Content
Modest shrub from the genus Plum - thorn, does not bring any hassle during cultivation and has a high value for humans.
The chemical composition of all parts of the plant has become the basis for many medicines in traditional medicine and in folk therapy.
Jam, jam and berry compote - a real decoration and pride of any table.
Blackthorn (blackthorn) - branching thorny bush, reaching a height of 3.5 to 4.5 m. Less often, the plant can be found in the form of a tree up to 8 m in height.
Shrub natural habitat hillsides, ravines and forest edges of Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Mediterranean, Western Siberia and Europe.
It is assumed that blackthorn originated from cherry plum as a result of alteration of bush tissues under the influence of gradual changes in microclimate.
Blackthorn is highly frost-resistant and is able to withstand low temperatures up to 40 ° C. The shrub also survives drought without much stress.
Sloe grows well on the soils of the Moscow region, which are not suitable for growing other crops, therefore it is often placed on the borders of the personal plot, where the soil is saline.
Young branches of the bush are covered with pubescent bark and form sharp thorns at the end. Leathery leaves are obovate, serrated and dark green in color. They are located on short petioles and reach a length of 5 cm.
Before the leaves bloom thorns bloom profusely in April and May... The flowers of the plant are small, white and are arranged in pairs or singly on short peduncles.
During this period, the shrub looks like a large white ball, and the area around it is filled with the scent of almonds.
Bush begins to bear fruit 2-3 years after planting... The fruit is a monostyanka, round in shape and small in size up to 15 mm in diameter.
Under a thin black and blue peel, green flesh and an inseparable bone are hidden. The fruits ripen at the end of summer and can survive on the bush all winter.
Shrub fruits have a tart-sour taste.: This is due to the high content of tannins, which are neutralized after exposure to low temperatures.
Fruiting is regular, 3-4 kg of fruit can be harvested from one bush.
Blackthorn is a self-sterile plant and is unable to set fruit from its own pollen. To ripen the fruit, the plant needs cross-pollination. It is mainly produced by bees.
Blackthorn breeding methods
Shrub propagates seeds, dividing the bush and root cuttings. Seeds are preferably sown in autumn immediately after separation from the pulp.
For spring sowing the correct long-term stratification will be required on average 160 days. To do this, the bone is washed from the pulp, placed in layers of moss and removed to a cold place with a temperature from 0 ° C to + 5 ° C.
A month before planting, the temperature is reduced to -1 ° C. The bones are kept in a slightly moist environment.
About the readiness of the bone for transplanting into the substrate can be judged by the cracks on the surface.For temporary development, you will need a container of at least 20-25 cm in diameter.
The optimal substrate for the development of blackthorn seedlings consists of:
- sod soil 40%;
- humus 20%;
- low-lying peat 20%;
- river sand 20%.
Further care of the seedling consists of regular watering, fertilizing once a month with minerals.
Seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place at the age of two. Pitted thorns will bear fruit in 4-5 years after planting.
Many gardeners prefer the seed propagation method. to obtain frost-resistant rootstocks for more capricious crops.
Young shoots are separated from the mother plant in autumn, for this, the connecting root is cut. At the end of April, the separated shrub is transplanted to the intended site.
Plum variety Tern (thorn) reproduces well by dividing the rhizome... To do this, it is necessary to dig up the roots in the fall at a distance of 1 to 1.5 m from the trunk. A good planting material is a root with an average thickness of 1.5 cm and a length of 15 cm.
At the end of April, the cuttings are transplanted into soil (sand, peat 1: 3) under a film. They are placed at a distance of 5 cm vertically at a slight slope.
The upper ends should remain at a depth of 2 cm, after which the surface of the soil is mulched with sawdust. Root cuttings need to be provided with regular watering and 3-4 feeding per season, mainly with nitrogen fertilizers.
The next fall, the plant is transplanted into temporary soil., similar to when planting seeds and grow to 1 m, after which they are transplanted into a personal plot.
Bush care
The characteristic feature of the turn absolute unpretentiousness to growing conditions... On the contrary, excessive care and constant feeding of the shrub leads to abundant growth and suppression of neighboring plants.
For planting thorns, a well-lit or partial shade area is preferred. The soil should be drained, moisture-absorbing and with neutral acidity. The optimal distance between the bushes is at least 2 m.
Anti-aging pruning is performed in Marchremoving damaged and rotten branches. Ideally, 3-4 skeletal branches remain on the bush.
This will significantly increase the quality and quantity of the crop, and protect the shrub from strong crown thickening.
Water the thorn only in very dry weather. To improve the quality of fruits and the formation of new shoots during flowering, organic matter is introduced into the near-stem circle: compost or rotted manure. Thorns do not need winter shelter.
The benefits and harms of thorny fruits
The beneficial properties of the fruit of the bush determines special chemical composition, in which are concentrated:
- glucose, fructose;
- organic matter;
- mineral salts;
- vitamins A, E, C, P;
- coumarins;
- steroids;
- nitrogen-containing compounds;
- essential oils;
- pectins;
- tannins.
Thorns especially valuable for the gastrointestinal tract... With the constant use of thorns, the balance of microflora is restored, and the attacks of gastritis and colitis are reduced. Due to its diuretic properties, toxins and toxins are removed from the body.
Thorns have an antiparasitic effect on protozoa... This contributes to the normalization of intestinal motility, which improves the digestion of food and activates metabolism.
The fruits of blackthorn are especially valuable with a high content of vitamin R. It is a flavonoid, which contains more than 120 substances useful for the body.
The constant intake of these substances into the body normalizes blood pressure, reduces vascular permeability, balances the heart rate.
Under their influence the work of the adrenal cortex is stimulated - This is an important factor for the balance of hormonal levels.
