Mulberry is a tree from the mulberry family. There are more than 160 species of this plant in the world. The most common are the black mulberry, which is considered to be the homeland of Southwest Asia, and the white mulberry, which grows mainly in the eastern regions of China. But the color palette of fruits is much richer: they can be red, yellow, pink, dark purple.
What is mulberry good for?
They always talk about positive qualities and properties first. Therefore, we will get acquainted with what the mulberry tree is useful for. Mulberry is actually a storehouse of nutrients. So, the fruits of this tree contain vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and PP.
What else do mulberry fruits contain, the benefits and harms of which have been known for a long time? There are also useful elements such as mono- and disaccharides, organic acids, beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium and calcium. It's wonderful that this berry has such a rich composition. Therefore, it is very useful. First of all, it should be noted that mulberry, whose medicinal properties have long been known, is used in folk medicine for the treatment and prevention of colds and infectious diseases, as it has anti-inflammatory qualities. In addition, mulberry berries are beneficial for those suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. The fact is that they have a mild diuretic and laxative effect. And also those who want to lose weight and remove toxins from the body should not immediately spend a lot of money on advertised drugs. The fruits of the tree will also cope with this function, moreover, it is no worse and, most importantly, without side effects.
Mulberry is no less useful for those suffering from diseases of the central nervous system. How can a mulberry tree help such people? Its benefit lies in the fact that it helps with stress, nervous shocks, depression and other disorders. But all this is more and more susceptible to residents of modern megalopolises. And those who suffer from insomnia are advised to eat a handful of berries before bedtime, and then he will be strong and healthy. Mulberry has also been shown to effectively help with mental and physical fatigue. Those who have the habit of counting calories will be pleased with the fact that there are only 50 kcal in 100 g of mulberry trees.
Understanding what the mulberry tree is useful for, it should be noted that in addition to the berries, the leaves, bark and roots of the tree are also used to fight diseases. Let's see why exactly they are used.
The appearance of mulberries
Of course, its advancement to the northern latitudes does not happen by itself, but only due to the fact that our compatriots want to have this extremely useful plant in their gardens and orchards.
The severity of the Russian climate does not allow the mulberry tree to reach high up, therefore, the height of these trees in our latitudes rarely exceeds six meters. But with proper cultivation, they begin to spread out in width, launching new shoots every year.
What are the benefits of leaves, bark and roots?
For the treatment of bronchitis and pneumonia, decoctions are prepared from mulberry leaves. In case of a sore throat, they can be gargled with a gargle. In addition, mulberry leaves are used to prepare an infusion that helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetes.Also, experts in traditional medicine recommend that diabetics sprinkle cereals with crumbled dried leaves.
To achieve a good effect in the treatment of eczema, rheumatism and cutaneous tuberculosis, you can use infusions, ointments and decoctions from this plant. In addition, they can relieve headaches, swelling and motor nerve paralysis.
The roots and bark are used to prepare the infusion, which is recommended for people suffering from asthma, inflammation of the respiratory tract and hypertension. And the ointment from the bark of a mulberry tree copes well with wounds and bruises.
Moreover, it is not difficult to prepare it. First dry the bark and grind it into powder. Then mix two tablespoons of the powder with 750 g of vegetable oil and stir until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The ointment is ready, and you can safely use it.
Botanical description
Mulberry is a deciduous tree, reaching 10-35 m in height with a powerful branched root. Life expectancy ranges from 200-500 years. Forms a powerful spreading crown. Leaves are simple toothed long-petiolate with regular arrangement on all shoots. For 4-6 years of life, forms a harvest of berries. The fruits are edible, represented by the fruit of the drupes, hidden in the overgrown fleshy perianth. Fruit length 2-5 cm, white, pink, dark purple flowers. The taste of berries is sweet and sour, sweet, sugary-sweet with a pleasant light aroma. On light soils, it forms additional adventitious roots that strengthen the soil.
Mulberry: medicinal properties
When treating the stomach, it is best to use black mulberry, and the ripening stage affects its benefits:
- To cope with an attack of heartburn, you must use unripe berries.
- In case of poisoning, a ripe mulberry tree is used, the harm and benefits of which are well known to adherents of a healthy lifestyle.
