The characteristic features of the lemongrass plant, how to plant and care for it, propagation methods, protection against possible diseases and pests, curious notes and applications, types and varieties.
Lemongrass (Schisandra) belongs to the Schisandraceae family, which includes both evergreen and deciduous plants in this genus. In this genus, scientists have from 14 to 23 species, while only one unique in nature grows on the territory of the North American continent. Lemongrass are mostly found in temperate climates and warmer lands. Among the genus, Schisandra chinensis has gained the greatest popularity, the fruits of which have medicinal value.
| Family name | Lemongrass |
| Growing period | Perennial |
| Growth form | Shrub |
| Breeding method | Vegetative (dividing the bush, cuttings and rooting of cuttings) and seed |
| Landing period | In the spring, in the southern regions in the middle of autumn |
| Landing rules | The depth of the fossa is about 0.4 m with a diameter of 0.5–0.7 m |
| Priming | Any garden, well-drained and nutritious |
| Soil acidity values, pH | 6, 5-7 - neutral |
| Lighting degree | Open and sunny location with shade on a hot afternoon |
| Humidity parameters | Regularly, for each bush up to 6 buckets |
| Special care rules | Supports for shoots are required, at least three plants are planted side by side at a distance of 1 meter |
| Height values | 0.7-15 m |
| Inflorescences or type of flowers | Racemose inflorescences |
| Flower color | Whitish cream or white-pink |
| Flowering period | Depends on the region of cultivation, but can be observed from the end of May to August |
| Fruit shape and color | Rounded bright red berries, collected in a cylindrical cluster |
| Fruit ripening time | From the second half of September |
| Decorative time | Spring-Autumn |
| Application in landscape design | As a fruitful crop or decoration of the columns of pergolas or arches, hedges can be formed, |
| USDA zone | 3 and higher |
The genus name was derived from the term "Schizandra", formed by the fusion of the Greek words "schizo" and "andros", which mean "to divide" and "man," respectively. This is because these representatives of the flora are owners of dioecious flowers. The specific name of the most popular species "chinensis" determines the main place of growth of these bushes - China or China. In Russian, lemongrass got its name because of a very strong aroma, similar to lemon, which leaves and shoots smell like. In Chinese lands, you can hear the name "uweizi", which translates as "berry of five tastes", all because the skin of the fruit is sweetish, the pulp is extremely sour, and the seeds have a burning and tart taste. If you prepare a medicine based on the fruits of lemongrass, then it will turn out to be salty.
Lemongrass are deciduous vines or those that retain their foliage year-round. The length of the shoots of such plants can vary in the range of 2-15 meters. The tops of the branches have the ability to wrap around the support in a spiral, following counterclockwise. Supports are needed for shoots due to the fact that the thickness of the branches rarely exceeds 2 cm. If there is no such support, then the plant will begin to climb branches along the trunks near growing trees. The shoots are covered with a bark of a light brown color.
In Schizandra, the shoots are divided into three types:
- up to one and a half meters long - vegetative;
- with a length of half a meter - vegetative-generative, at the base of which flowers are formed, and subsequently berries;
- with a length of 1 cm to 5 cm - generative, providing fruiting.
On the branches, the leaves grow in a regular sequence or can be collected in bunches (whorls) of several pieces. The outlines of the leaf plates are oval, they have a slight fleshiness. The color of the foliage is a rich dark emerald color.
Important
For medical purposes, it is customary to use both the fruit of lemongrass and its vine.
In the sinuses, where the covering scales of the mixed buds are located, the formation of flower rudiments occurs. When the “berry of five tastes” blooms, dioecious flowers are formed, that is, plants with only female or male buds. The perianth shape is corolla-shaped, it consists of 6-9 leaves. Stamen flowers (male) are characterized by the presence of five stamens, forming a thickened column by fusion, while only yellow anthers are free. The size of these flowers is smaller than the female (pistillate). The latter have no stamens; there is a receptacle with densely placed pistils. Their color is greenish.
The shade of the petals in the flowers is white-cream or white-pinkish, with full disclosure the diameter is 1, 3–1, 8 cm. The flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. When lemongrass begins to bloom, a light pleasant aroma hovers around. Pollination is carried out by insects, among which not only bees, wasps and other hymenoptera, small bugs can also do this. The flowering process occurs during the last week of May. Male flowers open a couple of days earlier than female flowers, while the duration of the process is 7-14 days.
