallery: varieties of canadian irgi popular among gardeners

There is Irga Lamarca, which is often characterized as one of the varieties of Irga Canadian. But in fact, this is a separate plant species. Irga Lamarca is most often used in landscape design, the flowering plant looks very beautiful.

Irga Lamarca is widely used in landscape design

It differs from the Canadian one in the larger size of the flowers, the abundance of flowering and the copper-red tint of young leaves. Irga Lamarca also bears fruit, but her berries are small (up to 1 cm in diameter), and the yield is not too high - 5–7 kg per adult plant.

Planting procedure

Irga is an unpretentious plant. This also applies to the choice of the planting site and the quality of the soil. It tolerates shade well, does not suffer from cold northern winds, therefore, hedges are often formed from tall shrubs around the perimeter of the site, thus protecting other plantings. Next to the irga, you can place other berry bushes - raspberries, gooseberries, currants. In an open place, culture also grows well, but does not like direct sunlight.

Irga canadian can easily endure partial shade, the bright sun for her is not the best option

Irga is planted both in spring and autumn. It depends on the climate in a particular region. If it is moderate, then spring is more suitable. Over the summer, the plant will definitely have time to adapt to new habitat conditions. In areas with a subtropical climate, planting can be planned for September and even for the first half of October, being sure that at least 2–2.5 months are left before the first frost.

The seedlings purchased in the fall can be preserved until next spring without compromising quality. They are planted in a container filled with wet sawdust or a mixture of peat and sand, which is removed to a dark place with a temperature slightly above 0 ° C. There are other ways - to dig in the seedlings in the garden bed, placing them at an angle, and then pour a high snowdrift on top, or simply wrap them in several layers of breathable covering material and throw snow.

Saplings of canadian irgi are most often purchased in the fall, at this time there is more choice

The pit for the irgi is prepared in advance, at least a few weeks before the planned planting. Enough about 50 cm in depth and 60–65 cm in diameter. From fertilizers to the top layer of fertile soil add humus (15–20 l), simple superphosphate (200–250 g), potassium sulfate (70–80 g).

Coarse river sand (about 10 liters) and a drainage layer at the bottom will help to make the soil looser.

A deep planting pit for the irgi is not needed

With the simultaneous planting of several plants, at least 2-3 m are left between them. If the formation of a hedge is planned, the irgu is planted in a checkerboard pattern with an interval of 50-70 cm. Sufficient area for feeding an adult plant is 6-10 m².

Irga does not impose special requirements on the quality of the soil, however, the ideal option for it is a light, but fertile loamy or sandy loam soil. If the soil is very poor, the shrub, in search of food, will begin to grow very actively in breadth, forming a huge amount of root growth, which is almost impossible to eradicate. The acid-base balance does not matter for irgi, but it does not relate very well to sour soil. If the groundwater is closer than 2–2.5 m from the surface, it is advisable to find another site, otherwise the roots may start to rot.

When planting irgi, the root collar must be deepened by 5–7 cm, and the seedling itself must be tilted at an angle of about 40–45º. This contributes to the active formation of adventitious roots. The tree must be watered abundantly (10-15 liters). Then the soil in the trunk circle is mulched. The shoots of the seedling are cut, shortening by about a third. Each should have 5–6 growth buds.

Video: planting irgi

Culture care

Care consists in keeping the trunk circle clean, periodically loosening the soil, applying fertilizers and watering. The need for shelter for the winter depends on the varietal qualities of a particular variety.

Watering

Frequent and plentiful watering is not needed. The plant has a developed root system, so it may well do with natural precipitation. The exception is very hot and dry weather. In this case, Irga canadensis is watered every 7–12 days, spending 20–30 liters per adult plant. Sprinkler irrigation is the preferred method. It allows you to wash away the dust from the leaves of the bush at the same time as watering.

If technically feasible, irgu is watered by sprinkling, simulating natural precipitation

The optimal time for the procedure is early morning or late evening. If the sun is shining brightly, the water droplets remaining on the leaves can act as lenses, the shrub will get sunburn.