- Those who want to lose weight should pay attention to overripe mulberries, as they have a diuretic and laxative effect.
At the same time, mulberry berries effectively cope with colds, as they have anti-inflammatory properties. In particular, this applies to juice from fresh berries. To bring down the high temperature and relieve inflammation, you should drink 100 ml of juice every three hours during the day. It has been laboratory proven that white mulberry contains large amounts of potassium and vitamin C.
Cooking use
Silk fruits are also widely used in cooking. You can prepare from them:
- jam;
- jam;
- jam;
- syrup;
- marshmallow;
- Home wine;
- compotes and jelly.
In addition to heat treatment, berries can be dried and frozen. And even in this state, the mulberry does not lose its medicinal properties.
Advice! You can remove stains from clothes left by silk fruits with green unripe berries. Apply and rub the berry gruel on the stains for 15 minutes, after which the clothes should be washed.
Storage
Based on the fact that the mulberry tree, the harm and benefits of which are discussed in the article, is more in demand in winter, when it is easy to catch a cold, the question of its storage arises. And although mulberries make delicious jams and compotes, in this case it loses a significant part of its vitamins.
Therefore, in order to preserve the original usefulness of fresh berries, it is dried, but not in the oven, but under the rays of the sun. Freezing is also suitable for the same purposes. If there are no dried berries for decoction or infusion, then you can make juice from thawed ones.
Care
Formative pruning
A complex of measures for the care of mulberry includes:
- watering
- weeding
- loosening the soil
- mulching
- pruning
- top dressing
- prevention of diseases and pests, in case of disease - tree treatment
Watering mulberry is carried in dry years from spring to mid-summer. In rainy times, it does not require watering.
By the way, a tree's frost resistance increases if it lacks moisture in the autumn.
After the moisture is absorbed into the soil, it is necessary loosen the top layer... This will prevent crusting and cracking on the ground.
A layer of mulch will eliminate the need for loosening. It will also prevent weeds from growing under the tree.
Top dressing is carried out in a similar manner. Fertilizers applied in spring should contain nitrogen, and in summer, mixtures with phosphate and potassium are preferred.
Pruning a necessary measure when caring for a silk tree. It should be carried out during the rest of the plant, that is, in early spring or late autumn.
In the spring, before the appearance of buds and foliage blooming, 2 types of pruning are carried out:
1Shaping crown
2 Rejuvenating
The third type - sanitary pruning, is carried out in the autumn. The time is suitable for her when the foliage will fall, and the air temperature drops below 0. But it should not be below -10 degrees.
Weeping mulberry
Each variety is pruned in different ways:
- weeping - long branches and shoots are cut off, the crown is thinned out
- standard - the crown is formed. Usually a bare trunk is left, and the crown is given a spherical shape or a cascade of branches is left
During sanitary pruning, dry and broken branches must be removed... It can be carried out not every year, but as needed.
Another care measure is preventive treatment., aimed at minimizing damage to the tree by pests and diseases. The tree itself and the trunk circle are treated with fungicides and insecticides.
Suitable for processing in early April and late October. That is, in the spring, while the buds have not yet blossomed, in the fall, when the plant has passed into a state of dormancy.
Urea can be used in spring... The solution is needed 7%. This remedy will not only kill pests, but also serve as a top dressing for mulberries awakening from winter.
back to menu ↑
See also: Fast-growing perennial hedge: plant selection, planting, growing and care rules
Who is mulberry contraindicated for?
No matter how rich in vitamins and nutrients, mulberry berries, the benefits and harms of which have been well studied, they have contraindications. So, although mulberry helps with hypertension and diabetes, it is strictly forbidden to abuse it for people suffering from these diseases. If consumed in moderation, the berries will become a medicine. But eating them in large quantities will be harmful. In particular, this applies to diabetics.
Mulberry fruits are the strongest allergen. Therefore, it is worth starting to eat mulberries in small portions and gradually, so that when the first signs of discomfort appear, give up the berries.
In addition, there are some restrictions on the use of mulberry trees. For example, the fact that you should not mix them with other products. It is also undesirable to consume mulberries on an empty stomach. Do not forget that mulberry is a laxative of natural origin, and therefore, having consumed a large number of berries, you can get an upset stomach. To avoid bloating and discomfort, avoid drinking mulberries with cold water.
