Indian date from the pit at home. Tamarind growing at home. Home greenhouse - it's not scary

When encountering tamarind in a store, not every buyer knows what it is. Many of them are bypassed exotic fruit, thereby making a huge mistake: this product has a high energy value and is rich in vitamins and microelements. Tamarind can be used to make sauces, use it as a seasoning for meat, and even add it to tea! The main thing is to comply golden mean and do not overload your body with a product that is exotic for it.

Exotic tamarind: growing at home

Growing tamarind from seeds is not difficult, because seed germination is up to 95%. What is remarkable is that they do not lose their properties over many years.

In order for tamarind to sprout quickly at home, you need to:

1. Build mini-greenhouses. It is not necessary to highlight land plot, a small vessel with high sides is enough. It is enough to cover it with thick film or glass and the greenhouse can be considered complete.
2. Germinate the seeds. About a day before planting, the seeds should be wrapped in a damp cloth and left to swell. They will not germinate in such a short period of time, but the corresponding processes inside are already taking place.
3. Plant seeds wisely. In order for the sprouts to quickly sprout above the surface of the ground, they need to be planted to a depth of no more than 1 cm. Otherwise, they may not sprout at all.
4. Ventilate greenhouses. Every day, for about half an hour, you need to remove the plastic or glass. In this case, the room temperature must be at least 20 degrees Celsius! Otherwise, the soil risks getting too cold and the germination process will slow down significantly.

After most of the seeds have sprouted, the greenhouse can be dismantled. Fragile sprouts will reach for the light, so to keep them upright, the pot needs to be turned 180 degrees every day.

Scientific Facts: What is Tamarind?

At its core, tamarind is an exotic fruit belonging to the legume family. In addition to the classic scientific name, it also has a folk name, more familiar to every person - Indian date. It is under this “name” that the exotic fruit can often be seen in stores.

Distinctive features of this product are:

• Tamarind grows on a tree that is unique in its kind;
• Not only the pulp, but also the seeds and leaves of the plant are eaten;
• The tamarind tree bears fruit all year round;
• Tamarind is a tree whose height reaches up to 20 meters;
• Externally, the plant (in its shape and cut of leaves) is very similar to domestic acacia;
• The homeland of tamarind is Thailand and the shores of Egypt;
• Tamarind tea turns out to be extremely tasty, with a slight spicy note, and even children can drink it.

Growing tamarind is a simple process that can be done at home.

The only rule is to choose the right seeds. It is best to “get” them yourself, from ripe and well-seasoned fruit in the sun (until the peel softens). So the likelihood that in 5-7 days sprouts will sprout above the ground increases significantly.

Who benefits from tamarind fruit?

Meanwhile, there are obvious problems that the Indian date will help fight:

1. Excess weight. Both tamarind and preparations based on it block the accumulation process useful substances"in reserve." In addition, regular consumption reduces appetite and blood sugar levels. The last factor is especially valuable for diabetics.
2. Gastrointestinal problems. Diarrhea and chronic bloating will surely go away quickly with regular consumption of tamarind. It cannot be used to cure ulcers or chronic inflammation of the stomach walls. However, it is more than possible to delay the appearance of these problems.
3. Cosmetic flaws. It is more than possible to improve your skin condition with tamarind-based creams and lotions. Previously, they could only be tried in expensive spas. Today they are within walking distance for everyone.
4. High cholesterol levels. The antioxidants contained in tamarind effectively cleanse the walls of blood vessels and prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques. Regular use of this product is important here.

You can also consult your doctor about whether you should consume sweet tamarind or not. And it is possible that he will change tactics, recommending not the fruit itself, but its seeds. They are sometimes much more effective.

The content of the article:

We are well aware date palms and their fruits, but there are many analogues in nature that are very similar in appearance and taste. Not all of these exotics can be seen on the shelves of our stores, but they are not something truly rare among tropical plants. Today we will tell you about Tamarind and the rules for growing it indoors.