Usually, the fruits are formed on the growth of the branches of the current year. The fruit is a composite leaflet, characterized by juiciness and taking outlines close to a cylindrical brush. Its length ranges from 2 cm to 16 cm. Such a brush carries from 1–2 pairs to 15–25 pieces of berries. The average weight of such a lemongrass fruit is 7-15 g. Each berry has 1-2 seeds in itself. Their size is average, since only 1 g contains 40-60 seeds. Germination of such seed is uneven. The color of the berries is a rich bright red hue.
Ripening of fruits occurs from the second decade of September. At the same time, lemongrass can be decorated with its fruits before the vine begins to shed its foliage (until the 20th of October). When the fruiting period is in full swing, about 2.5 kg of berries can be removed from one 15–20-year-old liana. When growing lemongrass, for example, in the region of St. Petersburg or in more northern regions, the harvests are famous for their greater abundance and they can be harvested once every 2-3 years. This property directly depends on the weather conditions of cultivation, since flowering lasts from July to August.
Growing lemongrass - planting and caring for a personal plot
- Landing place vines should initially be selected carefully, since the subsequent harvest will depend on this. It is important that the location is warm, protected from cold winds and drafts, preferably near the house or garden buildings. A southern or western exposure is recommended. If the cultivation of lemongrass is carried out in the southern regions, then the eastern direction of planting is recommended. Many are planted next to fences or twine around the posts of arches (pergolas) with shoots.
- Planting lemongrass. When cultivated in the middle lane, it is recommended to do this on spring days (late April or early May), when grown in areas in the south, they are planted in mid-autumn. At least 3 seedlings should be placed nearby, maintaining a distance of 1 meter between them. If you want to plant a vine next to the building, then 1–1.5 m recede from the walls so that drops from the roofs do not flood the root system. The parameters of the hole for the seedling should be up to 0.4 m in depth with a diameter of 0.5–0.7 m. But its bottom is laid with a 10-centimeter drainage layer (broken brick, expanded clay or crushed stone). The soil mixture should include compost from leaves, rotted manure, sod substrate, parts of the components are taken equal. A glass of superphosphate, two glasses of wood ash are mixed there and everything is thoroughly mixed. A small layer of soil mixture is poured onto the drainage. The seedling is placed in the groove so that the root collar is flush with the soil on the site. It is also recommended for the stasis to install a support there, to which in the future, a garter of shoots is carried out. After that, the specified soil mixture is filled with the landing recess to the top. The best will be seedlings that have reached an age of at least 2-3 years, with a height of 10-15 cm with sufficient development of the root system. After planting, abundant watering is carried out, and the trunk circle is mulched with peat chips or humus. The first time requires shading from direct sunlight, weeding from weeds, shallow loosening of the soil. If the weather is dry, then young lemongrass are sprayed with water in the process of engraftment.
- Fertilizers for lemongrass brought in from the 3rd year of cultivation. In the second month of spring, 20-30 g of saltpeter is scattered near the trunk, after which again this place is mulched with leaf compost or humus. Throughout the summer, organic feeding is used every 14–20 days (mullein or chicken droppings, diluted in water in proportions corresponding to 1:10 and 1: 20). When autumn leaves fall under the root of each bush, it is required to add half a glass of wood ash and 20 g of superphosphate. After that, these preparations are dug into the soil to a depth of about 10 cm. When lemongrass comes to fruition, and this period begins at 5-6 years of growth, it needs to be fed with the arrival of spring with nitroammophos (40-50 g per 1 m2). When opening the buds, bird droppings or fermented mullein are used (about a bucket for each plant). In the autumn months, support is needed with a composition of potassium sulfate (30–40 g) and superphosphate (about 60 g). Once every 2-3 years, compost up to 4-6 kg per 1 m2 should be placed into the soil under lemongrass to a depth of 6-8 cm.
- Watering lemongrass carried out regularly and abundantly, since in natural conditions the plant requires high humidity. Especially when the weather is hot, it is recommended to spray the foliage with water at room temperature. Humidity is especially needed for immature and young vines. Adult specimens during dry periods will need up to 60 liters of water per plant. Moisten the soil and for each top dressing. So that moisture does not quickly evaporate, the trunk circle needs to be mulched.
