Eucalyptus is a plant of the myrtle family, subfamily leptospermoides, and is the fastest growing tree. The genus Eucalyptus is one of the largest in the subfamily Leptospermoides, which includes more than 650 species, found mainly in Tasmania and Australia. Eucalyptus trees also take root in the Caucasus - in Abkhazia, Adjara, and Western Georgia. These are some of the tallest plants, some of them reaching 150 meters in height, and a trunk diameter of 25 m.
Before starting the route to give an idea of their height, it can reach 90 meters in height, and the tallest discovered was a specimen found on Mount Bow with a height of 143 meters. You may think that this is not much, or you cannot imagine how much it is. The famous Statue of Liberty that appears in hundreds of movies measuring "barely" 93 meters in height, the Pyramid of Giza measures 147 meters, so now you can see it in your mind, the tree is almost the same as the largest pyramid of Egypt.
These eucalypts are perennial trees native to south-eastern Australia, especially Tasmania and regional Victoria. They usually last an average of 400 years, and until they die they never stop growing. They have large leaves, lanceolate, 9 to 14 centimeters long. Its flowers are beautiful and usually appear in groups of 9 to 15, each one cm in diameter. The eucalyptus fruit is a small capsule that gives a very rich aroma, characteristic of eucalyptus forests. It is the tallest of all flowering plants.
Types and varieties
Now such large trees no longer exist, but in humid climates you can find a plant 100 meters high at 300 years of age.
Eucalyptus giant
Eucalyptus is giant and regal, well located in the humid climate of mixed forest. By the age of one year, the height of the seedlings is 2 meters, and after 10 years it is about 30 meters. Low-growing species grow in very hot climates, and in deserts, dwarf eucalyptus trees, which are 2 meters high, usually grow.
The most famous of these was the 133m Ferguson Tree, measured after it was felled by William Ferguson at Hay, who said the specimen was broken when Ferguson measured it and could have measured over 150m. This is Icarus' dream, rediscovered in Tasmania in January.
Almost all of the tallest specimens, which exceed 90 m, live in Tasmania, with a few exceeding 90 m in regional Victoria. It is also widely used in making paper and cardboard, in fact it is the most used wood for making newsprint. It is one of the most used trees in the forest industry of countries such as Japan.
Eucalyptus snow-loving
From the name it is already clear that it lives where there is a lot of snow, in the mountains, and is a gnarled tree.
Eucalyptus gumum
As it grows, it forms dense thickets and grows mainly on stones. A tuber with a total area of 70 square meters was found in this species, with more than 300 living shoots. The main part of the tuber consists of the core, which contains inorganic substances and starch.
This has caused its population to be greatly reduced by indiscriminate logging, made worse by the fact that it is a tree that does not recover from fire. As you've seen, these towering trees are a tough competitor to what are considered the greatest living things on the planet, the giant sequoias. In addition, no one has the volume of the General Sherman, a mahogany of almost 85 meters, which is considered to be the largest alive in the world. To finish, we leave you with a video on Eucalyptus regnans and a series of links to other impressive trees you'll enjoy.
Use in landscape design
Eucalyptus is a tree with an expressive appearance. It does not shed its leaves and delights with lush greenery all year round. Landscape design specialists have long learned to restrain the exorbitant growth of “wards” through pruning, obtaining beautiful compact trees with well-formed crowns.
Landscape architects also know many valuable features of eucalyptus that make this tree so attractive to them.
Eucalyptus is also suitable for stabilizing soils on steep slopes and the banks of water bodies. Planting these trees helps prevent erosion. The plant loves moist sandy loam soils with a neutral or slightly acidic pH.
Description
Eucalyptus trees are always green trees, there are 10 species whose leaves fall in the summer, all of them live in Australia, in its northern part. Mature trees have whole leaves, arranged alternately, which is why in the forests where eucalyptus grows there is always a lot of sun and a large grassy cover. The foliage is divided into shapes, it can be round or saber-shaped. The bark can be smooth or in the form of scales; in some types of eucalyptus, when they grow quickly, the bark separates, thereby giving the trunk a special appearance.
