Often gardeners hear about such a plant as red sea buckthorn or shepherd. In fact, this amazing shrub is an umbrella sucker, which is a relative of these plants. Sometimes it can be called wild olive or akigumi. This valuable and unpretentious shrub is recommended for cultivation on all types of personal plots and in urban conditions. What kind of plant it is, how to grow it, what useful properties it has - you can find out by reading the material presented below.
Distribution area
The homeland of the parasol is considered to be East Asia: China and Japan. Unlike other types of suckers, for growing this it is preferable to choose the southern regions of Russia. This may be the south of Stavropol, Crimea, the Caucasus, Krasnodar Territory. Initially, this shrub appeared in the southern botanical gardens, and only then it migrated to the gardens of amateur gardeners, who were attracted by its extraordinary productivity.
Description of a shrub of a sucker parasol
Shrub or woody plant, a species of the genus sucker, the family suckers. The shrub grows to 2-4 m tall (by the age of 50 it grows to 2.5 m), has an average growth rate. Varieties of this type of sucker are considered only partially self-fertile, therefore, in order to get a generous crop, at least 2 different varieties should be planted on the site. The crown of the sucker is wide-spreading with a spreading flexible branches, on which there are thorns at a young age.
The leaves of the plant are light green in color, lanceolate, 4-10 cm long. Due to the scaly hairs that cover the branches, the young shoots appear silvery. The bush blooms in May, in the presented photo the goof during flowering.
Its unusually beautiful yellow-silver flowers are unusually fragrant and attract many bees; the plant is considered an excellent honey plant!
Fruit
Unripe berries have a greenish, silver color, but, ripening by October, they are filled with a bright ruby-red color with small brown spots. The size of the berries is up to 8 mm, the drupe fruits have an elliptical bone and a very sweet mealy flesh. Berries contain about 22% of sugars, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins B1, B2, E, C, up to 7.5% fat. They contain malic, citric, ascorbic acids. Umbrella parasol is especially valued for a high yield of berries ripening at one time. The yield of one shrub, subject to agricultural technology, can reach up to 3-5 buckets of delicious juicy berries. Fruiting shrub begins at the age of 8-9 years. Fruits can be consumed both fresh and made from them jelly, jam, jam, wine and candied fruit.
Loch umbrella: growing
All types of this culture are not too demanding in care. The plant is drought tolerant, therefore, does not need watering, due to the fact that the roots penetrate deep into the soil, it is able to provide itself with moisture, does not need suckers and top dressing. The landing site is best suited to the sun and is well protected from the wind. The shrub does not need forming pruning, it is only necessary to do sanitary. The only drawback of this type of sucker is its low frost resistance. When grown in the middle lane, it can freeze, but with the advent of spring it has the ability to recover. It is recommended to land on the south side of the house, where the shrub will be protected from the cold north winds.
Breeding
Shrub sucker umbrella propagated by root offspring, seeds, cuttings. Sowing seeds is considered the best and most reliable way. Plants grown by this method from the very beginning of growth get used to colder climatic conditions and therefore are better adapted to them.
Sowing seeds
Seeds are sown in spring or autumn after a mandatory three-month stratification in peat or sand at a temperature of +5 ° C. Seed treatment with heteroauxin, as well as bone removal, reduces stratification time. Seed germination is quite high and amounts to 90-100%. The recommended depth of their incorporation into the soil is 2-2.5 cm. It should be noted that summer or winter cuttings, when optimal conditions are created, also take root up to 90-100%.
After emergence, seedlings must be protected during the first few days from direct sunlight. Care consists in timely watering and weeding.
By the end of the first growing season, seedlings reach 18-20 cm in height, the roots grow to 6-8 cm in length. Plants in open ground can be planted next spring. When growing from seeds, the first crop can be obtained after four years of age, the maximum yield should be expected for the 8th year. The productive period of the sucker (photo below) lasts for 15-20 years.
Shelter for the winter
Note that the shrub can quite easily endure long-term cooling to -5 ° C, short-term to -10 ° C, however, apical shoots may be damaged. In those regions where the temperatures are relatively low, umbelliferous bushes planted in open plantings must be protected from frost. In late autumn, the bushes must be bent to the ground and covered, for example, with burlap or buried. When cultivating shrubs under frost-free conditions, the goof is an evergreen plant, in others it is semi-deciduous.
Healing properties
In folk medicine, flowers, bark, leaves, resin and the fruits of the sucker are widely used. Berries are considered especially valuable. Phyto-based herbal remedies are used as an antiviral, astringent, antibacterial agent. Recommended for use in inflammatory processes that occur in the body. They begin to collect medicinal raw materials in the following terms: in the first half of summer - leaves, in May and early June - flowers. Parts of the plant are dried under a canopy or special dryers are used with a temperature of +40 ... + 50 ° C. Such raw materials can be stored for no more than 2 years, then they reduce their healing properties.
Various decoctions and infusions are prepared from the leaves, which contribute to lowering body temperature with colds, fever. It is used externally for rheumatism, gout and radiculitis. The fruits of the shrub of the sucker improve memory, are able to facilitate the flow of malaria, have a diuretic and expectorant effect. On people who have problems with the cardiovascular system, taking berries will have a restorative and tonic effect. With diarrhea and colitis, a decoction made from dried fruits will perfectly help.
Landscape design application
Shrub sucker grows relatively quickly, unpretentious, moreover, enriches the soil with oxygen. For gardeners, it is of interest to form group and single plantings for decorative purposes, to create contrasting groups. Very often, sucker is used as an ornamental plant for hedges. By the way, he tolerates a haircut, when planting it "under the stump" abounds in young shoots.
If desired, can be grown at home in the style of bonsai. When growing at home, it should be borne in mind that he loves the south and well-lit side, sensitive to drying out of the soil. In winter, the optimum temperature for the plant is +10 ° C, so it is better to place it in a cool place or on the window.