Yellow acacia is a handicraft plant that is dotted with small yellow flowers that resemble moths in shape. She used to be very popular in our country. It was used not only for landscaping parks and landscaping, but many gardeners also grew it at home. However, the tree-like caragana gradually receded into the background, as the originators brought forth many new varieties of plants that were more to the liking of amateur gardeners. Nowadays, the popularity of shrubs is growing again. This is due to the fact that acacia during the flowering period looks very attractive and adorns the garden well, and it is also very easy to care for.
general information
This is an ornamental plant of small height, in which the fruits have a folate shape. Inside them are pea-shaped seeds. The ripening period begins in mid-July, when they open, spreading seeds around the shrub. It is worth noting that they are suitable for eating. Seeds are a good source of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and in their energy value and taste can be compared with legumes. Nutritionists say they are good for your health. From ancient times, yellow acacia seeds were boiled and used to prepare various dishes.
The height of the culture in question is on average 5-6 meters, but in our country, due to the climate, it grows to only 3 meters. Despite the fact that acacia refers to trees, most often it is presented in the form of a bush with a lush green-gray crown.
Tree-like Karagana is a thermophilic plant that does not tolerate Russian frosts, so if you want to breed this shrub, be sure to consider this nuance. Especially if you live in the countryside.
To date, about 70 species of acacia have been bred, some of them have healing properties. Most of the species of this shrub grows in the Far East and Central Asia.
Types of shrubs
There are many of them. Breeders are constantly working on the development of new types of culture that will have higher unique qualities, as well as be able to better tolerate the harsh Russian climate. What tree-like caragana can be?
Species to date are the following:
- yellow;
- maned;
- prickly;
- Ussuri;
- shrubby;
- dwarf.
Each variety of plants has certain characteristics. But all of them are united by the fact that they are endowed with high healing properties, therefore, for many centuries, yellow acacia has been widely used in folk medicine around the world. It is worth noting that today some drugs are created from the seeds of this tree on an industrial scale.
What are the healing properties?
Tree-like Karagana (the description of the plant testifies to its high healing properties) was used by our ancestors in folk medicine to combat many diseases. Various decoctions and infusions are prepared from the bark and roots of the bush, which are effective in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infection, flu, rheumatism, allergies and many other ailments.
Folk remedies made from acacia leaves help to get rid of headaches, heartburn, scrofula, and are also effective for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, some liver ailments and chronic diseases of the circulatory system. In addition, decoctions from the bark of Haragana tree-like are excellent antiseptics that can be used to disinfect open wounds and treat burns.
Infusions made from blooming flowers have antipyretic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as relieve stomach pain and help with colds.
Features of planting shrubs
The tree-like Karagana, the landing of which does not require much effort, loves warmth, so it is best to choose an open area of land for it. As for the soil, sandy or super-sandy soil will be an ideal option, however, the tree adapts well to any other types. The focus should be on the landing site. To acacia fully revealed in all its glory and delight you with its attractive appearance, it needs a large amount of sunlight.
The best time for planting is considered the beginning of spring or the end of autumn. If you want to place several trees in your garden, then you should plant them at a distance of about half a meter from each other. The depth of the hole should be at least 50 centimeters. But here it all depends on the type of soil. If it is too hard, it is recommended to make the landing pit deeper so that a drainage system can be laid at its bottom.
You need to fill up the hole with a substrate prepared from peat and universal mineral fertilizers. Tamp the soil well and sprinkle with a layer of mulch, and the plant is watered abundantly. Acacia yellow during the first year after planting needs regular watering, the amount of which then gradually decreases.
Yellow Beauty Care
So what do you need to know about this? The tree-like Karagana (tree care is very simple and does not require much effort) belongs to the legume family, and these plants are able to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere. Therefore, it does not need frequent feeding. Periodically, the bush can be fertilized with peat or humus. It does not need to be watered too often, because it tolerates drought wonderfully. If during the summer there was a small amount of precipitation, then only 2-3 times a month will be enough. At the same time, it is not recommended to fill the acacia too much. Excess moisture can quickly lead to decay of the root system.
If you live in a region that is not characterized by very frosty winters, then the plant can not be covered. Shrub rejuvenation is performed as necessary, and spring is considered the best time for this. With proper care, yellow acacia retains its decorative properties for several decades.
Breeding process
One of the most popular garden and park plants is tree-like caragana.
Tree reproduction can be carried out in the following ways:
- division;
- sowing seeds;
- cuttings;
- grafting.
The seed propagation method is one of the most common, since the planting material germinates well, and the first sprouts appear already the next month after sowing. It is not even necessary to pre-stratify the seeds.
Both young and stiff shoots are suitable for cuttings. However, it is important to understand here that if you use green shoots, then special growth stimulators will be required for their normal survival. A simpler alternative to grafting is rhizome division, which is best done in early spring or mid-autumn.
