Strawberry (cadre): cultivation and care

Exotic plants have long ceased to be something unexpected. Many gardeners grow atypical for their area flowers, shrubs or even trees. Of course, this is associated with some difficulties, but caring and proper care of plants do their job: in the rooms and even on personal plots the most unexpected plants blossom in lush color, and some even bear fruit. One of these plants - cudrange (strawberry tree) - is widespread in Russia is not yet widely enough. However, more and more fans turn their eyes to this exot. It is about him that will be discussed in this article.

Origin and species of cudrange

It is known that the strawberry tree originally grew on the territory of East Asia, Afghanistan, Iran, and also in Central China. According to the species belonging of cadre, it belongs to biologists to the Tutov family. This is what determined the exactingness of this exote to the temperature of the soil and the environment, light and humidity. How did this plant get to other territories and when did it happen? Cudrania, a photo of which is not uncommon, was presumably spread almost all over the world thanks to trade and tourism development. Be that as it may, but even in the last century, except botanists knew about this plant, and today this tree is in the collection of any self-respecting amateur plant-grower.

What does a strawberry tree look like?

The plant, known as cadrassia, is a deciduous tree, which under natural conditions does not grow more than 6 meters in height. Leafy plates of the plant are simple, entire, with small notches along the edges. Their color is dark green, without pubescence.

Annual shoots of kudranii are covered with green bark, the older ones are brown. Strawberry, grown in indoor conditions, almost always has lighter tones in the color of the trunk than those that grow in natural conditions. The branches of the cedar are straight, located at a slight angle to the trunk, which makes it convenient to care for the plant. The crown of the plant is sprawling and fairly dense, easily shaped. On the fracture of leaves, young or mature branches of curling, it is possible to notice the emerging droplets of milky juice.

Stability of cadre to frost

Unfortunately, the strawberry tree is absolutely incapable of resisting even short-term air temperature drops. The freezing of the soil can completely destroy the tree. That is why cadre, frost-resistance is not high, in the conditions of Russia it is successfully grown only in room conditions. Only in the Caucasus and Crimea can this tree be kept in the open ground. In this case, it is necessary to take care of the protection of the tree from low temperatures, since frosts are fatal for it.

Strawberry from the tree? Description of citrus fruits

Despite the fact that the plant is called "strawberry tree", its fruits have a slight similarity with these berries. Ball-shaped red or red-burgundy fruit of the tree actually resembles the large-fruited raspberry, because according to the biological classification they belong to the complex multicolored ones. The size of the fruit depends on many factors, often they reach 3-5 cm in diameter.

The taste and smell of strawberry tree fruits, like their appearance, does not much resemble the actual strawberry itself. The presence of sugars in the berries causes their sweetness, but the sourness characteristic of strawberries is absent altogether. If you compare with other fruits the fruits of the plant strawberry tree, photos of which you can see further, to taste very similar to persimmon.

It is noteworthy that fruits, like branches with leaves, contain milky juice (milk). The berries of this exot are very juicy and soft, so they are not suitable for transportation. After harvesting, they are eaten for several hours, as already a day after harvest they lose their commodity and taste qualities. In addition, it is possible to prepare jam or jam from the berries of cudrange, dry them and use them for making beverages.

How to grow kudraniyu: outdoors or indoors?

Despite the fact that in Russia there are areas with a relatively favorable climate for an exotic plant such as cadrassia, growing in the open is practically not carried out. Most gardeners prefer to keep this plant in a roomy environment. This is due to the requirements that this tree presents to the conditions of detention.

Firstly, the strawberry tree does not tolerate cooling, so growing it even in the southern regions is quite problematic. Secondly, the number of fruits on each tree is small, so an exotic gardener will agree to occupy the useful area of the cottage area. Third, for the cultivation of kudranii, the wet climate and the same soil are not suitable, and it is easiest to regulate the water content in both the soil substrate and in the atmosphere when growing in rooms.

However, despite all the difficulties, a strawberry tree can be found in amateur gardens even in the middle band. In the Caucasus there are also enthusiasts who provide the most comfortable conditions for this exotic tree.

Landing material curling: how to get?

So, where do you start growing cadre? Of course, with the planting material. You can buy it in specialized stores or amateurs. If you yourself are a happy owner of cadre, you can try to reproduce it yourself. You can do this in several ways: by cuttings, root shoots or seeds.