Fertilization

If all the necessary fertilizers have been introduced into the planting pit, in the first 3-4 years of being in the open field, the Canadian Irga can do without additional fertilizing. Then, every spring in the near-stem circle during the first loosening, distribute 15–20 g of any nitrogen-containing fertilizer (you can prepare a solution by diluting the same amount in 10 liters of water). At the end of September, the plant is fed with phosphorus and potassium so that it can properly prepare for winter. To do this, use simple superphosphate and potassium sulfate (20-25 g each) or complex preparations (ABA, Autumn). A natural alternative is wood ash (about 0.5 l).

Wood ash - a natural source of potassium and phosphorus

Irga gratefully responds to any fertilizers, especially organic ones, with an increase in the growth rate and an increase in yield. Starting from the moment when the flowering ends, it is advisable to water it every 3-4 weeks with infusions of nettle leaves, dandelion, fresh cow dung or bird droppings. The nutrient solution is not applied directly under the roots; it is better to make several annular grooves, stepping back from the trunk about 0.5 m.About half an hour after feeding, the bush is watered abundantly so as not to burn the roots. When the moisture is absorbed, the soil is gently loosened.

In 12-15 days after flowering, foliar dressing can be carried out using microelements. In 10 liters of water dissolve 1–2 g of copper sulfate, zinc sulfate and boric acid.

Pruning

Irga is distinguished by its growth rate, therefore it needs periodic pruning. But this should not be abused, the culture does not tolerate the procedure very well.

Most often it is formed as a multi-stem bush. This configuration is provided by nature itself, it only needs to be slightly tweaked. To do this, during the first 4–5 years after planting in the ground near the canadensis to the point of growth, all shoots are cut off, leaving only 2–3 of the most powerful and developed ones. An adult shrub, therefore, should consist of 15–20 branches of different ages.

The productive life of the canadian irgi is long, so it needs rejuvenating pruning about every 10–12 years. A signal for this is a sharp decrease in the growth rate of the shrub - no more than 10 cm per year. In this case, it is imperative to get rid of all no longer fruiting, weak, deformed, elongated shoots. All other branches are shortened to 2–2.5 m. There is another version of rejuvenation - every year, completely cut off the two oldest shoots.

A radical way to prune canadensis is to leave only hemp from the shoots

If the cut diameter is more than 0.5 cm, it must be disinfected with a 2% solution of copper sulfate and thoroughly covered with garden varnish.

In Irga canadensis, growing in a hedge, all available shoots are shortened by 10-15 cm annually. This stimulates the shrub to branch more intensively.

Sanitary pruning is carried out every spring. It is needed to get rid of the broken, dry, frozen branches over the winter. They also remove those that grow down and into the crown, thickening it, breaking the neat outlines of the bush.

Preparing for winter

Irga canadian - frost-resistant culture. Therefore, in regions with a subtropical climate, it definitely does not need shelter for the winter. There you can limit yourself to cleaning the trunk circle from debris and renewing the mulch layer.

But in the European part of Russia, for example, in the Moscow region, the situation is different. There winters are quite warm, snowy, and abnormally cold, with a minimum amount of precipitation. Therefore, it is better to play it safe and protect young seedlings by covering them with suitable-sized boxes filled with hay, sawdust, shavings. Adult specimens at the base of the shoots are covered with a layer of peat or humus about 25 cm high. As soon as the snow falls, a high snowdrift is erected at the roots.

Common diseases and pests

Irga canadensis by nature has high immunity, so it rarely suffers from pathogenic fungi and pests. The main threat to the crop is birds. The only way to reliably protect the berries from them is to put a fine mesh over the bush. But this is not always possible due to the size of the plant. All other methods (scarecrows, shiny ribbons, ratchets) give only a short-term effect, for 2-3 days, no more. Birds quickly realize that these objects are not capable of causing them any harm.

The net is the only reliable way to protect the irgi crop from birds.