Since the 1960s, many myths have been built around. The failure of early reforestation experiments was enough to give rise to unsubstantiated claims of cultivation. Such statements were broadcast and executed even in the media. What was not commented on was that the unimpressive results obtained in the first planted forests were not due to these unsubstantiated theories, but were the result of a lack of technical knowledge, which was natural given that the activity was new at this point.
Eucalyptus begins to bloom a year to a year and a half after the buds are laid. The fruits can be oval or spherical, their diameter is a couple of millimeters, but can reach several centimeters. The fruits, after ripening, remain on the tree for a couple of years and ripen for a year. Hard fruits are food for parrots, which contribute to plant reproduction. Eucalyptus globulus reaches up to 2 meters in height per year, and in its homeland, Australia, up to 150 meters. The leaves are located opposite each other, have an oval shape with a heart-shaped base. They have a bluish-gray color due to a waxy coating. The leaves, when rubbed, have a pleasant smell as they contain essential oils. Eucalyptus was planted in places where there were a lot of swamps, thereby draining them, because swamps were hotbeds of malaria. It is this type of eucalyptus that is grown at home.
However, more than 50 years later, many people still believe these negative statements about eucalyptus, and the public still has some mistrust of planted forests. To clarify the main myths built around the subject, we come across the most commonly misunderstood untruths and the true explanation.
Its roots do not exceed 2.5 m in depth, so they do not reach the groundwater level and do not draw from the soil an amount of water very close to that consumed by native forest trees. In addition, eucalyptus is very efficient in using the water it absorbs, which can be clearly perceived when comparing its productivity with other crops from the same volume of water. The same volume produces only 1.8 g of sugar, 0.9 g of wheat grains and 0.5 g of bean grains. Eucalyptus forests also retain less rainwater than native forests whose trees have large crowns.
Preparation and storage
It is best to harvest eucalyptus leaves in September, and you need to choose young leaves, which contain much more essential oils. When harvested industrially, whole branches are cut off using cleavers, and then the leaves are torn off from them by hand. They are dried in special dryers. But at home this is done in the fresh air or in a room with good ventilation. Store in a dark, dry and cool place.
Home care
Eucalyptus globulus (round) is grown at home. In indoor conditions, eucalyptus is a small shrub that needs constant pruning of its leaves. Flowering cannot be seen. For eucalyptus, it is important that it receives a lot of light, preferably direct sunlight. In the summer, before you take the plant out onto the balcony, you must first put it in the shade so that it gets used to watering it as often as possible. Eucalyptus loves fresh air, but the main thing is that there are no drafts. It needs to be watered frequently and abundantly so that the soil in the pot is always moist. For irrigation, it is better to use settled water heated to room temperature. It does not need to be sprayed like other plants; normal air humidity, or even slightly increased, is suitable for it. You can leave a container of water next to the plant. To prevent the tree from growing too tall, the top of the tree trunk must be trimmed; this should be done annually in the spring months. After pruning, the bush will begin to produce young shoots, and for better bushiness, you need to pinch out new shoots.
In forests, water that hits the foliage evaporates, but in eucalyptus plantation areas, most rainfall falls directly into the soil. When eucalyptus is harvested for a tree, its bark, branches and leaves—the parts of the tree that concentrate about 70% of its nutrients—are left in the forest itself, where they decompose. This material forms a thick blanket of organic matter that protects the soil surface from erosion. As they decompose, parts of the trees are incorporated into the ground and their nutrients are used by other eucalyptus trees that grow there.
Diseases and pests
Indoor eucalyptus is not highly resistant to diseases and pests. However, most often problems arise only when the plant is not properly cared for or the bush is placed in unsuitable conditions.
In the wild, eucalyptus trees get sick much more often. Moreover, after finding a new disease or pest on a tree, specialists immediately begin to find a way to combat the problem.
Of all the pests, the greatest danger to the plant is the following:
Ophelimus maskelli Ashmead
This pest cannot be seen with the naked eye, since its size is slightly less than 0.1 cm. Its active reproduction is observed in the spring. Experts have found that this pest can have a negative impact on the health of the human body. Characteristic symptoms of the appearance of the pest include: galls form on the surface of the entire tree, the lower tier of the trunk and bark are affected. Because of the galls, the tree gradually weakens and eventually dies. To get rid of the pest, the plant is treated with special pesticides, and glue traps are also used.
Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle
This pest also has a size not exceeding 1 mm. While the first buds on the tree are opening, the pest begins to lay eggs. The lifespan of one individual is about 120 days. During this time, it is capable of producing several generations. Symptoms: galls form on the leaf blades, which sometimes merge with each other, causing the leaf to become severely deformed. The pest prefers to settle in the upper part of plants, which complicates the fight against it (especially in natural conditions). To destroy it, glue traps and suitable chemicals are used.
Content temperature
In winter, eucalyptus should be kept in a cool place and maintain a temperature of +10, +12 degrees. Eucalyptus is a hardy tree and can withstand light frosts. In summer, the temperature must be maintained at +20, 25 degrees, and do not forget to take the plant out into the air.
Eucalyptus forests are planted in consortium with nature reserves. Part of the property is established as a permanent protection zone. This allows the formation of true ecological corridors that favor the presence of diverse fauna and flora.
The issue of biodiversity is also related to the background of the region in which the forest is located. In an area that once had indigenous forest but is now deforested, implanting a eucalyptus forest will result in a significant increase in biodiversity. Eucalyptus forests create dozens of jobs directly and indirectly. Both the nurseries that produce the seedlings and the maintenance of the developing forest itself require skilled labor, and nothing better than hiring local people to meet this demand.
Modern technologies
Scientists have managed to make this amazing plant even more valuable using selection and genetic engineering.
Modified specimens grow 40% faster than normal ones. They survive even in darkened plantings. From such a tree you can get about one and a half times more wood, essential oil, and coal.
Experts believe that the spread of such plants can solve many industrial problems.
Reproduction
Eucalyptus growing in the forest is pollinated by the wind, pollen from one flower is transferred to another. Birds and mammals become pollinators. Insects usually pollinate small flowers, but they also pollinate eucalyptus. In Africa, growing eucalyptus trees are pollinated by yellow weavers, which love the nectar of the flowers. Eucalyptus propagates by seeds and cuttings taken from young trees.
At the same time, these people have the opportunity to learn a profession. In addition, in the place where the planted forest is installed, there is an investment in infrastructure, for example, it is necessary that the roads through which trucks loaded with wood pass are in good condition. At the same time, everyone who uses this road also receives direct benefits. This is just one example of how a eucalyptus forest can contribute to the region where it is located.
There is now a growing openness to the use of eucalyptus wood in construction, carpentry and, among other applications. In Brazil in particular, eucalyptus has become important in the production of fence masts, the production of gates and the construction of barn structures.
Shameless trees
Eucalyptus trees received this funny nickname due to a unique feature. There are not many trees known that can free themselves from bark.
Bare trunks once amazed the Russian writer V. Soloukhin when he was vacationing in the Caucasus. He later wrote that eucalyptus is a tree capable of “eternally rejuvenating.” By the way, the plane tree (plane tree) has a similar feature.
People often jokingly call trees without bark bare or “shameless.”
The outer layer of bark begins to crumble in March. At that time, autumn is in full swing in the Southern Hemisphere. Trunks and branches become gray, yellow, greenish, bluish.
Planting and transplanting
It is better to plant eucalyptus seeds in winter, and do not cover the seed with soil; it germinates better in the light. After which they should be covered with film and placed in a warm place. It is better to keep the crops at a normal temperature of +18 degrees, and they will germinate within a week and a half. The main thing is not to water them a lot, otherwise the seeds will rot. Seedlings are planted for permanent residence only when they have 4-5 leaves.
With a receptive market in Brazil, a new mode of rural economic activity emerged, forestry, developed by forest planters. In this context comes the cultivation of eucalyptus, a plant that is easy to grow and not very demanding in terms of soil moisture and fertility. In addition, it grows quickly, like several trees. Its adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions of most Brazilian regions is very great.
