Adam's tree (aka paulownia) is an incredibly beautiful plant that has spread throughout almost all corners of the planet and has been successfully cultivated in gardens, parks, greenhouses.
The “Princess Tree”, or “Dragon Tree” (as it is called in China), is especially appreciated for the magnificent flowering occurring at the end of spring and the beautiful velvet foliage. He was nicknamed Pavlovna in honor of Anna Pavlovna, Queen of the Netherlands, daughter of the Russian Emperor Paul I. It was this beautiful woman who helped organize an expedition that discovered and described the incredibly attractive paulownia.
Adam tree: what does it look like?
Paulownia is characterized by a cylindrical shape with a trunk, a spreading crown of round or ovoid shape, huge velvet leaves on long stalks, bright purple-blue (cream, pink) tubular flower bells combined in vertical inflorescences about 30-50 cm long. The flowers are quite large - about 6 cm in diameter. Outwardly similar to a thimble, with a yellow stripe inside. The buds are born at the end of summer, and blooming in April-May.
The fruits of the Adam tree are gray-brown capsules with a large number of winged small seeds, ripening in September-October and remaining on the tree throughout the winter. Belonging to the Paulowniaceae family, the Adam tree reaches 15-20 meters in height and is distributed in the territory of Southeast Asia, southern and western regions of Ukraine, the Caucasus, the Far East, and the Crimea. It is also grown in garden areas of North America and Europe.
Interesting signs
Adam's tree, planting and caring for which is not particularly difficult, is associated with many signs. So, in Japan, they acquire this attractive plant if a daughter is born in the family. They cut down paulownia and make it a solid master's chest when the girl grows up and gets married. Wood is difficult to burn, which makes it possible to store valuable objects in chests made of the material of this tree. Also, according to legends, the phoenix bird flies into the houses near which paulownia grows , bringing happiness on its wings.
The positive factors in the cultivation of the Adam tree is its active growth and rapidly developing root system, which allows planting areas under threat of erosion. Also, these plant characteristics are used when re-planting areas burned out by fires. Paulownia, which gives a dense shadow and is characterized by active photosynthesis, is in demand in the landscaping of megacities, and its foliage, which is similar to alfalfa in terms of protein content and quality, is a quality raw material for the production of fodder.
Adam tree: application
The flowers of the Adam tree, which have a vanilla aroma with a slight hint of almond, are successfully used in the manufacture of creams and perfumes, and in some European countries, filled with cream, they are considered the most delicious delicacy. Bees collect beautiful honey from the paulownia flowers: fragrant, transparent, light, the qualitative characteristics of which can be compared with an equivalent product from acacia. Adam's honey has been used successfully in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory and digestive systems.
The healing properties of paulownia in Chinese medicine have been known since ancient times; on an industrial basis, from the leaves, which contain a huge amount of useful substances, medicines are made. Their action is aimed at improving the functioning of internal organs.
Qualitative characteristics of paulownia wood
Adam's tree is a plant that is characterized by such valuable qualities as resistance to moisture absorption, low fire hazard and the ability to accumulate tannin, which prevents termites and grinder bugs from eating the tree. That is why Adam wood is used in the manufacture of various products: from parts for ships and aircraft structures to toys and musical instruments. Paulownia does not absorb wood varnishes and epoxies, which, combined with its low water permeability, makes it an optimal raw material in the manufacture of sports equipment: skis, boats, surfboards, snowboards.
Paulownia flowering
The Adam tree is a real find for those who want to acquire an actively growing culture on their site with a minimal amount of effort. The plant is able to actively develop in the tub or large capacity. Even grown from seeds, it will delight you with excellent results. Please note: this is not the "Adam's apple" tree (otherwise - macular), do not confuse them. Flowering occurs after 3-5 years of planting and lasts for 6 weeks.
There is such a bewitching sight before the leaves open. Adam's tree, whose flower is incredibly beautiful and fragrant, is quite capable of tolerating mild, short-term frosts. In the case of freezing of the trunk and branches, it can easily be reborn in the spring: new young shoots emerge from the roots and in street conditions have time to grow to a height of 1.5-3.0 meters, before the onset of new cold weather. The root of the Adam tree is multi-stem, in depth it can reach 4.5-6 meters.
Seed propagation
The Adam tree at home is easily propagated by seeds, which are enough to sprinkle on the surface of fertile soil, sprinkle water from a spray bottle on top and cover with glass, creating a kind of greenhouse. The seed germination period is six months.
Since the emergence of seedlings (this happens after two weeks), the latter should be accustomed to natural conditions: air every day, raising the glass and gradually increasing the time. After 10 days, the glass can be removed completely, and mature plants can be planted in separate medium-sized containers. It is important with this method of reproduction to maintain the required level of humidity, avoiding overmoistening - the reasons for the development of putrefactive bacteria, harmful to the plant.
Propagation by cuttings and root offspring
Less problematic is the cultivation of cuttings and root offspring, which in the summer-autumn period must be carefully separated from the mother plant and rooted in a nutrient substrate. In spring, you can plant at a constant place of growth, leaving 2-3 cm of the stem over the soil surface. The growth of young trees comes from the place of cut, so a high cut will cause the tree trunk to bend and the quality of the wood to deteriorate. Usually a young plant grows in the form of two shoots. One of them, weaker, must be removed after reaching a 10-centimeter height. Otherwise, the tree may take the form of a bush.
Growing conditions
An Adam tree, the care of which even an inexperienced gardener can afford, can easily adapt to the soil, it is important only at the first time of growth to ensure high soil moisture, especially in spring planting. Plants planted in autumn will have enough natural rainfall. The potted Adam tree can be planted in summer. The seedling must be carefully removed from the pot together with an earthen lump and planted in a prepared hole 60 to 80 cm deep and 60 cm in diameter. Since the root system of the Adam tree is deep enough, it is recommended to loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. A mixture of sand, compost and turf should be used for backfilling. This can be done using garden pitchforks. The optimal soil for paulownia is sandy loam, the tree can also grow on clay and sandy soils. Adam's tree planting is required in open sunny areas. Undesirable, but a partial shadow can be allowed.
It looks beautiful in a single planting among lawns, lawns or against the background of low bushes. It is not recommended to plant it next to other trees, because the root system of paulownia is able to suppress the growth of neighbors.
Adam Tree Care
The vegetative period of the Adam tree begins in mid-April and continues until early May. Care is the timely removal of weeds; This is especially true at the beginning of seedling growth. At the same time, it is recommended to avoid the fight against weeds with the help of various chemicals, because the Adam tree is very sensitive to poisons and can die. Hilling will be useful.
Regular watering: 1-2 times a week, especially in the first two years of a tree's life. Moisturize the plant is required abundantly under the root. The need for moisture in paulownia will decrease with the complete development of the root system, capable of extracting moisture from the deep layers of the soil. Top dressing should be carried out during the first year of a tree's life once a week with high-nitrogen fertilizers, adding them to the water. An excellent top dressing for the Adam tree will be a good layer of mulch in the trunk circle. Hay, dry leaves, straw, compost, peat are used as mulch. Sometimes infusion of weeds can be added to irrigation water .
Of the pests, the slug poses a danger to the Adam tree. You can protect yourself from it by adding spruce or pine needles, oak bark and leaves to the mulch. You can plant a tree with rosemary or cucumber grass.