Acacia

Family. Acacia belongs to the legume family.

Where does grow? Africa, Australia, Asia.

What does acacia look like? Spreading shrubs or small trees with feathery leaves and flowers with a pleasant aroma. The genus "Acacia" contains about 800 plant species, but only about 50 are used in cultivation as ornamental flowering plants. The pinnate leaves of the acacia are arranged alternately on the branches; The leaves are small – up to 1 cm long, numerous. Acacia flowers are male and female, yellow, cream or white, collected in axillary inflorescences - panicles or racemes. The bracts are small. The calyx is bell-shaped, with 5 united or free petals; corolla yellow or white, tubular, with 4 - 5 lobes; stamens numerous, prominent.

Blooming acacias often emit a unique aroma that intensifies at night. The fruits are oblong pods, straight or curved, compressed or cylindrical, dehiscent or indehiscent. Seeds of various shapes are usually flat. The plants often bear thorns, especially those species that grow in dry regions. 

Acacia height. The acacia tree reaches 2 - 3 meters in height. 

 Planting and care

When acacia blooms

In very early spring or even late winter, some acacia species bloom in the fall, sometimes for several weeks. 

Reproduction 

Vegetatively, by seeds. Growing acacia from seeds will require effort. Acacia seeds are quite difficult to germinate. Research has shown that steaming seeds in hot water (usually around 80°C) and filing away the seed coat can increase germination by about 80 percent.

Acacia also successfully propagates by cuttings. The cuttings are planted in small pots, rooted at a cool temperature - about 16 - 18 ° C, the seeds are sown in winter or early spring, and bottom heating is necessary. 

Growing home acacia, pruning 

In summer, it is better to expose indoor acacia to the open air. You can plant it directly in the ground, in a sunny place, but at the same time provide protection from the wind. After flowering, the plant needs gentle pruning.

Transplant 

About once every 2 years, after flowering. Acacia roots emit a garlic smell, which is felt when transplanted. Acacia is planted in fresh soil if the plant is still young. For large tubs of mature shrubs, simply replace the top layer of soil 5 - 7 cm thick with a new one.

Diseases and pests 

Quite rare under the right conditions. When grown in open ground, you can notice false scale insects, butterfly moth caterpillars, mealybugs, sawflies, aphids, bronze beetles, and May beetle larvae on plants.

Containment temperature

House acacia prefers cool weather; in winter it needs a period of rest with a drop in temperature to 10 °C and below. At higher temperatures, the plant may be damaged by scale insects.

Lighting

When growing acacia indoors, it is worth remembering that the plant loves direct sun and does not require shading. 

Soil

The flower prefers light and loose soil with good drainage, consisting of peat and sand, turf soil. 

Fertilizing acacia

Acacia in a pot has a limited feeding area and needs regular feeding. During the growing season, feed once every two weeks.

Watering 

Water abundantly in warm periods with soft water; in winter, watering is reduced and the plant is kept cool.

Spraying

House acacia loves ventilation, but does not tolerate cold drafts and does not need spraying. 

Purpose

Several species of acacia are widely grown in gardens, such as the silver locust, with its attractive silvery leaves and yellow flowers. In rooms it is used as a pot plant. It is possible to grow acacia as a bonsai. Acacia does not lose freshness for a long time in water and can be used for cutting. The most fragrant white acacia produces very fragrant honey. 

Note

Since the acacia bushes in the lower part are constantly exposed, it is recommended to plant creeping plants, such as ivy, in the dishes, so as not to damage the dense plexus of roots. It is best to plant acacia and creeping plants at the same time. The lifespan of an acacia tree reaches 50 years with proper care.

Types:

Acacia dealbata

This species is known among us as mimosa. It is a tall, spreading evergreen tree up to 30 m high. Young shoots of the plant, like leaf petioles, have short but dense silvery pubescence. The leaves are oblong, complex - they consist of numerous oppositely located dark green, matte segments. In late winter - early spring, the plant is abundantly covered with bright, fragrant inflorescences - racemes, consisting of fragrant miniature flowers, painted in various shades of yellow. 

Acacia pycnantha

Small flowering evergreen trees up to 8 m high with a spreading crown. The branches are thin, abundantly branched. Instead of leaves, the plant forms dark green, glossy, narrowly lanceolate, rigid phyllocladies. Inflorescences - brushes form on the tops of shoots and decorate plants in late winter - early spring. The flowers are small, fragrant, with numerous fluffy stamens, painted in lemon yellow or golden shades. Flowering is very abundant.

Acacia arabica

Evergreen spreading trees with abundantly branched branches covered with brown bark. In the axils of the leaves there are straight, sharp spines. The leaves are green, complex, and consist of many oblong-oval segments. The inflorescences are spherical, golden yellow, fluffy. 

Acacia farnesiana

Multi-stemmed shrub or low tree up to 6 m. In warm climates it remains evergreen, but in harsh places it sheds its leaves. The shoots are abundantly branched and covered with smooth, dark brown bark. The leaves are compound - consist of small, oblong, dark green segments. The flowers are fragrant, golden yellow, collected in round heads up to 1.5 cm in diameter. 

Acacia podalyriifolia

A small evergreen tree or attractive shrub up to 6 m high. The branches are thin, covered with dense silvery pubescence when young. Instead of leaves, the plant forms thick, oval phyllocladies, covered with a silvery coating, on short petioles. Inflorescences are branched apical racemes consisting of rounded heads, which, in turn, are formed from miniature, golden-yellow flowers with numerous fluffy stamens. 

Acacia longifolia

A fast-growing evergreen shrub or low tree up to 6 m with a spreading crown. The stems are strong and branched. Phyllocladia are narrowly lanceolate, 5–25 cm long, on short petioles, dark green, glossy. Inflorescences are long axillary “earrings” 2–5 cm long, consisting of lemon-yellow flowers with thin, straight stamens. Flowering occurs in late winter - early spring.