Yellow locust is a shrub-type plant that is dotted with small yellow flowers resembling moths in shape. It used to be very popular in our country. It was used not only for landscaping parks and landscaping, but also grown at home by many gardeners. However, gradually the tree-like caragana faded into the background, as the originators brought out many new plant varieties that were more to the liking of amateur gardeners. Today, the popularity of the shrub is growing again. This is due to the fact that the acacia in the flowering period looks very attractive and decorates the garden well, and it is also very easy to care for.
General information
This is an ornamental plant of small height, in which the fruits are pod-shaped. Inside them are pea-shaped seeds. The ripening period occurs in mid-July, when they open, spreading seedsaround the bush. It should be noted that they are edible. Seeds are a good source of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and their energy value and taste can be compared with legumes. Nutritionists say they are good for he alth. Since ancient times, yellow acacia seeds have been boiled and used to prepare various dishes.
The height of the culture in question is on average 5-6 meters, but in our country, due to the climate, it grows to only 3 meters. Despite the fact that acacia belongs to trees, most often it is presented in the form of a shrub with a lush green-gray crown.
Karagana tree is a heat-loving plant that does not tolerate Russian frosts, so if you want to start breeding this shrub, then be sure to consider this nuance. Especially if you live in rural areas.
To date, about 70 types of acacia have been bred, some of them have healing properties. Most of the species of this shrub grows in the Far East and Central Asia.
Shrub species
There are many of them. Breeders are constantly working on breeding new types of crops that will have higher unique qualities, and will also be able to better tolerate the harsh Russian climate. What can be a tree-like caragana?
Views to date are as follows:
- yellow;
- maned;
- prickly;
- Ussuri;
- shrub;
- dwarf.
Each variety of plant has certain characteristics. But all of them are united by the fact that they are endowed with high healing properties, therefore, for many centuries, yellow acacia has been widely used in folk medicine around the world. It is worth noting that some medicines are now being created on an industrial scale from the seeds of this tree.
What are the healing properties?
Karagana arborescens (the description of the plant testifies to its high healing properties) was used by our ancestors in folk medicine to fight many diseases. Various decoctions and infusions are prepared from the bark and roots of the shrub, which are effective in the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, rheumatism, allergies and many other ailments.
Folk remedies made from acacia leaves help get rid of headaches, heartburn, scrofula, and are also effective for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, some liver ailments and chronic diseases of the circulatory system. In addition, decoctions from the bark of caragana tree act as excellent antiseptics that can be used to disinfect open wounds and treat burns.
Infusions prepared from blooming flowers have antipyretic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as relieve stomach pain and help with colds.
Features of planting shrubs
Karagana tree-like, planting which does not require much effort,loves warmth, so it is best to choose an open piece of land for her. As for the soil, sandy or super-sandy soil would be ideal, but the tree adapts well to any other types. The main attention should be paid to the landing site. In order for the acacia to fully open in all its glory and please you with its attractive appearance, it needs a lot of sunlight.
The best time for planting is the beginning of spring or the end of autumn. If you want to place several trees in your garden, then they should be planted at a distance of about half a meter from each other. The depth of the hole must be at least 50 centimeters. But it all depends on the type of soil. If it is too hard, it is recommended to make the planting hole deeper so that a drainage system can be laid at its bottom.
You need to fill the hole with a substrate made from peat and universal mineral fertilizers. The soil is well tamped and sprinkled with a layer of mulch, and the plant is watered abundantly. Acacia yellow during the first year after planting needs regular watering, the amount of which then gradually decreases.
Yellow beauty care
So what do you need to know about this? Tree caragana (tree care is very simple and does not require much effort) belongs to the legume family, and these plants are able to capture nitrogen from the atmosphere. Therefore, she does not need frequent feeding. Periodically, the shrub can be fertilized with peat or humus. Do not water itneeded too often as it tolerates drought very well. If during the summer there was a small amount of precipitation, then only 2-3 times a month will be enough. It is not recommended to pour acacia too much. An excess of moisture can quickly lead to decay of the root system.
If you live in a region that is characterized by not too frosty winters, then the plant can not be covered. Shrub rejuvenation is performed as needed, and spring is considered the best time for this. With proper care, the yellow locust retains its decorative properties for several decades.
Reproduction process
One of the most popular garden and park plants is the caragana tree.
Propagation of a tree can be done in the following ways:
- dividing;
- sowing seeds;
- cutting;
- grafting.
The seed propagation method is one of the most common, since the planting material sprouts well, and the first sprouts appear the next month after sowing. In this case, it is not even necessary to pre-stratify the seeds.
Both young and stiff shoots are suitable for cuttings. However, it is important to understand here that if you use green shoots, then special growth stimulants will be required for their normal survival. An easier alternative to cuttings is rhizome division, which is best done in early spring or mid-fall.