But still, occasionally, if the summer is very cold and rainy, the following diseases can develop:

• tuberculariosis. Leaves and young shoots acquire an unnatural red-purple hue, quickly dry and wither. Small reddish-pink "warts" may appear on the branches. All branches, even slightly damaged, are cut and burned. The shrub is sprayed twice with an interval of 7–12 days with a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate;
• gray rot. On the shoots at the base and in the places where the leaf petioles are attached, on the fruits, "weeping" black-brown spots spread, gradually covering up with a fluffy light gray bloom with small black blotches. The most common cause is abundant watering, so it is stopped immediately. The shrub and soil in the near-stem circle is powdered with sifted wood ash, crushed chalk, colloidal sulfur;
• leaf spot. The spots can be of a wide variety of shades, from almost white to dark brown. It depends on the specific type of fungus causing the disease. For the fight, any copper-containing preparations (Topaz, Skor, Horus) are used. Usually, if the problem is noticed at an early stage, 2-3 treatments with an interval of 5-7 days are enough.

Gallery: Canadian Diseases Affecting Irgu

The most common pests of irgi are usually not able to cause significant damage to the shrub. But this does not mean that there is no need to fight them.

• seed eater. Adults lay eggs in fruit ovaries. The hatched larvae eat the seeds from the berries and pupate in them. Damaged fruits shrivel and fall off. For prophylaxis, the plant is sprayed with Karbofos immediately after flowering; if suspicious symptoms are found, Karate, Aktellik or Fufanon are treated;
• speckled moth. Caterpillars feed on plant tissues, eating out narrow passages in the leaves. Damaged leaves turn yellow and fall off. After harvesting, for prevention, irgu is sprayed with Lepidocide or Bitoxibacillin. Also, Kinmiks, Mospilan, Konfidor-Maxi are used to combat motley;
• leaflet. Most often, the pest manifests itself in early summer. Adults lay eggs in leaves, rolling them up in a tube. 3-5 days before flowering, the bush is sprayed with a Nexion solution or tincture of wormwood, tobacco crumbs. They fight with adults with the help of Alatar, Bitoks, Binom.

Irga ( Amelanchier) - a shrub or tree, up to 6-8 m high. In spring, the irga blooms profusely with small white flowers, collected in a brush. At this time, the plant looks a bit like a bird cherry. In autumn, the leaves turn golden and purple.

In culture, four types of irgi are most common, of which canadian irga ( A. canadensis) the most decorative.

See a photo of the irga shrub of the most common species on the territory of our country:

All species have edible apple-shaped fruits similar in color and size to currants.

Irga is a frost-hardy, undemanding shrub that can withstand both drought and slight soil salinity. The plant is resistant to diseases and pests, tolerates air pollution, is photophilous, but it can grow in partial shade, it tolerates pruning well, including "on a stump", grows and rejuvenates by offspring.

Irga make excellent hedges, screens that protect from prying eyes, noise, dusty highway. In addition, irga is a good background for other shrubs. Below is a description of the irga shrub, features of care and cultivation.

Description of the irga shrub

This bush can be considered a "newbie" on the territory of domestic summer cottages, but despite this, it fell in love with gardeners. The tree grows quickly and has several trunks, is resistant to winter cold, unpretentious to conditions, does not suffer from diseases and has a bountiful harvest.

The shrub has oblong, oval dark green leaves, which turn purple-orange in autumn and look especially decorative, brown-gray bark. It blooms with white flowers, which are located in the inflorescences in the form of brushes. Berries have a sweetish taste, juicy, dark blue, up to 12 pieces on one brush.

Flowering occurs in April-May, which makes the shrub very attractive at this time. During this period, it is not afraid of frosts, which occur in spring, and in winter, the bush can withstand frosts down to -30 ̊С without additional hilling.

Types and varieties of irgi for the Moscow region: photo and description

In total, there are 18 species of irgi (there is also information that 25). The shrub belongs to the Rosaceae family, most of which are common in North America. He loves open sunny places, such as forest edges, mountain slopes, and can grow in tundra areas.

