Content
Indian elk is a real plant belonging to the genus and family of the same name. Despite its name, it grows in Japan, China and neighboring countries. It is characterized by high winter hardiness and unpretentiousness, therefore it takes root well in the climatic conditions of Russia. The basic rules for planting and caring for this shrub are described in detail in the presented article.
Is there an Indian sucker (Chilean)
Elaegnaceae is a genus that belongs to the family of the same name (Elaeagnaceae), which belongs to a larger group - the order Rosales. The latter also includes roses and many fruit plants, for example, apple, plum, pear, peaches and others.
The sucker genus includes several species, among which are common:
- North American;
- narrow-leaved;
- silver.
Indian elk (also known as Chilean) also exists, and biologically it is most closely related to angustifolia, which is also called wild olive. As for the “Indian” type, it is also called pshat or jida, jigda.
At the same time, the origin of the name “Chilean” or “Indian” is not entirely clear. Loh comes from China and Japan and is a typical plant for East and Southeast Asia.It was from there that it spread to other countries, including Russia.
Description and photo
Indian elk is a perennial plant from the family of the same name. This is a small shrub that usually reaches 1.5-2 m in height in Russian climatic conditions. In nature it can grow up to 10 m, and its life expectancy reaches 50-60 years.
The branches and trunk are quite strong, covered with red-brown bark. The surface is smooth, but there are quite a few thorns up to 3 cm. This must be taken into account when pruning - be sure to work with gloves. The leaves of Indian oleaster are oval or lanceolate in shape, tapering towards the base, and grow on short petioles.
The color of the leaves on the outside is gray-green with silvery hues, and on the back - white, which is typical for many types of sucker, including Indian. The surface is matte and does not shine in the sun. By autumn the leaves turn yellow and fall off.
Indian oleaster flowers appear in June; they grow in the axils of leaf blades. They grow both singly and in bunches. The color is yellowish-green, sometimes white. The flowers are bisexual, the plant is monoecious. Each flower has 4 stamens and 1 pistil. They give a fairly strong aroma with caramel undertones. It is a honey plant - attracts bees and other beneficial insects.
Indian oleaster fruits are edible
Flowering lasts up to three weeks. During this period, the Indian sucker looks especially decorative. Despite the fact that the flowers are small, they appear in large quantities and completely cover the bush. Fruit ripening occurs in August-September. These are small fruits with a single seed inside an oval shape. The pulp is sweetish and moderately juicy.After final ripening, the fruits fall off.
Where does it grow
The biological homeland of the Indian oleaster, as well as other species of this genus, is China and Japan. Shrubs grow in temperate and maritime climates with not very severe winters, since in open ground they usually withstand up to -25 degrees.
However, some species have fully adapted to the climatic conditions of Northern China and Russia, so they can easily withstand down to -40 degrees, which corresponds to winter hardiness zone 3. Indian sucker can also be found in Europe. It is also grown in the countries of Southeast Asia.
Planting and care
Indian elk is usually planted in the first half of April or in the middle of the month. But this can be done in the fall - at the end of October. Since the plant is winter-hardy, there is no need to worry about frost. The shrub is unpretentious and can grow on any soil. However, there are several requirements for the location:
- good lighting;
- weak partial shade from trees or buildings;
- absence of stagnation of water (lowlands are excluded).
Before planting Indian oleaster, it is advisable to dig up the soil and fertilize it with organic matter or complex fertilizing. After a month, you can mark several holes at intervals of 2-3 meters and begin planting work:
- Dig holes 60-70 cm deep.
- Small stones are poured, the layer should be 10 cm high.
- Place the seedling in the center and cover it with soil.
- Tamp down a little to deepen the root collar by 5-6 cm.
- Next, water the Indian oleaster with settled water and mulch after a few days.
Indian elk grows well in sunny places
The shrub does not require care. One of the main requirements is related to periodic watering. Young Indian oleaster seedlings should be given water weekly. For adult plants, twice a month is enough, and watering should be plentiful - 2-3 buckets per bush. The water must be settled - it is kept overnight or for a day.
During drought, watering is doubled - approximately every 3-4 days. Indian elk responds to a constant supply of moisture - its leaves will not wither, much less fall off prematurely. To keep the soil moist as long as possible, place straw, hay or other mulch in the tree trunk circle. After rains or watering, the soil is periodically loosened and weeding is done if necessary.
The root system of Indian oleaster is very developed, it grows to great depths, so it freely takes up nutrients throughout its entire volume. In the first season after planting, fertilizing is not necessary. Next year, you can give a nitrogen composition in the spring, and a complex fertilizer in the summer.
One of the most important rules for caring for Indian sucker is related to pruning. In the spring, before sap flow begins, all diseased and old branches are removed and the crown is thinned out. In the fall, you can do formative pruning, although this is not necessary - all work can be done in the spring. In the summer, as necessary, remove root growth, which appears quite actively in the tree trunk circle and beyond.
As for diseases, Indian sucker has good immunity, so it is practically not affected by infections. It can only suffer from high humidity and excessive watering.If signs of rot or powdery mildew appear, the crown should be completely treated with a fungicide solution:
- "Bordeaux mixture";
- "Tattu";
- "Ordan";
- "HOME."
When pests (weevils, aphids, spider mites) appear, I treat the Indian oleaster with an insecticide solution:
- "Ephoria";
- "Colorado";
- "Inta-Vir";
- "Vertimek".
Shrub propagation
Indian elk can be propagated in the following ways:
- from root suckers;
- cuttings;
- from seeds.
One of the simplest methods is digging up root suckers, which are produced in large quantities by both young and old bushes. They can be dug up and separated from the mother plant throughout the season. The main condition is to plant immediately to prevent drying out. The planting site should be chosen carefully so that the overgrown shrub does not interfere with other plants in the future.
The easiest way to propagate Indian elf is by root suckers.
Cuttings begin in late autumn. It is necessary to cut several woody shoots of Indian oleaster up to 15 cm long and plant them in open ground. For the winter, cover with leaf litter and cover with burlap. In the spring, they remove the shelter and begin to actively water and feed it. This method is not as effective as producing offspring because some of the seedlings will not take root.
Finally, Indian elk can be grown from seed. They are obtained from fruits that are harvested in September. First, the seeds need to be cleared of pulp, washed and dried. Towards the end of October, they are planted in small greenhouses to a depth of 3-4 cm. Mulched and covered with agrofibre. In the spring, the shelter is removed, and closer to the beginning of summer, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.
Useful properties and applications
The berries of the plant can be used for food.They are small in size, but have sweet, moderately juicy pulp. The composition contains vitamins, organic and mineral components:
- essential oils;
- organic acids;
- vitamin A, C, group B;
- calcium;
- iron;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium;
- potassium.
Indian oleaster berries can be used fresh or in juice form. Based on them, decoctions are prepared that are taken orally, for example, to treat inflammation, remove toxins and reduce fever. Sometimes decoctions are used externally to treat wounds and abrasions.
Conclusion
Indian elk is a rather beautiful shrub with decorative leaves and flowers. Very unpretentious, tolerates even Siberian frosts well. This plant is usually used in single plantings, to create an alley or to decorate a recreation area.