- Supports for lemongrass are required not only to maintain the shoots. If they are not there, then the plant will take the form of a bush and the fruits on its branches will not ripen. Often, trellises are used for lemongrass, which are installed immediately when planting a seedling. If this has been forgotten, then the branches should be tied to pegs installed in the next spring. The columns are used as trellises, the height of which will be such that, after installing them in the ground, the elevation above the soil is 2–2.5 m. Usually, the depth of digging in the columns will be 0.6 m, the distance between them is maintained at 3 m. After that, between the columns the wire is stretched. Usually the stretch is 3 rows, the lower one is half a meter from the substrate, and the rest are at a height of 0.7-1 m from it and further. After the first year from the moment of planting the lemongrass seedlings, its branches are lifted and fixed at the bottom row of the stretch, and over time they are raised higher. The branches are tied up during the summer so that they are placed like a fan. With the arrival of winter, the shoots are left tied up, they are not recommended to be removed. It happens that some gardeners, instead of trellises, use a ladder set at an angle, especially if the vine will be grown near the house.
- Pruning for lemongrass you can start after 2-3 years from planting in the open field. All due to the fact that the root system has undergone enhanced build-up and gave way to the growth of the aboveground part. When pruning, out of the total number of shoots, 3–6 of the strongest are left, and the rest are cut out at the root. Since in adult specimens, 15–18-year-old branches have already lost their productivity, they should be cut out and replaced with younger shoots, which are picked up from the root growth. Pruning is best done after lemongrass has finished falling leaves in autumn days. If the vines are too thick, pruning can be done between June and July.
- Wintering lemongrass does not represent a problem, only young plants that have not reached 2-3 years of age need protection. They are covered with a layer of dried foliage, on top of which spruce branches are placed. The latter will scare off rodents in winter.
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Lemongrass breeding methods
In order to get a new plant of "berries with five tastes", you can use seed and some types of vegetative propagation, which include the rooting of cuttings and layering, root shoots and division of the overgrown bush.
Seed propagation of lemongrass
This method will take a lot of time, but it is considered one of the main ones. Within 2-3 years from the moment of sowing, the seedlings will need to be grown in a special bed intended for seedlings.
Important
Six months after the moment of ripening and harvesting, the seeds of lemongrass are no longer suitable for sowing.
Seed material should be sown in the fall (before winter) or with the arrival of spring. In the first case, stratification (prolonged exposure to cold temperatures) will be natural. For spring sowing, you first need to soak the seeds in warm water overnight, and then mix with moistened river sand and place in containers. In this state, the seeds spend a month at a heat rate of 15–20 degrees, followed by exposure for 30 days at a temperature of 0–5 degrees (the lower shelf of the refrigerator or basement will do). After the specified time, the container with seeds is set to germinate at a heat reading of about 10 degrees. During the entire period of stratification, humidity is maintained high, making sure that the sand remains moist.
It takes about 2, 5 months to germinate and only then (at the end of April) the seeds are transferred to the school (this is how the seedling bed is called). Crop care is needed here very thoroughly. The depth of seed placement is 1.5–2 cm. In this case, up to 2.5 g of seeds should be allocated per 1 m2. The first year, the growth rate of seedlings will be very low, it is necessary to carry out regular weeding and watering, and protection from cold weather will also be required.
Reproduction of lemongrass by root shoots
This method is quick and easy. For this, in the spring (April-early May), a careful separation of 2-3 shoots is carried out, leading their origin from the root system of the mother vine. Such shoots should grow side by side, but at some distance from the bush. With the help of a pruner or a sharpened knife, they are separated from the roots and then immediately such seedlings are placed in a pre-prepared place for constant growth. It is important to quickly land in a new place, since the root system of such a growth has an extremely negative attitude towards drying. After that, abundant watering is performed.
Important
The disadvantage of such reproduction is that if such pruning is carried out at the wrong time, then juice will be actively and abundantly released from the slices, provoking the death of the entire plant. Therefore, you can not prune lemongrass in the spring, you should do this between June and July.