So Tamarind wears Latin name similar to the Russian transliteration - Tamarindus indica and is often popularly called the Indian date. It belongs to many dicotyledonous family Legumes (Fabaceae) and the only species of the same genus Tamarind. This representative of the tropical flora can mainly be found in the eastern lands of Africa, as well as in drier deciduous forests on the island of Madagascar. How wild plant it can grow in Sudanese territories, but today tamarind has already completely “settled” throughout all areas of Asia, where the corresponding tropical climate prevails. The plant was brought there thanks to cultivation processes many thousands of years BC. Already starting from the 16th century, the Indian date was successfully deliberately or accidentally resettled (introduced) to the lands of Mexico and South America. And now this plant is cultivated on all continents with the tropical zone.

But tamarind is called “Indian date” in Arabic, here in Malaysia it goes by the name “asam” or “swi boey”, if you take into account the Hokkien dialect. An almost similar name for the plant in the lands of Indonesia is “asem Jawa”, translated as “Javanese asam”. In the Philippines, tamarind is called “sampalok”, and in Indian regions it has a wide variety of names, according to languages: in Hindi - “imli”, in Bengali - “tetul”, and in Senegalese - “siyambala”, but in the states of Telangana and Andhara Pradesh (in Telugu) it is called “chintapandu”, which translates as tamarind fruits and “chintachettu” - this is the name of the tree itself. Interestingly, in Thailand you can hear tamarind called “ma-khkam” and it is also a symbol recognized for the Thai province called Phetchabun. In scientific botanical literature (meaning the 6-volume edition of “The Life of Plants”, which was edited by academician Armen Leonovich Takhtadzhyan), the Indian date is called “Dakara”. And the German version differs little from the Russian one, only in the ending - Tamarinde.

Tamarind is a tree in its natural environment that can reach a height of 2–30 meters. Naturally, at home the height is noticeably more modest, only 2 meters, but most often pinching begins at the level of a meter in height. The growth rate of the Indian date is very low. It never sheds its leaves in regions where dry seasons are rare. The wood of the plant consists first of a core (heartwood), painted in a dark red color and having a high density. It is surrounded by young and physiologically active layers of wood, which are called sapwood. Their tint is yellowish and they are soft. The color of the bark on the branches is light brown with a grayish tint. The crown of the tree has rounded contours, and the branches hang down to the very surface of the soil.

The leaf plates are arranged on the branches in a regular order, their outlines are pari-pinnate. The number of thin leaves in them varies between 10–14 units. They are somewhat reminiscent of the familiar leaf formations of acacia, its close relative. When the leaves are young, their color is delicate light green, but over time it becomes more saturated and darkens.

When flowering, buds with petals of reddish, whitish and pink colors appear. The flowers are irregular, five-membered, from which apical inflorescences are collected.

The greatest pride and value are the tamarind fruits. Their dimensions reach 20 cm in length and 2-3 cm in width. They are, like all legumes, plump pods of brown color, the skin of which, when dried, becomes dense and crispy; it would somehow remind us of the pods of well-known peanuts. The rest is where the differences begin: to get to the most valuable, the peel must be broken. Underneath is the fleshy part of the fruit of plants with seeds (pericarp), a rich red-brown hue and a pleasant taste. Multiple dense seeds are hidden under it. irregular shape: Somewhere square or rounded. Their color is almost chocolate with a slight reddish tint. To root, you will need to lightly cut the seeds, as they have a thick skin.

Naturally, so a big tree growing indoors is problematic, so they use the well-known bonsai technique, which literally translates from Japanese language as "tree in a tray", and means the possibility of cultivation exact copy a real tree, only dwarf or miniature in size. The fruits are actively used in cooking, folk medicine and carpentry, and not only.