You can also cook desserts with this berry. Let's take a look at the treats that include mulberry trees. The recipes for such dishes are quite simple.
Preparing for winter frosts
In mid-October, you need to start preparing the mulberry tree for winter.... Young, flexible shoots are tilted to the ground, and old branches are tilted horizontally. Cover with a canopy on top. This will protect the tree from snow and wind.
Young and short trees completely wrap... To do this, it is wrapped several times with a covering material.
In regions with warm winters, mulberries do not need shelter.
Roots need to be taken care of too... Poison for rodents must be placed near the trunk. Otherwise, they can seriously harm the mulberry. Lay insulation on top. So that it does not move, you need to press it down, for example, with bricks.
In regions with harsh winters, shelter is essential to protect the plant. Residents of the southern regions, with mild, warm winters, do not need to carry out this procedure.
back to menu ↑
See also: Apricot: a description of 20 popular varieties, planting in the middle lane, care features (33 Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Making the cake
First, sift the flour and wash the berries, selecting the spoiled ones. Next, you should grind the eggs with sugar, then add kefir there (if you wish, you can use homemade yogurt), vanilla sugar, lemon zest and mix everything thoroughly. Then you should add flour with baking powder and knead the dough - its consistency should be like thick sour cream.
A baking dish must be greased with oil and sprinkled with flour. Then pour half of the dough into it and spread it with berries. Then sprinkle with sugar and add the remaining dough. Bake the cake in the oven for 30-35 minutes at 180 degrees.
Serve this dessert with tea completely cooled.
Growing at home
Mulberry trees are divided into male and female. When buying seedlings, it is better to purchase those that have already borne fruit once, in order to be sure of their yield. Male trees do not bear fruit and are only intended for decoration and landscaping.
The most suitable time for planting mulberries is spring and early autumn. The place where the tree will grow should be well lit. South slopes, sheltered from the wind, are ideal. Mulberries can grow on any soil, but they prefer well-drained loams. Landing is carried out in several steps:
- prepare a planting hole in a few days so that the soil will stand. The dimensions of the hole should be 70x70 cm and up to 50 cm deep;
- mix the earth that remains from digging a hole with a bucket of humus and place half in the hole;
- set the seedling on top and straighten the roots, sprinkle with the rest of the earth on top;
- compact and water the soil around the trunk;
- mulch the soil to protect the roots from freezing in the winter.
The distance between seedlings should be 5 meters, if these are bush varieties - 3 meters.
Preparation
Ripe berries must be washed in cool water and allowed to drain, and then dry. Next, the mulberries must be placed in a container in which the jam will be cooked, and sprinkle each layer with sugar. The sugar and berry mass should be thoroughly kneaded with a wooden pestle.
Then the container is placed on low heat. Next, the sugar is brought to complete dissolution, while the mass must be constantly stirred. After that, the heat must be increased to medium and cooked with jam until cooked and the desired consistency.
And to preserve the beautiful color of the treat, add a small amount of citric acid. Roll the jam into dry heated jars, spreading it while still hot, and store it in a cool dry place.
Variety of varieties
Today, on the territory of Russia, original mulberry varieties grow, created especially for our country. The first among them - white honey is a white berry up to 3 cm in size and more, has an extraordinary taste. The berries are soft and easily wrinkled during transportation, which is their only drawback.
Smolensk pink variety growing in central Russia is frost-resistant. Medium-sized pink fruits have a pleasant taste. A photo of Smolensk pink mulberry allows you to be convinced of this.
Variety Fruit 1 White berries have a pleasant taste and dense texture. During transportation for a long time, they do not lose their presentation.
Among others, it should be noted such varieties as: hedgehog, fruit 4, black baroness, black prince, Shelley and many others.
Reproduction methods
There are several ways to multiply mulberries.
Seeds
The seeds must be fresh, of the current season. In October, they need to be removed from the fruit, peeled from the pulp. Immerse in a growth-stimulating solution for an hour or two. Sow outdoors. If seeds are sown in spring, they need stratification (5-8 weeks).