Reproduction of lemongrass by cuttings
Blanks for this need to be taken in the middle of summer. Cuttings are cut from the tops of the shoots so that their length is no more than 10-15 cm. After that, for half a day or a day, the twigs are placed in a solution of a root formation stimulator (Kornevin or heteroauxin). After that, the cuttings are placed in containers with sandy-peat soil (you can take leafy soil) and wrapped in a plastic bag or placed under a cut plastic bottle. After rooting, planting is carried out in open ground.
Reproduction of lemongrass by rooting cuttings
The best layering in this case will be strong annual shoots of vines that have grown from rhizome shoots. In the middle of spring, while the buds have not yet blossomed, such layers are laid in loose soil, fixed there and sprinkled with soil mixture from a leaf substrate, peat and rotted manure. The thickness of the soil layer should not exceed 10-15 cm. The upper part of such a shoot is tied to a trellis. After 4–5 months, roots will be formed at the cuttings, and after 2-3 years, their root system will become independent with good development, then you can separate the cuttings from the parent lemongrass and plant it in a permanent place of growth.
Protecting lemongrass in the garden from possible diseases and pests
You can please gardeners with the fact that the plant only in rare cases is affected by harmful insects, among which aphids occupy the leading place. The pests are likely to dislike the strong lemon scent produced by the foliage, flowers, and fruits. Aphids, appearing on a liana, cause wilting and yellowing of foliage, as bugs suck out nutritious juices. For the fight, it is rarely recommended to use insecticidal preparations, like Aktara or Fitoverm, since the entire aerial part is used for medicinal purposes. You can then use folk remedies to destroy pests: a decoction of wormwood, tincture on onion peel or tobacco.
It happens that lemongrass (especially Chinese) affects lemon gall midge, leading to the death of flower buds. The foliage and seeds are attacked by bedbugs, and the larvae of the May beetles spoil the root processes of the vine. Often, birds also contribute to the loss of crops, as they eat fruits that are painted in a bright red color and remain on the branches until the very frost.
With diseases, the situation is a little worse, since if the rules of agricultural technology are violated, lemongrass can be affected by fungi, which provoke the following problems:
- Powdery mildew, manifested on both sides of the leaf plates, if measures are not taken, then by September the leaves are covered with black specks and the foliage begins to fly around prematurely. However, it has been noticed that this disease is more common on wild-growing vines.
- Fusarium or, as it is also called, "blackleg" … Vine seedlings are damaged, manifesting itself by the formation of a dark constriction at the base of the stem, leading to the permanent death of the specimen. It is recommended to plant seedlings only in fresh soil. If the plant is sick, then it is recommended to remove it from such a focus, and water all other seedlings with a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate.
- Leaf spot is manifested by the fact that on the edge of the sheet plate there are spots of brown blurred outlines. The reverse side of such a mark has a black speck. With this disease, all the foliage falls off, it must be immediately collected and destroyed (burned). After that, treatment with Bordeaux liquid in 1% concentration is recommended. Since all parts of lemongrass above the soil are used for treatment or other needs, treatment with pesticides is not encouraged. The affected parts of the vine are removed and burned, and decoctions from herbs (garlic, calendula, etc.) are used against diseases.
Read also about the fight against possible diseases and pests when growing a tulip tree.
Curious notes about the lemongrass plant and its uses
In Chinese medicine, lemongrass has been known for at least 15 centuries. Traditional healers use this plant along with ginseng. In ancient times, its fruits were even included in the lists of taxes that had to be collected for the emperor. It is famous for its tonic properties, the ability to quickly restore the body and maintain energy, can give the eyes shine and shine. Chinese doctors prescribed the use of schisandra fruit to patients suffering from dysentery, bronchial asthma, when they were tormented by coughing fits, to overcome seasickness, as well as to relieve the symptoms of impotence and neurasthenia.
On the territory of Russia and Europe, such a miraculous plant became known only in the first half of the 19th century. Although the first to seriously study the properties of lemongrass began only in 1942, during the Great Patriotic War. The fruits of the vine helped the wounded soldiers to recover quickly.
It has already been proven that taking lemongrass berries inside, a person retains strength longer and can engage in physical labor for a long time. The composition of microelements, vitamins and antioxidants that are contained in the fruits, help to increase the ability to work and improve vision, removes the manifestations of drowsiness. In this case, there are no side effects. To do this, it is customary to make tinctures, powders or tablets from the fruits of lemongrass. But you can eat such berries dry or fresh. In the latter case, they are sprinkled with sugar and stored in the refrigerator.
