Many people know that trees are best propagated by the vegetative method. But as for the acacia, it is quite possible to grow it from seeds, and it will not cause much trouble.
At the same time healthy specimens are obtained, allowing to decorate the backyard territory. In addition, white acacia is considered healing, and this is an undoubted reason for its cultivation!
The tree blooms very lushly, and it will certainly decorate your garden and fill it with a stunning, sweet aroma of fragrant inflorescences.
What do they look like?
White acacia seeds form inside the fruit. The fruits are smooth, flat and long beans, in which 13-15 seeds. They are oval in shape and are colored brown.
Where and for how much can you buy?
Acquire white Robinia seeds should be in specialized storesengaged in selling flowers and seedlings. Only then you can be sure to buy quality planting material.
Buying them from private traders is not worth it, because there they are not subjected to treatment with the necessary preparations, and are also most often kept in the wrong conditions.
The cost of acacia seeds varies from sellers. On average, for 1 gram, it is 130-150 rubles. In 1 gram approximately 50 seeds.
Self-collection from the plant
It is best to grow white acacia with the help of seeds to collect them yourself. Collecting planting material is necessary in November. Collected seeds to be cleared of pods and folded in paper bags.
How to store?
The germination of acacia depends on the storage conditions, both purchased and independently collected seeds. They will not rise well with:
- overheating;
- severe hypothermia;
- excessive moisture.
therefore White acacia seeds should be stored in small, closed boxes or bags.. Storage temperature - 0 ° C ... + 5 ° C. Storage suitable for storage or refrigerator. Optimum humidity is not higher than 60%. Under these conditions, the shelf life of seeds is 3-4 years.
You can not buy damaged, deformed and fungus-covered seeds!
What are the healing properties and harm?
Long since raw white acacia has been used for medicinal purposes. Known this The plant has many healing properties., for example:
diuretic;- expectorant;
- laxative;
- hemostatic;
- cleansing;
- antihypertensives, etc.
diuretic;Also, seeds are used for the preparation of decoctions against inflammation in the female genital organs, bladder, bronchi. Although the acacia has many useful properties, it is prohibited to use it without medical advice. Parts of this tree contain toxic substances.
Before proceeding with the treatment, it is necessary to make sure of the personal tolerability of drugs based on acacia. You need to know that they lower the acidity of the stomach. Read more about the healing properties of acacia in the separate material.
What time of year is best to sow?
Sowing takes place in late March - early April. But first we must pay attention to the temperature outside the window. In some places it is still cold at this time, therefore it is necessary to plant it during the swelling of the buds in the trees.
Soil and capacity
For seedlings need to take a clean, loose and nutritious soil. Can be purchased at the store, adding to it pieces of charcoal and sand, which will serve as drainage. It is best to sow seeds in small plastic pots of a round or elongated shape, not less than 15 cm high. At the bottom they must have holes through which excess water will flow.
Growing conditions
To maintain a constant temperature within + 22 ° С ... + 25 ° С of capacity in which the planting material is located, it is necessary to provide lower heating. Every day you need to inspect, watering when drying the soil and airing.
Step-by-step instruction
When properly stored, the dense rind of the bean will not allow seeds to germinate, which will not germinate without prior preparation. If they are sown, they will lie in the ground until the shell rot and water enters the seed core.
Training
You can prepare seeds for planting by immersing them for a few seconds in boiling water, and then in cold water for 12 hours. After you can be planted in the ground.
There is another way - soaking for 2 days in warm water with the addition of a growth stimulator. After softening the skin, the seed is ready for planting..
Landing
White acacia seeds can be sown in boxes and open ground. They are planted to a depth of 1-2 cm. Under good conditions, they emerge quickly - 7-10 days. After the shoots appear, the pot is transferred to a warm, bright place for rooting.
Germination
For so that the seeds of the white acacia germinate well it is necessary to organize optimal conditions, namely to create:
- favorable temperature;
- good lighting;
- moderate watering.
Planted in open ground after frost. This is necessary in order to avoid hypothermia and death of a young tree.
The distance between the seedlings should be at least 25 cm. so that the sprouts have enough space for development and growth. If the distance is less, the seedlings will begin to die.
Seedlings care
The first 2 years of cultivation are the most difficult in the life of young seedlings. We must not forget about:
- fertilizers;
- weeding;
- loosening.
For the winter period it is desirable to shelter the tree.. For this fit non-woven material. The surface of the land beneath him is mulched, using straw or peat. The following year, young white acacia trees are transplanted to a permanent place.
Landing in the ground
You need to make sure that the root neck is a little above the ground or on a par with it. Planting substrate is prepared from the soil taken in the pit with the addition of:
- ash;
- lime rubble;
- dolomite flour.
Not bad if nitroammophosphate will be added to this mixture as an additional feeding. Improving soil fertility will help enrich it with fertilizers containing nitrogen.
White acacia is considered unpretentious treetherefore, it can be planted everywhere. However, when this plant is in a shaded place, flowering will deteriorate somewhat, so it is still better to plant it where the sun's rays penetrate quite well.
Acacia tolerates cold, only young trees can freeze to death. However, if the roots and root neck are well preserved, then they quickly return to normal. The older the tree, the higher the resistance to frost.
It must be borne in mind that the probability that the young trees of the white acacia freeze, increases if they grow in moist soils. Therefore, they should be planted on well-drained lands.
Acacia grows rapidly, especially for the first 10 years. The tree tolerates pruning and transplanting. Acacia refers to plants that live a very long time. There are instances over 300 years old.
Seed Treatment
White acacia seeds are used in the preparation of various decoctions and tinctures for outdoor use. But it is required to strictly follow the dosage and with caution refers to their use.
Before use, be sure to consult a doctor.
Possible problems and difficulties
Growing white acacia may encounter some problems.. One of them is frosting of saplings. When there is an excess of fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen, the shoots grow very long - up to 1 m 20 cm. In such cases, at the end of the summer period they must be cut to 40 cm.
Acacia refers to plants that are resistant to diseases and pest damage. In the steppe places, it may suffer from shchitovki and sawfly. To deal with them you need special drugs:
- Commander
- Karbofos.
- Aktara, etc.
White acacia is an extraordinary tree, as it spreads a sweet honey aroma. It attracts bees, so plant it better where children do not play (about how honey is obtained from acacia, and also how and for what purpose it is used, read here). If a tree is planted with the purpose of using it as a medicine, soil fertility and care for acacia are of great importance.