Agricultural technology for growing tamarind at home

1. Illumination and place of growth. The plant is very light-loving and it is necessary to place a pot with it on the window sills of windows facing south, southeast or southwest. In case of shortage sunlight the Indian date slows down in growth, its leaves become smaller and may not appear at all, the shoots stretch out, and then the plant gets sick. You also need to remember to periodically rotate the pot of tamarind around its axis by 1/3 so that the crown develops symmetrically. However, it is not recommended to leave it in the sun for a long time, especially during the midday hours.
2. Temperature of the "Dakar" content. Naturally, as a resident of tropical areas, tamarind can easily tolerate high temperatures, but it is better to maintain them within 23–25 degrees. With the arrival of autumn, you can lower the temperature in the room, since a cool winter is even beneficial for this exotic, but it is important that the thermometer readings do not fall below 10 degrees. When ventilating, tamarind should be protected from drafts.
3. Humidity content. Dry air is unacceptable when growing Indian dates. It is necessary that its indicators do not fall below 60%. When cultivating this plant, you will have to increase the humidity with all accessible ways and means. This includes periodically spraying the foliage with a fine spray bottle and using mechanical air humidifiers, as well as placing the pot in a tray with expanded clay and water.
4. Watering tamarind. The soil in the pot should be constantly moist, but not waterlogged. Watering is carried out softly and necessarily warm water. Drying is also unacceptable - this will kill the plant. IN summer time Water the Indian date every 3 days, the soil should only dry out slightly between moistenings. IN winter period watering is reduced.
5. Fertilizers For this purpose, exotics are introduced from the beginning of the growing season until the autumn months. Any liquid supplement will be suitable for indoor plants. Tamarind also reacts well to organic matter (for example, mullein solutions). The regularity of fertilizers is once every 2-3 weeks. In winter they stop.
6. Transplantation and choice of substrate. Like many plants, tamarind should be replanted in spring period, before the activation of vegetation begins. In the new pot, holes are provided in the bottom so that there is no stagnation of moisture and a layer of 2–3 cm is also poured drainage material. To change the soil, select a substrate with an acidity in the range of pH 5.5–6.5 (that is, it must be neutral). Also, the soil is prepared nutritiously with good looseness and conductivity of moisture and air. A little coarse river sand is usually mixed into it. You can prepare the soil mixture yourself by mixing greenhouse soil, peat substrate, rotted manure, sand or perlite (in equal parts).

It is possible to get a new “Indian date” tree by planting seed material, which does not lose its viability for a very long time. There is evidence that seeds taken from fruits germinated after 8 years of storage.

Stratification (maintaining a certain time at low temperatures) is not needed here, but scarification (cutting the seeds) is possible, since the seed skin is quite dense. To do this, you need to rub it on all sides before planting. sandpaper. Then the seed is planted in a container with a moistened peat-sand mixture (peat can be mixed with perlite). It is recommended to simply press the seed into the surface of the soil and lightly sprinkle it with substrate. The container will need to be covered with a piece of glass or wrapped in a plastic bag - this is to create a mini-greenhouse. Then the container is placed in a warm place with diffused light. The temperature for germination is maintained at 22–25 degrees.

Ventilation should be carried out daily and, if necessary, moistening the soil with a spray bottle. After 2–4 weeks, the first shoots can be seen. As soon as a pair of true leaves is formed in young tamarinds, the first transplant is carried out into another pot with real leaves. suitable soil for further cultivation. You can even take a simple universal substrate and mix it with an equal amount river sand. Several holes are made in the bottom of the pot so that there is no stagnation of moisture and a drainage layer is placed on the bottom. It is better to plant one plant in each container, this makes it easier to care for. Creating greenhouse conditions.

After this transplant, the young shoots are also covered glass jar or plastic film(you can take a cut plastic bottle). It is important here again to regularly ventilate and moisten the soil. When the tamarind gets stronger, they begin to gradually accustom it to the atmosphere in the room and more light by removing the film.

With the arrival of the spring months. You can try to propagate tamarind using air layering and stem cuttings, but heat indicators must be maintained in the range of 28–32 degrees.

Difficulties in growing fruit

The Indian date rarely gets sick, but if growing conditions are violated, it can be affected by scale insects, thrips, whitefly, mealybug or spider mite. These pests manifest themselves by the formation of a sugary coating on the leaves (spans), cotton-like lumps on the back of the leaves or in the internodes, brown plaques with reverse side leaves, whitish spots and flies or thin cobwebs. At the same time, the leaf parts themselves begin to turn yellow, become deformed and fly off, and plant growth is inhibited. To combat it, it is necessary to treat with insecticides (for example, Karbofos or Aktara).

If you allow the soil to become waterlogged frequently, this can lead to fungal diseases causing the soil to rot. root system. To solve the problem, you need to treat with fungicides.

