Surinamese cherry (pinang): description, features of cultivation and useful properties

In nature, grows a huge variety of different types of plants. One of them is cherry. This culture has many varieties. In this article, we will talk about the Surinamese cherry, the features of its cultivation, use and useful properties.

Spread

Where does the Surinamese cherry grow? Places of its growth are territories with a tropical and subtropical climate. It can be found in the wild And in culture In the territory of Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. This tree is grown to produce delicious berries and for decorative purposes. Gardens of different countries are decorated with Surinamese cherry.

Where does the tree grow? Today it is grown in different regions of Colombia, India, Venezuela, Central America, South China and other countries. Cherry is an unpretentious plant. It is characterized by its resistance to dry weather and small frosts, which has become widespread in Europe and America.

Surinamese cherry

This plant belongs to the myrtle family, the genus Eugenia, named after the commander from Austria named Eugene of Savoy, who was also a prince. In this genus there are, according to different sources, 280-700 species. Gardeners are more attracted to the one-flowered Eugene, which is called the Surinamese cherry or pitanago.

All varieties are evergreen trees or shrubs. The height of a plant growing in natural conditions reaches eight meters. The Surinamese cherry grows up to 1.5 meters in height at home. In some varieties, the branches tend to fall downward, so that the plant looks decorative. Often cherries are grown to decorate the territory. In this plant everything is beautiful : branches, flowers, leaves.

Surinamese cherry, the description of which includes many characteristics, has leaves with an oval-lanceolate form and a glossy surface. Their color is rich, dark emerald. The leaves are simple, opposite, on the apex pointed, their length reaches four centimeters. Young leaves are distinguished by a refreshing reddish-bronze color, but eventually the color becomes dark green. The leaves under compression give off the aroma of the resin.

Bloom

Surinamese cherry blossoms with delicate buds of white or pink shades. Their form changes, it depends on the species. Buds come with the usual outlines: four petals with stamens in the center. But there are flowers, similar to fluffy lumps. The fact is that their filaments are highly elongated, because of them the petals are not visible. Flowers can be collected in inflorescences up to 30 centimeters in length or arranged one by one.

In the natural environment flowering occurs in September and January. In the middle zone of our country, the Surinamese cherry blossoms at home, not two, but once a year. This period occurs at the end of March - beginning of May. Very rarely flowering occurs two to three times a year. For the ovary fruit is not required to pollinate the flowers artificially, growing in the room, they do it themselves.

Fruit

Cherry berries are her property. The time of their maturation depends on the climatic conditions. Usually this is April-May, although the period of fruit ripening in individual territories can begin in November and end only at the end of winter. The berries are sung quickly, just three weeks after the flowering period.

Surinamese cherries of different varieties have differences in color and form of fruit. Berries with a diameter from two to four centimeters can have lemon, red and even black color. The fruit grown in the cherry room is smaller. Unchanged is the presence of seeds inside the berries, there are up to four of them, but more often one or two of a round shape, light brown in color. Seeds of the Surinamese cherry are bitter, they can not be consumed.

In some varieties the fruits are spherical, while in others the contours of the berries are flattened or the surface is ribbed. The flesh of the fruit is juicy, tender, has a reddish or golden hue, the color of the peel is the same. Fruits possess sourish, often sour-sweet taste with light bitterness and taste of needles. Berries are easy to assemble, because at the slightest contact with the plant they are easily separated from it.

Bone growing

To grow a tree from a seed, you need to work hard. Everything begins with the collection of stones and their washing under the stream of water. After that, the planting material is dried and placed for storage under a canopy with a shadow. Before planting, the bones are soaked in water for a week. The main thing - you need to change the water more often.

After this, the bones are taken out of the water and immediately placed in the ground. Two months later shoots will sprout. They can be planted on a permanent place of growth in the garden. This time is in October.

Planting of seedlings

Young plants can be planted in the soil in autumn, early October, or in spring, in April, until the buds are blooming. Suriname cherry and its cultivation are of interest to many gardeners. First prepare the landing pit diameter of 60 centimeters, a depth of 45. The soil from the pit is divided in half. In one half, humus, ash, superphosphate and potassium fertilizers are added.

This mixture is poured in a cone in the planting hole, where the seedling is placed. Its roots are poured over the second half of the earth, after which the soil around the trunk is compacted. From the north, a peg is hammered, and the seedling is tied to it. After planting, a thorough watering is carried out, and the soil is mulched with sawdust, humus or peat.

Cultivation at home

To grow in a room, small-leaved and pointed varieties of culture are better suited. Experts recommend pittance. Surinamese cherry is grown in a cool microclimate with good lighting, and in winter with an additional one. Also it should be taken into account that the room cherry is afraid of drafts. In the rest its cultivation uncomplicated.

In the box with the earth mixture are made grooves for three centimeters, in which are placed bones. Above, the planting material is covered with earth, and then covered with polyethylene. A box with seedlings is placed on the windowsill with good lighting. Seeds will germinate in four weeks.

Young cherries are transplanted twice a year: in spring and autumn. When the tree grows up and strength is gained, it is done in two to three years. It is very important to choose a primer. You can prepare it yourself. To do this, mix sod, leaf land and sand in a proportion of 2: 1: 1. In a warm period, especially in extreme heat, the tree is watered abundantly, and in winter - moderately. Crohn needs regular spraying and shaping.

Benefits of cherries

The berry has a whole set of useful properties:

• Stabilizes the immune system, strengthens the body.
• Promotes the restoration of the skin of the skin when they are injured by wounds.
• Minerals in the fruit strengthen the bones and teeth, normalize the vision.
• Fiber, contained in fruits, regulates cholesterol in the body.
• Potassium in the pulp prevents strokes and heart attacks.
• Regular consumption of cherries relieves a person from constipation.
• Due to the low calorie, the cherries are included in the diet menu.

Using

Thanks to the high content of vitamin C, the fruits are consumed fresh and canned, from which they prepare a filling for pies and rolls, jams, jams, compotes. To taste does not give bitterness, before processing the fruit, the bones are removed, the berries are filled with sugar and insisted. In Brazil, berries are used to make vinegar and wine.

Cherry is a valuable raw material for the manufacture of cosmetics: lotions, creams, ointments, masks and much more. Cosmetics based on the extract of Pitanga removes inflammation of the skin and prevents rashes on it.

Beautiful fruits give the tree decorative, so the Surinamese cherry is often grown to decorate the garden, and not for berries. This culture grows well in a room with a cool microclimate.

Often there is a hedge of wild cherry, which is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. Cultural varieties are grown to obtain tasty and healthy berries.