This tree, like any other, is exotic, that is, it is not native to Brazil, like most agricultural crops. Research has debunked some myths, such as the belief that eucalyptus dries out the soil and reduces the fertility of the land, proving that its water consumption is similar to that of citrus fruits and yes, and that the impact caused by soil plants is much less when annual crops are compared.
If the plant is still young, then it is recommended to replant it every year in a large container, and if the plant is already mature, then it can be replanted once every couple of years, but change the top layer of soil annually. The soil must be loose so that the roots can breathe, so it must be constantly loosened. About once a month the plant needs additional nutrition: mineral fertilizers.
In order for planted forests to serve the consumer market, there is a need for appropriate selection of the species and silvicultural methods to be used. The initial stages of scaffolding planning include surveying the area and checking soil conditions and existing vegetation.
One stereo signal corresponds to one cubic meter of stacked logs. With the aim of disseminating the most important technologies for implantation and cultivation of eucalyptus forests in an effective and profitable manner, he developed a course. A viable economic alternative to the use of this crop is to use the planted forest in a multiple use concept that produces different types of forest products such as timber and essential oil. In this way, a larger market is achieved, which ensures better returns for the enterprise.
Applications of eucalyptus tree
Eucalyptus wood is super durable, resistant to fungal diseases and the destructive action of insects, and does not rot. During combustion, it is capable of releasing a huge amount of heat - this quality allows it to be used in the form of a wonderful fuel material.
The wood of these trees is widely used in a wide variety of sectors of human life. It has been proven that it is a valuable material for the construction of buildings and ships, and a quality raw material for the paper industry. It produces wood alcohol and acetic acid. Some subspecies are capable of producing good rubber.
Supports and posts made of such material serve for a long time and do not deteriorate.
Medicinal properties and use in medicine
Acetic acid and wood alcohol are obtained from eucalyptus wood. Eucalyptus wood is valued on the world market. It is a building material used in shipbuilding and is a raw material for the pulp and paper industry; it is also used for the preparation of varnishes and glues. The wood has good strength and does not rot, as well as fungi and insects.
The choice of species depends on factors such as climate, soil and the product to be produced, i.e. firewood and charcoal, cellulose, sleepers, posts, stakes and muri, essential oils, building materials or furniture. A raw material for the pulp and paper industry, eucalyptus is gaining strategic importance as a vegetable fuel as well as a weapon for carbon sequestration. “We talk a lot about cane alcohol, which is just one of many options for reducing environmental damage,” says Professor Gonzalo Amarante Guimarães Pereira from the Institute of Biology at Unicamp.
Excellent for interior decoration and furniture production. Rubber is obtained from some types of eucalyptus trees. When drying, cracks can form in the wood, so problems often arise with this. Already treated wood glues well, bends and holds fastenings well. When eucalyptus wood burns, a large amount of heat is released, so it is used as fuel. In its homeland, eucalyptus wood is widely used.
At the time, the American concern was to study the effects of the atomic bomb on surviving victims. Since nothing was sequenced, it seemed like an impossible proposition, like a ship landing on the sun. This was a good lesson for us, what we lack in this determination and ability to organize the basis of our underdevelopment, the teacher criticizes.
Everything we see around us, including our own clothes, carries a high dose of petrochemicals. The future of the planet lies in replacing petrochemicals with renewable sources, with eucalyptus being an exclusive focus of study. The area under eucalyptus cultivation on the planet is estimated at 18 million hectares, and Brazil grows about 3.5 million hectares with the highest yields in the world.
Sleepers, posts, and supports made of eucalyptus wood are considered durable. In Russia, eucalyptus is known as a medicinal plant. Eucalyptus is used both in medicine and in perfumery. In medicine, they use the species of eucalyptus globulus and ash, which grow on the coast of the Caucasus. Eucalyptus is used against coughs, as an expectorant, taken as tea, or an infusion of leaves; it is included in various preparations. Eucalyptus helps with the flu, helps improve immunity, cleans the air in the house well, and kills all germs. Essential oil is obtained from the leaves of the tree, which is used as a disinfectant.