The following troubles associated with violation of agricultural technology also occur:

• if there is stagnation of water, and there is no high-quality drainage in the pot, then rotting of the root system may begin;
• roots are also affected when watering cold water or low summer temperatures;
• when the dryness of the air increases and there is not enough watering, the tamarind begins to massively shed its foliage;
• in case of shortage nutrients or sunlight, the branches of the tree begin to droop and growth stops;
• retardation in development is observed when the temperature decreases.

Naturally, tamarind pulp is actively used not only in sweets, but also as spices in Asian cooking, as well as in preparing dishes in Latin America. In the old UK, it is customary to prepare the very popular Worcestershire sauce, which contains the fruits of the Indian date, as well as the HP fruit sauce, beloved by the British (it is produced by Houses of Parliament) and is served with meat dishes.

The pulp, when the fruits are not yet ripe and green in color, has a rather sour taste and is used for cooking. spicy dishes. If we take India, for example, they make National dishes kuzambu or sambar (lentil food). As well as a liquid dish called pulikuzambu, which is very popular in Tamil Nadu (a state in southern India), the pulp is used to prepare puliyadarai rice and a variety of Indian traditional seasonings that highlight the taste of the main dish - chutney. In Asian markets you can find the pulp of “Javanese asam” in the very in different forms: dried, salted, candied or even frozen. In Mexico, it is customary to make sweets using Indian dates. They taste both spicy and sour at the same time and are called “polparindo”. And in Thai cuisine this representative of legumes has not been ignored. They cook it there a traditional dish- “pad thai” (with chicken, pork or shrimp, rice noodles and vegetables), which can be found at every turn, but is made differently everywhere. Also, sauces that include tamarind pulp are served with lamb.

It is interesting that if it is necessary to clean brass jewelry that is placed in temples in Asian countries from all kinds of oxides, fats or cobwebs, then tamarind pulp is actively used.

Since date wood has a very high density and strength, it is used in furniture industry, making floor coverings and interior items. The production of rods from the flexible branches of this tree has not been forgotten!

In the Indian states, it is customary to plant tamarinds along the roads so that they are round and lush crowns created good shade. They are inhabited by flocks of local monkeys who love to feast on the ripe fruits of the Indian date.

Since the fruits of this plant contain a large amount of organic acids, sugar in which the proportions of fructose and glucose are equal (invert) and pectin substances, they are usually used in folk medicine. Also, not only fruits, but also castings and bark are suitable for the manufacture of products applicable to various diseases folk healers. In Ayurveda, when taking tamarind, vata and kapha begin to decrease, and pitta at this time tends to rise, so it is natural that work is underway to “expel the winds” and have a laxative effect, and there is a warming energy. They treat problems associated with disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

And on the lands of Cuba, in the place where the foundation of the city of Santa Clara was laid, a tamarind tree was planted and since then it has been a symbol of the city, its outlines are displayed on the coat of arms. It is curious that in Mexico the local slang for traffic controllers traffic Because of the color of the form, which resembles the color of the fruits of the Indian date, they are called tamarinds.

More about tamarind in this video:

Growing tamarind at home

• Read: Spices. Spices. Seasonings.

Indian tamarind can be grown from seeds at home quite simply. Moreover, the germination rate of fresh mature seeds is usually more than 95%. Planted seeds usually germinate in about a week, less often in 10 days. According to information available on Russian-language and English-language forums and websites, tamarind seeds (seeds) do not lose their viability for a very long time. A case is described when tamarind seeds sprouted after 8 years of storage...

South-facing windows are best suited for tamarind in an apartment, as they love bright light. Place young tamarind trees under straight Sun rays undesirable to avoid thermal burns. Therefore, it is better to shade tamarind sprouts emerging from seeds in the first months of their life.

Tamarind plants need moderate watering with early spring and until autumn. For irrigation, use only soft, settled water, room temperature. IN winter months the intensity of watering should be limited, and the plants should be watered only when the top layer of soil dries to a depth of 2-3 cm. But the roots should not be allowed to become waterlogged, as this often leads to rotting of the roots. Therefore, pots where tamarind plants grow must have effective drainage.

