Cotinus golden spirit is a plant that is native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe. It is a member of the family Sapindaceae, which also includes the lychee and longan. The plant is also known as the smoke tree or smoketree. Cotinus golden spirit is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 6 meters in height. The leaves are oblong-elliptical in shape and are 10-15 centimeters long. The leaves are covered with a downy hairs, which give them a silver-gray appearance. The flowers are borne in clusters at the tips of the branches. The flowers are small and yellow in color. The fruit is a small, fleshy drupe that is black in color.
Related plant:
Cotinus Young Lady
About soil condition, Cotinus Golden Spirit prefers well-drained soil, but can also grow in average to poor soils as long as they are not too wet. This plant also does not like competition from other roots, so make sure to give it plenty of room to grow.
Similar to other members of the Cotinus genus, the Golden Spirit prefers full sun to partial shade. It is a tough and adaptable plant that can thrive in a wide range of soil types, as long as the soil is well-drained. Although it is drought-tolerant once established, it will perform best if given regular watering during extended periods of hot, dry weather.
The temperature condition of Cotinus Golden Spirit is very important. The optimum temperature for this plant is between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is too low, the plant will not produce enough flowers. If the temperature is too high, the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will not produce as many flowers.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% or less. Anything more and the plant will start to show signs of drooping leaves. If the leaves start to droop, increase the amount of water you're giving the plant.
For the fertilizer, this type of plant does best with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, taking care not to get any on the foliage. Be sure to water the fertilizer into the root system.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your Cotinus Golden Spirit healthy and looking its best. This evergreen shrub can be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. You can prune to remove any dead or damaged branches, to shape the plant, or to control its size.
Propagation is best done by rooting semi-ripe cuttings in August or September. Take cuttings from new growth that is about 6-8 inches long. Cut just below a node and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in a well-drained potting mix. Place the pot in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not wet and in 6-8 weeks the cuttings should have rooted. At that time, they can be transplanted into their own pots filled with a good quality potting mix.
Usually, the plant growth rate is due to the plant's ability to produce new cells quickly. The new cells are produced in the meristems, which are regions of the plant where cell division occurs. The plant's ability to produce new cells quickly is determined by the number of chromosomes in the cells. The more chromosomes a cell has, the faster it can divide.
Common problems for this kind of plant are root and stem rot, powdery mildew, and leaf spot. Root and stem rot can be caused by overwatering or by planting in poorly-draining soil. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can be treated with fungicides. Leaf spot is caused by a variety of fungi and can be treated with fungicides or by removing and destroying affected leaves.
Source:
Golden Spirit Smoketree - Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot' - PNW Plants
JC Raulston Arboretum - Our Plants - Cotinus coggygria 'Ancot'
Common Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria)
