The family is named after Vespasian Robin - it was he who first brought this plant in 1620 from America to Europe. It originates from North America, where it grows on damp soils full of lime. Extends from lowlands to 1400 meters above sea level, in deciduous forests from Oklahoma and Georgia to Pennsylvania. Acacia is widely known in the culture of Western European countries; in some areas, even by mistake and ignorance, it is considered an indigenous species.
Acacia is a heat-loving, durable species of shrub on which small white flowers with yellow centers bloom in clusters. It was this plant that later became the symbol of Odessa and the talisman of Paris. The most exquisite perfume compositions are made on the basis of acacia essential oils, and the fragrance during flowering serves as a kind of call for beneficial insects and a medicine for those who have lost spirit.
2.Acacia - planting and care
2.1.When acacia blooms
In very early spring or even late winter, some acacia species bloom in the fall, sometimes for several weeks.
2.2.Reproduction
Vegetatively, by seeds. Growing acacia from seeds will require effort. Acacia seeds are quite difficult to germinate. Research has shown that steaming seeds in hot water (usually around 80°C) and filing away the seed coat can increase germination by about 80 percent.
Acacia also successfully propagates by cuttings. The cuttings are planted in small pots, rooted at a cool temperature - about 16 - 18 ° C, the seeds are sown in winter or early spring, and bottom heating is necessary.
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2.3.Growing home acacia, pruning
In summer, it is better to expose indoor acacia to the open air. You can plant it directly in the ground, in a sunny place, but at the same time provide protection from the wind. After flowering, the plant needs gentle pruning.
2.4.Transplant
About once every 2 years, after flowering. Acacia roots emit a garlic smell, which is felt when transplanted. Acacia is planted in fresh soil if the plant is still young. For large tubs of mature shrubs, simply replace the top layer of soil 5-7 cm thick with a new one.
2.5.Diseases and pests
Quite rare under the right conditions. When grown in open ground, you can notice false scale insects, butterfly moth caterpillars, mealybugs, sawflies, aphids, bronze beetles, and May beetle larvae on plants.
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2.6.Containment temperature
House acacia prefers cool weather; in winter it needs a period of rest with a drop in temperature to 10 °C and below. At higher temperatures, the plant may be damaged by scale insects.
2.7.Lighting
When growing acacia indoors, it is worth remembering that the plant loves direct sun and does not require shading.
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2.8.Soil
The acacia flower prefers light and loose soil with good drainage, consisting of peat and sand, turf soil.
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2.9. Fertilizing acacia
Acacia in a pot has a limited feeding area and needs regular feeding. During the growing season, feed once every two weeks.
2.10.Watering
Water abundantly in warm periods with soft water; in winter, watering is reduced and the plant is kept cool.
2.11.Spraying
House acacia loves ventilation, but does not tolerate cold drafts and does not need spraying.
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2.12.Purpose
Several species of acacia are widely grown in gardens, such as the silver locust, with its attractive silvery leaves and yellow flowers. In rooms it is used as a pot plant. It is possible to grow acacia as a bonsai. Acacia does not lose freshness for a long time in water and can be used for cutting. The most fragrant white acacia produces very fragrant honey.
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2.13.Note
Since the acacia bushes in the lower part are constantly exposed, it is recommended to plant creeping plants, such as ivy, in the dishes, so as not to damage the dense plexus of roots. It is best to plant acacia and creeping plants at the same time. The lifespan of an acacia tree reaches 50 years with proper care.
2.14.Types:
2.15.Silver acacia - Acacia dealbata
This species is known among us as mimosa. It is a tall, spreading evergreen tree up to 30 m high. Young shoots of the plant, like leaf petioles, have short but dense silvery pubescence. The leaves are oblong, complex - consist of numerous oppositely located dark green, matte segments. At the end of winter - beginning of spring, the plant is abundantly covered with bright, fragrant inflorescences - racemes, consisting of fragrant miniature flowers, painted in various shades of yellow.