Possible breeding problems
Karagana tree is highly resistant to pests and various diseases, however, some problems may still arise in the process of caring for shrubs.
Most often the plant suffers from pests such as:
- aphid;
- false shield;
- lumberjacks;
- glass case.
Insecticides are used to protect the acacia from pests. Approximately two and a half weeks should elapse between each spraying. When choosing a drug, it is better to give preference to agents that have a systemic effect. They are well absorbed by the plant, and are also not washed off by rain. At the same time, insecticides penetrate into the vascular system of the tree, which provides comprehensive protection.
For the prevention and control of various diseases, experienced gardeners use a solution of copper sulfate. They are sprayed with shrubs every spring, as well as when the first signs of disease appear.
Honey from shrub flowers
Karagana arborescens, whose flowering begins in early May and lasts until the end of the month, is an excellent honey plant, giving a large amount of nectar. Its high amount is released in cloudy weather, but the sugar content is higher in the nectar that was collected in warm sunny weather.
Honey is transparent, light amber. It has a unique aroma and excellent taste. At the same time, the product for a long period of timedoes not crystallize. It can be stored for several years and will remain liquid. It is for these properties that yellow acacia honey is valued by many beekeepers. In addition, it is an excellent source of fructose and glucose, thanks to which honey has a positive effect on the functioning of almost all internal organs, helps to increase the protective functions of the body, and also normalizes blood sugar. It can be used even by those people who suffer from diabetes and cannot eat any sweets.
Use in landscaping
This is an ornamental plant that is widely used in many countries for landscaping parks and cities. Recently, the shrub has become increasingly popular in landscape design. In this case, the acacia will look great both on its own and in a group with other plants, as well as as part of a hedge. The fence of bushes around the perimeter of the plot looks amazing, but the plants will have to be rejuvenated every year to keep them looking beautiful.
The acacia root system develops very quickly, so the shrub takes root well in a new place and quickly begins to grow. Tree-like caragana, whose crown diameter can reach two and a half meters, is excellent for fixing ravines and creating a protective strip around fields and along highways. Since the plant in question produces a large amount of nectar, honey from which has many beneficial properties, some beekeepers plant it at home.
Collection and storage of raw materials
Karagana arborescens, which can be grown both in rural and urban areas, has a wide range of applications. As mentioned earlier, the bark, roots, leaves and flowers of this shrub have medicinal properties and can be used to prepare various decoctions and infusions. However, in order to use raw materials in medicine, they must be properly collected and stored.
You can harvest it throughout the year, without reference to seasonality. Flowers are stocked in mid-May, when the flowering period begins at the shrub, and leaves can be collected all summer. Nevertheless, experienced folk healers say that raw materials that were collected in the spring are best suited for the preparation of healing products, since it contains the greatest amount of useful substances.
Flowers and leaves are evenly distributed on the newspaper in the fresh air. If the weather is cloudy outside, then you need to place the raw materials under a canopy so that in case of rain it does not get wet. Seeds and roots are dried in the sun or at a low temperature in the oven.
Tinctures of tree caragana
Many folk healers use flowers and acacia bark to prepare alcohol tinctures, which are very effective for rheumatism and damage to the walls of blood vessels of any etiology. Making a healing cocktail is easy. To prepare such a remedy, you will need 200 grams of dried and crushed leaves and roots and half a liter of vodka. It is necessary to insist for at least two weeks in a place protected from light, periodically shaking the container.
When the solution is ready, they rub the diseased joints, after which they wrap them with a scarf. In very difficult stages of rheumatism, accompanied by unbearable pain, grated fresh horseradish is added to the tincture in a ratio of 1 to 1. And if you dilute the medicine with water in a ratio of 1:10 and take it every day, you can increase the protective functions of your body and strengthen the immune system.
Contraindications for use in medicine
If you are an adherent of traditional medicine, then when using yellow acacia for the preparation of decoctions and infusions, you must take into account the fact that this plant has some contraindications. They can lead to negative consequences, so be careful. If medicines have been prepared incorrectly or they are taken without respect for the dosage, then you can cause great harm to your own he alth. In the leaves, flowers and bark of the tree-like caragana there are toxic substances, the amount of which greatly increases during the flowering period. Therefore, it is not recommended to use the fruits for medicinal purposes without first consulting a doctor.
In addition, decoctions should not be taken when:
- intoxication;
- individual intolerance;
- pregnancy;
- breastfeeding;
- children under 5.
In all other cases, it is allowed to take decoctionsand infusions prepared on the basis of yellow acacia raw materials, but taking into account strict adherence to the dosage.
As it turned out, caring for the culture in question is quite simple. This is a beautiful shrub that is not only a great decoration of the yard, but also good for he alth.
