Aralia (Aralia) is a flowering berry tree or shrub from the Araliev family. The plant is distributed on many continents with tropical, subtropical and temperate climates - in America, Australia and Asia. Among almost seventy different species, there are plants with varying degrees of cold resistance, resistance to pests and diseases, with different crop heights and leaf color, as well as survival rates in different regions.
Description of the plant aralia
Aralia is distinguished by its rapid growth, which can reach 12 m in height and more than 20 cm in diameter. A shrub or tree consists of a radial root system that goes underground to a depth of 25-60 cm (depending on the distance from the trunk), a straight trunk with sharp thorns, complex leaf plates (consisting of 5-9 leaves), inflorescences - umbrellas from small flowers of a white or beige shade and fruits in the form of berries (3-5 mm in diameter) of a black-blue shade with several small seeds. After planting a seedling, the first flowering and fruit formation can occur only in the fifth year. Aralia blooms for about 1.5-2 months (in July and August), and the ripening of the berries ends in late September - early October.
Planting aralia in open ground
Experienced gardeners advise planting seedlings in the second half of November or before the buds swell in the first weeks of spring. The landing site should be on a well-humid plot of land, where the bright sun is present only in the first half of the day. In the afternoon, the plant is preferable to be in the shade.
First, it is recommended to dig the selected area to a depth of 25-30 cm and clean it from the remnants of plant parts and, most importantly, from all kinds of pests. May beetle, bear and similar creatures are very dangerous for young seedlings and adult specimens of aralia. Various harmful insects can completely destroy the root part of a tree or shrub or cause significant harm to it.
After about 7-10 days, it is necessary to harrow with the introduction of rotted manure or compost to the surface of the earth, and then re-dig it.
It is recommended to purchase for planting only healthy seedlings with a strong root system, without damage. The seedling is two years old.
The width of the planting pit is about 80 cm, the depth is at least 40 cm. The soil extracted from the pit is mixed with organic or mineral fertilizing, it is poured onto the bottom with a thickness of about fifteen centimeters and the seedling is placed in the center.
It is very important, after installing the seedling in the hole, to straighten all its roots well and carefully fill the entire container with the remaining fertile soil. The next step is to compact the surface of the earth and water it abundantly. After the soil subsides, you can add some more soil to the trunk circle.
If a mass planting of seedlings is carried out, then it is necessary to maintain a distance between plants - about 2.5-3 m and between rows - at least 3.5 m.
Caring for aralia in the garden
Mulching
The most troublesome and responsible is the first year after planting a seedling, as a young plant adapts to new living conditions. A mulching layer of peat chips 1.5-2 cm thick will protect the root of the aralia from drought and weeds, and will also keep the moisture it needs in the soil. Mulch should be applied to the trunk circle. Such "protection" will contribute to the qualitative growth of the aerial part and good survival of the root system.
Watering
Usually, aralia has enough natural natural moisture, but in the absence of them for a long time, trees and shrubs will need additional watering. Young specimens need about 10 liters of water each, and adults - about 2 large buckets.
The soil
Procedures such as loosening the soil in the near-trunk circle are very important for the aralia and are even vital, because they get rid of weeds and make it possible for good air permeability to the roots. The main thing is not to forget that the roots are located very close to the surface of the earth.
Top dressing and fertilizers
It is advisable to alternate organic and mineral fertilizing. Fertilizers need to be applied twice a season. For example, at the beginning of active growth, a solution of nitroammofoska can be spilled under each plant, prepared according to the instructions attached to the package. And during the formation of the buds of the culture, it is good to feed it with mullein or manure. The solution must be prepared from 8 liters of water and 1 part of organic matter.
Pruning
In early spring, before the buds awaken, it is recommended to carry out sanitary pruning, which includes the removal of all damaged, frozen, diseased, dried and improperly growing shoots.
Diseases and pests
Aralia is highly resistant to fungal and infectious diseases. The fungus can appear in isolated cases and only with prolonged waterlogging of the root part.
The most dangerous problems for plant development are various pests - bears, wireworms, slugs, May beetle larvae and others. Most often, they appear due to poor-quality cleaning of the land plot before planting.
Reproduction of aralia
Seed propagation
Seed propagation is ineffective, troublesome and very long. Seed germination is very low. First, the seeds ripen in the ground for two years and only in the third year they begin to sprout. All this time, it is necessary to take care of the plantings - to water, remove weeds, irrigate the land. This method is not popular with gardeners and is mainly used in breeding work.
Propagation by root cuttings
Aralia roots, located close to the surface of the earth, produce offspring that can be used for propagation. They are separated from the adult plant and immediately transplanted to the selected area. The main requirements for the root offspring are a height of at least 25 cm and the presence of its own root system.
Types and varieties of aralia
Aralia Manchu - is considered the most popular species with high decorative qualities and unique medicinal properties. This melliferous species has several decorative forms with its own individual characteristics.
- Pyramidalis - the variety has small leaf plates and a pyramidal shrub shape.
- Canescens - in the variety, one of the sides of the leaves has a dense yellowish pubescence.
- Variegata is a slow-growing variety with openwork meter-long leaves with a silvery tinge.
- Aureo-variegate is a plant form with a small height and a spreading crown, consisting of many small leaves in the upper part and large (up to 1 m in length and diameter) in the lower part.
- Subinermis is almost completely thornless.
Together with the popular Manchu aralia, species such as prickly and heart-shaped aralia are considered very popular.
Prickly aralia - is more adaptable to cold climates and has good winter hardiness. Its average height is about 15 m. In the first 5 years, the tree is characterized by very rapid growth. At about the sixth year, active growth slows down and the long-awaited period of flowering and fruiting begins. Naturally, this species most often grows on the coast of rivers in North America.
Aralia cordate - prefers mountain slopes and forest edges. The shrub grows on average one and a half - 2 m in height, blooms with inflorescences - panicles with shades of white, yellow and green and has a fleshy and aromatic root part.
Useful properties of aralia
Aralia Manchurian is a medicinal species with useful and medicinal properties. Its roots, seeds, leaves and shoots contain acids, essential oils, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, resins, trace elements and many other components that are most valuable for restoring health. Official medicine uses tinctures and tablets based on aralia for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and disorders of the nervous system, to restore performance and in the treatment of the reproductive system, as a sedative and antiviral agent. Traditional medicine uses aralia to treat skin and cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and asthenic syndrome, to improve memory and kidney disease, in the treatment of schizophrenia and atherosclerosis, inflammation of the oral cavity and intestinal disorders.
Contraindications
With the numerous positive qualities of medicinal aralia, it is still not recommended to self-medicate. Before using drugs based on aralia, it is imperative to consult with a specialist to accurately determine the drug and its dosage, as well as to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient. All parts of the plant contain toxins, which, if used improperly, can cause bleeding, loss of consciousness and respiratory failure. In disorders of the nervous system, hypertension, insomnia and epilepsy, Aralia is generally contraindicated.