The bed where we sow the seeds should be well lit. Prepare grooves in it, spill them with water and dissolved fertilizer for fruit and berry plants. Seeds are rarely sown, burying 40-50 cm into the ground. Water again. Cover the soil surface with a thick layer so that they do not freeze over the winter.
In the spring, seedlings will appear that need to be watered. Weeding and feeding are important procedures for seedlings.
Shoots that have grown stronger over the summer can be planted in autumn at a distance of at least three meters. Fruits on mulberries ripen for 5-6 years.
The disadvantage of this method: a mulberry tree grown from seeds has very few varietal characteristics or they are completely absent, unlike an adult tree. Such seedlings are best used as rootstocks for grafting.
Cuttings
Mulberries can be propagated using cuttings. This will require a greenhouse. Green cuttings are cut in early summer when the mulberry is actively growing. The stem is divided into cuttings 15-20 cm long, each should have 2-3 buds.
The finished planting material is planted in a greenhouse, the planting angle is 45 degrees. The soil should be light and loose. The stalk is deepened by 30 cm. A couple of upper leaves are left on the stalk. An important condition is that there must be high humidity in the greenhouse.
The root system will form on the seedling by autumn, planting in open ground should still be postponed until spring.
With this method of reproduction, a young tree inherits all varietal properties from the parent culture.
Layers
If the plant overwintered badly, suffered greatly from frost, then it can be replaced with a offspring with a developed root system. On such a layering, a crown is formed in stages. Unnecessary shoots are removed. You can dig up individual layers with the roots, shortening them by a third, and use them as seedlings.
Reproduction by layering retains all varietal parental characteristics.
Vaccination
It is possible to plant a mulberry tree by all known methods. Experienced gardeners prefer the copulation method: grafting is carried out on a cut with a cuttings. The graft and rootstock are spliced, their thickness should be the same. The sections are combined with each other, wrapped with an elastic tape.
Possible problems
Timely treatment with fungicides for preventive purposes will reduce the risk of mulberry disease and insect pests. It is necessary to spray not only the mulberry itself, but also the soil surface near the trunk.
The first treatment is carried out before bud break, in April, the second - after the end of the tree growth period, in October. Bordeaux mixture or Nitrofen solution will destroy pathogenic bacteria and pests. It is advisable to treat the plant with urea at the beginning of spring (7% solution): the drug is a source of nitrogen necessary for the crop during the growing season.
Mulberry is resistant to disease, but there are still exceptions. Diseases affecting culture include:
- Powdery mildew is a fungal disease. The surface of the stem and leaves is covered with a whitish coating. The disease progresses faster in dry times, especially if the crown of the mulberry tree is too thick. At the first symptoms, it is necessary to spray the tree with Bordeaux mixture or Fundazol. For preventive purposes, in the fall, fallen leaves are collected and destroyed in a timely manner.
- Cylindrosporosis. The disease appears on the leaves in the form of red-purple specks. As the disease develops, it destroys the leaf tissue inside the stain, which crumbles.The leaf blade then turns yellow and falls off.
The plant must be treated immediately with Silith (1% solution). Spraying should be plentiful: the consumption of the product is 3 liters per one adult crop. The procedure is repeated after 2 weeks.
- Bacteriosis is dangerous for young shoots and leaves. The disease manifests itself in the form of black spots. The leaves are curled, the stems are curved. Spraying with Gamair, Phytoflavin preparations should be started as early as possible, since the disease is difficult to treat. For prevention purposes, regular treatments are needed.
- Small-leaved curl. The virus is carried by pests. The foliage between the veins wrinkles, then granular nodules appear. With the development of the disease, the leaves curl, the stems become rough and fragile to the touch. The disease is not treatable, so prevention is very important. To prevent the mulberry from getting infected, it is necessary to destroy the insect vectors in a timely manner.
- Mulberry mushroom can settle on mulberry wood. The spores of the fungus get into cracks and wounds in the bark, which leads to the destruction of the mulberry trunk. If a fungus is found, it is removed (cut out) along with the infected wood. The wound is treated with copper sulfate (5% solution). Then they cover it with a mixture: mix one part of clay and lime with two parts of cow dung.