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2.16.Golden, Australian or densely colored acacia - Acacia pycnantha
Small flowering evergreen trees up to 8 m high with a spreading crown. The branches are thin, abundantly branched. Instead of leaves, the plant forms dark green, glossy, narrowly lanceolate, rigid phyllocladies. Inflorescences - brushes are formed at the tops of shoots and decorate plants in late winter - early spring. The flowers are small, fragrant, with numerous fluffy stamens, painted in lemon-yellow or golden shades. Flowering is very abundant.
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2.17. Arabian or Nile acacia - Acacia arabica
Evergreen spreading trees with abundantly branched branches covered with brown bark. In the axils of the leaves there are straight, sharp spines. The leaves are green, complex, and consist of many oblong-oval segments. The inflorescences are spherical, golden-yellow, fluffy.
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2.18. Acacia Farnesiana - Acacia farnesiana
Multi-stemmed shrub or low tree up to 6 m. In warm climates it remains evergreen, but in harsh places it sheds its leaves. The shoots are abundantly branched, covered with smooth, dark brown bark. The leaves are compound - consist of small, oblong, dark green segments. The flowers are fragrant, golden yellow, collected in round heads up to 1.5 cm in diameter.
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2.19.Acacia podalyriifolia
A small evergreen tree or attractive shrub up to 6 m high. The branches are thin, covered with dense silvery pubescence when young. Instead of leaves, the plant forms thick, oval phyllocladies, covered with a silvery coating, on short petioles. Inflorescences are branched apical racemes consisting of rounded heads, which, in turn, are formed from miniature, golden-yellow flowers with numerous fluffy stamens.
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Medicinal properties
In folk medicine, flowers, leaves and bark of white acacia are used. The medicinal raw materials of the plant have a diuretic and antispasmodic effect, so it is often used in the treatment of urolithiasis.
An infusion of plant leaves effectively helps with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers and gastritis.
A decoction of the plant helps reduce the increased acidity of gastric juice and has a choleretic effect. In addition, it is used as a laxative.
Due to its antipyretic properties, the plant is used to treat colds and flu, and its expectorant effect helps relieve coughs.
Products based on white acacia have a hypotensive effect, that is, they can reduce blood pressure.
How to use
Products based on white acacia are used in both folk and traditional medicine. Pharmacies sell medicinal preparations and individual parts of the plant - flowers, leaves, bark. Infusions, decoctions, compresses, and lotions are made from this medicinal raw material.
The plant is used as a medicinal raw material to relieve colds and reduce fever. An infusion of white acacia flowers has an expectorant effect, so it is often used to treat coughs.
A decoction of the bark and leaves of the plant helps with gastrointestinal diseases, reduces the acidity of gastric juice and copes with intestinal obstruction. It is often used to treat gallbladder diseases, ulcers and gastritis.
Products based on white acacia are used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system. Infusions and decoctions of the plant have an anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effect; they are often used to treat diseases of the female reproductive system.
An alcoholic tincture of the plant helps with osteochondrosis, rheumatism and radiculitis. It is used externally in the form of compresses, lotions, and rubbing.
White acacia tincture is used as a powerful expectorant, which effectively helps with any cough.
Cough tincture
Ingredients:
- white acacia flowers - 10 g;
- water - 250 ml.
How to cook:
- Grind the dried flowers and add water.
- Bring to a boil in a water bath.
- After 5-7 minutes, remove from heat, cover with a lid and let sit for half an hour.
- Strain the cooled infusion through a sieve.
Take 1 tablespoon of infusion every three hours.
The product thins mucus and removes it from the bronchi. Helps eliminate paroxysmal cough.
A decoction of white acacia leaves is used as an antipyretic. It is used to treat viral diseases and inflammatory processes.
A decoction of the white acacia plant to reduce fever
Ingredients:
- white acacia leaves - 30 gr.;
- water - 300 ml.
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How to cook:
- Mash the dry leaves with a rolling pin, pour boiling water over them and place on low heat.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, then remove from heat and cool.
Take 10 ml 3 times a day before meals.
This folk recipe will help you quickly get back on your feet after the first signs of a cold appear. The product reduces fever and helps cope with the inflammatory process.
To treat gastrointestinal diseases, an alcoholic infusion of leaves and a decoction of white acacia bark are often used.