Foliage, bark and shoots of this liana are also used; an independent drink is prepared from such raw materials or added to teas. On the basis of lemongrass berries, jelly and jams, as well as filling for sweets, have long been prepared. It is customary to bouquet wines with fruit juice.
However, there are also contraindications for the use of lemongrass:
- high blood pressure;
- heart problems;
- insomnia;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- chronic liver disease;
- individual intolerance to fruits;
- age up to 12 years.
Types and varieties of lemongrass
Chinese Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
mainly grows in nature in China, Japan and Korea. On the lands of Russia, it is found on Sakhalin, the Kuriles, as well as in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories. The plant is a deciduous liana with a woody stem, which reaches a height of 10 m. Although its thickness is small (only 2 cm), it easily climbs the support, curling spirally counterclockwise. Leaves are measured on average in length 5-10 cm, with a width of about 3-5 cm. The color of the foliage is dark green.
The flowers are monoecious, their diameter does not exceed 15 cm. When flowering comes to an end, their petals become pinkish, although initially the color is whitish. Blooming is observed in May. After the flowers have been pollinated, racemose composite leaflets are formed, from a large number of berries, reaching 12 cm in length. If cultivation is carried out in the northern regions, then the harvest of fruits will be very small or the berries do not appear at all. The berry has a pungent taste; when rubbed, a specific aroma is heard.
To date, many varieties have been bred based on Schisandra chinensis, but the following are popular among them:
- Firstborn - liana-like plant, the shoots of which can reach a height of 2 m. It is characterized by unpretentiousness and resistance to frost. The shoots are painted in brown color, the bark is flaky. When flowering, a racemose inflorescence is formed, composed of pinkish flowers. After they undergo pollination, the ripe berries are a brush, in which the number of fruits reaches 40 pieces. The shape of the berry is cylindrical, the color of the peel is carmine red. The pulp is bright scarlet, characterized by juiciness. The fruit is covered with a thin skin. If you lightly press on the berry, juice is released. The fruit has a sour taste, with specific notes, and there is also a strong lemon aroma. The crop fully ripens in August. The variety is recommended for cultivation in central Russia and the Moscow region.
- Sadovy-1. This vine has a high growth rate, the shoots are almost 5 meters long. The plant takes root well in the Moscow region, it can also be grown in central Russia. The foliage has a green color, its upper part casts a beautiful gloss. When fruiting, berry clusters of large sizes are formed, numbering up to 25 berries. The fruits of this variety are juicy, but they taste with sourness. The juice is released quite easily. Each bush yields a crop, the weight of which varies in the range of 3–6 kg.
Crimean lemongrass
or Crimean glandular (Sideritis taurica), often found under the names Tatar-tea, Chaban tea or Tatar Schisandra. The specific name speaks of the places of natural growth - the Crimean peninsula, but at the same time high resistance to frost is swept aside. When rubbed, the leaves have a pleasant lemon scent. They are usually brewed as a tea drink. The size of the leaf plates is medium-sized, on average about 2, 8-3 cm. The height of the shoots is small, compared to the species of Schisandra chinensis - only 0.7 m. The petals of the flowers are shaded with yellow color, the flowers begin to open from the beginning of summer.
Lemongrass red-flowered (Schisandra rubriflora)
resembles Indian and Burmese territory. Differs in high thermophilicity. With the help of supports, the stems can be extended to a height of 4 m. For cultivation, a place is selected on the southern or western side; in the southern regions, pergolas or columns of arches are planted with it. Shoots reach a height of 5–8 meters, leaves of an oval narrowed shape unfold on them, they are painted in a green shade of medium intensity. The length of the sheet can be 15 cm with a width of about 7 cm.
In summer, flowers bloom on the liana, the corollas of which resemble glasses, petals of bright or dark red color. The opening diameter is 2.5 cm. Since the plants are monoecious, female and male vines should be planted nearby. After pollination, fruits with a bright red surface are formed. The clusters, which hang spectacularly from the branches, measure 12 cm. The best development is seen in winter gardens and greenhouses with cool conditions.
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Video about growing lemongrass in the garden:
