Content
- 1 What does a strawberry tree look like?
- 2 In what natural zone does the strawberry tree grow?
- 3 Varieties
- 4 Is it possible to eat the fruits of the strawberry tree?
- 5 The use of strawberry berries in medicine
- 6 Contraindications for use
- 7 Features of cultivation
- 8 Reproduction methods
- 9 Diseases and pests
- 10 Conclusion
The strawberry tree is considered rare in Russia. There is a misconception that cultivating an exotic plant is a troublesome and incredibly difficult task. However, agricultural technicians are convinced that even a novice gardener can grow a strawberry tree.
The strawberry tree looks picturesque during fruiting; it has a scarlet crown with emerald splashes
What does a strawberry tree look like?
The strawberry tree or arbutus unedo (arbutus unedo - lat.) is a representative of the Heather family. The culture got its name because its fruits are somewhat similar to everyone’s favorite, fragrant berry. The plant is distinguished by high decorative qualities.
The height of arbutus is 10-15 m, the girth of the trunk reaches 1 m. The wood of the plant is dense and durable, the dark wrinkled bark does not peel off. The lush crown has the shape of a hemisphere.
The leaves are wide, elongated, with jagged edges, located on long stalks
The inflorescences are paniculate, consisting of 10-30 miniature buds. The fruit crop does not need pollinators. The fact is that the white or pale pink flowers of the strawberry tree are bisexual. The round fruits reach a diameter of 2 cm. The berries of the strawberry tree change color as they ripen from green to red or orange.
Tiny buds on the strawberry tree form in late autumn; flowering of most species continues until the end of January
In what natural zone does the strawberry tree grow?
In nature, the strawberry tree lives in the subtropics, in the Mediterranean countries. The plant feels good in open, well-lit areas, developing well on rocky cliffs and forest clearings. The fruit crop can be found in Europe, including the Black Sea region, the Caucasus, as well as in Asia, South and North America. In recent years, strawberries can be seen in garden plots in temperate climate zones.
Like many heathers, the arbutus, which spreads a berry aroma, is an excellent honey plant.
Varieties
Depending on how the crop is formed, it may look like a bush or tree. There are 11 varieties of the plant in total. Most often, three of its types are cultivated - large-fruited, small-fruited and Mentsis.
Large-fruited strawberry tree
Arbutus macrofruit (common) is found on most of the continents. The bark of the tree is uneven and brown in color. The inflorescences are short, the fruits are red.
The large-fruited strawberry tree grows and develops well on any, even infertile soils
Small-fruited strawberry
Low specimens of small-fruited strawberry do not exceed 5 m in height. The bark of the plant is fragile and has an even texture. The flowers are small, the berries are bright orange.
The color of the small-fruited strawberry bark changes over the season from turquoise to crimson
Arbutus Mencis tree
Arbutus Mencis is a tall species. The tree stretches up to 25 m. The color of the bark is red-brown. The racemose inflorescences reach 15 cm, the fruits are orange-red in color.
Mencis strawberry tree blooms in spring, fruiting is observed in autumn
Is it possible to eat the fruits of the strawberry tree?
The fruits of the strawberry tree are edible. The mealy pulp is sour, tart, with a barely noticeable bitterness, which is explained by the presence of tannin. When eating the berries, a pleasant strawberry aroma is felt. Impressions about the taste of fresh fruits vary: some find them very appetizing, others don’t like them at all. Much more often, arbutus berries are used in cooking for making candied fruits, preserves, jams, compotes and alcoholic beverages (wine, liqueurs).
The use of strawberry berries in medicine
Arbutus is used in folk medicine. The fruits of the strawberry tree are a storehouse of vitamins, micro- and macroelements. The berries contain significant amounts of:
- B vitamins;
- ascorbic acid;
- PP, E, H;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- calcium;
- sodium
- iron;
- iodine;
- molybdenum;
- manganese;
- chromium;
- cobalt;
- zinc.
In addition, arbutus fruits are rich in essential and non-essential organic acids.
Thanks to the active substances they contain, strawberries have a powerful immunomodulatory effect on the human body.
