Sophora Japanese (Styphnolobium japonicum) is a beautiful branchy tree with a lush crown. It belongs to the legume family and began its distribution in Japan and China. Due to the similarity of plant characteristics with acacia, sophora is often referred to as "Japanese acacia" or "pagoda". The tree stands out against the background of other inhabitants of the garden with spreading light green lush branches and will perfectly decorate any garden located in the southern or temperate latitudes.
The sophora plant is valued for its unique decorative and medicinal properties, which explains its use as an effective folk remedy. It is also worth noting that Japanese Sophora has also found recognition in official medicine. That is why many gardeners dream of growing such an exotic plant on their own plot.
Sophora Japanese description
Japanese Sophora is a deciduous tree that grows up to 20-25 m. It has a spherical, spreading or umbrella crown. The lower branches are located close enough to the ground. Covered with thick cracked bark. The leaves are smooth, bright green, arranged alternately on the branches. In the evening, the leaves roll up, and the next morning they open.
At the end of summer, flowering begins, and white-yellow double brushes appear, which gather in panicles hanging from the tips of the shoots. The average length of the inflorescences is about 35 cm. The peduncles, like the branches, look branched and contain keel-like delicate flowers. The size of the flowers is no more than 1 cm. The flower structure includes numerous petals and a drooping pedicel.
Sophora has melliferous properties. The honey collected by bees from flowers is considered curative and has a light amber tone. At the end of the pollination period, and this happens in October or early November, the plant bears fruit with juicy beans, hiding under the valves of thickened pods. The color of the pods is expressed in green-brown tones. By the end of ripening, the pods turn red. The beans stick firmly to the branches and can survive on the tree even in winter.
Growing Japanese Sophora
Cuttings or seeds are used to grow Sophora. Only fresh seeds are suitable as seed. To accelerate the emergence of seedlings, hot stratification is done, in which the seeds are pre-soaked for a couple of hours in boiling water, or scarification is arranged. We are talking about processing the skin with a nail file.
The material prepared in one way or another is placed in pots pre-filled with sand mixed with peat. The sowing depth is no more than 2-3 cm. After that, the plantings are sprayed with water and placed under a film. The growing process must take place at a temperature not lower than +200C. Important activities in the cultivation of Sophora are maintaining temperature and access to light. Seedling growth is slow, you should be patient.A pick is organized for grown plants that have acquired at least a couple of strong leaves. The roots extracted from the soil must be cut by a third. Only then are the seedlings transplanted into new pots.
The optimal time for cuttings is spring or summer. To prepare cuttings, the tops of the shoots are carefully cut off with a length of about 10 cm, keeping several healthy leaves. The place of the cut is required to be lubricated with "Kornevin" in order to stimulate the growth of seedlings. The planted cuttings are placed under plastic bottles with a cut out bottom. Seedlings need regular ventilation and moisture.
Sophora planting
The cultivated species of Sophora grown in the garden easily overgrow with new branches and let deep rhizomes, but it is difficult to survive transplantation to a new place. It is recommended to replant young trees after a year. In perennial specimens, it is enough to replace only the topsoil. Since sophora has inherited traits from the legume family, it interacts with fungi that are in the ground. The result of symbiosis is the formation of not too voluminous whitish thickenings. Such a union "agreement" of two living organisms can be violated if, during transplantation, shake off the earth from the rhizome.
A favorable time for planting Sophora is the middle of winter, when the growing processes have not yet come out of the "hibernation" mode. Sophora is undemanding to the type of soil, however, the substrate must be air permeable and loose. Often, universal soil mixtures are used, consisting of garden soil and river sand. Having dug a hole, it is covered with a layer of drainage for better breathability.
Sophora japonica care
Caring for Japanese Sophora does not cause many problems. Growing a tree is allowed to be organized either in the fresh air or under indoor conditions. Trees growing on the territory of the Crimea, Sakhalin, the Caucasus and remote corners of southern Siberia transfer successful wintering outdoors. Indoor species require periodic pruning and containment of crown growth. Sophora will be an excellent gardener for office space and country houses. The tree is planted in a large tub and taken out for airing in the spring and summer months. It is important for proper development to adhere to consistent and correct grooming.
Lighting
Sophora japonica overreacts to the lack of light. The tub with the plant is placed in a well-lit room, where the light during the day will touch the shoots and leaves for as long as possible. Direct sunlight is not dangerous for the tree, but in hot summer weather, it is better not to risk it and remove the plant further into the shade. During the short winter daylight hours, it is recommended to install additional lighting near the planting flowerpot.
