Lavrovishnya - medicinal, evergreen shrub, the fruits of which are very popular in traditional medicine, cooking, winemaking. It is used as an ornamental, technical, and fruit crop to produce tasty, healthy berries and healing essential oils. What else is valuable laurel cherry, let's see.
Description
Lavrovishnya - an evergreen plant of the Rozanov family, whose homeland is considered to be the Western Caucasus. Under natural conditions, it can be found in many European and Asian countries, where a warm and temperate climate prevails.
The shrub got its name due to the fruits, externally similar to cherry, and the shape of the leaves, which resemble laurel leaves.
Laurel cherry - perennial, reaching a height of 10 m. It has a long, solid root system, different green, smooth, slightly pubescent branches, on which the dark green leaves are dense, leathery structure.
Did you know? A feature of this tree is the arrangement of the leaves on the branches, they constitute the so-called variational series, when some of the leaves are arranged in descending order, and the other - in ascending order. This property in nature is extremely rare.
In April-May the shrub that has reached four years of life begins to bloom. Whitish flowers appear on it with tassels up to 20 cm long, which outwardly resemble decorative candles. Each flower, which publishes a stunning aroma, consists of a calyx, a corolla with five petals and a large number of stamens. After flowering, the tree bears small, fleshy fruits - drupes of red, white or pink flowers, depending on the variety. The fruits have a pleasant, sweet-sour, tart taste, but the bones, leaves and bark of the culture are poisonous. The yield of a single plant can be up to 120 kg.
Kinds
In nature, there are over 400 species of laurel cherry, but among them only three are most common:
- Portuguese - a rather large shrub or a small tree, a feature of which are considered to be very beautiful, pointed, ovate leaves with red petioles. The tree grows slowly, blooms late - in late July. The fruits of the plant are small berries of dark red color, which during flowering give the culture an elegant, rich appearance;
- lusitanian - a powerful shrub that can reach a height of up to 5 m. The variety grows very slowly, especially on poorly moistened soils, although it may die with an excess of moisture. The plant belongs to the heat-loving species, so it winters only when there is a shelter. The peculiarity of the laurel cherry is to transfer ideally the trimming form in the open field and in tubing plantings;
- medicinal - the most famous species that is widely used in the field of modern and traditional medicine. It is a small shrub or tree, not more than 3 meters high. It is characterized by high resistance to frost, shade tolerance, rapid growth, yield. Capricious to the soil, likes calcareous, humus-carbonate soil, loam. The plant has a high decorative effect, especially during the flowering period. Perfectly amenable to forming, often used in landscaping sites, gardens, parks. The fruits of culture are distinguished by a rich vitamin and mineral composition, due to which they are widely used for medicinal purposes.
Breeding methods
Lavrovishnya easy to propagate by cutting, seeds or layering. Each method has its own characteristics, which should be familiar to novice gardeners.
Learn how to grow plants such as: juniper, lavender, rosemary, savory, fern Asplenium, room thuja, coffee tree, azalea, kalanchoe, anthurium, geranium, orchid, spathiphyllum, violet, begonia at home.
Seeds
When breeding crops with seeds, you need to take into account the fact that they are suitable for reproduction immediately after harvest. When storing seeds, their germination decreases tenfold. You can extend the viability of raw materials by placing it in a moist environment.
- Immediately after harvesting, the seeds are planted in a container with a well-wet soil 1 cm deep.
- The container is covered with PVC film and placed in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.
- After the allotted time, sprouts reach and leave at room temperature for further germination.
- In the spring there are young shoots that are transplanted to a permanent place, and as soon as possible. The smaller the root system of the plant, the easier and faster it will take root.
Cuttings
Culture propagation by cuttings is considered the most time consuming and difficult. It is carried out as follows:
- at the end of June, non-lignified shoots are cut and divided into several parts of 10–12 cm;
- pruning of the shoots, completely cleared of leaves, is planted in specially prepared soil: one part of peat or humus and one part of river sand, deepening each one into the soil by 3 cm.
- the container with the cuttings is placed in the greenhouse. It is very important to provide cuttings of good watering, which is carried out at a specific time. In hot season, sprouts should be moistened every 2-3 hours;
- after the formation of the root system, the cuttings are planted in separate pots, where they will "live" for about one year;
- next fall, seedlings are transplanted into the open ground.
Did you know? A sapling that has been grown from the stalk of a laurel tree retains all the functions of a “parent”, which is not the case for a plant obtained from seeds. In addition, when breeding cuttings in just one year, you can grow a separate, full-fledged culture.
Layering
During reproduction by layers, three types of raw materials are used: arcuate, vertical or horizontal layouts.
When using arcuate cuttings, a branch of a plant is pinned to the ground and sprinkled with a small amount of soil. Before the roots appear, they carefully monitor soil moistening and timely watering. As soon as the root system is formed on the layer, it is cut off and transplanted to a separate place.
Reproduction vertical layings carried out as follows:
- in late autumn or early spring, the tree is completely cut off, leaving only small hemp up to 3 cm;
- in spring, young shoots are formed on stumps, which thin and leave the strongest;
- after the height of the shoots reaches 20 cm, they spud soil and leave only the very top. Provide sufficient watering to the plant;
- in the fall, when the shoots give roots, they are separated from the mother plant and transplanted to a new place.
Also, the layers are propagated: mountain ash red and black fruit, pear variety Avgustovskaya dew, yoshty, Potentilla shrub, clematis, cornel, magnolia, viola, shefleru, kumquat, red currant, juniper
Landing
Planting laurel cherry is not particularly difficult for gardeners. When choosing a place to stay culture, one should give preference to well-lit areas, without drafts. You can begin to grow shrubs in the conditions of the house or greenhouse, using containers, and then transplanted into open ground.
