Exotic plants have long ceased to be something unexpected. Many gardeners grow atypical flowers, shrubs, or even trees. Of course, this is fraught with some difficulties, but caring and proper care of the plants do their job: in the rooms and even in household plots the most unexpected plants bloom in lush color, and some even bear fruit. One of these plants - curls (strawberry tree) - is not widespread in Russia yet. However, more and more amateurs are turning their eyes to this exotic. It is about him that will be discussed in this article.
Origin and species affiliation
It is known that strawberry tree originally grew in East Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, as well as in Central China. By species affiliation, the biologists belong to the Mulberry family. It was this that determined the demandingness of this exotic on the temperature of the soil and the environment, illumination and humidity. How did this plant get to other territories and when did it happen? Curls, a photo of which is now not uncommon, was allegedly distributed almost throughout the world thanks to trade and the development of tourism. Be that as it may, but in the last century only botanists knew about this plant, and today this tree is in the collection of any self-respecting amateur plant grower.
What does a strawberry tree look like?
The plant, known as curls, is a deciduous tree that, under natural conditions, does not grow more than 6 meters in height. Leaf blades of the plant are simple, whole-edge, with small notches along the edges. Their color is dark green, without pubescence.
Annual shoots of curls are covered with green bark, older ones are covered with brown. Strawberry tree, which is grown indoors, almost always has lighter tones in the color of the trunk than those that grow in natural conditions. The branches of curls are straight, located at a slight angle to the trunk, which makes it convenient to care for the plant. The crown of the plant is sprawling and quite dense, easily amenable to formation. On a fracture of leaves, young or mature branches of a crunch, droplets of milky juice stand out.
Frost resistance
Unfortunately, a strawberry tree is completely unable to withstand even short-term drops in air temperature. Freezing the soil can even cause the death of the tree. That is why curls, the frost resistance of which is low, in Russia is successfully grown only in room conditions. Only in the Caucasus and Crimea can this tree be kept in open ground. At the same time, it is worth taking care of protecting the tree from low temperatures, since frosts are fatal for it.
Strawberry from a tree? Description of the fruit
Despite the fact that the plant is called "strawberry tree", its fruits have little resemblance to these berries. The spherical red or red-burgundy fruits of the tree are in fact most reminiscent of large-fruited raspberries, since they are classified as complex multi-shoots by biological classification. The size of the fruit depends on many factors, often they reach 3-5 cm in diameter.
The taste and smell of the fruits of the strawberry tree, as well as their appearance, hardly resembles the strawberry itself. The presence of sugars in berries determines their sweetness, but the sourness characteristic of strawberries is completely absent. When compared with other fruits, the fruits of the strawberry tree plant, photos of which you can see later, are very similar to persimmons in taste.
It is noteworthy that the fruits, like branches with leaves, contain milky juice (milk). The berries of this exot are very juicy and soft, so they are not suitable for transportation. After harvesting, they are consumed for several hours, since within a day after harvesting they lose their marketability and taste. In addition, you can make jam or jam from the curly berries, dry them and use them to make drinks.
How to grow curls: in the open ground or indoors?
Despite the fact that in Russia there are areas with a relatively favorable climate for such an exotic plant as curls, cultivation in open ground is practically not carried out. Most gardeners prefer to keep this plant indoors. This is due to what requirements this tree presents to the conditions of detention.
Firstly, the strawberry tree does not tolerate cold snap, so it is quite problematic to grow it even in the southern regions. Secondly, the number of fruits on each tree is small, so a rare gardener will agree to occupy the useful area of the cottage plot with exotism. Thirdly, a humid climate and the same soil are not suitable for growing frizz, and it is easiest to regulate the water content both in the soil substrate and in the atmosphere when grown indoors.
However, despite all the difficulties, strawberry tree can be found in the gardens of lovers, even in the middle lane. There are also enthusiasts in the Caucasus who provide the most comfortable conditions for this exotic tree.
Planting material frizz: how to get?
So, where do you start cultivating crispiness? Of course, with planting material. You can buy it in specialized stores or from amateurs. If you yourself are the proud owner of frizz, you can try to propagate it yourself. There are several ways to do this: cuttings, root shoots or seeds.
It is worth noting immediately that the best way to get planting material among those who are engaged in the cultivation of curls is the separation of root shoots. In this case, you can get up to 99% of viable seedlings, which, moreover, earlier come into bearing.