Moderate or slightly above moderate temperatures are most favorable for the growth of indoor tamarind. Since tamarinds are tropical plants, even in winter, ambient temperature should not fall below 16-18 C.

Tamarind has a superficial root system, so it is better to use shallow and wide pots. But tamarind is not picky about soil, although experience in its cultivation shows that it is better to use fertile, slightly acidic soil. Of the ready-made soil mixtures, the soil is quite suitable for citrus plants. In general, tamarind can grow even on slightly saline substrates.

A growing tamarind plant does not require any special care. It is only advisable for him to have a suitable haircut to form the crown. The formation of the crown of young plants is carried out until 3-5 skeletal branches are formed, and then is usually limited sanitary pruning, removing weak branches that thicken the crown and are damaged.

Tamarind practically does not need intensive fertilizing and it is quite enough to apply complex fertilizer once every 3 months during the period of active plant growth. And in autumn and winter there is no need to fertilize this plant.

Replanting growing tamarind should be done in the spring, before the start of active growing season and only as needed. At the same time, in a new pot you should not forget about a good drainage layer.

In home growing conditions, tamarind can be affected by thrips and whiteflies, which must be controlled accordingly.

When planting tamarind in a pot, its seeds are immersed to a depth of about 1 centimeter in the prepared soil. It should be noted that for this it is not necessary to use slightly acidic soil, since the seeds germinate well in universal soil for flower plants. And in order for tamarind seeds to germinate quickly and amicably, it is advisable to use a mini greenhouse to create optimal humidity and temperature in it ( optimal temperature for seed germination 22-25C). To do this, just cover the pot with the planted seeds with glass or a bag, and then put it in a warm place. It is advisable to ventilate the mini-greenhouse daily for 10-15 minutes. Regular moistening of the soil is also necessary, since seed germination requires high humidity soil...

It is large, majestic, evergreen tree grows in tropical areas East Africa. IN natural conditions tamarind reaches 30 m, although it grows very slowly. Its crown is round, very compact, and its branches can hang down to the ground. Tamarind is valued for its fruit - curved beans Brown. They are healthy and have a pleasant taste, which is why they are used in the confectionery industry. They are used to make candies, juices, drinks and many other sweets.

Tamarind can be cultivated. Of course, this tree is too large to grow in a pot. Therefore, to save small size, but natural appearance, use the well-known bonsai technique.

In any case, the plant is quite demanding in terms of maintenance conditions. He needs to create conditions close to the natural tropical climate for the tree to develop well. It is quite possible to provide it with the necessary humidity, lighting, and fertilizing, although you will have to try. What does tamarind love, how to grow it and care for it at home - that’s what we’ll talk to you about today.

How to grow tamarind at home?

Landing

At home, tamarind is propagated by seeds. The seed from the fruit of the plant is hard and quite large. Before planting, rub it a little on all sides with sandpaper (for scarification). Now plant the seed in a small pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite. Simply press the seed deep into the mixture with your finger, then sprinkle with sand. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place with diffused lighting.

The seed will germinate in 2-4 weeks, provided that the soil mixture (substrate) is regularly moistened. When the first feathery leaves appear on the sprout, it is transplanted into another pot with real soil. The main condition is its breathability. Ready-made, universal soil is excellent for these purposes. Or you can take a quality one loose soil by mixing it with a small amount of river sand. Be sure to place drainage at the bottom of the pot. The pot itself must have a hole at the bottom so that the water does not stagnate. It is very important!

When you plant in prepared soil young plant, cover the pot again with polyethylene or trimmed plastic bottle. Also make sure to regularly moisten the soil. When the plant grows a little more, the film can be removed.

Plant care

Watering

Tamarind should be watered with plenty of settled, soft (not cold!) water. But the main thing is to prevent water from stagnating in the pot or tray. To keep the plant healthy, avoid drought. Ideally, watering should be every three days. Even in winter, do not allow the soil to dry out, although at this time watering should be significantly reduced.

In addition to actually watering, be sure to spray your tropical plant. Do this at least twice a day. And also increase the air humidity by any means. Tamarind can adapt to relatively dry indoor air, but it must be humidified.

