A huge number of people from all over the world come to bloom delicious sakura in Japan. But there is another beautiful fabulous plant that blooms in spring and exudes an amazing, dizzying aroma. This is almonds. In fact, almonds and sakura (serrated cherries) are pretty close relatives, and they represent the genus of plums.
From our article you can find some interesting information regarding this amazing plant: where you can see flowering almonds, when it blooms, etc.
Growth
The homeland of almonds is Asia (Middle and Front) and the Mediterranean. This culture originated many centuries ago BC.
Today, the most numerous almond plantings are found in the areas of the Mediterranean, USA (California), China, Central Asia, the Western Tien Shan, Kopetdag, the Caucasus and the Crimea. In Tajikistan, there is even a beautiful “city of almonds” - Kanibadam. Also, this plant is grown in some areas of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and South Moravia.
Types of Almonds in Russia
Before we consider the flowering almonds themselves (a description below), we will determine which varieties of it grow in Russia. Here, 3 species of this plant are mainly grown:
- common almonds;
- bobovnik, steppe;
- three-bladed.
The last two species are forms that do not give edible fruits, but decorative. They grow in the middle zone of Russia. Their flowers open until the leaves are completely open, almost on bare branches. They are very beautiful, from white to saturated pink, have a magnificent strong aroma that attracts many bees.
Fruits give ordinary almonds and tree almonds. The first species is a large plant that can reach a height of up to 5 meters.
Blooming almonds: photo, description
In spring, the almond orchards are strewn with delicate, almost airy, pale pink flowers. There are also flowers decorated in the middle with bright purple streaks. They bloom, as noted above, almost on bare branches. It seems that the trees are covered with an airy whitish-pink coverlet. All the air over long distances around is filled with the most delicate pleasant aroma of flowering almonds.
Amazing, eye-catching beauty is this flowering plant. Such magnificence also attracts many people to admire the extraordinary colors of the awakening nature. Flowering almonds - a real miracle!
Vincent Van Gogh on Almond Blossoms
Van Gogh (a Dutch artist), having a rather sad fate, can be said to have earned great respect among people, customers and colleagues throughout his short life, although he remained not quite in demand until the end of his days. Only after death did he earn real fame and recognition around the world as an impressionist, although he himself repeatedly rejected this trend.
A painting entitled “Flowering Almond Branches” is one of his last works. It was written in 1890 after the birth of the artist’s nephew (the son of his brother Theo). Flowering almonds, depicted in a magnificent picture, represent a symbol that carries a certain subtext. Almonds bloom early and, probably, as conceived by the author himself, it has the meaning of starting a new life.
The peculiarity and remarkableness of this picture is that it is made in a style not characteristic of the artist. And the color scheme is limited. The turquoise sky looks bright and carefree, and not a single cloud overshadows the surprisingly bright spring day. Flowering almonds in his picture are a harbinger of warmth and joy of life.
Breeding
Absolutely all varieties of almonds are self-infertile. To get the fruit, you need to plant a variety of pollinator trees. You can propagate almonds with seedlings, seeds, or even just plant a plum or cherry plum on the turn. However, in order to successfully grow varietal almonds, it is best to buy a seedling in the nursery for the garden and do not forget that you must definitely choose a pollinator for the selected variety.
This plant is unpretentious to the soil, but it is advisable to choose the most illuminated place and protected from the wind. It is worth planting this magnificent tree to always see indescribable beauty flowering almonds in the spring.
Landing and care
It should be noted that the distance from one tree to another should be about 5-7 meters. It all depends on the type of plant. A landing pit of 60 by 60 cm in size is being prepared. Its bottom is mulched with a mixture consisting of sheet earth, humus and sand. The seedling is set at the bottom of the pit, is filled up, and the earth is rammed. If necessary, the plant can be tied to a peg, also installed in the pit before bedding with soil. The seedling is carefully watered with a bucket of water.
The first fruiting occurs in 3-5 years. Almonds should be cut and fed annually with mineral and organic fertilizers. The age of the plant can reach up to 100-130 years, and the maximum yield is at 18-20 years of age.
Almonds of Russia
Common almonds have been brought to Russia for a long time. In the Crimean Nikitsky Botanical Garden, for several decades, work has been carried out on the selection of winter-hardy varieties of it. Despite the fact that these plants tolerate severe frosts (up to -25 degrees), early spring flowering in the presence of still severe frost destroys leaves and flowers.
Varieties are frost-resistant:
- Nikitsky 62. Has large and sweet fruits, blooms in April.
- Dessert. Differs in sweet fruits with easily peeled peel. The flowers are like little roses.
- Paper-shell with very large, sweet fruits and soft peels. It blooms in late March.
- Seaside with sweet and high-yielding fruits. Seeds are pointed and flat.
Varieties of the southern regions:
- Rims.
- Fragrant.
- Yalta.
- Almonds Petunnikova.
Varieties of fragile almonds:
Conclusion
Gorgeous flowering almonds. A photo of him or a picture with such an image will decorate any interior of the room and give it freshness and comfort. Any species that has taken root in the garden will become a real decoration and will lead to indescribable delight with wonderful flowering. And this season (early spring) is a celebration of the birth of life!