Eucalyptus, originally from Australia, has more than 600 species and 20 of them are planted in more than 100 countries for energy and industrial purposes. Exotic species in Brazil, they have crossed over and offered enormous genetic variability. But in the first forests planted, there was little knowledge of genetic constitution, and the plants were not the best, explains Pereira.
For the layman, the professor explains that the traditional technique for improving the performance of eucalyptus involves crossing plants with the best genetic content before clones, called “elites,” arrive for planting at scale. Molecular biology techniques can optimize this process by identifying genetic markers associated with characteristics of interest. We took the plants while they were still young, for which we do not yet have performance data, and from the markers we predict those that will produce good plants.
Eucalyptus leaves can be used as an alcohol tincture. For infected wounds, use a decoction of dry or fresh cut leaves. You need to collect leaves in a warm period or in the fall, because that’s when the leaves contain more essential oil. You can dry the leaves outdoors. Also, tincture and oil are used as an anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the throat cavity.
In aromatherapy, eucalyptus essential oils are used as a soothing and relaxing agent; the oil is also used in the composition of many shower gels and balms; it is also taken as a basis for inhalation preparations. Many medicines are prepared from eucalyptus. The oil is used as a pain reliever and helps with burns and redness of the skin. In cosmetology, oil is used to whiten skin, strengthen nails and hair.
A toner containing eucalyptus oil is used to combat blackheads; the oil can also be found in many creams. Eucalyptus decoction helps with intestinal diseases, and tincture helps with infectious diseases and erosions. Eucalyptus-based ointments are good for joint diseases. Eucalyptus is a truly unique tree that does not require much care when grown at home. Just a little care for him and he will become an excellent house doctor for the whole family, because it is not for nothing that in his homeland he is called the “tree of life.”
Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree with about a hundred varieties. The most famous are: rainbow, spherical, large and regal, growing up to 100 meters.
Eucalyptus trees grow in Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania. They have the property of accumulating moisture by turning the leaves with their edges towards the sunlight.
The leaves of the eucalyptus tree have high healing properties; they also serve as the only type of food for the Australian marsupial bear, the koala.
Curly pros... Regal uh... Rainbow euca...
How to properly collect and preserve silver eucalyptus
How to store eucalyptus
Healing leaves can be collected throughout the year. But the most productive, preserving a sufficient amount of essential oils, will be collected in mid-autumn , before flowering. It is then that the best young leaves appear, which appear right before our eyes.
It should be dried in the open air, but not in the sun, slightly in the shade. Turn frequently to prevent molding. Some craftsmen dry it in the oven - this is strictly contraindicated.
Description of eucalyptus
Of the huge number of trees growing on earth, several species amaze with their enormous size, their height reaches 100 meters or more. Eucalyptus can rightfully be considered one of these “green giants”.
The homeland of this interesting plant is Australia. In its homeland, this evergreen tree has more than a hundred varieties. Australia is a large continent and has almost all climatic zones, and each zone has its own eucalyptus trees.
This is a low-growing shrub that grows in the arid climate of the desert regions of Central Australia, these are gnarled, unsightly-looking trees in mountainous areas, these are giant, regal and spherical species of eucalyptus of enormous height that can only live in the humid climate of the subtropics. These majestic trees, with perfectly straight trunks and luxurious crowns, are truly a miracle of nature.
Eucalyptus is a very fast growing tree. In just one year, this tree grows almost 5 meters. Moreover, it grows both in height and in width. Of course, it is difficult for eucalyptus to compete in height with the American sequoia, the largest tree on earth today. In the state of California, USA. there is a sequoia growing with the name Hyperion, whose height, according to 2006 data, is 115.61 m. But nevertheless, in Australian Tasmania there is a eucalyptus whose height is 92 m.
These amazing trees have many unusual properties. So on one tree, on different branches, leaves of different shapes grow. On young branches there are soft leaves of a bluish color, round in shape, covered with a waxy layer. On older branches the leaves are hard and oblong. Moreover, these leaves behave in an unusual way. They are always turned edge towards the sun. Therefore, it is not surprising that a large tree, seemingly with a powerful crown, provides little shade. Thanks to this ability, eucalyptus can retain the moisture it absorbs for a long time. And it takes in quite a lot of moisture, it’s a real water pump. One such tree can absorb more than 300 liters of moisture within a day. And in a year, this water drinker drinks more than 100 tons of water. Because of these properties, this tree is often used in land reclamation.
