Mulberry tree, then, mulberry - under such names known popularly mulberry.In the suburbs it has become popular due to resistance to weathering, tasty and great health benefits.It prefers warm temperate climate, so naturally grows mainly in East Asia, southern Europe, North America, northwestern South America.
Description plants
Mulberry - a deciduous tree, the height of which can be from 3 to 15 meters.At first, it grows pretty quickly, but gradually slows.The leaves are large, wide, with serrated edges, rough to the touch.They have dark green in summer and yellow in autumn.One tree can be found on the leaves of various shapes and sizes.Blossoms small flowers clustered in axillary spikes.Ornamental seed heads resemble blackberries and can have different colors.Edible fruits, 2-3 cm in length, consists of drupes, and has quite a pleasant smell.Life expectancy of the plant an average of 200 years, but there are also long-lived, which is determined by the age of 300 or even 500 years.
Types mulberry
There are about 20 species of this culture, but for convenience are divided it in white, red and black, depending on the color of the crust.
White mulberry is most often found in gardens in Russia.This tree height of 16-18 meters with large leaves, which are intended to feed the silkworms.Stems of white, pink or purple color up to 3.5 cm. The plant is very resistant to low temperatures, can withstand temperatures down to -30⁰S, so the white mulberry in the Moscow region is considered one of the best varieties for breeding.
red mulberry in the wild is found primarily in eastern North America.Its small, up to 3 cm, very fragrant stems can be red, purple or black.Strong tree that can withstand arid climate, can reach a height of 20 m.
black mulberry is native to Southwest Asia, the tree's height does not exceed 15 meters.Large stems (up to 5 cm), purple or black, very juicy and tasty.The plant has not adapted to cold climates, does not tolerate frost.
varieties of mulberry
for suburbs are considered the most appropriate number of varieties.These are the ones that are well tolerated in a long and cold winter, not afraid of frost and unpretentious to the soil.They all belong to the species white mulberry.
- Ukrainian-6.The tree has a spherical crown.Leaves entire, very large, ie. A. Designed for feeding silkworms.Seedheads black matte color can be more than 4 cm in length.Yield of berries is low, but they are very well preserved.
- White honey.Monoecious tree has a pyramidal crown, very resistant to frost.It can withstand temperatures up to -30⁰S.Stems up to 3 cm is white and sweet honey taste.The aroma is practically absent.Ripening berries occurs in June and July.
- Black Baroness.The variety is quite unpretentious to the conditions of detention, it can safely withstand very severe frosts.Crone of the tree is moderately dense, spherical shape.Berries with a black color, very sweet taste, with faint fragrance.
Grade Darkie
This is perhaps the most common mulberry in the suburbs.Of all the varieties, it is the most suitable for the climatic conditions of the region.Large asymmetric leaves with jagged edges, rough on one side and a smooth - other.Stems up to 3 cm black, shiny, with a sour taste, very juicy and soft.The plant is well adapted to the climatic conditions of the central region of Russia, undemanding to soil, can withstand extreme cold, and when the young shoots freeze slightly, quickly recovering from their crop.Mulberry Darkie in Moscow and is popular due to its high yield - up to 500 grams with a meter fruit-bearing branches.Berries begin to ripen in June and can be kept fresh up to 18 hours.They are quite resistant to transportation, well retain their marketability.
Reproduction
mulberry cultivation in the suburbs can be done in various ways - by seeds, sprouts, grafting, cuttings.For planting the seeds are required from the current harvest.Purified from the pulp, are sown in the fertile ground in February.The room temperature should be maintained at 20⁰ C. And after the warm days come, young plants are transplanted to a bed.Permanent habitat mulberry transferred only in the following year.Please be aware that when propagated by seeds, some varieties can be inherited properties are not fully.
Planting and care
choosing a site for planting, preference should be given well-lit areas with loose loamy or sandy soils, given that up to 300 years old can live mulberry.In the suburbs are beginning to plant the seedlings in early spring or late fall.
advance preparing a pit the size of 80 x 80 x 60 cm. Sprinkle it with a little soil topsoil layer, you need to add two buckets of compost and 150 g fertilizer.All components of the mix, in the center of the hole to put the plant, gently straightened the roots, and sprinkle with a mixture of soil, lightly tamping.Then carefully pour and mulch the soil around the seedlings.In the period of intensive growth of mulberry need to produce fertilizer in the form of diluted slurry (1: 5) or bird droppings (1:10).Since July, watering only in the event of drought.
Wintering
Although mulberry good adapted to the weather conditions and can withstand temperatures down to -30⁰S often plant suffers from a lack of heat, which leads to lower yields.With the onset of spring frosted branches pruned and summer the plant is fully restored.
Up to 20 meters or more under good conditions can grow mulberries.In Moscow, where the winters are harsh enough, we have to do pruning the plants, giving the shape of the bush, to be able to cover it in the cold season when the offensive is particularly severe frosts.Kron tied with burlap or paper bandages, bonding by means of twine, a height of about 2 meters.
use mulberry
addition to industrial sericulture is a plant widely used in various fields.The wood used for the production of paper, rope and paints.The fruits are used for eating fresh or dried, as well as for the preparation of a variety of syrups, jams, vinegar.Virtually all parts of the plant have medicinal properties.
mulberry Fruits have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic effect.Drugs based on the leaves used in diabetes, beriberi.A decoction of the bark helps with cardiovascular diseases.At a stomach ulcer, hypertension, diseases of the throat helpful mulberry.In the suburbs grow this tree is quite simple, if you follow all the recommendations for planting and caring.