Possible breeding problems
The tree-like Karagana is highly resistant to pests and various diseases, however, some problems in the process of caring for the bush can still occur.
Most often, the plant suffers from pests such as:
- aphid;
- false shield;
- lumberjacks;
- glass box.
To protect acacia from pests, use insecticides. Between each spraying should take about two and a half weeks. When choosing a drug, it is better to give preference to agents with a systemic effect. They are well absorbed by the plant, and also are not washed off by rain. In this case, insecticides penetrate the vascular system of the tree, which provides comprehensive protection.
For the prevention and control of various diseases, experienced gardeners use a solution of copper sulfate. They are sprayed with shrubs every spring, as well as when the first signs of disease occur.
Honey from the flowers of the bush
The tree-like Karagana, the flowering of which begins in early May and lasts until the end of the month, is an excellent honey plant that gives a large amount of nectar. A large amount of it is released in cloudy weather, however, the sugar content is higher in the nectar that was collected in warm sunny weather.
Honey turns transparent, light amber color. It has a unique aroma and excellent taste. Moreover, the product does not crystallize over a long period of time. It can be stored for several years, and it will remain liquid. It is for these properties that yellow acacia honey is valued by many beekeepers. In addition, it is an excellent source of fructose and glucose, due to which honey favorably affects the work of almost all internal organs, helps to increase the protective functions of the body, and also normalizes blood sugar. It can be consumed even by those people who suffer from diabetes and cannot consume any sweets.
Use in landscaping
This is an ornamental plant that is widely used in many countries for landscaping parks and cities. Recently, the bush is becoming increasingly popular in landscape design. At the same time, acacia will look great both on its own and in a group with other plants, as well as in a hedge. The fence from the bushes around the perimeter of the land looks simply amazing, but the plants will have to be rejuvenated every year so that they retain an aesthetic appearance.
The root system of acacia develops very quickly, so the shrub well takes root in a new place and begins to grow rapidly. The tree-like Karagana, the crown diameter of which can reach two and a half meters, is excellent for fixing gullies and creating a protective strip around the fields and along highways. Since the plant in question releases a large amount of nectar, honey from which has many useful properties, some beekeepers plant it at home.
Collection and storage of raw materials
Tree-like Karagana, the cultivation of which can be carried out both in rural and urban areas, has a wide range of applications. As mentioned earlier, the bark, roots, leaves and flowers of this shrub have medicinal properties, and they can be used to prepare various decoctions and infusions. However, in order to use raw materials in medicine, it must be properly collected and stored.
It is possible to engage in its procurement throughout the year, without reference to seasonality. Flowers are stored in mid-May, when the flowering period begins at the shrub, and the leaves can be harvested all summer. Nevertheless, experienced folk healers claim that the raw materials that were collected in the spring are best suited for the preparation of medicinal products, since it contains the largest amount of useful substances.
Flowers and leaves are evenly distributed on a newspaper in the fresh air. If the weather is cloudy outside, then you need to place the raw materials under a canopy so that it does not get wet in the event of rain. Seeds and roots are dried in the sun or at a low temperature in the oven.
Tree Caragana Tinctures
Many folk healers use flowers and acacia bark for the preparation of alcohol tinctures, which are very effective in rheumatism and damage to the walls of blood vessels of any etiology. Making a healing cocktail is easy. To prepare such a tool, you will need 200 grams of dried and chopped leaves and roots and half a liter of vodka. It is necessary to insist for at least two weeks in a dark place, periodically shaking the container.
When the solution is ready, they rub the diseased joints, then wrap them with a scarf. With very difficult stages of rheumatism, accompanied by intolerable pains, grated fresh horseradish is added to the tincture in a ratio of 1 to 1. And if you dilute the medicine with water in a ratio of 1:10 and take it every day, you can increase the protective functions of your body and strengthen the immune system .
Contraindications for use in medicine
If you are a supporter of traditional medicine, then when using yellow acacia for the preparation of decoctions and infusions, it is necessary to take into account the fact that this plant has some contraindications. They can lead to negative consequences, so be careful. If the medicines were not prepared correctly or they are taken without proper dosage, then you can cause great harm to your own health. Poisonous substances are present in the leaves, flowers, and bark of the tree-like caragana, the amount of which increases very much during the flowering period. Therefore, it is not recommended to use the fruits for medicinal purposes without first consulting a doctor.
In addition, decoctions should not be taken with:
- intoxication;
- individual intolerance;
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding;
- children under 5 years old.
In all other cases, it is allowed to take decoctions and infusions prepared on the basis of raw yellow acacia, but subject to strict adherence to dosage.
As it turned out, caring for the culture in question is quite simple. This is a beautiful shrub, which is not only an excellent decoration of the yard, but also good for health.