Hippophae

The genus Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae) includes shrubs or small deciduous trees with prickly branches. The most common species is sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), its leaves resemble both willow and olive tree leaves. It is a plant with a characteristic short trunk, stiff prickly branches and silver-gray twigs. The leaves are simple lanceolate, green on the upper side, silver-gray on the lower side. The root system is branched, horizontally creeping. This is a dioecious plant (one plant produces either only female or only male flowers). Flowers are light yellow, densely clinging twigs (hence the name); flowering occurs simultaneously with the opening of the leaves, in April-May, the fruit ripens in September. The fruit is a juicy yellow or light red drupe with a sweet and sour pulp. Fruits contain valuable organic acids and vitamins, and sea buckthorn oil is obtained from the seeds. Less commonly grown species of sea buckthorn willow (H. salicifolia), smaller in size than buckthorn buckthorn, hanging branches are not so prickly, the leaves have a bluish-green color. It grows in the Himalayas, as does the third species, sea buckthorn tibetana (H. tibetana), which is of interest for breeding work.

The genus Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae) includes shrubs or small deciduous trees with prickly branches. The most common species is sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), its leaves resemble both willow and olive tree leaves. It is a plant with a characteristic short trunk, stiff prickly branches and silver-gray twigs. The leaves are simple lanceolate, green on the upper side, silver-gray on the lower side. The root system is branched, horizontally creeping. This is a dioecious plant (one plant produces either only female or only male flowers). Flowers are light yellow, densely clinging twigs (hence the name); flowering occurs simultaneously with the opening of the leaves, in April-May, the fruit ripens in September. The fruit is a juicy yellow or light red drupe with a sweet and sour pulp. Fruits contain valuable organic acids and vitamins, and sea buckthorn oil is obtained from the seeds.

Less commonly grown species of sea buckthorn willow (H. salicifolia), smaller in size than buckthorn buckthorn, hanging branches are not so prickly, the leaves have a bluish-green color. It grows in the Himalayas, as does the third species, sea buckthorn tibetana (H. tibetana), which is of interest for breeding work.

Cultivation

Sea buckthorn is grown as a fruit and ornamental crop in garden plots, in parks, when gardening settlements in single and group plantings, as well as in hedges. In the coastal regions, it is used in forest protection strips, due to its resistance to sea spray. Planted on a permanent planting site in October-February. There are no special requirements for the soil, as long as it is well drained. The distance between plants in hedges is left about 50 cm, in forest protection strips -1.5 m. Pruning is usually not required, with the exception of hedge plants, which should be cut in August, and if necessary, in winter.

Location

The plant prefers sunny places, but partial shade is also suitable for it.

Temperature

These plants are not capricious in terms of temperature conditions, they can tolerate both high and low air temperatures.

Watering

Due to the resistance of sea buckthorn to drought, watering is almost never required, only immediately after planting.

Care

Remove dry, damaged or poorly placed branches.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, offspring, in culture - layering and grafting. The most common method is sowing seeds, but it does not make it possible to completely determine the sex of future plants. Immediately after harvesting, drupe fruits for seeds are kept for some time in stacked layers in the sand. Seeds are sown in October in seed soil and kept in a closed, unheated room. Grown seedlings dive. They are finally planted in the ground next fall.

Diseases

There are few problems with this plant. Occasionally, the aboveground part is affected by insect pests that cause yellowing and death of the plant. They are disposed of with appropriate insecticides.

Acquisition

Sea buckthorn can be found in specialized nurseries. To have berries, you need to buy at least one male plant for every 5 female ones. Choose young, well-formed and healthy-looking plants that are easier to plant in the ground.