Cuttings of a strawberry tree plant, reviews of which in this regard cannot be called positive, is a rather complicated process. To begin with, cut off annual shoots without signs of disease are placed for 16-18 hours in a solution of root stimulants. After this, the cuttings are placed in a sandy moistened substrate for 3-4 months. In this case, it is important to constantly monitor the moisture of the soil, not allowing it to dry completely.
The chance to get a healthy young plant in this way does not exceed 30%, so cuttings are not very popular. In addition, after transplanting cuttings with the resulting roots, there is a high probability of their death, so when planting them in containers, do not forget to use any stimulant.
There is no reliable information about seed propagation by seed, however, it is known that plants obtained in this way begin to bear fruit only 10-15 years after germination.
Preparing the soil for planting
The main condition when compiling a soil mixture for a strawberry tree is its breathability. The soil reaction should be slightly acidic or neutral. These characteristics are possessed by a mixture of turf land (2 parts), humus (1 part), peat (1 part) and sand (1 part). In addition to excellent breathability and nutrition, this soil also has good moisture permeability. This mixture is suitable for growing frizz in indoor conditions. For outdoor cultivation, it is recommended to make the same mixture, which then needs to be poured into a large landing pit (at least 1 meter deep) with a drainage layer of at least 20-30 cm.
Care for the mist in the first year after planting
In the first year after planting, a strawberry tree (a photo of it is available in the review) does not need additional fertilizing (provided that a nutritious soil mixture has been compiled). Otherwise, it may be necessary to fertilize with a solution of universal fertilizers. In addition, it is important to begin the formation of the crown of the tree and do not forget to monitor its condition. Despite the relatively high resistance to diseases and pests, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the stems and leaves of the plant. When traces of pest activity appear, it is important to begin treatment of the tree with suitable means.
Formation of plants in open ground and in a room
When grown in open ground, the hair practically does not need to be pruned. Sometimes it’s enough to pinch the shoots growing too fast and cut the branches “growing on the ring” that grow inside the crown or thicken it. Typically, a strawberry tree is grown on a low stem. Pruning is best done in the spring, but pinching the shoots should take time throughout the growing season.
All the recommendations set forth above are quite applicable for those plants that are grown in room conditions (often in the form of bonsai). At the same time, there are significant differences: it is recommended to leave no more than 5 skeletal branches in the crown, the length of which should be constantly monitored by pinching and trimming. All branches that interfere with the normal development of the crown (growing inside it, for example) should be removed at their very base.
Adult Plant Care
For indoor cultivation, curls should be placed in the brightest room near the window, since the plant is very fond of sunlight. In winter, the strawberry tree is placed in cooler rooms than in summer, since it needs rest (recall that the curls are a deciduous plant). In the warm season, a pot or container with a plant can be transferred to a balcony or an open veranda, as well as taken to the garden. Before this, it is recommended to gradually accustom the tree to direct sunlight.
Particular attention should be paid to plants during hot periods. It’s not worth it to water it once again, because the curls well tolerate drought. The best option is to spray the plant with slightly heated water.
Strawberry tree growing in open ground is slightly easier to take care of: pruning in spring, fertilizing with green fertilizers and humus during the growing season strengthen the root system of the plant, which makes it more resistant to adverse environmental factors. Unlike indoor curls, a garden plant needs special care in the cold season. It is important after complete dropping of leaves to insulate the tree trunk circle with leaf litter, humus and other materials. In addition, it is important not to forget about warming the trunk and large branches with non-woven material.
Pests and diseases of cunning and methods of dealing with them
No matter how sissy the tree we are considering may seem, few plants can compare with it in their resistance to pests and diseases. This exotic beauty is not affected even by such "eminent" pests as spider mites and aphids. Nevertheless, if agricultural technology is not followed, the strawberry tree may be attacked by thrips and mealy bugs. The normalization of humidity and temperature in the room helps to cope with them, as well as special preparations that can be purchased at any store for gardeners and gardeners.
What is the benefit of curls?
How can the plant parts and the curly fruit - the so-called "strawberry" be useful? A tree, a photo of which you could see in this article, is often used in traditional medicine. For example, an oil infusion or decoction of the bark is used to treat burns and ulcers on the skin. The fruits are taken orally for heartburn and other digestive disorders. In addition, they are used in the form of decoctions for high blood pressure and diseases of the liver and spleen.