Eucalyptus is an evergreen plant, but once a year it changes its bark. After a hot summer, in March, the bark that has dried over the summer becomes brown, it bubbles away from the wood of the trunk, curls up and falls to the ground in rags. After this, its trunk becomes smooth and shines with various colors of the rainbow. Depending on the species, after the fall, the trunks of eucalyptus trees can be white, green, yellow, blue and red. This species is called rainbow eucalyptus.
Eucalyptus forests are home to very cute animals - koalas. They feed exclusively on the leaves of this tree. It is known that its leaves are quite poisonous because they contain hydrocyanic acid. But it turns out that this poison has almost no effect on the koala. Then they are specialists in eucalyptus and choose different types of trees in different seasons, at a time when they contain minimal amounts of hydrocyanic acid. Well, and then a koala is, in fact, a bear, albeit a marsupial. So he doesn't care.
In the fourth or fifth year of life, eucalyptus blooms. And it blooms in a very unique way. First, a rigid round-shaped box appears on a separate peduncle, at the end of which there is a bottom. As the box grows, it increases in size and becomes woody. Then the bottom falls off and a lush flower tassel consisting of hairy stamens appears from the box. Different species have flowers of different colors: white, yellow, pink and bright red. The flowers have a light, pleasant aroma.
After flowering, fruits form in place of the flower. Different types of eucalyptus have fruits that differ in shape, but most often they look like small bells, but closed at the bottom. These bells contain seeds. The seeds take a long time to ripen, a whole year, but can be stored for several years without losing their germination capacity.
Spreading
Eucalyptus trees are giant plants. Many of them reach the size of a skyscraper during their lives; the tallest tree in the world is considered to be in the forests of Tasmania: its height is 101 m - several times higher than that of many recognized giants. However, this is not the limit; biologists have unconfirmed verbal descriptions of giants 150 m high.
The homeland of most species - several hundred - is considered to be Australia and the nearby islands, where these myrtaceae make up almost 90% of all forests and groves. Some varieties are found in the tropics and subtropics of Southern France, Portugal, Greece, India, Southern China, Malaysia, Israel, Crimea and other regions with a warm and humid climate; they prefer well-lit areas. Eucalyptus trees grow on nutritious, slightly acidic or neutral soils, but many adapt to sandstones, podzolic soils and loams. They tolerate short-term flooding well.
Species found in mountainous areas are frost-resistant, but many are still afraid of cold weather and quickly die at sub-zero temperatures.
“Trees” over 50 m tall are far from uncommon among eucalyptus trees. Based on the appearance and structure of the bark, several types of trees are distinguished: smooth-barked, iron-barked, scaly-barked, fibrous-barked, and peppermint. During the process of growth, the bark of many of them falls off the trunks in pieces or whole layers, exposing deeper layers. In this property, eucalyptus is similar to sycamore, which also sheds sections of bark. The color of the surface of the bark of one tree can change over the years; the trunk often combines bright green, yellow, red and purple areas. A clear example of such multicoloredness is found in the rainbow eucalyptus, growing in the tropical Philippines and Indonesia.
Medicinal properties
People have long noticed that it is very easy to breathe in eucalyptus forests. This is due to the fact that eucalyptus leaves emit volatile phytoncides, a kind of volatile antibiotics that consist of organic substances with a strong antimicrobial effect. Phytoncides secreted by the leaves have a beneficial effect primarily on the respiratory system, they give people vigor and health. It was experimentally found that the main components with healing properties are the essential oils contained in the leaves and young shoots. These medicinal properties have been actively used and now eucalyptus oil is used in various medications such as pectusin, ingalipt, efkamon, ingacamf, as well as various aerosols and cough tablets. In addition, the leaves are prepared and sold in pharmacies for preparing tinctures and decoctions at home. There is probably no person who has not experienced the healing properties of eucalyptus inhalation for colds.
Quite often, eucalyptus brooms are used in baths for colds. This is a very effective remedy that helps very often in one go. If you have a sore throat or runny nose, just hold a steamed broom to your face and breathe through your nose for 4-5 minutes. It is not very convenient to quilt with such a broom, the leaves are long and the branches are thin. It is better to weave eucalyptus branches into a birch or oak broom.
Although in practice it has been proven that eucalyptus preparations have virtually no side effects or contraindications, in some cases allergic reactions or individual hypersensitivity may occur. Very rarely, when used externally, skin irritation may occur.
Therefore, before starting treatment, it is better to check individual sensitivity to this remedy. In addition, it is not advisable to use eucalyptus preparations orally for children under 2 years of age, as well as for adults with impaired renal and liver function, bronchial asthma, and bronchospasm. It is better to refrain from using them for children with whooping cough. During pregnancy, these drugs should be used with extreme caution. It is advisable to first consult an aromatherapist.
Eucalyptus essential oils are very widely used in the perfume industry. They contain aromatic substances such as citronellal, limonene and geraniol, which have very pleasant odors. With their help, persistent aromas of rose, lemon and many others are easily reproduced. These cosmetics are absolutely harmless and are constantly very popular. Detergents: soaps, scrubs, shampoos, gels with eucalyptus extract are an excellent remedy for many scalp problems. And shampoo-creams with a detox effect practically cleanse the hair of any impurities, including tobacco smoke.
You can often hear the question: Is it possible to grow eucalyptus at home? Why not?
Eucalyptus trees reproduce by seeds, which are naturally carried by the wind. But for many years they have been grown not just anywhere, but where people need it. These are mainly resort areas. And not only in Australia, but in many countries around the world. Artificially planted eucalyptus groves create an excellent healing environment. And coupled with sea air, staying in such places provides maximum health benefits for vacationers. Such groves can be successfully used for other purposes. For example, several such artificial forests were planted in Israel to protect against frequent artillery shelling from Palestine. They grew very quickly and became a real green protective wall.
Well, at home in our climate zone, eucalyptus trees are grown mainly in winter gardens, or in extreme cases, just in a large pot like any other house plants. Usually in any flower shops you can buy either seeds or ready-made seedlings. By transplanting them into flowerpots, you can create a real paradise with a healing twist in your apartment or house.
Thanks to the released phytoncides, your home will always have the purest healing air, and you will always have fresh eucalyptus leaves on hand, which can be useful for rinsing or inhalation. In addition, neither flies nor ants can tolerate the smell of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus growing in the house does not require special care, and it looks quite nice.
Where do eucalyptus trees grow?
This plant comes from Australia, as well as all the islands adjacent to it. It is here that today you can see all the types of eucalyptus that exist. In total, more than 500 different varieties are found here. In Australia, such a tree is classified as a forest-forming tree. It grows well in the forest, and in private gardens, and on the streets, and in lowlands.
Today, eucalyptus trees can be found in nature not only in Australia. It is quite widespread in France, Portugal, China, Russia, India, Africa, Greece, Israel, etc. However, in all these countries only low-growing varieties grow. This is due to the fact that the plant requires a large amount of moisture for intensive growth.
On the territory of Russia, eucalyptus is characterized by extremely slow growth, while some varieties cannot grow here at all. The most optimal conditions for growing eucalyptus are found in Sochi.
The main inhabitant of eucalyptus groves
One of the symbols of Australia is the cute koala animal. It lives only where the eucalyptus tree grows. Koalas have a unique gastrointestinal structure, which allows them to feed on eucalyptus leaves. And this, I must say, is not so simple. Indeed, in addition to a huge amount of useful substances, the leaves also contain a lot of hydrocyanic acid.
These animals spend almost their entire lives in trees.
Types for indoor growing
Acacia honey: beneficial properties and contraindications
Today, about 700 species of eucalyptus are known, but about fifty varieties are suitable for home cultivation.
The most popular types of home eucalyptus:
- Globular is valued for its beautiful appearance; its pyramidal crown consists of bluish leaves with a silvery coating.
