Content
There are many amazing plants in nature. One of these is considered to be the soap tree or sapindus. This is an exotic crop that grows mainly in the tropics. It is grown only in the southern subtropics of Russia as an ornamental plant. Before planting, you should familiarize yourself with the specifics of agricultural technology and the characteristics of the soap tree.
Is there a soap tree?
Many people wonder if the soap tree is real or is it a myth.
This is a real plant. Such a tree or shrub belongs to the Sapindaceae family, the Soap tree genus. It is usually found in the wild. Some gardeners grow sapindus or kelreuteria as a cultivated plant. The tree got its name from Carl Linnaeus, who knew about the use of its fruits by the Indians as a bleach. The name contains two Latin words: sapo - soap and indicus - Indian, which means “Indian soap”. There are several varieties of this tropical crop. The Mukorossi and Trifoliatus varieties are the main species that were used as cleaning and detergents.
Description of soap tree
This is an original tree that looks like a larger version of an indoor Bonsai.
Characteristic features of culture:
- The bark is brownish-gray, with a pronounced brownish tint. There are longitudinal grooves up to 3 mm on the surface.
- The leaves are imparipinnate, 35 cm long, with jagged edges. The leaves of the soap tree are green in summer and bright burgundy in autumn. The bush is lush, rounded, supported by ascending branches. They are often curved.
- The tropical crop blooms twice a year. The first falls in March, and the second in mid-late August. The flowers have four petals, 1 cm long. They are bright, yellow, collected in panicle-like inflorescences.
- This tree has a strong, hardy rhizome. It is unpretentious in care and easily adapts to a new place.
- The wood is fibrous, light, with no pronounced color transitions. In the construction industry, sapindus wood is not used.
- Soap culture grows from 3 to 18 m. In the wild, it reaches its maximum height.
The growth rate of kelreuteria is influenced by many factors. Therefore, the spread of indicators among different plants is very large.
Sapindus is grown primarily as an ornamental plant.
Soap tree fruit
The fruits of Sapindus drummond are natural soap, or rather, their shell. They have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and hypoallergenic properties. The fruits help accelerate skin regeneration, eliminate diarrhea, and regulate sweating. They also stop the division of cancer cells, thin mucus when coughing, and normalize the digestive process. The fruits contain 38% saponins, natural foaming agents.Unlike ordinary soap and washing powders, they are completely harmless. These components decompose and do not create an alkaline reaction.
The fruits of this amazing tree are good for the central nervous system, accelerate hair growth, soften and nourish the skin. Additionally, they increase the activity of enzymes and hormones. This is a natural hypoallergenic product with a low pH level. It is able to replace any detergents due to the content of saponins. These glycosides of plant origin create low-foaming solutions that dissolve fats and contaminants. Shampoos are produced from the fruits and used as a laundry detergent. Unlike store-bought soap, after washing your hands with decoctions of sapindus shells, a protective layer remains on the skin. It prevents infection from getting into the wounds. After using natural soap, the skin on your hands becomes softer.
In ancient times, the fruits of kelreuteria were used by women as a cosmetic product.
Frost resistance of soap tree
Sapindus does not tolerate severe frosts or northern winds. A temperature drop below +15 negatively affects the health of the crop. In the cold season, the soap plant is covered with burlap. After freezing, spoiled shoots are cut off. This stimulates the growth of new branches.
Where does the soap tree grow?
Kelreuteria grows on different continents. The tropics are considered the most comfortable environment for perennial growth. In its natural environment, the soap tree grows in large numbers in China, India and Japan. Since recent times, sapindus has been cultivated in North America and Africa. Soap tree in Russia is grown in the southern regions. In open ground, cultivation is allowed where the temperature does not drop below -3 degrees.In colder areas, sapindus is cultivated in winter gardens, greenhouses or at home.
Features of cultivation
The crop can be grown at home. For planting, the hardest black seed is required. It can be found inside the nut. The seed is soaked for 1 day in warm water, after which it is deepened 2 cm into the soil and watered. The container must be covered with cling film to create a greenhouse effect. The seed should grow under such a mini greenhouse for 1.5-2 months. When the plant “hatches,” the film is removed and care continues. In summer, sapindus is irrigated more often than in winter. The air must be moist, and a sufficient amount of sunlight is also important. Soap tree requires standard care. It consists of regular watering, lighting, and fertilizer.
It is worth considering that adult kelreuteria is quite tall. After germination, if you have your own plot of land, it is better to plant the plant in the garden. Planting is carried out in the middle or end of May. A stable air temperature of at least +22 degrees must be maintained.
Planting algorithm:
- Sapindus needs to be irrigated regularly, but not over-watered. Watering is carried out as the top layer of soil dries.
- The soap plant is fed with mineral organic compounds 2-3 times a month. Ready-made compounds from a garden store for tropical plants are also suitable.
- The optimal indoor air temperature is +25-28 degrees.
Kelreuteria begins to bear fruit after 5-7 years, until then, the seedling will act only as an ornamental plant
Methods of application
Tropical culture is widely used in various fields, from cosmetology to everyday life.This is due to the many beneficial substances that are present in sapindus fruits:
- Saponins form thick foam, due to which they are used in the manufacture of fire extinguishers.
- In the medical industry, saponins are used to make tablets, emulsions and suspensions.
- In the cosmetics industry, saponins are used to make detergents, cleaning products, and toothpastes.
- You can wash your hair with soap nuts, use them as a conditioner or hair balm.
- Sapindus fruits have a low pH level. They perfectly cleanse the skin, hair, and relieve inflammation. Soap nut also combats dryness and flaking of the epidermis.
- Kelreutheria fruits have antibacterial and cooling effects. They heal, nourish, soften and moisturize the skin. The fruit also slightly whitens the skin. They are widely used to eliminate age spots.
- Sapindus fruits prevent hair loss and eliminate dandruff. They also give hair softness, make it thick and shiny.
The fruits of the soap plant are used as a homemade cosmetic product.
Interesting Facts
There are many interesting facts about the soap plant. These include:
- North American Indians washed clothes using sapindus fruits.
- Fruits and vegetables were immersed in soapy water for 10 minutes to remove pesticides from their surfaces.
- In India, the fruits of the soap tree were used as an antidote for scorpion and snake bites.
- A soap solution can restore shine to darkened gold and silver jewelry and antiques;
- The most valuable part of the fruit is the shell.
Many lovers of natural remedies widely use the fruits of kelreuteria in everyday life. The cost of 0.5 kg is about 1 thousand rubles.
Conclusion
Soap tree is a storehouse of useful substances in everyday life. Fruit shells are widely used in the medical and cosmetic industries. The plant can be grown at home by creating favorable conditions for it. In open ground, Sapindus does not take root well in the CIS countries. This is a tropical plant that will die in the Russian climate.