Planting shrubs carried out according to the following rules:
- The choice of location. Laurel Cherry loves well-lit places, however, it can get along fine in the shade. To create the most comfortable conditions for cultivation, it is better to provide a culture with dim, diffused light, without direct sunlight and the presence of drafts.
- Temperature mode. The plant grows well at temperatures from +20 to + 24 degrees. In the summer, it is recommended to take the culture to the street, balcony or loggia, but not to expose it to direct sunlight;
- The soil. A friable, quite fertile, not very sour soil is well suited for laurel cherry trees. The earth mixture can be prepared independently, taking equal parts of leafy earth, humus, peat and mullein. From the store recommended to use the soil for flower plants. A prerequisite is the formation of a drainage layer.
- Watering. During the period of active growth, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer, the shrub should be watered regularly, preventing the soil from drying out and at the same time stagnant water in the tank. Excessive moisture can cause rotting of the root system and the appearance of powdery mildew on the leaves. In winter, the tree is watered once every two weeks. In the summer, besides watering, it is recommended to spray the plant in the morning and in the evening.
- Top dressing. From April to September, the laurel cherry is fed once a month with mineral and organic preparations, per 1 sq. M. m is enough 5-8 kg of fertilizer.
Planting time in open ground - the beginning of spring or the end of autumn. To do this, pre-prepare the soil: loosen, make fertilizer for flowering ornamental shrubs. A shrub is lowered into a hole of 80 x 80 cm in size, without fully penetrating the root collar into the ground. The soil around the plant is gently tamped and watered abundantly.
To properly equip the garden area, you need to properly approach the issue of planning: make the beds, fences, beautifully arrange flower beds.
Care
Laurel cherry - not demanding in the care and maintenance culture. She survives well in cool places, likes good lighting, but can grow in the shade.
The shrub needs regular pruning and shaping. They are held at the end of winter. If the plant is used as a hedge, then pruning is carried out twice a year: in spring and at the end of summer. In May and September, sanitary pruning is carried out: shoots are removed that cause bush asymmetry, weak and painful branches. It is recommended to use a pruner for pruning, because after the scissors there are damaged areas that quickly turn yellow.
During active growth (from April to September) the culture is fertilized monthly with complex preparations intended for flowers. Enough 5 kg per 1 square. m mineral fertilizers for one medium-sized shrub.
Important! You need to know that due to the excess amount of nitrogen fertilizers introduced especially in the late fall, the ability of the shrub to withstand cold weather and frost is significantly reduced, to the point that it can die.
During care, it is important to stick to moderate watering. In the summertime, it is enough to water laurel once every seven days. In winter, when the plant is at rest, reduce watering to once every two weeks. Mandatory additional moisture is carried out with a strong drought or landing in open ground.
Do not allow stagnation of water in the area of the root system of a tree, because it can provoke rotting of the roots and, as a result, the death of the plant. When growing crops in container containers or greenhouses, soil is used that consists of equal parts of peat and fertile land.
Diseases and pests
Since the leaves and bark of the culture are poisonous, it is practically not exposed to diseases and the harmful effects of pests. The most dangerous for laurel cherry is powdery mildew, which manifests itself as white spots on the leaves. Treatment of damaged areas with special fungicides or sulfur-based products is considered the most effective method of dealing with dew. The cause of the appearance of powdery spots is an excess of moisture in the soil, so you should adjust the watering of the plant.
Among the pests in very rare cases on the shrub can live scovitka or mealybug. Fight against them are fungicides and insecticides.
Beneficial features
Lavrovishnya, especially among the peoples of the Caucasus, has long been known for its healing properties. The leaves of the plant are rich in essential oils, tannins, fats, flavonoids, which have an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative effect. They are used by:
- for the treatment of many diseases of the nervous system, with agitation, depression, irritability;
- as an additional remedy for some forms of tuberculosis;
- for the treatment of cough and respiratory diseases;
- in diseases of the cardiovascular system, in particular, arrhythmias, aneurysm;
- as an additional drug in the treatment of cervical cancer, ovarian tumors;
- in the treatment of hemorrhoids, inflammation of the eye membrane.
In addition to laurel cherry trees, oregano (oregano), chervil, caraway, rocambol, melon, sucker, hops, oxalis, calendula and buttercups also have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
The use of the plant is indisputable, and traditional medicine offers several simple recipes that will improve the health and cure some ailments:
- To improve the digestive tract and insomnia. Pits of fruits are crushed, mixed in a 1: 1 ratio with sugar. The tool is taken after meals for 1 tsp. 3 times a day.
- With painful sensations in the stomach and intestines. 2 tbsp. l crushed dry leaves pour 250 ml of warm water, infuse for 15-20 minutes, filter. Take the broth strictly on 2 tbsp. l with pain.
- With headaches. Bone cherries crushed and consumed by 1 tsp., Washed down with raw milk.
Important! It is very important not to self-medicate this plant, because it contains potent, toxic components that can cause allergic reactions, nausea, vomiting, headache, blood pressure spikes. Before using drugs based on laurel cherry, you should always consult with your doctor.
The laurel cherry is an interesting, beautiful and useful shrub that can become not only a decorative ornament of your garden, but also a valuable "friend" for the treatment of many diseases. Culture successfully used in modern medicine in the manufacture of drugs, tinctures, extracts. But we must remember that the plant is poisonous, it is strictly forbidden to use it without the consent of the doctor.
Reviews from the network.
