Casuarina

The genus Casuarina includes about 45 evergreen species of trees and shrubs growing up to 25 m in height. In nature, these plants often inhabit dry and saline lands. Of the ornamental species, the most common is the horsetail casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia), a tree up to 10 m tall, with long segmented shoots resembling horsetails. Collected in whorls (grow from a single node), modified leaves on thin long cylindrical or tetrahedral shoots are reduced to scales. In autumn, rather nondescript small, without a perianth, unisexual flowers bloom, male in thin terminal racemes, female in several pieces in spherical woody inflorescences. In spring, fruits ripen in the form of a winged nut. Dwarf casuarina (C. nana) is a small and delicate dense shrub with thin branches resembling reeds. The protruding cassowary (C. stricta) is similar to the horsetail cassowary, but the internodes on the branches are longer. The thinnest casuarina (C. tenuissima, or C. tirulosa) is an unpretentious, fast - growing species. The crown shape is pyramidal.

The genus Casuarina includes about 45 evergreen species of trees and shrubs growing up to 25 m in height. In nature, these plants often inhabit dry and saline lands.

Of the ornamental species, the most common is the horsetail casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia), a tree up to 10 m tall, with long segmented shoots resembling horsetails. Collected in whorls (grow from a single node), modified leaves on thin long cylindrical or tetrahedral shoots are reduced to scales. In autumn, rather nondescript small, without a perianth, unisexual flowers bloom, male in thin terminal racemes, female in several pieces in spherical woody inflorescences. In spring, fruits ripen in the form of a winged nut.

Dwarf casuarina (C. nana) is a small and delicate dense shrub with thin branches resembling reeds.

The protruding cassowary (C. stricta) is similar to the horsetail cassowary, but the internodes on the branches are longer.

The thinnest casuarina (C. tenuissima, or C. tirulosa) is an unpretentious, fast - growing species. The crown shape is pyramidal.

Cultivation

Plants of the genus Cassowary are widely cultivated everywhere in the open ground; thanks to the light, elegant crown, cassowary is cultivated as an ornamental species, and also used in forest protection strips, for fixing sand, and to combat desertification. Its wood (beef-oak) is dense, heavy, and very valuable. Cassowary is planted in a permanent place in the spring, the culture prefers light, sandy soil, however, it grows on other lands. When planting, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers at the rate of 1-3 kg per plant, depending on the size of the seedling. Pruning is limited to removing dry leaves. and damaged branches. Casuarina wood is used for making furniture, shoots - for packaging material, bark-for tanning, coloring and medicinal substances.

Location

Plants of the genus Casuarina require an open sunny place.

Temperature

Some species, such as the finest casuarina, are resistant to changes in air temperature. Others, such as the dwarf cassowary, are less stable and can only be planted in mild climates. Horsetail cassowary does not tolerate temperatures below 5-7 °C.

Watering

It is only required for young plants after they are planted on a permanent planting site and during periods of drought.

Reproduction

Propagate by seeds and root growth. Sowing seeds in the open ground is most often used. After selective thinning for two years, the plants can be transplanted to a permanent place on the site. During this time, in the spring and summer period, once every 20-30 days, a complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket for top dressing. Cuttings are rarely used.

Diseases

Honeydew can provoke root rot and weakening of plants, even lead to death. The affected instance can only be deleted. The disease can be prevented by not planting plants in infected areas.

Acquisition

Casuarina can be found in specialized nurseries and horticultural centers, mainly in the coastal regions. Since they have a fairly fast growth rate, it is recommended to purchase small seedlings that are easier to plant in the ground. Choose well-formed instances.