Tincture on the white acacia plant for peptic ulcers
Ingredients:
- white acacia leaves - 20 g;
- medical alcohol - 250 ml.
How to cook:
- Grind the dry leaves, place them in a glass jar and fill with alcohol.
- Close the lid tightly and store in a dark place for 5-7 days.
- Strain the finished tincture before use.
Dilute 20 drops of tincture in a tablespoon of water and take 3 times a day before meals.
The product helps relieve pain, reduces inflammation and promotes scarring of stomach and intestinal ulcers.
Decoction for gastritis
Ingredients:
- white acacia bark - 50 g;
- water - 500 ml.
How to cook:
- Crumble the bark, add water and bring to a boil over low heat.
- Cook for 10-15 minutes, then remove from heat.
Take a hot decoction of 50 ml half an hour before meals 3 times a day.
The decoction has an analgesic effect and reduces the acidity of gastric juice.
A disease such as osteochondrosis can be treated with alcohol tincture. It is used externally to rub the sore spot.
Tincture for osteochondrosis
Ingredients:
- white acacia flowers - 100 gr.;
- vodka - 500 ml.
How to cook:
- Mash dry acacia flowers, pour them into a glass container and fill with vodka.
- Leave in a cool, dark place for 2-3 weeks, shake occasionally.
- Strain the finished tincture.
Rub the sore area with the tincture twice a day.
The product warms up the sore spot and relieves pain in muscles and joints.
Infusions and decoctions of white acacia effectively cope with diseases of the genitourinary system. They have diuretic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Infusion from the white acacia plant for cystitis
Ingredients:
- wheatgrass root - 15 g;
- white acacia flowers - 20 gr.;
- calendula flowers - 15 g;
- water - 300 ml.
How to cook:
- Grind the dry ingredients, add water and place on low heat.
- Bring the broth to a boil, stir for 8-10 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Cover with a lid, wrap a towel on top and let it brew for an hour.
- Strain the cooled broth and dilute with boiling water to the original volume of 300 ml.
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Take 50 ml 3 times a day half an hour before meals.
Result: The infusion soothes the mucous membrane of the bladder and relieves pain.
Agricultural value
The characteristics of acacias, as resistant to weather conditions, determine their value for creating shelterbelts, windbreaks, strengthening slopes and roadsides, retaining sand and creating decorative hedges.
Acacia is also very attractive in landscaping; it is unpretentious and creates an openwork crown; spring flowering decorates streets and courtyards.
The decorative value of the acacia - Crimean mimosa cannot be compared with flowering shrubs of other species due to the brightness and duration of flowering. Among other things, acacias are excellent honey plants. Honey collected from acacia trees has excellent taste and medicinal properties.
Honey productivity
All varieties of Acacia produce large quantities of nectar and pollen during their flowering period. White and yellow acacias have become especially productive in this regard, due to their wide distribution. But the productivity of plantings can be greatly influenced by weather and seasonal temperature fluctuations.
So, in cool weather, nectar production increases, and one bee colony can collect up to 5 kg of honey per day. At the same time, wet weather after rains reduces the concentration of sugars in nectar. Dry and clear weather provides bees with better quality nectar, but its quantity may decrease several times.
Cool weather also affects the duration of flowering, up to 2-3 days longer than average, taking into account that the productivity of each individual flower lasts no more than 5-6 days.
The duration of honey plant flowering is a very important factor. One hectare of white acacia plantings can produce 500-100 kg of high-quality honey. Therefore, weather and climatic factors must be taken into account. Early flowering of white locust can be a serious problem. The bees have not yet regained their strength from the winter, and nectar collection may be missed. Instead of the maximum possible volume of 40–50 kg, the family brings only 8–10 kg.
In such cases, you can give some advice:
- Winter the bees in cooler conditions, maybe even outside, so that they adapt faster and begin flying around.
- Vigilantly monitor the activity level of each bee colony.
- No later than mid-May, carry out layering on the old queen, giving at least three frames with one brood.
- It is more rational to unite those nests that are left without a queen into one family for maximum strengthening and honey collection. And the layering can later be used on later honey plants, when they gain strength and fully develop into a normal family.
