Naranjilla Or "nectar Of The Gods"

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Russian summer residents clearly have a tendency towards exoticism. The craving for unusual tropical plants is due to their decorative effect and the fantastic taste of previously unknown fruits. In this article, I will share information about an outlandish plant, known since the time of the ancient Inca civilization. The conversation will be about naranjill or lulo people. The naranjilla plant (naranjilla) is distinguished by its attractive appearance. The homeland of this exotic is the South American continent

In Russia, naranjilla is still a little-known fruit crop. Most often it is grown as an ornamental plant, but under good conditions it is possible to harvest the orange-yellow fruit called naranja. Caring for naranjilla is not easy, only patient gardeners can cope with it.

Description

Naranjilla (Latin Solanum quitoense) is often called the "Queen of the Andes." This plant is a perennial herbaceous shrub of the Solanaceae family. The stems are drooping, thick, but rather fragile and require protection from gusts of wind. A bush up to 2 m high, with dark green leaves, looks attractive and elegant. The leaf plate is large, purple or white-veined with numerous violet vellus hairs. Among the pubescence, rare spines are found. In greenhouses, leaf sizes reach 90 cm in length and 30 cm in width.

Almost 4 months should pass from the beginning of seedling seedling to the moment of flowering. Lulo flowers are similar to potato flowers, have a pale lilac or white color with dense pubescence. The diameter of the flower is from 2 to 3 cm. Fruits ripen for a long time, 120 days pass from the beginning of setting to harvest. With its appearance, the ripe fruit resembles a fluffy tomato - a delicious fantasy of nature.

The green ovary gradually becomes covered with light spots, as it ripens, the fruit turns orange, similar to a small orange with a fuzzy white surface. In cross-section, fruits are 3 - 9 cm in diameter. The internal structure of the fruit is similar to that of a tomato and is divided into four parts, filled with green-yellow or light orange flesh with creamy white seeds. The pulp is juicy, has a delicate sweet and sour aftertaste of pineapple, strawberry, passionfruit and tomato.

Growing conditions

Growing naranjilla requires a large feeding area. The shrub grows slowly, fruits in our climate are obtained only in heated glazed greenhouses. The culture is capricious, sensitive to cold, should be grown only in good lighting without drafts. Temperatures above 30 degrees inhibit the growth of the plant, excessive dryness causes the death of the crop.

Reproduction of naranjilla

The miracle of naranjilla can be propagated in two ways: by seeds and vegetatively.

Using the seedling method, start sowing seeds at the end of winter. For seedlings, a loose nutritious soil mixture of leafy soil, humus, black soil and sand in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 1 is suitable. Seeds sprout quickly if, after sowing, you cover the container with foil, creating ideal conditions for germination. Maintain the room temperature at about 26 degrees, do not forget about watering, in this case, young shoots will appear in two weeks. Dive seedlings into large pots, because the plant has a powerful root system. Provide a thick layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot. In late spring, repot the naranjilla in a greenhouse or larger container.

A simpler option is to propagate naranjilla vegetatively. Semi-lignified cuttings of an adult bush are rooted or grafted onto rootstocks of other species. During the period of active growth, top dressing is done with infusion of mullein or nettle a couple of times a month. The plant loves moisture very much, but excessive watering is detrimental to the roots and contributes to the development of bacterial, fungal and viral infections that the plant is susceptible to. After fruiting, the old stems should be pruned. This stimulates the growth of young shoots and prevents chopping of the fruit.

Properties and use

Lulo fruits are rich in vitamins A, C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, iron, phosphorus, fiber, pepsin, which helps the gastrointestinal tract to digest proteins. Naranjilla fruit is low in calories and has antioxidant properties. Eating these fruits improves the immune system, detoxifies the body, relieves insomnia and stress, helps to avoid the development of diabetes, serves as a diuretic, strengthens hair and nails. Juices and fruit drinks from lulo not only perfectly quench thirst, but also surprise with their unusual green color.

Naranjila fruits are actively used in cooking. The most valuable nectar with pulp and sugar, desserts, fruit gravies, biscuits, yoghurts, fruit salads, ice cream and even wine are prepared from the fruits.