- At the beginning of its life, Gunny has young, round, bluish-green leaves, which lengthen with age and become pointed.
- Blue baby is a dwarf form with small bluish foliage.
- The lemon variety fully lives up to its name thanks to its characteristic smell and is distinguished by spots on the leaves.
- Azura has a specific aroma.
- The fig tree is characterized by small, rounded leaves.
- Ashy (silver) eucalyptus got its name due to the characteristic gray color of its round or oval leaves.
- Populus is distinguished by the presence of small berries.
The most exotic type of eucalyptus is the rainbow eucalyptus, famous for its brightly colored bark. Unfortunately, its size is not very suitable for growing at home.
Globular Blue Baby Gunny Lemon Populus Silver
Essential oil
The older the tree, the more useful substances are in the leaves, which are collected in summer and autumn - at this time the percentage of oil is highest. And among all the species, the most valuable is the globular (ball) eucalyptus. You can extract not only fresh leaves, but also dry ones.
Eucalyptus oil is a yellow, colorless or greenish viscous liquid with a recognizable odor. There is a huge scope for its application.
Oil vapors refresh and purify the air, fill it with a pleasant aroma, and repel insects.
Essential eucalyptus oil is included in toothpastes and elixirs, cosmetic products, soaps, and hair care products.
Peculiarities
A characteristic feature of eucalyptus trees is their extremely rapid growth: many species reach a height of 10 m during the first three years of life, and in the next few years they can grow to the size of a 15-story building. Adult eucalyptus trees below 30 m are rarely found. At the same time, the diameter of the trunks remains relatively thin - about 30 cm. A noticeable increase in thickness begins in trees from 15–20 years of age, and the growth in height slows down. Adult and old specimens can reach several meters in trunk cross-section.
The great resilience of eucalyptus trees is also known: in case of serious damage or even after burning in fires, the trees quickly recover, growing new shoots within a few months.
The unique features of eucalyptus trees and their decorative qualities make these trees attractive in the eyes of florists and landscape designers, and the ability to form hybrid varieties and rapid growth force biologists and breeders to develop new forms that are resistant to various natural conditions. Species such as cineria and populus (poplar) have compact sizes and can be grown as indoor plants, and their beautiful picturesque branches with silver-green or bluish foliage can serve as material for making holiday bouquets.
Given the ability of eucalyptus trees to grow rapidly, their cultivation is practiced using seeds and vegetatively. Under favorable conditions, greenhouse embryos sprout within 5 days. Tree cuttings can be transferred directly to open ground.
Features of cultivation
To grow eucalyptus indoors, you need to know some rules. Thus, species such as Gunni eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii) and lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora) are best suited for this. They can be grown both from seedlings and from seeds, which can be purchased at a flower shop. Despite the small size of the seeds, their germination rate is high.
To begin, prepare clay pots and fill them with an earth mixture consisting of sand and earth, taken in equal parts. The soil is first slightly moistened, and then seeds are sown on its surface. The temperature must be maintained at 18 degrees. There is no need to water for the first four days after sowing. The first sprouts, as a rule, appear 5–10 days after sowing. Seedlings need special care during this period. You need to water them carefully so as not to overwater them, and you also need to regularly ventilate the room.
Grown seedlings (3 centimeters), with young leaves emerging, should be planted in different pots. To do this, you need to take containers whose width is 10 centimeters and height 15 centimeters. Replant carefully, as the delicate roots can be easily damaged. After transplantation, watering should not be done for 4 days. Then watering should be moderate and daily. After 3 weeks, the plants will have become stronger and can be planted in permanent pots.
Eucalyptus in modern pharmacology
Modern science does not dispute the achievements of traditional healers on the use of eucalyptus. Researchers have significantly expanded the range of applications. Today, drug manufacturers widely use eucalyptus leaves.
Eucalyptol, which is part of the oil, is valued for its antiseptic and expectorant properties. It is used in the production of drugs for the treatment of colds, flu, and acute respiratory infections. A mixture of eucalyptus and tea tree oils is a powerful remedy for fighting a runny nose. This component is also included in oral care products.