Lighting

As we have already said, you can grow tamarind at home, but you need to try to carefully care for it. We have already found out that he loves moisture very much. The same goes for lighting. He needs sunlight. Therefore, place your plant in the brightest place in the room, such as a south-facing window sill. If there is a lack of sunlight, tamarind grows poorly, does not produce new leaves, and in general can become sick.

To prevent this from happening and to keep the crown of your plant lush, turn it periodically towards the sun different sides.

Temperature

The plant tolerates summer heat well. In natural conditions, a hot, humid climate is its natural environment. However, you need to understand that indoor tree and what grows in nature are not at all the same thing. A wild tree extracts cool moisture from its roots deep in the soil. In nature, there is also a night and day temperature difference when dew appears on the leaves. Indoor tamarind is deprived of this opportunity. Therefore, to keep your pet comfortable, do not leave him in the strong sun when the temperature outside the window rises to 40 degrees or higher.

In winter, the plant does not need too much heat; it tolerates average, slightly cool temperatures. You just need to moisten the soil. But we already talked about this at the very beginning.

Top dressing

Starting from spring until autumn, the plant needs to be fed. Any liquid is suitable for this organic fertilizer. Apply it to the soil once every 2-3 weeks.

Features of care, illness

In the spring, the tamarind plant should be pruned, forming its crown. If you remember, this tree is grown at home as a bonsai.

Rarely gets sick. May be affected by scale insects, mealybugs, or spider mites. When too frequent watering, with stagnant water, lack of drainage, and also at cool temperatures in summer, its roots can rot. In very dry air, or with a lack of watering or spraying, tamarind may shed its leaves.

If your pet looks "sad", its branches are drooping, it is growing too slowly, it may be cold or lacking nutrients or sunlight.

We have found out in some detail how to grow tamarind at home. I hope everything will work out for you now. If you can, please share your experience of growing this. exotic plant at home. Your story will help other amateur gardeners and visitors to our site. Thank you in advance!

Amateur gardeners began growing tamarind at home as soon as they learned about the health benefits of the African plant. What is so remarkable about the product? What proper care behind the plant?

How to grow tamarind at home?

Beneficial properties of tamarind

Thanks to the astringent and anthelmintic properties of the seeds contained in the bark, fruits and leaves, organic acids and vitamin A, tamarind can be successfully used in the treatment of:

Bronchial asthma;

Infectious fever;

Problems digesting food;

Worm infestation;

Eye infections;

Sore throat.

Tamarind tea and water are suitable for rinsing, and mousse normalizes digestion. Doctors warn against excessive consumption of the product, which can cause diarrhea. It should not be used at all by patients with stomach or intestinal ulcers.

In cosmetology, cleansing cream with tamarind extract is gaining popularity. An extract from the fruit of the plant improves the condition of oily and combination skin.

For tamarind to take root in normal flower pot, you will need knowledge of bonsai techniques - growing miniature copies ordinary trees. After all, a life-size plant is quite large in size.

At the right conditions, similar to tropical ones, and appropriate nutrition, it is possible to grow tamarind and use its parts to benefit the body. It is important to follow simple rules for planting and caring for it:

Before planting the seed, it is rubbed with sandpaper;

A seed is pressed into a mixture of peat and perlite (volcanic rock for growing indoor plants), sprinkled with sand;

A sprout will emerge under the film in a warm place. It is necessary to provide it with diffused lighting;

After 3 weeks of regular watering (every 3 days) and the appearance of the first leaf, the sprout is transplanted to another place. New pot must have a hole at the bottom covered with drainage. The plant is again left under the film and do not forget about moistening the soil;

When watering, well-settled water at room temperature should be used. In winter, the soil under tamarind requires less moisture, but drought is unacceptable;

The future tree is placed in a well-lit place, each side is turned in turn under the sun's rays;

Extreme heat is not very comfortable for indoor tree, especially if the thermometer shows more than 40ºС. It is better to remove the plant from such sunshine;

To form a crown in the spring, the plant is pruned.

Compliance with the mentioned maintenance conditions will allow you to grow miniature tamarind at home, which will not only decorate the interior unusual appearance, but will also benefit the household. The main thing is that none of them have contraindications to the use of an exotic product.