On the territory of our country, the following types and varieties of irgi are considered common:

Irga round-leaved ( Amelanchier rotundifolia)

Irga spiky ( Amelanchier Spicata)

Irga canadian ( Amelanchier canadensis)

Irga blood-red ( Amelanchier sanguinea)

These varieties can be found wild in nature, which grow there thanks to birds, lovers of delicious fruits.

The listed varieties of irgi are suitable for the Moscow region, they perfectly “take care of themselves”, the main thing is to plant the tree correctly. They are not afraid of drought, strong winds and almost any unfavorable conditions, and all thanks to the root system, which penetrates to a depth of about 2 m and spreads within a radius of 2-2.5 m. It provides the plant with all the necessary nutrients and moisture.

What kind of irgi different varieties have, look at the photo:

Consider a more detailed description of irgi varieties with photos.

Round-leaved

This shrub has many trunks, grows up to 4 m. It has a smooth bark, dark gray, oval, sometimes almost round leaves, which makes them similar to alder leaves. In autumn they turn bright yellow. It blooms in white with a slight fragrance. The berries are very sweet, large, dark blue with a purple tint. The shrub can bear up to 10 kg of fruit per crop, therefore it is considered the best variety of irgi.

Canadian

This plant is distinguished by its height, which can reach 8 m. It blooms with cream or white flowers that are odorless. The branches are thin, hanging down, the leaves are oblong, elliptical, in the autumn they turn dark crimson, red, purple. The berries inside are dark pink in color, the taste is sweet, about 6 kg can be harvested in one harvest.

Spicate

The bush is up to 5 m in height, has a dense oval crown, gray bark and matte dark green ovoid leaves. The flowers are bright pink or white and are arranged in brushes. The berries are dark red, almost black, with a bluish bloom. The plant begins to produce crops from the 4th year of life.

Blood red

Its berries have an irregular spherical shape, reminiscent of blueberries. They taste like unripe fruits, which even birds neglect. Despite this, they are very juicy, which is why they are used to make juices based on other fruits.

Taking into account the description of the types of irgi, the best varieties for the Moscow region are Canadian or round-leaved. But you need to pay attention to some of the nuances. Since this shrub has a powerful root system, you will have to struggle with shoots all the time, so you should not plant this shrub near paths and buildings or decorative landscape elements. You should also not do this for the reason that falling fruits leave dark spots.

Planting and caring for the irga in the open field

Before you start cultivating this shrub, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of planting and caring for an irga. She loves sunshine and soil that is rich in organic additives. Depending on the preferences and characteristics of leaving it, you can form a bush or tree.

Planting and caring for an irga in the open field have their own characteristics. For planting, seedlings, 1-2 years old, are taken, planted in prepared pits, with a diameter of about 50 cm. The distance between the plants should not be less than 1 m. After that, the steams are abundantly watered, mulched with peat or humus. Above the ground, a trunk about 10 cm long with 4-5 healthy buds remains.

Some stages of planting irgi, see the photo:

Planting a seedling in a prepared hole.

after landing.

Irgi seedlings for sale.

How to plant irgu in spring

The peculiarities of irgi planting and care in the Moscow region correspond to the general recommendations for planting and caring for trees in general. It is advisable to plant seedlings of this shrub in the autumn. According to some experts, this can be done in March, when the weather conditions are favorable.

It is necessary to prune weak branches on time. In general, there should not be more than 2-3 healthy shoots on one trunk. At 3 years old, the shrub should have about 15 branches. Older plants can be rejuvenated periodically.

Planting irgi and care features, see the photo below, which shows the annual method of dealing with the growth of this shrub:

Young shoots, or as they are also called "zero", should be removed not above the surface of the earth, but near the root of the plant, except for those from which the shrub is subsequently formed or with the help of which it is subsequently rejuvenated.

How to grow irgu from seeds

Planting irgi and care, as well as reproduction - the process is not difficult, not only for professional gardeners, but also for beginners too. The shrub can be propagated by seedlings, which can be purchased or grown from seeds. The seeds are planted in fertilized beds and then watered well. When the seedlings reach 1-2 years of age, they are planted in a permanent place.

