Princessepia is a beautiful ornamental shrub, but it is popular not only because of its beautiful appearance, but also because of its healing properties. The fruits of Chinese princepia taste like cherry, and the leaves and shoots of this plant are very fond of caterpillars.
The appearance of the plant
The princepia of China itself is a thorny perennial shrub with an incredible growth rate. In a very short time this plant reaches two meters in height.
Landscape designers are very fond of principe for its unusual crown, formed from twig-shaped shoots. Indeed, in the garden, this shrub looks very elegant, Chinese princepia in a hedge also looks great. Young bark, as a rule, is of a gray color, which goes well with young shoots of a green hue. The bark itself is peeling and has prickly spikes, very long - up to 2 cm. But there are not many of these spikes on the bush.
Newly emerging leaflets are arranged alternately, but over time, unusual bundles are obtained from them. Leaves lanceolate elongated, sometimes with an elongated tip. In the summer, the leaves have a soft grassy color, but the lower part of the leaf always remains lighter. In the fall, the leaves of Chinese princepia become the colors of ocher and various shades close to it. Very rarely, foliage can be brown.
Flowering and fruit
Chinese principe blooms in late May and early June. It was during this period that small inflorescences appeared on the plant, in color golden or yellow. These inflorescences are collected in small bunches and hide in the axils of the leaves. After the plant thrives, fruits appear on the branches, which in appearance look a bit like cherries. Fruits in the form of drupe balls are flattened a little on the side. The berries themselves are red and very useful, so they are often used in various blanks. Bones with a characteristic relief similar to a peach kernel.
If Chinese princepia is grown as a fruit crop, then at least four such plants should grow in the garden. This bush looks great all year, and in the autumn period it stands out from the rest of the shrubs.
Princepia
Propagation of princepsia does not cause trouble for gardeners. The seeds of Chinese princepia, when they are collected independently, germinate excellently, without the need to use auxiliary solutions and components. Young seedlings and cuttings root with their characteristic lightness and speed, allowing you to grow several strong young plants. At the same time, additional solutions and growth accelerators do not need to be used. Seed germination is quite high and varies from 92 to 95%.
Seeds are sown, usually in early spring. You can do this in late autumn, but it is mandatory stratification of seeds for four months at a temperature of -2 degrees.
Also, Chinese princepia propagated by young cuttings and layering. Compared to seeds, the cuttings method is not so effective, since the germination rate is rather low - only 55%. But this method also takes place and is used quite often. And for better development of the root system, the cuttings are soaked in a growth stimulator.
Most often, the propagation of Chinese princepia is carried out using layering. This method is considered the simplest. With this method, you need to choose the strongest and healthiest shoots, tilt them to the ground, attach and tie. After wintering the shrubs, these shoots are separated and grown in a greenhouse or greenhouse.
A young plant is planted in a permanent place after two years, during which time the root system should be fully formed and strengthen.
If seedlings of Chinese princepia are bought in a nursery, then planting is carried out in April-May. If several shrubs are planted at once, then the distance between them should be at least 2 meters. Otherwise, Chinese princepia is growing rapidly.
The cultivation of princepsia
Prinsepia is a rather unpretentious plant. Therefore, the landing site and soil can be chosen at your discretion. The winter hardiness of Chinese princepia is also at a high level, since the plant is not afraid of even the most severe frosts. Young and fragile shrubs, of course, have a harder time, sometimes in winter they can freeze, but in the spring they warm up and leave.
Since princepia does not require special care, it should be watered to a minimum. The shrub feels better with prolonged drought than in waterlogged soil. In order for the plant to grow and develop well, absolutely any soil is suitable, but it must be moisture permeable and light. The shrub is not particularly demanding on soil fertility; poor soil is also suitable for it.
If the plant is grown for harvest, then a good drainage system and fertile soil with humus must be provided for it. With heavy soil, fruit bearing will be minimal, and there may not be a lush crown at all.
Chinese princepia develops well in the shade, partial shade, and in the sun. In this case, the appearance of the plant will depend on the amount of light (in the sun, the crown becomes more magnificent, and the leaves are more green). Also, on a sunny site, the plant will bloom profusely, but its height will be an order of magnitude lower than that of shrubs growing in the shade. In the shade, the height of princepsia reaches two meters.
Trim the shrub twice a year: in spring and autumn. In the spring, pruning is sanitary, and in the autumn - shaping.
Princess care
Like regular pruning, the plant tolerates transplanting well, even a fairly mature bush. Therefore, there are usually no problems here.
If the plant feels well and regularly bears fruit, then additional nutrition is not required for it. When the bush is often sick, you can feed it with organic fertilizers twice a year. Often, watering the bush is also not necessary.
To improve fruiting, you can feed him organic matter before the growing season. It is important to thin out the bush regularly so that it does not become too thick. This implies the removal of old and diseased shoots. It is also important to remove frozen shoots in a timely manner so that they do not pick up the juices from the plant.
Description of Chinese princepia
The chemical composition of the plant has not been studied very well, but it has no special contraindications, except for individual intolerance. The bush is characterized by very rapid growth.
Chinese princepia, the photo of which can be considered in this article, belongs to the pink family. Especially common in Manchuria, Korea. This plant was widely known in the south of Primorye. In nature, shrubs are found both in groups and singly. Most often grow along the banks of rivers and other bodies of water.
On the branches of princepia there is a specific husk, usually gray or brown, less often greenish-gray. On it there are prickly spikes, which complicate the care of the plant a little. In the summer, the leaves are dull and dark, and when the cold comes, they become brown or yellow.
Designers love princepia chinensis for its incredible yellow inflorescences that have a very delicate and light aroma. During flowering, the bush looks particularly decorative.
Fruits in the form of small red berries ripen in August. The taste of berries is cherry with a slight acidity. The bush lives for a very long time - fifty or more years.
Useful properties of princepia fruits
The useful properties of princepia are known to many, and that is why gardeners love it so much. The fruits of this plant have a tonic and invigorating effect on the body, have a good effect on the functioning of the liver and help sharpen vision.
Prinsepia is often prescribed for the following diseases:
- Chronic fatigue.
- Liver disease.
- Weakness.
- The condition of blepharitis.
- Impaired vision.
The berries contain many useful elements: cyanogenic glycosides, fatty acids, fiber and other dietary fibers, carbohydrates, fats, proteins.
Using the fruits of princepsia
Chinese princepia is rare in our country, and even less often it is grown to produce fruits. Although various preparations (stewed fruit, preserves, jams, pastille, etc.) from these berries are very useful. Prinsepia berries are useful for both adults and children, especially during colds.
It is also very interesting that the fruits have no particular contraindications, except for individual intolerance and increased acidity.
The bushes themselves will be a wonderful decoration of any garden, although today they are also not very popular among gardeners. A huge plus of the plant is that it is not afraid of severe frosts and does not require special care, while it is interesting and worthy for growing it on a garden plot.