Pink almond blossoms and rages
When sakura blooms in Japan, thousands of people come to see it bloom. Who has seen almond blossoms in Crimea? The trees, completely covered with pink flowers, look like morning clouds, exuding a dizzying aroma. Indeed, sakura or serrated cherry and almonds are “close relatives” and are included in the Plum genus.
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Ornamental shrub or fruit tree?
Residents of Russia may be familiar with three types of almonds:
- Steppe almond, bean, Prunus tenella
- Triloba almond, Prunus triloba
- Common almond, Prunus dulcus
Steppe almonds and three-lobed almonds - these forms do not produce edible fruits, but are very decorative, they also grow in central Russia, the flowering is very beautiful, the flowers open even before the leaves are fully opened, from white to deep pink. They attract bees with their strong aroma. The fruits produced by the almond tree or common almond are eaten.
Bitter or sweet?
The common almond is a fairly tall tree, up to 5 m in height. Who hasn't heard the expression: the smell of bitter almonds?
The common almond species is represented by three subspecies:
- sweet almonds, dulcis
- sweet brittle almond, dulcis for fragilis
- bitter almonds, amara
Types give edible fruits, which we call almonds, although in essence they are not a nut, but a drupe fruit, the same as a peach or apricot, just instead of a juicy shell, it is surrounded by a dry one.
It is almost impossible to distinguish bitter almonds from sweet ones by the appearance of the fruit, but the fruits of bitter almonds have a more pronounced odor, which makes it attractive to perfumers and cooks. Although the bitterness comes from compounds of hydrocyanic acid, a substance hazardous to health, consuming 50 grains for an adult and 10 for a child is a lethal dose. But in small doses, and adding no more than three grains or with proper processing of bitter almond kernels, they add a unique taste and aroma to the dish and do not harm the body
The fruits of sweet almonds are a valuable food product that can be eaten fresh and used in cooking, both in the preparation of desserts and with meat and fish dishes.
Almonds in Russian gardens
Plant common almond brought to Russia a long time ago. The Nikitsky Botanical Garden of Crimea has been working on the selection of winter-hardy almond varieties for several decades. And although the trees themselves can easily withstand frosts down to -25 degrees, early spring flowering, when there is still a threat of severe frosts, destroys the flowers and leaves.
Russian varieties with good frost resistance:
- Nikitsky 62, sweet-fruited, blooms in April, large fruits.
- Paper-shell, sweet-fruited, blooms at the end of March, the fruits are very large up to 4 cm, the peel is soft, papery.
- Primorsky, sweet-fruited, high-yielding, seeds are flat, pointed.
- Dessert, sweet-fruited, the flowers resemble small roses, the peel is easily removed from the kernel.
Varieties for the southern regions of Russia:
- Almond Petunnikova
- Yalta
- Fragrant
- Reams
Brittle almond varieties:
- Anyuta
- Pink fog
- Dream
Without exception, all varieties of almonds are self-fertile, so to obtain a harvest, it is also necessary to plant a tree of a pollinator variety.
It can be propagated by seeds, seedlings or grafted onto plums, thorns, and cherry plums. To successfully grow varietal almonds for the garden, it is better to purchase them as seedlings from a specialized nursery. Don’t forget that you need to select a pollinator variety for the chosen variety. For example, the Dessert variety is an excellent pollinator for the Nikistsky 62 and Pribrezhny varieties.
Plants are not picky about the quality of the soil, but you need to choose well-lit places protected from the wind. Depending on the variety, the distance between trees is from 5 to 7 meters.
We prepare a planting hole measuring 60 x 60 cm, mulch the bottom of the hole with a mixture of leaf soil, sand, and humus. We install the seedling, fill the hole, compact the soil. If a garter is needed, then we drive the garter peg behind the edges of the hole or install it together with the seedling before we start filling it with soil. Carefully pour a bucket of water.
It begins to bear fruit in 3-5 years and requires annual pruning and fertilizing with organic and mineral fertilizers. Lives long, up to 100-130 years. Reaches maximum productivity at 18-20 years.
Almonds are a valuable food product
Tasty and healthy almonds can be eaten fresh daily, up to 30 grains, a unique composition of microelements and vitamins have a positive effect on the human body, slow down aging, improve the functioning of the heart, brain and other systems of the human body.
For the winter period, you can prepare apple and almond jam, which strengthens the immune system and eases the occurrence of colds. Cut a piece of ginger root into two kilograms of apples cut into slices, add one kilogram of granulated sugar, and reserve.
After three hours, pour in a glass of water and bring to a boil, let it boil for five minutes and cool for two to three hours, after which we repeat the process twice more. At the end of the third boil, add the zest of one lemon and 2 tablespoons toasted and chopped almonds, boil for another three minutes and, when hot, put into jars and close with lids. In terms of its medicinal qualities, such almond jam is not inferior to raspberry or even honey.
The fascination with newfangled plants has undeservedly consigned the wonderful almond plant to some oblivion. Whatever type of plant it takes root in your garden, it will delight you with its wonderful decorative flowering.
Interesting video about almonds in India:
Interesting information about the vegetable garden
Comments
I have always dreamed that mendals would bloom under my windows, they are so beautiful and smell so good. My friend has had them for 2 years now, in the spring, and I plan to plant them for myself.
A friend of mine grows almonds in his garden, so we come to admire their blossoms. And almonds are simply delicious.