Growing irgi does not require special skills, the main thing is that the plant is accepted when planting, further care consists in feeding, forming a crown, pruning weak, old or dry branches, thinning the bush.

If you are interested in how to plant irga from seeds, you need to know how to properly prepare them for planting. To prepare the seed, ripe fruits are taken, wiped and washed with cool water. Bad seeds usually float to the surface. The washing procedure should be carried out until the good ones remain at the bottom.

You need to know how to properly plant irgu using seeds if you choose this breeding method. It is necessary to sow about 300 seeds into a groove one meter long to a depth of 1.5-2 cm. Sowing is carried out in early spring, sometimes at the end of winter, and the climb of the gatherings can be expected for almost a year.

Every gardener should know how to grow irgu when the seeds have sprouted. Parostki, in which 3-5 full-fledged leaves grow, are cut open and grown up to 1-2 years of age. For bushes grown from seeds, uniformity is characteristic. This is presumably caused by asexual reproduction (apomixis).

Reproduction of irgi by cuttings and root shoots

The easiest way to reproduce irgi is to use shoots from the roots for planting, which have to be harvested every year. This bush requires an area of ​​2.5-4 m for life, 1.5-2 m are left between future shrubs. In nurseries, seedlings are planted in a checkerboard pattern.

The work consists in choosing suitable basal processes, the diameter of which should not be less than 0.5 cm, and the length of 10-15 cm. It is important that the roots are healthy and well developed. The dug-in steams are well watered so that the humidity is constantly at a high level.

For this method of reproduction, shoots that are not more than 6 years old are suitable. It is suitable for amateur gardeners who are interested in how to plant an irga in the spring by dividing the bushes, because no more than 4-6 full cuttings are obtained. In nurseries, preference is given to seed propagation in order to obtain a larger number of seedlings.

Reproduction of irgi by cuttings consists in choosing branches that are no more than one year old and whose length is 12-15 cm. It is necessary to prepare a special greenhouse, with a special soil mixture. The bottom is covered with a layer of pebble (30-40 cm), then a mixture of light soil with humus (25 cm) is poured, the top is covered with sand (4-5 cm).

The planted and well-watered cuttings are covered with foil until the roots appear. This usually happens around the 25th day, depending on the variety. To speed up the appearance of roots on cuttings, they are treated with special solutions. Rooted cuttings are planted in open ground the next year.

Despite the fact that growing irgi and caring for this shrub does not require much effort, it is still necessary to carry out some standard actions, such as feeding, pruning and protecting from pests and birds. Birds love to feast on ripe fruits very much, therefore, when you want to get a harvest, you need to cover the bush with a fine mesh.

Growing and caring for irga consists in the correct application of top dressing in the summer. The nutritional composition should be liquid, prepared from ammonium nitrate, 50 g of which is used per bush or 5 liters of 10% emulsion of bird droppings. Fertilizing is necessary at night, when abundant watering was made or it was raining.

How to properly prune irgu in spring

In order not to harm the bush, you need to familiarize yourself with the information on how to cut the irga in the spring. You can start shaping the crown from 3-4 years of age. During this period, it is important to remove the basal processes, leaving 1-2 shoots that have grown near the main trunks of the bush.

Let's consider further how to properly cut irgu to rejuvenate it. "Rejuvenating" pruning is done when the shrub is 8-10 years old. The condition of the bush indicates the need for rejuvenation, such as:

• a small increase in a year (no more than 10 cm);
• increased density of the bush;
• the appearance of weak and dry twigs.

If you do not rejuvenate, then the bush begins to lose its decorative effect, bear fruit worse and is exposed to pests. How to prune an irgu to rejuvenate a shrub:

• thinning (remove all unnecessary, weak shoots);
• pruning branches that are too elongated;
• shortening of long healthy shoots.

As a result, no more than 10-15 strong branches should remain. The cut site is processed with garden varnish.

Each amateur gardener, using the basic information, will know how to care for the irga correctly, what needs to be done at each "age" period of the plant, what actions to take at different times of the year. With careful care, it can grow and bear fruit safely for up to 70 years.