Additionally, the composition of the fruit will absorb all unpleasant odors from the mouth. The only drawback is the coloring properties of the fruit, a persistent bluish tint will last for several days.
The thorn fruit is not recommended for use when acute forms of gastrointestinal diseases, especially with bleeding. It is undesirable for people with high gastric acidity and hypotension.
Fruit seeds tend to accumulate amygdalin substance. At high concentrations, it has a toxic effect on the body. Therefore it is recommended preserve jams and compotes with seeds for no more than a year.
The use of prickly thorn in traditional medicine
It has been proven that medicines from different parts of the bush have a therapeutic effect on the body:
- antipyretic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antibacterial;
- diuretic;
- astringent;
- expectorant;
- diaphoretic.
These properties of thorn fruit are actively used in traditional and folk medicine, for general and symptomatic treatment of serious pathologies.
Flowers: when to pick
The healing ingredient is harvested before the buds open.... Infusions and decoctions of flowers treat hypertension, constipation, liver disease, prostate adenoma, rheumatism and atherosclerosis.
Flower medicines are diuretic, diaphoretic and sedative.
Preparation of medicines:
- Infusion... Crushed flowers (2 tsp) are poured with cold water (250 ml) and insisted for 8 hours. Take the remedy for 2 tbsp. l. 4 times a day as a diuretic and diaphoretic for kidney and liver diseases.
- Decoction... Medicinal raw materials (2 tsp) are poured with water (250 ml) and slowly brought to a boil. Take 100 ml 2 times a day. The broth is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of vascular diseases.
Medicines based on thorn flowers have a strong antimicrobial effect and will useful for the treatment of skin diseases... To do this, wipe problem areas with a cotton pad dipped in a decoction or infusion in the morning and evening.
Root: correct preparation
Thorn roots are harvested in autumn... In order not to harm the shrub, the medicinal ingredient is dug out at a distance of 1-1.5 m from the trunk. After that, they are thoroughly washed and dried at a temperature of + 60 ° C.
Decoction of thorn roots has antipyretic, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is used for colds and to cleanse the body of toxins.
For the treatment of leucorrhoea, douching is performed, and for skin inflammations, lotions with a drug.
For the preparation of the broth crushed raw materials (10 g) are poured with cold water (500 ml) and boiled over low heat for 15 minutes. Take 100 ml 3 times a day. For douching, the drug is diluted with water 1: 1.
Bark
The bark is harvested from the bushes to be cut down and before the flowering of the plant... After that, they are washed and dried in the same way as the roots.
It is used as a means to cleanse the blood, treat female inflammatory diseases, boils and erysipelas on the skin.
To prepare the broth you need Pour chopped bark (1 tsp) with water (250 ml) and boil for 15 minutes. Take 100 ml 3 times a day. For douching, dilute with water 1: 1.
Fruit
The thorns are harvested in the second decade of October... After that, they must be dried for a week, if possible in the open air or in an oven at a low temperature.
Preparation of medicines:
- Infusion... The crushed ingredient (1 tbsp. L.) Is poured with boiling water (250 ml), infused for 1 hour. For the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, take 100 ml before breakfast for 4 days.
- The juice... The fruits are peeled and heated to 70 ° C. After that, they are kneaded and squeezed out. Used for giardiasis, eating disorders and colds.
The juice from the thorn fruit has a firming effect and will be useful for diarrhea.
The use of Thorn plum in cooking
The fruits of the shrub are rarely consumed fresh. But various preserves and jams of them have a spicy taste and are popular with children and adults.
Jam
Ingredients:
- blackthorn fruits 2.5 kg;
- sugar 3 kg;
- water 1 l.
Sorted and washed fruits simmer for 15 minutes... Throw in a colander and remove the bones. The peeled fruits are spread into the old broth and sugar is added.
After the sugar is completely dissolved, the jam must be cooked for 15 minutes. For storage, the product is poured into sterilized jars.
Turnip jam:
Jam
Ingredients:
- blackthorn fruits 1 kg;
- sugar 1 kg;
- water 100 ml.
Washed and pitted fruits pour over water and cook for 30 minutes over low heat. After that, you need to rub the berries through a sieve. Place the mixture in a container, add water, sugar and cook for 30 minutes.
The readiness of the jam can be judged by the thickness of the product. The prepared jam is poured into sterilized jars.
Compote
Ingredients:
- blackthorn fruits 1 kg;
- sugar syrup 50%.
The washed fruits are laid out in boiling syrup and cook for 5 minutes. After that, the fruits are put in jars and filled with syrup.
Jars covered with lids are placed in a container with water and boiled at a temperature of 75 ° C for 15 minutes and sealed with lids. During cooling, jars with compote are turned upside down.
Wine
Ingredients:
- thorn fruits 10 kg;
- sugar 3 kg;
- water 10 l.
Slightly frozen fruits wilt for 2 days... After that, the berries are kneaded, placed in a container with seeds, and poured with water.
For each liter of raw material obtained, 300 g of sugar is added, is mixed and bottled. After 30-45 days, the wine sediment is separated and poured into new containers.
Blackthorn wine:
Tea
For adding to tea or self-steaming harvest the leaves and flowers of thorns... To do this, they need to be dried and wrapped in paper bags.
Many housewives add dried and crushed blackthorn fruits to teawhich make the drink not only healthy, but also aromatic.
In the recent past, the cultivation of thorns was practiced everywhere. Despite its absolute practicality and economic benefits, bush cultivation has been unfairly sidelined.
Nevertheless, the massive use of shrubs as a raw material for medicines is only growing and every year leads to a greater deficit of the source of useful ingredients.
Thus, we can conclude that growing thorns is beneficial and useful not only within the gardenbut also a great option for business.
