SOME ASPECTS OF VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION OF PROMISING VARIETIES HIBISCUS X MOSCHEUTOS L.

Hibiscus x moscheutos L. is a promising decorative perennial for inclusion in green plantings in the southern regions of Russia. Currently, there is no data available on the most effective methods of propagating hibiscus in the conditions of southern gardening in Russia. Since 2014, FSBSI «North Caucasian Federal Scientific Center of Horticulture, Viticulture, Wine-making» (Krasnodar) has been carrying out work on introduction and variety study of H. x moscheutos. The collection includes 47 varieties. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the potential of vegetative propagation of promising varieties using the herbaceous cuttings method. The study included 18 varieties and hybrids. In the experiment 2 cutting periods were studied: 1st period – spring (II-III decade of May), 2nd period – summer (III decade of June – 1st decade of July (control). It was established that herbaceous cuttings can be carried out in 2 periods – in the II decade of May, with the placement of mother bushes in protected ground, and in the III decade of June, with the preparation of cuttings from mother plants growing in open ground. For most varieties, spring cuttings are preferable. In this case, young plants overwinter better, and the yield of marketable seedlings after 1 year of growing in pots is higher. During wintering of plants of summer cuttings, a high percentage of death was observed, which is associated with the low winter hardiness of young plants. A significant decrease in the yield of marketable seedlings after 1 year of growing in plants of summer cuttings was detected in the following varieties: Berry Awersome, Midnithe Marvell, Plam Flambe, Perfect Storm – a decrease in the yield of seedlings of I grade was observed by almost 2 times in comparison with plants rooted in spring. The best performance in herbaceous cuttings was found in the following varieties: Cherry Cheescake, Cranberry Crush, Peppermint Schnapps, Jazzberry Jam, Summer in Paradise, Krasny Rusanova, Hybrid № 5. These cultivars combine in their genotype adaptability to abiotic stress factors and increased productivity of uterine bushes during cuttings and provide a high yield of marketable seedlings when grown in pots. Key words: ROSEMALLOW (HIBISCUS MOSCHEUTOS), VEGETATIVE REPRODUCTION, HERBACEOUS CUTTINGS, POT CULTURE