2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Not many gardeners know about such a plant as goat. But why don't we grow something new and unusual at our summer cottage this year? Pore-leafed goat beetle or in the people "oat root", "sweet root" is unpretentious and deserves your attention
The historical homeland of the goatbeard is considered to be the Mediterranean, where it is actively cultivated to this day. The value of the plant lies in its fleshy roots, which contain a large amount of sugars, proteins, vitamins, minerals and a polysaccharide - insulin. Oat root is indicated for consumption by patients with diabetes mellitus.
In the wide expanses of Russia, there are wild-growing close relatives of the goatbeard - the meadow goatbeard (considered a weed) and the oriental goatbeard (cultivated as fodder for livestock). In the vegetable culture of the sweet root, not only root crops are edible, but also leaves and stems. The sweetish roots taste like oysters. It is because of this feature that the goatbeard got the name oyster plant or vegetable oyster.
Description
The appearance of the goatbeard is quite simple. This plant has a powerful white conical root. In length, the root reaches 15 - 40 cm, diameter 2 - 5 cm.
Goatbeard in culture is a biennial plant. In the first year of life, it forms a rosette of narrow, grass-like green leaves up to 30 cm long on the surface of the earth and a root covered with thin roots. In the second year of life, the goat bark blooms, the length of the peduncle reaches a maximum of 120 cm. In June - July, it is time for flowering. Inflorescences - baskets develop at the ends of the shoots of the plant. The flowers are painted in lilac - pink or red - violet shades. Seeds of goatbeard are similar to sticks with fluffy pappus in the form of hairs - scabs, which have high aerodynamic properties and are easily carried by the wind. The seeds germinate within 2 - 3 years.
Looking at the faded basket, you understand why this plant has such a name. The inflorescence with unripe fruits - achenes and crests looks like a goatee.
Growing and caring
The sweet root tolerates cold well, so it can be sown in early spring.
Sometimes freshly harvested seeds are sown in the middle of summer, in order for the plant to get stronger, overwinter and start growing on its own in the spring.
The goat beetle has no special requirements for soils, but to get a rich harvest, choose fertile soils. It is desirable that these are light soils, enriched with potassium salt and ammonium nitrate. In no case do not bring manure to the bed with the goatbeard, otherwise the root crop will grow an unsightly look.
For uniform sowing of planting material, it is mixed with peat and immersed in the soil to a depth of 2 cm. The distance between rows is 15 cm. After the emergence of seedlings and the development of two true leaves, young plants are thinned out, leaving a distance of about 10 - 12 cm.
No specific care is needed for the oat root. Enough weeding, loosening, mulching, if you need top dressing and minimal regular watering. During weeding, be careful not to damage the plant's root system. If you inadvertently touch the root, then milky juice is released from it.
In the first year of plant development, remove the peduncles, otherwise the root will become tough and tasteless, it will not be possible to use it for food.
Do not rush to start harvesting, wait until late autumn, because all the same, frost is not terrible for the goat breeder. And under the influence of subzero temperatures, the root will only become sweeter. Carry out the cleaning carefully, trying not to damage the delicate roots, otherwise they will be impossible to store, they will quickly rot. You do not have to dig up the entire bed with the goat-bearer, and leave some of the roots to winter, covering them with non-woven material. In the spring you will have wonderful fresh vegetables.
Healing properties
Due to its beneficial chemical composition, the white root is introduced into the diet of diabetics. The plant's insulin is able to regulate blood sugar levels. The goat is recommended for eating for the elderly, as well as for everyone who has cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney problems. Water decoctions of the sweet root stimulate appetite, normalize metabolic processes and digestion. Oat root helps to cope with excess weight and is a choleretic agent.
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