The strawberry tree , the strawberry tree or the wild strawberry tree are the common names of the berry bush (Arbutus unedo). Find out more about this interesting plant, which has amazing fruits. Seehow to grow a strawberry tree from seedsand what it looks likegrowing a strawberry tree at homeHere's how to take care of a strawberry tree to make it grow he althy, bloom beautifully and bear fruit !
Strawberry tree - fruit
Strawberry tree - description
Strawberry treeis an evergreen shrub belonging to the heather family (Ericaceae).It grows slowly, reaching 2-3 m in height after 10 years. It takes the form of a shrub or a dwarf tree. It occurs naturally in the Mediterranean and southern Ireland.
The characteristicfeature of the strawberry tree is the spherical red fruit , resembling wild strawberries. Inside the fruit there is a dark yellow flesh with dark seeds hidden inside. The fruit takes 9-12 months to mature on the tree. Thanks to this, the branches contain fruits and flowers at the same time, andthe strawberry tree is decorative all year round
Flowers appear on the strawberry treebetween October and January. They are white and look very much like blueberry flowers.
"In addition to its attractive appearance, thestrawberry tree has healing properties , and its fruit is edible and rich in vitamin C. After harvesting the fruit from the tree, eat it within 24 hours as it deteriorates very quickly. You can also pick fruit that has already been colored red, but is still firm.Then we can store them for several days until they become soft.The fruits of the strawberry tree can be eatenraw or processed into preserves. In Portugal, the fruit of the strawberry tree is used to produce the traditional alcoholic drink called Medronho. "
Strawberry tree - flowers
Sowing strawberry tree seeds
Purchased seedsstrawberry tree seedsmust be stratified before sowing. This treatment involves placing the seeds for about 4-6 weeks at a temperature of 2-5 ° C. For this purpose, the seeds of the strawberry tree should be wrapped in a damp paper towel and then sealed in a string bag. Another way is to mix the seeds with moist sand in a ratio of 1: 3 and wrap them in cling film. Then we put them in the refrigerator. At the end of the stratification, the seeds burst. This is a signal that they should be sown.
Seeds of the strawberry tree are best sownin Jiffy peat discs in mini-slots.Gently press the seeds into the peat substrate. The temperature required for seed germination is 20 ° C. After sowing, place the mini-gutter in a sunny place and open it for 15 minutes once a day to ventilate its interior.
Keep the substrate moist throughout thegermination period of the strawberry tree . The seeds must not be allowed to dry out. The seeds can germinate until late spring, so be patient. When the first seedlings start to appear, place the miniclaire in a slightly shaded place. When the seedlings are strong enough, we replant them to the target pots. For the first year of life , young strawberry trees should be grown in a semi-shaded position , and in the following year gradually exposed to full sun.
Strawberry tree. After the fruit has been cut, the seeds can be seen
Growing a strawberry tree
Although the strawberry tree belongs to the heather family, which usually prefer acidic soil, it also feels great on calcareous soil.It requires a permeable substrate because it tolerates root flooding very badly. It can grow successfully in ordinary garden soil or compost.
A strawberry tree requires a warm and sunny position. In Poland,the strawberry tree is grown as an ornamental potted plantAs it is very sensitive to frost, in our climate it is not suitable for year-round cultivation in the garden. In summer, we can alsoput the pots with strawberry trees on the balconyor in the garden. In winter, it requires a cool period in order for it to go into rest. The optimal temperature in this period is 5-10 ° C.
The strawberry tree is not difficult to growand tolerates air pollution. The only things that should be protected against are cold northern winds, frost and too wet soil in the pot. Unfortunately, even despite proper care, it rarely produces fruit at home. The most suitable cultivation place for this purpose is a greenhouse, orangery or a winter garden with a sufficiently high air humidity.
From April to Octoberfertilize the strawberry treewith universal multi-compound fertilizer.
The strawberry tree does not require pruningbut tolerates it well. It is therefore a good material for a bonsai tree.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
