2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Have you ever heard of the cucumber tree? Not many gardeners know about such a miracle of nature that bears fruit with cucumbers. I will tell you about this magical plant called bilimbi
The cucumber tree grows in warm countries. In culture, it is grown to obtain fruits resembling cucumbers, which, like their relatives in the garden, can be salted or canned. Malaysia is considered the birthplace of bilimbi; at present, this tree is widely industrialized in Thailand, India, Brazil, and Central America.
Botanical description
Bilimbi is a huge beautiful deciduous tree, a representative of the genus Averroya. In height, the cone-shaped trunk of a tree can reach up to 9 m, but under artificial conditions the tree does not exceed 4-5 meters. The trunk is powerful, branches into several branches in a vertical arrangement, covered with gray-brown bark and small thorns. This tree owes its attractiveness to the arrangement of the leaves and their properties. As night falls, the leaves of the cucumber tree curl up, creating a mesmerizing appearance of a sleeping plant. The leaves have a rather complex shape and consist of oval, fluffy small leaves running in a straight line and drooping down. One full-fledged leaf reaches a length of up to 60 cm, the leaves are arranged one after the other, completely covering the branches, which gives the tree a decorative look. When the season is dry, the cucumber tree can shed its leaves to reduce moisture evaporation.
The bilimbi bloom is characterized by a pleasant aroma. The flowers are dark red or yellowish-green in color, collected in inflorescences - panicles that grow directly on the trunks or branches of a tree. After flowering, elliptical ribbed fruits are formed, which, in turn, are collected in bunches. Unripe fruits are very similar to small cucumbers of bright green color, 5-10 cm long. The pulp of unripe fruits is crispy, when ripe it becomes juicy and sour. The peel of mature "cucumbers" varies from yellow-green to white. In some varieties, the fruit contains brown, round seeds about 6 mm wide.
Growing bilimbi at home
Collections of flower growers, lovers of exotic plants, must be replenished with a miniature cucumber tree. At home, this plant propagates with fresh seeds, which are planted in a nutritious, moist substrate. Although in the wild, bilimbi feels great on poor soils and in an arid climate, nevertheless, in an apartment, it is necessary to provide it with a weakly acidic earthen mixture that retains moisture well. For this, peat, turf land and a little river sand are needed in the same parts. The seed container is placed in a warm, bright place. During the period of growth and vegetation, it is necessary to moisten the soil with regular and abundant watering. Do not forget to periodically spray the tree with water at room temperature.
Bilimbi, like succulents, is capable of accumulating water in tissues, it is thanks to this that the plant easily tolerates drought and summer heat. In winter, for optimal growth of the tree, a temperature of 18 - 20 degrees is sufficient. During flowering and fruiting, it is advisable to feed the cucumber tree with a complex of mineral fertilizers dissolved in warm water. In the spring, it is imperative to carry out sanitary pruning, while giving the plant a decorative shape. When pruning, remove dry branches, leaves, thin out the crown. During the summer season, move the container with the cucumber tree to the balcony or garden.
Application of fruits and leaves of bilimbi
The fruits of the cucumber tree have a unique composition of vitamins and minerals. Usually fresh fruits are not consumed because of the sour taste. But it is precisely this taste specificity that allows bilimbi to be used in various dishes as seasonings. Unripe bilimbi fruits are used with boiled meat, fish, beans, rice. In addition, the fruits are dried and canned. Ripe fruits are suitable for making drinks, making jelly. Bilimbi juice can be used as a bleach due to its high oxalic acid content.
The fruits of the cucumber tree have proven themselves well in folk medicine, the leaves are used for sexually transmitted diseases, skin rashes, tumors, rheumatism and snake and insect bites. Bilimbi broth contains vitamins, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, it is used as an expectorant. And the infusion of flowers is used for diarrhea.
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