Far Eastern schisandra is a special plant. By its medical value, it can compete with ginseng, it is used in cooking, and it is also used for design purposes. In order to grow it, it is not required to exert excessive efforts, this plant will be a valuable acquisition for the gardener.
What does Far Eastern lemongrass look like
Far Eastern schisandra is a vine with tree stems. Its leaves have a pleasant lemon smell. The stem can reach a length of 15 meters. In a young plant, the bark has a yellowish tint. As it grows, it turns brown. The root system looks like several cords, from which a large number of accessory processes grow. The stalk is wrinkled. At first glance it gives the impression of a dried up one.
Schisandra bush
The flowers are white. Berries grow in clusters, like grapes, however, they are smaller. During full ripening, they turn red and soft. Harvest ripens in September. When collecting vine lemongrass breaks in clusters. The remaining stalks and branches from the brushes can be used to brew tea. Usually a particularly large crop ripens every 2-3 years, then the plant rests for a while.
This plant under natural conditions grows in the Amur Region, on Sakhalin and in the Khabarovsk Territory. However, you can grow lemongrass indoor plant.
Common varieties
The most common types of lemongrass:
- Chinese and Far Eastern - are of great importance as a medicine or tonic.
- Crimean differs in that it is small in size, grows on sunny slopes, meadows and pastures. Elongated leaves have a strong lemon scent.
- Japanese quince is a small shrub with small yellow berries.
- Lemon grass grows up to a meter in height. It emits a pronounced citrus aroma. It is added to teas, seasonings or soups.
The Far East is the variety that has the greatest medicinal and wellness value.
Medicinal properties and application history
This plant has special tonic and medicinal properties that are second only to ginseng. Of the whole variety of lemongrass species, only two of them have medicinal value. Far Eastern schisandra is one of them.
Even the ancients knew that this plant gives strength and drives away fatigue. It is used not only in traditional medicine, it is recognized and official. In China, it has been used for medical purposes for two millennia.
Schisandra sprout
In connection with the special taste of berries, lemongrass is used to bouquet some types of wines. The pulp of berries is part of the filling of some types of sweets.
In the Khabarovsk Territory, juice has been produced for food use since 1967.
Need to remember! The plant has contraindications and in some cases can be harmful.
Care
When growing and caring for lemongrass Far Eastern, you need to consider that this is an unpretentious plant.
To grow it, you need to build a frame. It is done during the landing. For this, it is necessary to install poles 2-2.5 meters high. A rope or wire is horizontally stretched through them. Immediately after planting, the plant is tied up. This is then done as needed.
Temperature
Indoor schisandra like sunny and warm places. He does not like to grow where there is a shadow. Schisandra poorly tolerates strong drafts and dry winds. The place where it grows must be closed from the wind.
Lighting
Schisandra need abundant lighting, but there should not be intense sunlight. A good option is to grow it in shading conditions. This can be, for example, a shadow cast by a house, a barn or a fence.
Watering
This plant loves when watering is done regularly. However, it must be ensured that there is no overmoistening. If this is allowed, the result may be rotting of the root system of lemongrass or infection with a fungus.
Tip. When it is planted, it is necessary to ensure that water does not get on it from the slopes of the roof.
Watering is necessary when feeding or during hot weather.
Spraying
Spraying the leaves is especially necessary in dry weather, as they dry out much faster than the roots.
Humidity
Too high humidity can be harmful to the plant. The time for watering should be chosen when the topsoil becomes dry.
In areas where groundwater passes close to the surface, it is recommended to grow a hill of land or choose an elevated place for growing lemongrass.
Priming
When caring for lemongrass, the first time it is necessary to carry out hilling. To do this, a small amount of earth is sprinkled around the stem without touching the roots. It will be useful for the plant to put a layer of mulch on top. It will help to retain moisture longer after watering.
Top dressing
This plant requires top dressing with ammonia and potassium nitrate. Organic fertilizers are suitable for lemongrass: manure or bird droppings.
When harvesting is over, there is a need to thoroughly loosen the soil and introduce ash.
In winter and at rest
To protect young plants, it is required to cover them with dry leaves or spruce branches before the onset of winter.
Shelter for the winter
Adult Far Eastern lemongrass does not need protection from frost.
When and how it blooms
Flowering occurs in the first half of July.
Types of flowers
During growth, the buds are a pale white color. Shortly before they begin to fall off, they acquire a beautiful light cream color.
Flower shapes
Lemongrass flowers in their shape and appearance are similar to magnolia flowers created from wax. The buds are collected in inflorescences. Each includes 3-5 flowers.
