Peanuts are a grassy annual plant from a wide legume family. Usually it grows up to 25-40 cm tall. Its paranoid leaves with a small grooved cuttings. Flowers in short low-flowered tassels. Corolla five-petalled, whitish or yellow, curved, two-lipped calyx. The elements of the flower die off after fertilization, and the peduncle and ovary begin to grow, actively turning down, deepening into the soil, where cocoon-shaped fruits develop from the ovary. The beans themselves are covered with a dense mesh pericarp with a different number of seeds: 1 - 2 seeds (up to 5) in one or two intercepts. Usually the seeds are oblong, fleshy, ranging in size from 9 to 20 mm, with a brownish-reddish shell. Earthen almonds bloom in June - July, and the fruits ripen very quickly - in September - October.
Groundnuts - history and chemical composition
The culture of earthen almonds first appeared in the 16th century. in Brazil, from where it accidentally came to China, and then to Europe. I got to Russia in the 18th century. In the field, peanuts began to be grown only in Soviet times.
It is now distributed in some regions of Transcaucasia, the North Caucasus, in the south of the European part of the Russian Federation, in Central Asia.
Chemical composition . Useful peanut seeds, as scientists have found, contain up to 52% fatty oil, which contains glycerides of lignoceric, arachinic, stearic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, hypogeeic, lauric, myristic, mycosenic, ceritic and behenic acids. In addition to this oil, the seeds contain proteins (up to 36%), globulins (up to 18%), gluteinins (about 16%), “arachin” Konarakhin, vitamins E, B1 (namely in the peel of the seeds), pantothenic acid, biotin, etc. In the oilcake, the alkaloid arachin, choline and betaine are released.
Landing
Groundnut (peanut seeds) is planted closer to the end of April, sometimes in early May. He loves very well loosened, but rather “rough” soil. This means that it does not need to be crushed too much, frayed lumps thoroughly. Earth must be rich in calcium. If it is lacking - you need to make 100 - 200 g per 12 - 15-meter bed before sowing and the same amount - before the seedlings begin flowering. The optimal soil acidity for this plant is a level of from 5.6 to 6.2.
Seeds are planted to a depth of 3 cm at a distance of 15 cm from each other. Such planting allows peanuts to fight weeds much easier and more convenient - thus, it does not allow them to grow normally, bending low to the ground. So with weeding fuss turns out less. The soil must be rich in organic matter. The set is usual - humus, peat-and-dung mixture.
If there is a mixed forest nearby - it is advisable to bring in and add forest land (as the upper loose layer, which is very easy to dig).
Care
After 6 to 8 weeks. after they have been planted, the peanut sprouts begin to bloom, pollinate. Groundnut is a self-pollinated plant. And after all the flowers die out, you need to harden the plant, like potatoes, and add to the beds abundantly organic mulch (from peat, sawdust, humus, sand) with a layer of no more than 5 cm.The earth under this mulch should be loose and lumpy.
While peanuts are in the process of flowering, it must be watered abundantly - every 3 to 4 days. When it fades, significantly reduce watering - once every 1 - 1.5 weeks. But if suddenly during this period there will be constant rains - all plantings of peanuts will be better covered.
Harvest
Harvested, counting from the time of planting 110 - 120 days. This is a fairly unpretentious plant. The noticeable yellowing of the leaves is a signal for an urgent harvest; it is better to dig the bushes with a pitchfork. Be sure to lay ragged beans for drying in the shade. Dry bean shell breaks easily, while freeing up very useful, nutritious and tasty nuts.
With proper planting, as well as careful care, peanuts will delight you with their luxurious harvest.