Dogwood - what is it? And what benefits does the plant bring? These and many other questions are often asked by people who see berries for the first time. These fruits are widely used to treat many diseases. There are many recipes for using dogwood.
In addition, the berries have found their application in cooking. From them you can make delicious jam, tea, compote or jam. It is worth noting that cornel has certain contraindications for consumption, which must be taken into account so as not to harm health.
general information
Dogwood - what is it? It's about a plant. Shrub is widespread in Asia and Europe. In total, there are 4 varieties of this plant in nature, which differ in the appearance of the fruits. Berries can have a wide variety of shades of red and vary in their shape.
Some varieties may be pear-shaped, while others may be round or oblong. Regardless of the variety of dogwood, its berries are very healthy. The shrub adapts very well to any climatic conditions, and the life cycle is up to 250 years.
Despite the fact that the fruits ripen only in late autumn, their flowering occurs very early. Typically, flowering begins in early spring, when leaves have not yet appeared on the shrub. There are many different recipes for making these fruits.
The most popular varieties
Many people prefer to grow dogwood at their summer cottage. The description of the varieties will help determine which type of plant is best planted. Nowadays, many garden forms have been bred, the fruits of which weigh about 8 grams. They need to be collected as they mature. The most common varieties widely used in country gardening are considered such as:
- "Vavilovets."
- Vladimirsky.
- "Glowworm".
- "Helena".
- "Coral".
- "Elegant".
Variety "Vavilovets" refers to the early, and ripens in mid-August. Its fruits are quite large, have a pear-shaped shape and weigh 6-7.5 g. The berries have a rich red color of pulp, which becomes somewhat lighter around the bone.
Dogwood variety "Elena" refers to the early and begins to ripen in mid-August. When fully ripened, the berries have a saturated red color, however, unlike all other varieties, they do not turn black.
Variety Vladimirsky ripens in early September. He is the most productive and large-fruited. The fruits are about the same size and weigh 7.5 g. The berries are attached very tightly.
The medium-late Coral variety ripens until mid-September, and then begins to crumble from the trees. The berries are quite small, have a weight of 3.5-4 g and a rounded shape. After full ripening, the fruits become very sweet, with a rather unusual and uncharacteristic for dogwood flavor, which is somewhat reminiscent of cherries.
Dogwood variety "Firefly" ripens in late August. Fruits in size are one of the largest, bottle-shaped with a thickened neck. Their weight is approximately 7-7.5 g.
Variety "Elegant" begins to ripen in the first half of August. Its fruits have a bottle shape with a thin neck. The mass of berries is 4.5-5 g. Ripened fruits have a red-black color.
How to grow dogwood from bone?
Dogwood seeds are often used for plant propagation, however, you can do this in a vegetative way. Before you grow a shrub with a seed, you need to properly collect planting material. For planting, dogwood seeds must be collected as the fruit ripens. Then they need to be sorted, mixed with coarse river sand and planted in late autumn or early spring next year.
For a more successful planting and easy care, you can plant dogwood seeds immediately after harvesting. They land in the ground to a depth of 5 centimeters. Sometimes, due to prolonged dissimilarity, it may seem that the seeds will not sprout. However, this is not so, the most important thing is to ensure regular watering and prevent them from drying out. For faster germination of seeds, they must be kept for 3 days in water, a solution of hydrated lime or sulfuric acid.
For the normal formation of dogwood tree, seedlings at the sowing site should be for 1-2 years, and then they are dug out and planted on the beds, after cutting the ground part of the shoots a little. At this place, seedlings grow for 3 years until their root system and trunk are strengthened. Then landing is carried out at a permanent place. The distance between the bushes when planting should be approximately 60 cm.
Periodically, you need to make mineral fertilizers under the bush in a dry form and together with watering. It is imperative that the soil is loosened periodically, since it should not be too dense. To preserve soil moisture, mulching is carried out. Shrubs grown in this way can have absolutely any fruit, since they are subject to cross pollination. To grow shrubs with maternal characteristics, reproduction must be carried out using cuttings.
How to grow from cuttings and layering?
Dogwood planting in the Moscow Region is mainly carried out using cuttings or layering. To do this, in the spring, the lower shoots need to be slightly bent, laid in shallow pits, sprinkled with earth and watered. Rooted plants for the next spring should be separated from the bush and planted in a permanent place.