Flowering period
At this time, the flowers located in the axils of the leaves attract insects for pollination with a strong aroma.
Frame
They are on long pedicels and slightly bend to the ground.
Pruning lemongrass when kept in a room
It is best to carry out pruning at home in the fall, before the start of the dormant period. If this has not been done, then the procedure can be carried out in the early spring in the period before the sap flow begins.
In this case, old, damaged, dried shoots are separated. In addition, there is a need to remove vines that thicken the crown.
It is necessary to monitor the shoots that grow from the root. It is believed that there should not be more than 6 pieces. If there are more, then the extra ones must be removed.
How Far East Schisandra propagates
There are various ways of breeding lemongrass.
Seed germination
You can plant lemongrass in spring or autumn. If this is done in the spring, then the most suitable time will be the end of April or the beginning of May. Before planting seeds, they must be kept in wet cold sand for a month.
When landing, they are immersed in the ground to a depth of 2 centimeters. The distance between adjacent plants should be at least 15 centimeters. On top of the soil, put a layer of peat or humus. Immediately after planting and in the first weeks of growth, the seeds must be watered abundantly.
Berries
In autumn, the bones must be warmed for three weeks. Then they are planted in open ground.
Rooting cuttings
In mid-June, young shoots are cut, which are slightly lignified. Each of them must have at least 4 kidneys. Planted in loose and moist soil to a depth of 4 centimeters.
Cuttings are watered and covered with non-woven material. Airing is carried out daily.
In August, they are dug out of the ground with a lump of earth and stored in the cellar in winter, immersed in moist sawdust. In spring, seedlings are transferred to open ground.
Scions
With this method of reproduction, it must be borne in mind that lemongrass is actually a vine. From one root, several stems grow simultaneously. In order to use the shoot, you need to take one of them and carefully separate it along with the root. Then it is planted in a new place.
Bends
In this case, you need to select a branch and tilt it to the ground. Dig a groove so long that the branch fits completely, then sprinkle with soil in separate places, leaving the intermediate part of the branch above the ground. It is necessary to water the shoot regularly. Over time, in some places it will take root. Such pieces of the branch are separated and planted in a new place.
House transplant
An adult plant does not tolerate transplantation. Usually it is used in cases where you need to transplant the prepared sprout to a permanent place. Schisandra has a well-developed root system, so it needs a deep pot. Usually for this they take layering plants and plant in a permanent place. Lemongrass needs fertile and loose soil. Immediately after planting, the plant needs to be watered.
About healing properties
If the Far Eastern lemongrass is prepared correctly, then its medicinal properties will remain for two years. It must be stored in glass containers or paper bags.
Roots
Schisandra root is harvested in spring or autumn. Then you need to dry it. Next chop. Store in a dry and dark place.
The roots of the plant contain a large number of essential oils, the benefits of which for those who suffer from hypotension, varicose veins, pediculosis or chronic fatigue are invaluable.
Preparations based on it are used to treat caries and inflammation in the oral mucosa. Some are used to improve brain activity.
Vine
The best time to harvest medicinal leaves is August. At this time, they begin to bloom, then the leaves will be saturated with flavonoids.
It is recommended to place the collected material under a canopy and stir occasionally. This must be done until complete drying takes place.
Berries can be used to make tincture.
To do this, you need:
- lemongrass berries - 20 grams;
- alcohol - 100 milliliters.
The berries are carefully chopped, poured into a dark glass bottle, then filled with alcohol. For 10 days, it is necessary that the composition is infused. Then the berries are squeezed, the tincture is filtered through cheesecloth and allowed to infuse for another two days.
A good tool for improving the functioning of the nervous and immune systems is infusion. According to the instructions, it is made from berries as follows. 10 grams of fruit must be crushed in a wooden bowl. Then they are poured with a glass of boiling water. Next, the composition in the pan is brought to a boil over low heat. After that, remove from heat, squeeze the berries, filter the infusion. This remedy can be drunk 2-3 times during the day 30 minutes before meals in a tablespoon.
The stalks
Lemongrass stalks need to be harvested at the time when fruiting occurs. Schizandra bark is also of therapeutic value. The time for collecting and harvesting it is spring.
From young shoots and bark, you can brew medicinal tea. To do this, prepare 10 grams of raw materials. They are poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted for 3-4 minutes.
It is allowed to use the bark and stems of the plant as an additive to ordinary tea. It increases the body's resistance to colds.
Far Eastern schisandra requires a bit of effort for its breeding, but it will allow you to make delicious preparations, tonic and health products and medicines for various diseases.
