Lakonos is a perennial plant of the Laconosa family (Latin name is Fitolacca). The genus of this plant has more than 35 species (liana, herbaceous, woody).
In our latitudes, it is common American lakonos. It has smooth round berries and drooping brushes. The leaves are round or ovate, up to 20 cm long and 6 cm wide. The flowers of the plant are small, up to 0.5 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs from July to August, and the berries appear in September. It is planted in the backyard. Therefore, many gardeners know what is fitolacca.
Today, there is a lot of controversy among specialists studying the lakanos plant. Some believe that lacunosa is poisonous, others refer to medicinal plants. Some even think that we have a non-American variety, but a berry species.
Did you know? In North America - the birthplace of laconosa, it reaches 3 meters in height, and its large fruits are used for dyeing wine and in pharmacology.
The leaves of laconosa contain oxalic acid, the roots are the alkaloid phytolancin and essential oil, which is used in medicine. Berries and seeds contain saponins, sugar and tannins, so they are used as food coloring. 
Choosing the right place for laconosa
Despite the exotic look of a laconos, planting and care are not difficult at all. It is best to plant it in a well-lit place. In the partial shade of the plant does not suffer, just the berries will be a little later. The soil should be loose and cultivated. Since the root system in laconosa is quite strong, it tolerates frost normally and is drought tolerant.
Important! Do not plant lakonos near the berry bushes, as it can shade and oppress them, because of what the bushes simply cease to bear fruit.
Sowing seeds of laconosa
Mainly reproduction of laconosa occurs by seeds. They can be purchased at specialized stores or at exhibitions for gardeners. Seeding laconosa is carried out directly into the soil before winter or spring. Seeds lightly sprinkled with soil and carry out watering until the first shoots. Young shoots need to weed, after which the weeds they will not be afraid. Lakonos will bloom in 1-2 years.
Care and cultivation of lacunosa
Growing laconosa is best done on any bright ground. You need to choose a place for it without drafts and protected from the wind. This will help protect the plant from freezing. Lakonos likes abundant watering, but can tolerate drought normally, thanks to the deep root system. Even in severe drought, it looks beautiful on the garden plot. Feed laconosa fertilizer mineral and organic substances of young plants after 2 weeks after germination. An adult plant doesn’t need any additional fertilizing; you can apply mineral fertilizers during the period when lakonos blooms (since July).
Did you know? Lakonos is considered the most resistant to pests and diseases of garden plants. He is even able to scare sawflies and moths from neighboring plants. .
Laconosa Wintering
In the first winter after planting, the plant may suffer from unusual frosts, so it is better to take care of its safety. For a normal wintering plant is best to mulch. It should be covered with peat, humus or other type of mulch 10 cm above the plant. This will help preserve the young plant and increase the frost resistance of laconosa.
Reproduction lacunosa division rhizomes
Lakonos reproduction by means of dividing the bush makes it possible to get new shoots right in the garden plot.
Important! If you reproduce by dividing the rhizome, plant the laconus immediately to a permanent place, as it does not tolerate the transplant.
To do this, gently dig up the tubers in early spring and separate the processes formed in the autumn. They are planted in a pre-selected place and watered abundantly. At 10-15 days you can already see the first young shoots. Thus, we see that the agricultural technique of the American Laconosa is a rather simple and not laborious process.
The American Lakonos, with proper planting and care, will decorate any personal plot with its unusual and exotic look. The plant is in demand among experienced gardeners and amateurs due to its beauty and simple care.
