Phytolacca dioica care & grow.

The botanical name of the ornamental tree is Phytolacca dioica

Phytolacca dioica:

Phytolacca dioica
The original home of the ornamental trees, Phytolaca dioca:
Brazil:
Botanical description of the ornamental tree Phytolacca dioica.

The ornamental tree, Phytolacca dioica, is one of the ornamental trees with lush shade. It is a evergreen, dioecious tree. Its wood is very soft and the tree is up to 18 meters high. The base of the stem is swollen and many crabs emerge from it.

As for the leaves, they are simple, oval to lanceolate, and the middle vein is slate-coloured. The flowers are found in semi-white inflorescences, and the fruits are a round berry with one seed in each fruit.

Phytolacca dioica
Phytolacca dioica fruit

Propagation of Phytolacca dioica.

Ornamental trees, Phytolacca dioica, are propagated by planting seeds, where the seeds are planted in planting trays or planting boxes that are well serviced until the seeds germinate and the real leaves appear and a suitable root system is formed,

Where the plants are singled out in planting bags or suitable pots, and they are nurtured until they reach the appropriate length, as they are recycled in planting bags or larger pots, and so on, until they are planted in sustainable land.

Propagation is also done by planting cuttings that are obtained from aged branches and are planted in well-drained soil consisting of peat moss + compost + silt in a ratio of 2: 2: 1.

And when the new leaves emerge and a suitable root system is formed, they are separated into pots or suitable planting bags, and then they are recycled in larger pots, and so on, until they are planted in permanent land.

Watering of Phytolacca dioica trees.

Phytolacca dioica trees need regular irrigation without drowning or thirsting of the trees. Irrigation is done regularly, when the soil dries up.

Whereas, Phytolacca dioica trees are very sensitive to increased irrigation water, so care must be taken in the irrigation process.

Also, the watering process for Phytolacca dioica trees depends on the nature of the soil and the environmental conditions in the region, as the high air temperature increases the process of water evaporation from the soil surface, as well as the process of transpiration and evaporation that makes the trees need irrigation.

Fertilizing Phytolacca dioica trees.

Phytolacca dioica trees need well-decomposed organic fertilizer during winter service in December or January.
Phytolacca dioica trees are also fertilized with neutral chemical fertilizer NPK 19 – 19 – 19 – nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium – at a rate of 400 g in two batches, the first batch during March and the second batch during August.

Provided that fertilizer, whether organic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer, is added when the land is dry, and it is stirred well with the soil, then the irrigation process takes place.

Light requirements of Phytolacca dioica trees.

Phytolacca dioica trees are among the trees that are planted in sunny places, as the direct light with the heat generated by the sun’s rays works on the efficient growth of the trees well.

Since it is known that the process of photosynthesis in which plants use the energy they derive from the light that reaches them in the representation of carbon dioxide + water to build carbohydrates, from which the rest of the food components are created.

As some trees need direct light in large quantities, others need light for longer periods, while others are considered trees that need dim light.

It has been observed that the bright light in large quantities works to elongate the internodes, so the plants shorten and the leaves turn yellow, then turn brown, and they may shrink and then fall off.

While plants that receive light in insufficient quantities increase the elongation of the plant phalanges and become secretive, then the leaves turn yellow, wither and then fall off.

So trees must be planted in the right place so that good growth can be obtained.

Heat requirements of Phytolacca dioica trees

Temperature is one of the important factors affecting the growth rate and the general appearance of trees, through its influence on the process of photosynthesis and the process of transpiration and evaporation from the soil surface.

So also, the right place must be provided for planting trees so that they can get the light and heat needed for them.

Soil suitable for growing Phytolacca dioica trees.

The cultivation of ornamental trees, Phytolacca dioica, is good in light, well-drained soils, and it should not be planted in heavy, loamy soils.

Phytolacca dioica trees are also good in coastal saline lands, as they tolerate planting to some extent.

Cultivation of phytolacca dioica trees in home gardens:

The planting of phytolacca dioica trees is good in home gardens, as it is a lush shade tree, and this gives it a great advantage. Therefore, it is grown in home gardens.

Uses of Phytolacca dioica trees.

1- Phytolacca dioica trees are grown in public gardens and parks as ornamental trees and also as shade trees.

2- Phytolacca dioica trees are also planted in the coastal areas, because they tolerate soil salinity to some extent.

3- Some medical drugs are also extracted from those trees.