Temperature
The adaptation process is fast enough. The plant can withstand even hot weather, but without ventilation indoors, foliage and branches will begin to fade. In winter, the tub with a tree is transferred to the cool. Sophora japonica, grown outdoors in the open air, withstands short-term frosts, provided that it provides shelter around the trunk circle. In addition, with the arrival of winter, it is important to consider, as mentioned earlier, additional lighting with a lack of natural light.
Air humidity
In the natural environment, the tree chooses remote wastelands where it is easy to cope with low moisture readings. Branches and leaves do without spraying, but they need bathing and cleaning from accumulations of dust particles on their surface. It is especially important to wipe the ground parts of office gardeners.
Japanese Sophora is watered sparingly. A short-term drought will not harm her, but prolonged abstinence from water will be detrimental to the plant. Foliage may fall off due to lack of moisture. And, conversely, overflow of soil leads to decay of the root system and disruption of crown growth.Irrigation water is suitable for both settled and tap water with high hardness.
Top dressing
Since the end of winter, the tree is regularly fed. Every two weeks, the soil is enriched with solutions of mineral and organic fertilizers used in practical gardening for indoor flowering crops.
Pruning
The actively growing crown of the sophora requires pruning, since the annual growth of greenery often reaches up to 1.5 m.Shoots are periodically pinched for better branching and maintaining their shape. The most massive branches that form the skeleton of a tree cannot be cut without the help of a pruner.
Wintering
For outdoor plants, mulching the site is considered the only protection against unexpected frosts. The trunk circle is wrapped in peat or fallen leaves. Indoor Sophora trees tend to shed their leaves during the cool winter. The longer the daylight hours, the faster the buds will develop and the young foliage will grow. As soon as new growth appears, it is necessary to water the tree more abundantly and start applying the first top dressing.
Diseases and pests
If you do not adhere to the rules of care and transfuse the plant, the root system will be affected by rot. It is possible to stop putrefactive processes in tissues only by treatment with fungicidal preparations. There is also an infection of the ground part with a scale insect, aphids or moths. Pests can be stopped by insecticides.
Garden application of Sophora
Thanks to the wide spreading branches, decorated with lush and rich foliage, it is practical to install a gazebo under the sophora tree, arrange a resting place or organize a playground for children. The branches are very strong and can withstand a serious load, which allows you to fix the swing on them and make a real surprise for the children. The crown will be an excellent protection from the scorching sun rays, and the delicate sweetish aroma of the inflorescences will create a cozy atmosphere. Sophora takes up a lot of space in the garden, so just one plant is enough. Alley plantings of this perennial are suitable for the park complex.
Sophora Japanese: benefits and harms
Healing properties
Both the ground parts and the roots of Japanese Sophora contain useful substances. First of all, we are talking about the flavonoid rutin, which strengthens the capillaries, reduces blood clotting and eliminates traces of edema. The alkaloid pachicarpin was also found in the tissues, which has a sedative effect. It stimulates the walls of the uterus and stabilizes the pressure. Found trace elements - potassium, boron, magnesium, zinc, iron - renew the skin, remove toxins and give strength to the muscles. Glycosides expand the walls of blood vessels, remove phlegm and reduce excitability, and organic acids prevent the development of putrefactive processes in the stomach and the accumulation of toxins.
The use of Sophora has a positive effect on the performance of the circulatory system. Its substances act on the capillaries and reduce the risk of plaque formation in the lumen. Herbal raw materials are dried leaves, unripe fruits and newly emerged flowers. Drying is organized in a cool room with air access. Blanks are allowed to be used for no more than a year. On their basis, herbal teas, decoctions and tinctures are made on alcohol.
Sophora's rutin acts as a sedative and helps to cope with a number of diseases. Lotions, compresses from dried raw materials relieve inflammation and heal wounds, and a few drops of alcohol tincture successfully cure toothache.
Sophora has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the brain, therefore, in official medicine, Sophora is used as a prophylactic agent for stroke.
Contraindications
There are almost no contraindications to the use of leaves, flowers and roots of Sophora, however, it is better for the category of allergy sufferers to refrain from such raw materials.Even if signs of a rash are not immediately detected, symptoms may appear much later.
Observing the correct dosage of Sophora preparations, the plant will not harm the body. It is not recommended to use medicinal drugs for pregnant women and young children. Adverse reactions to drugs often include indigestion, nausea and vomiting.
