Akebia is an exotic plant with beautiful inflorescences. This creeping liana lives in East Asia, in the mild climate of China, Korea and Japan. She takes root well in Crimea, in the Caucasus and in the south of Europe. Although the plant has not yet received widespread distribution, it differs in a mass of useful properties, therefore, it deserves special attention.
Description
Akebia belong to the Lardizobalov family. This perennial deciduous plant in a warm climate is able to remain evergreen. The smooth stem in the first year is painted in green and pink, but acquires a brown or purple hue as it stiffens. The cross section of the stem is round; it is covered with rare regular leaves on long petioles. Liana annually increases in length, annual growth is from 1 to 3 m. The size of 3-6 m is considered optimal. Further, the root system becomes too powerful (and requires transplantation), and the base of the stem is unattractive.
Three-fingered or five-fingered leaves in the form of a rosette are fixed on a separate petiole 6-10 cm long. The greens are bright - dark from above, lighter from below. The surface of the sheet plate is glossy. A separate leaflet has an oval shape with a pointed edge. The length of the sheet is 3-5 cm, and the width is 1.5-3 cm.
In the middle of spring, liana blooms and continues until the end of summer. At this time, the garden is filled with a pleasant chocolate and coffee aroma, for which the plant received the second name "chocolate liana". Each flower has a separate peduncle, but they are all collected in large loose inflorescences. It is noteworthy that on one stem different-sex flowers are formed:
- Men's They are located closer to the stem in the amount of 4-9 pieces per inflorescence. The buds are larger, purple-pink, with the thumbs of the stamens. The diameter of the flower reaches 3 cm.
- Women's Somewhat smaller, purple-brown. On one inflorescence, only 2-3 flowers are formed with dense ovaries in the center.
In September, fruits begin to appear that fully ripen by mid-October. Fruiting is rare due to difficult pollination. When grown on a balcony, it may not occur. The fruit is a rather large (6-8 m) oval-shaped berry. The peel is glossy, as if covered with wax, and dense. The color of the ripe fruit is pink-purple. The pulp is fragrant and juicy, edible. It tastes like raspberries, and smells like chocolate. In the central part there are many small black seeds immersed in the pulp.
Varieties
There are 6 varieties in the genus Akebia, but only two of them are used in gardening. The most popular was akebia five-leafed or fivefold. This is called the structure of the leaf, on which five separate leaflets are fixed on a common petiole in the shape of a five. Small leaves up to 5 cm long and 3 cm wide are located on a long stalk 10 cm in size.
This variety is most spread throughout the world and today is found even in Australia and North America. Such a liana-like shrub has smooth stems with longitudinal grooves, grows in length more than 3 m. It is abundantly covered with flowers along the entire length, but rarely bears fruit.
Bisexual flowers are collected in a brush on thin peduncles. The bud has three hard, wide open petals of a rounded shape. Male flowers are larger, pink or lilac, and female flowers (purple or violet) are smaller and are located at the end of the inflorescence. The flowering period lasts from April to the end of August, the fruits appear in late September.
The second most popular is akebia trefoil. She has only three smooth leaflets on the petiole. Leaf plates are dense, glossy, darker on top. The edges of the leaves are wavy, rarely carved. This variety grows faster, its average size is 7-8 m. In the aroma of flowers in addition to coffee notes emit the smell of cinnamon. The fruits are more elongated (about 8-9 cm in length), for which this variety is called the "blue banana".
Breeding
Akebia is propagated by seed and vegetative means. Seeds are sown immediately after harvest so that they do not lose germination. Do it in the fall in small pots with light sandy soil. Shoots appear together, but not quickly (up to 3 months). Seeds are slightly deepened into the soil (by 5 mm) and sprinkled with earth. The containers are covered with film or glass and kept in a cool room. The optimum temperature for germination is + 15 ° C. Strong seeds are transplanted into the open ground in late May or early June, when the danger of night cooling has completely passed.
It can be used to propagate stems of woody stems. They are cut during the entire vegetative period and placed in a peat-sand substrate in a pot. The garden is transplanted only the next year.
The easiest way to reproduce is considered layering. In early spring, part of the stem is dug up, not separating from the main plant. With the advent of the root, the shoot is cut off from the mother's vine and planted in a new place. By the onset of cold weather, a young acebia will get strong enough for a winter winter.
Growing
For landing, they select a sunny spot on the site. In this case, the liana will be strewn with numerous flowers, while in the shady place green shoots prevail. The soil should be light and well drained. For planting, a shallow hole is dug, which is covered with organic components (peat, dry grass, foliage and a small amount of humus) in a mixture with sand. After planting, the earth is carefully tamped and watered with warm water. Watering is needed regularly so that the roots do not dry out.
The stems of a young plant are flexible, therefore, they require support, the young shoots pinch. Akebia requires frequent watering, but does not tolerate stagnation of water. During the period of growth and flowering, organic and mineral fertilizers must be applied monthly.
In winter, the liana tolerates small frosts, especially in the presence of snow. To protect against freezing and excessive moisture, the plant is covered with agrofibre and a film.
Chocolate liana is suitable for growing in tubs and pots. In this case, it should be replanted annually, picking up a larger pot as the rhizomes grow. Pinch the longest stems or cut in the spring, before buds open. During dormancy, the temperature comfortable for the plant is + 10 ° C. At this time, top dressing is not performed and watering is reduced.
Being a natural insecticide, the liana is not afraid of parasites, but also protects against annoying household insects. If the plant is located in damp places, rot or mold may be affected. In this case, leaves with oval whitish spots and part of the shoots should be cut and burned.
Using
Akebia is suitable for use in landscape design, as well as for decorating hedges, outbuildings, arches and arbors. Her lush shoots give a pleasant shadow. Use a liana for landscaping terraces and balconies. It looks spectacular in the vicinity of flowering and grassy undersized plants, as well as other vines. Most often it is planted in companies with hydrangea, honeysuckle, hosta, wormwood, rhododendrons, peonies.
In addition to decorative properties, liana has also found practical economic use. From its stems weave baskets and even garden furniture. Tasty and juicy fruits are used for dessert, and invigorating tea is brewed from leaves and petals. Also, dried leaves are used as a seasoning for meat and fish dishes. In oriental medicine, a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic broth is made from acebia.
