Mock-orange

Saxifrage family. Occurs in Western Europe, East Asia and North America; about 50 species are known.

This is a showy, multi-stemmed, slender shrub with simple opposite leaves.

The height of the shrub varies from 0.8 to 4 m depending on species and cultivar.

The Mock-orange blooms in late May - early June.

Flowers are white, snow-white and cream-colored, single, semi-double, or double.

Flowers have a pleasant fragrance reminiscent of true jasmine (Jacminum - the olive family).

In cultivation, it prefers fertile soils and a sunny location, but can grow in shade and on poor soils.

It does not tolerate soil salinity and is very sensitive to drought.

Propagation:

The Mock-orange is propagated vegetatively and by seed.

Vegetative propagation of mock-orange

The vegetative method is used to propagate hybrid forms and cultivars, as well as in home gardens.

Most widely used is propagation by winter cuttings harvested in autumn. For this, one-year lateral shoots with a small shield of last year's growth are used. Vigorous vegetative shoots should not be used for cuttings.

Cutting length, depending on the thickness of the shoot, is 20-30 cm; the top cut is 1 -1.5 cm above the upper pair of buds.

The cuttings are stored in a cellar or refrigerator.

They are planted into the open ground in early spring, maintaining optimal moisture until the cuttings have rooted.

Summer cuttings are taken from young healthy bushes when the shoots begin to become woody.

Green mock-orange cuttings are rooted in coarse sand in cold frames covered with sashes, where constant soil and air moisture is maintained.

In autumn the rooted cuttings are planted into a nursery bed, and the following year to a permanent place.

Mock-orange is also propagated by layering and by dividing the bush.

Seed propagation of mock-orange

Seeds are sown in April in beds with a light covering of peat and rolled with a light roller.

The sowings are covered with mats or shields.

Sometimes sowing is done in warm or semi-warm frames in early spring.

If necessary, the seedlings are thinned; however, it is better to avoid pricking out and keep the seedlings until the following spring, until planting the mock-orange in its permanent place.

A good effect is achieved by pre-sowing treatment of seeds by freezing for 30-40 days.

Seeds in muslin bags are soaked in water for 2-3 h and then placed under snow or ice, which is protected from melting by a layer of sawdust and straw.