White
Many people enjoy looking at a photo of a white mulberry. As a rule, for feeding the mulberry silkworm, silkworm, white and multi-stemmed mulberries are cultivated. The fruits of such a plant can be not only white, but also yellow, pink and even black. This variety was named due to the light bark of the tree.
This plant is native to East and Asia Minor. It is a tall, fast-growing, long-lived tree with a dense spreading or spherical crown. The leaves grow on the same tree of various configurations, in autumn they are yellow, and in summer they are dark green. In this type of mulberry, berries deserve special attention - they are unusually sugary in taste.
It is unpretentious to conditions of maintenance and soil - it grows well in urban conditions, and its long roots help to strengthen ravines and slopes. The transplant is easily tolerated at a young age. This species can withstand severe frosts (down to -30 ° C). If the young branches are frozen, they are cut off. Then they quickly grow back, and the tree restores fruiting.
Gardeners also grow white mulberry as an ornamental plant: there are a large number of garden forms with a spherical, weeping, dwarf, pyramidal, multi-stemmed crown and various leaves. Picturesque forms are propagated vegetatively and by grafting.
It is known that this plant is used for group, single planting and for creating a dense hedge, as it tolerates regular haircut perfectly.
"Hartut"
Fans of silk wine are advised to plant this variety at their dacha. He begins to bear fruit in the third year of life. Yields are stable and high. The berries of such a tree are large (up to 5.5 cm), black.
The thick juice obtained from them resembles Cahors in taste. The variety is actively used in cooking and winemaking. It is easy to grow and disease resistant.
Above are the varieties that are intended for human consumption. However, there are many more decorative variations that can embellish the surrounding space. These include golden mulberry, Tatar, weeping, spherical, pyramidal. There are varieties that are grown in pots or small containers. The choice of the variety will depend on what goals you pursue.
Content
- Listen to the article
- Description
- Planting mulberries When to plant
- Planting in the fall
- How to plant in spring
- How to grow
- When to trim
- How to propagate
- Beneficial features
"Black Baroness"
With the help of a photo of the mulberry variety, you can easily study it. What is the Black Baroness? It is a dioecious deciduous tree with a globular, moderately dense crown. Its flowers are collected in ears, dioecious. Leaves are uncomplicated, whole or three-, five-lobed.
Compound fruit is a one-dimensional large juicy, edible, complex sugary drupe of black dense color. The taste is very pleasant, sweet, practically without acid. The aroma is inconspicuous.
Fruiting is regular and abundant, berries ripen in June or July. Differs in high productivity. The berries tolerate transportation satisfactorily. Fresh fruits can be preserved without spoilage for 6 to 12 months. The variety is unpretentious to the conditions of maintenance and soil. Withstands frosts from -30 ° C and below.
Black
The article contains a photo and description of mulberry. The black mulberry is known to be native to Afghanistan and Iran. In hot countries, it looks like a large tree up to 15 m high with a spreading wide crown covered with large leaves. Its black shiny fruits are very tasty and juicy, sweet and sour.
This deciduous summer green tree has a low crown. It is usually much larger in width than in height. The trunk is often curved, twisted, or curved. The bark is orange-brown or dark brown with cracks. Leaves about 8 cm wide and 7-18 cm long, cordate and broadly oval, with a slender short apex, deeply notched at the base, irregularly crenate along the edge, slightly lobed or serrate-crenate.
On the upper side, the leaves of the black mulberry are pubescent, rough, the color varies from light green to bright green. It is a monoecious plant. Male earrings are thickened and short, pale green. Female inflorescences are even shorter. The fruits are not formed from carpels, but from the details of the flower cover. Blooms in May-June.
Fruit composition
Have you reviewed the photo of mulberry? Its ripe berries contain resveratrol, a plant antioxidant. This substance protects the plant from various bacteria, parasites and fungi. Fruits are 85% water, they contain fats, ash, food fibers and carbohydrates, vitamins B1, B3, A, PP, K.
Folic acid, riboflavin, tocopherol, pyridoxine, choline, ascorbic and pantothenic acid are present. The beneficial properties of mulberry are determined by the presence of macronutrients - calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and magnesium.