For propagation by cuttings, shoots of annual plants are suitable. In addition, so that they are well rooted, you need to plant them immediately after the cut. In order for the dogwood tree to grow well, during the period of rooting of cuttings, it is necessary to keep the soil moist. It is worth noting that the shrub grows very slowly, but is characterized by increased drought tolerance. It is practically not affected by pests and diseases and feels good in partial shade. It grows very poorly in open sunny places, it also affects the quality of the fruit. To harvest a good crop, it is best to plant 2-3 different varieties nearby. Large-fruited dogwood seedlings can be planted next to the early varieties, as this will help achieve faster fruit ripening.
Shrub care and pruning
It is not necessary to provide special conditions for growing dogwood, since this plant is unpretentious. All that is required is:
- watering;
- loosening the soil;
- top dressing;
- treatment for diseases and pests;
- timely pruning.
In the first year of growing dogwood, loosening to a depth of not more than 10 cm and watering are required. In the future, it is very important to timely remove shoots and excess shoots. In fruiting trees, only sanitary pruning should be carried out, removing excess or diseased branches.
Pruning is carried out in the spring to give the shrub a decorative look and longer fruiting. When pruning, leave only those parts of the plant that are under development. Drying tops and stems are trimmed to healthy wood. Old shoots are subject to full cutting.
How and when to pick berries?
Many people want to know, dogwood - what it is, how to use this remedy for the maximum benefit. The fruits are ready to eat when they turn bright red. Strongly overripe dogwood is not suitable for consumption. Dry, good, and sunny weather must be harvested. Do not collect dogwood after rain.
Torn fruits should be placed in a dry place where they must be ripened for 10 days. During this time, the product will become more saturated in color, gain a pleasant taste and aroma.
The nutritional value
The benefits and harms of dogwood are hidden in its composition, since berries contain many different substances. It is worth noting that the fruits contain a lot of water, so that the pulp always remains juicy. The berries are rich in ascorbic acid and in terms of the content of this vitamin are significantly superior to blackcurrant. Thanks to this composition, the fruits help normalize the immune system.
Fresh and dried berries contain many minerals required to normalize metabolic processes. In addition, they are required to ensure the vital functions of all human organs and tissues. Dogwood contains a lot of fiber, required to normalize the digestive processes and cleanse the body of toxic substances and toxins.
What can you combine dogwood with?
You need to know not only dogwood what it is, but also how to consume fruits and what it is best to combine with. You can consume it with any berries, honey, apples. Fruits are added to meat dishes, they harmonize well with poultry, fish. You can use it as a seasoning.
Culinary processing allows you to save all the useful qualities of fresh berries, as well as their excellent taste and aroma.
Useful properties of the plant
There is a certain benefit and harm to dogwood, which must be taken into account when eating this berry. A decoction of fruits has long been used to treat measles, colds, smallpox, scarlet fever. Fresh berries are consumed for anemia and stomach diseases, and decoction of bark and leaves for tuberculosis.
Dogwood helps to strengthen the immune system, therefore, it gradually needs to be introduced into children's diet food. Fresh berry juice helps to normalize blood sugar. Not only the fruits themselves are useful, but also the seeds from which substitutes for tea and coffee are prepared.
Indications for use
Dogwood helps not only strengthen the immune system, but also increase mood and appetite. This is an excellent prophylactic that forms resistance to poisons. For women, this remedy helps to reduce menstrual pain, as well as blood loss during childbirth.
The use of dogwood will help cleanse the liver of toxic substances. This tool helps to increase potency in men and has a diuretic effect. Berries are widely used in cosmetology as cleansing and skin tonic masks. An infusion of seeds will help get rid of dandruff.
Can I use during pregnancy?
Before consuming dogwood during pregnancy, you should consult a doctor. He will tell you in what quantities you can eat this berry. It is contraindicated for pregnant women to consume Jamaican dogwood, as this berry is quite toxic and can cause harm to the fetus.
Dogwood will help eliminate fever during pregnancy and is considered a good alternative to medications. In addition, this berry will help ensure the normal development of the fetus.
Harm and contraindications
However, despite the fact that cornel is very useful, it also has certain contraindications. Do not use it with increased acidity, a tendency to constipation, with exacerbation of ulcers and gastritis.
Natural energy is contraindicated for insomnia and excessive nervous excitability. It is undesirable to consume it in the elderly. In addition, it is forbidden to eat fruits with a tendency to allergies.