When preparing medicinal products in accordance with folk recipes, all parts of the plant are used. Wood is a material for homeopathic preparations, infusions, decoctions intended for the treatment of:
- skin diseases;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- genitourinary system infections;
- respiratory tract diseases.
Taking the plant extract helps reduce muscle tone and has an anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect. The collection of raw materials for the preparation of products based on folk recipes occurs in the summer. After which it is dried in a drying chamber or in the open air.
The shelf life of dried plant materials is no more than two years.
Contraindications for use
Despite the medicinal properties, the use of strawberry-based products has a number of limitations. It is not advisable for pregnant women and nursing mothers to use arbutus medicinal products. It is prohibited to use herbal remedies from parts of the strawberry tree when treating children.
Doctors include contraindications for the use of herbal products by adults:
- stomach and duodenal ulcers;
- diabetes;
- increased acidity of the secretions of the digestive system.
There have been cases of individual intolerance to the product. Typically, an allergy to strawberry berries is observed in those people whose body exhibits an increased reaction to red fruits.
During heat treatment, the biochemical composition of arbutus berries remains virtually unchanged.
Features of cultivation
The strawberry tree is included in the category of cultivated plants that are not demanding on environmental conditions and agricultural technology. But at the same time, there are a number of activities that need to be carried out when organizing the care of arbutus. When planning to grow a strawberry tree on your site, you should take care to create favorable conditions:
- the exotic plant is light-loving, but also develops well in a semi-shaded place;
- moderate temperature, optimal growing conditions -10 0Happy winter, +25 0C in the warm season;
- regular watering, the need for moisture is determined by the condition of the soil;
- periodic spraying of the crown in the summer season;
- nutritious, well-drained soil - light sandy calcareous, medium clay.
Arbutus does not react well to drafts, but in extreme heat the plant needs the space in the area to be well ventilated. The exotic needs feeding. In spring, the plant should be fertilized once with a nitrogen-phosphorus complex. During the warm season, strawberries are fed monthly with organic matter and approximately once every two weeks with mineral compounds.
Arbutus needs winter rest. To do this, the air temperature must certainly be lower than what it was in the summer.And if in an open area a decrease in temperature in winter is a natural pattern, then when growing a plant at home or in a greenhouse, it is necessary to artificially create the required conditions: take it out onto the veranda, loggia.
In autumn and winter, strawberry trees are not fertilized.
Reproduction methods
Many gardeners, passionate about growing ornamental and fruit crops unusual for the area, dream of having arbutus on their plot. There are four ways to propagate a strawberry tree:
- seedlings;
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- bends.
Strawberry tree seedlings can be purchased at a garden nursery. It is advisable to purchase a young bush in a pot with a whole lump of earth.
Spreading a plant by seeds is a simple but lengthy process. The action algorithm for this option includes:
- Purchasing (collecting) seeds or fruits. Dry planting material is pre-soaked.
- Stratification for three months. The seeds are planted in moist soil, deepened by 1 cm, covered with cellophane and placed in a refrigerator or cellar.
- At the end of winter, the container with seedlings is placed on a window facing the north side. As the soil dries, moisten it.
- Sprouts with five leaves dive. Individual pots are used for moving.
The appearance of the eighth leaf signals that the plant is ready to be transplanted to its permanent location.
The method of propagating arbutus by cuttings is available to experienced gardeners. Shoots are selected those that show signs of lignification. They are planted in late autumn. Rooting of branches takes up to two years.
Propagation by cuttings is a complex process and not always productive. In September, young branches are cut.The cuttings are sent to a warm place. In the spring, when a stable positive temperature is established, planting in the ground is organized.
Unfortunately, arbutus cuttings do not always take root.
Diseases and pests
Strawberry's immunity is weak. Repeated waterlogging of the plant can cause the development of a fungal infection. Sometimes the exotic is occupied by spider mites.
To get rid of parasites, arbutus is treated with acaricides or insectoacaricides
Conclusion
The strawberry tree is becoming increasingly popular among amateur gardeners and landscape designers. Thanks to its remarkable decorative qualities, the fruit-bearing crop becomes a noticeable element of a personal garden and summer cottage, a municipal park and a suburban recreation area. The possibility of using the fruits for culinary and medicinal purposes contributes to the further spread of the culture.