It should be noted immediately that the best way to get a planting material among those who cultivate cudrange is the separation of the root cane. In this case, you can get up to 99% of viable seedlings, which also come into fruition earlier.

Cuttings of the plant strawberry tree, the reviews of which in this regard can not be called positive, is a rather complicated process. For the beginning cut off annual shoots without signs of diseases put on 16-18 hours in a solution of stimulants of a root formation. After this, the cuttings are placed in a sandy moist substrate for 3-4 months. It is important to constantly monitor the moisture of the soil, not allowing it to dry completely.

The chance to get a healthy young plant in this way does not exceed 30%, so cuttings are not very popular. In addition, after transplanting the cuttings with the roots formed, the likelihood of their death is high, so placing them in containers, do not forget to apply any stimulant.

There is no reliable information on propagation of shedding seeds, but it is known that the plants obtained in this way begin to bear fruit only 10-15 years after emergence.

We prepare the soil for planting

The main condition for the compilation of a soil mixture for a strawberry tree is its air permeability. The reaction of the soil must be weakly acidic or neutral. These characteristics are a mixture of turf ground (2 parts), humus (1 part), peat (1 part) and sand (1 part). In addition to excellent air permeability and nutrition, this soil also has a good ability to pass moisture. This mixture is suitable for cultivation of curls in room conditions. For growing outdoors, it is recommended to make the same mixture, which then must be filled in a large pit (not less than 1 meter deep) with a drainage layer of at least 20-30 cm.

Care for the cunniling in the first year after planting

In the first year after planting, the strawberry tree (its photo is available in the review) does not need additional fertilizing (provided that a nutritive soil mixture was prepared). Otherwise, it may be necessary to top dress with a solution of universal fertilizers. In addition, it is important to begin the formation of the tree crown and do not forget to monitor its condition. Despite the relatively high resistance to diseases and pests, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the stems and leaves of the plant. When there are traces of pest life, it is important to start treatment of the tree with suitable means.

Formation of plants in the open ground and in the room

When growing outdoors, curls almost do not need pruning. Sometimes it is enough to pinch the shoots growing too fast and cut "on the ring" branches that grow inside the crown or thicken it. As a rule, a strawberry tree is grown on a low stem. Pruning is best done in the spring, but pinching shoots should be given time during the entire growing season.

All the recommendations outlined above, are also applicable to those plants that are grown in a room (often in the form of bonsai). In this case, there are significant differences: it is recommended to leave no more than 5 skeletal branches in the crown, the length of which must be constantly controlled by pinching and pruning. All branches that interfere with the normal development of the crown (growing inside it, for example) should be removed from their very base.

Care for an adult plant

With room cultivation, cudrange should be placed in the brightest room near the window, since the plant is very fond of sunlight. In winter time, the strawberry tree is placed in cooler than in summer, as it needs rest (recall that cadrassia is a deciduous plant). In the warm season, a pot or container with a plant can be transferred to a balcony or an open veranda, and also carried out to the garden. Before this, it is recommended to gradually accustom the tree to direct sunlight.

Particular attention to the plant should be given in hot periods. Do not once again water it, because kudraniya well tolerates drought. The best option is spraying the plant with slightly warmed water.

For a strawberry tree growing in the open ground, it is somewhat easier to take care of: pruning in spring, fertilizing with green fertilizers and humus during the growing season strengthens the root system of the plant, which makes it more resistant to unfavorable environmental factors. In contrast to indoor cadres, the garden plant needs special care in the cold season. It is important, after completely dropping the leaves, to warm the tree trunk of the tree with leaf litter, humus and other materials. In addition, it is important not to forget about the warmth of the trunk and large branches with nonwoven material.

Pests and diseases cudranii and methods of fighting them

No matter how sissy the tree considered by us seems, there is not much that a plant can match with it for its resistance to pests and diseases. This exotic beauty is not even amazed by such "eminent" pests as spider mites and aphids. Nevertheless, in case of non-observance of agrotechniques, a strawberry tree may be attacked by thrips and mealybugs. Coping with them helps to normalize the humidity and temperature in the room, as well as special products that can be purchased at any store for gardeners and florists.

How useful cadre

What can be useful parts of the plant and the fruit of curling - the so-called "strawberry"? The tree, the photo of which you could see in this article, is often used in folk medicine. For example, oil infusion or decoction of the cortex is used to treat burns and ulcers on the skin. Fruits are ingested for heartburn and other digestive disorders. In addition, they are used in the form of decoctions with increased blood pressure and liver and spleen diseases.