Albizia Lankaran (Crimean acacia) and other species

In Crimea, a tree grows with very beautiful flowers, outwardly resembling an acacia. However, the correct name for this miracle is the Lankaran albicia.

Albizia Lankaran Pampadur

Under natural conditions, it grows only in the southern regions of Russia. Various plant varieties are found in India, China, Taiwan, Japan, southeastern Azerbaijan, and other places.

Blooming albitsia Lankaran

Although there are rare cases of acclimatization of albition in central Russia, it is still better to use greenhouses for its cultivation in these regions. The flowering period is late May-early June.

Origin and appearance

In Europe, this plant has been known since the 18th century. Its name has two parts. The first part "albicia" is named after the Florentine Filippo del Albizzi, who brought the plant to Europe in 1740. In Latin, the plant is called "Albizia julibrissin", "julibrissin" is translated from Farsi as a silk flower. Therefore, albition is also called silk. It is also called silk acacia.

The deciduous tree belongs to the legume family. Its height can reach 12 m, crown diameter - 9 m. The lifespan of albition is 50-100 years. The openwork leaves of Albizia Pompadour have a bright green color, in shape they resemble the leaves of acacia and fern at the same time. They grow up to 20 cm in length.

Albizia Pompadour, or acacia

The fruits of the tree are multi-seeded beans, reaching a length of 20 cm. Initially colored in green, over time they acquire a light yellow or brown color.

This type of albition is grown at home. This is a light-loving plant that loves high air humidity and needs a drained loamy soil. Poorly tolerates low temperatures, when grown, it should not be lower than -15 ° C.

Plant flower description

Albitsia flowers are the main decoration of the tree. They are large, white or white-yellow in color, collected in panicles. The flower stamens are long, pink and white.

Other types of albits

Beam-flowered albicia (Albizia lophantha)

The plant is native to Australia. This variety is represented by bushes or trees up to 5 meters high.

Bundle-colored albicia

Leaflets are bipinnate, pubescent on the underside. The number of pairs of leaves in the first order is 8-10 pieces, in the second - 20-40. Flowers are yellow, 5-9 cm in size. They look like ears. Blooms in the spring months.

Albizia adianthifolia

The natural range of the species is from South to Tropical Africa. It blooms naturally in winter or spring. The tree reaches a height of 40 m.

Sandy soil is best for cultivation. Abundant watering and warm humid air are preferred.

Flowers form large hemispheres. The petals are white or greenish-white in color. The fruits are thin pods.

The trunk of the tree is twisted, prickly. It has a soft wood of golden yellow color.

In Africa, the tree is planted in eroded areas to preserve the soil cover.

Albizia amara

It grows in the countries of South and East Africa, India, Sri Lanka. The shrub reaches a height of up to 5 m. Like all albitsia, it has a spreading crown and openwork leaves. Inflorescences look like heads with a diameter of 3-5 cm. The edge is orange. The beginning of flowering is May. The flowers have a pleasant aroma. Prefers sandy soil.

Silk tree in landscape design

Due to the decorativeness of silk acacia, the tree is often used by landscape designers in their work.

The crown of silk acacia is not very dense, so decorative flowers can be planted under it. The leaves retain their green color until frost.

Albicia in landscape design

Acacia albition can be used to create compositions in urban conditions, as it is not afraid of polluted air.

Growing albicia for bonsai at home

Albizia Lankaran, or silk acacia, can be grown independently. For reproduction use:

• seeds;
• cuttings;
• root shoots.

Growing albition from seeds

The acacia seed is a flat brown bean. The length of the bean is 7-10 cm. They can be assembled by yourself or purchased from a specialized store.

Albizia growing from seeds at home is best done between February and July. When seeds are planted at this time, they give the highest percentage of germination.

Seed material must be stratified before planting. You can use both hot and cold methods, but growers prefer the hot one.

Silk acacia seeds

For hot stratification, seeds are placed in warm water with a temperature of + 60 ° C for several hours.

Then the prepared seeds are planted in moist soil, consisting of sand and peat. Seeds germinate within a few months. During this entire period, the air temperature should be at least 20 ° C, the soil should be moistened all the time.

Growing from cuttings

Semi-lignified lateral shoots are used as cuttings, which are cut into pieces of 10-15 cm in size. They must have at least 2-3 buds. Then they are placed in a sandy-peat substrate. Before the seedlings take root, the container is kept in a cool place.

Caring for bonsai from Albizia Lankaran

The tree lends itself very well to forming, so it can be used to create a bonsai or bonsai.

For transplanting a seedling, it is best to take a small ceramic pot that has large drainage holes. The soil can be prepared independently from turf, peat and sand, taken in a ratio of 3: 2: 1. The area intended for growing bonsai should be well lit. For this, windows facing south-east or south-west are suitable.

To form the crown, part of the branches is wrapped with wire. In this state, the tree can be kept no longer than 4 months; this operation can be carried out no more than once every 2 years. Pinching of lateral shoots is periodically performed. This will allow you to shape the trunk and crown, and also inhibit the growth of the tree.

After the end of the flowering period, the crown and flowers are cut off. To grow bonsai, it is necessary to control the volume of the root system. After trimming the roots, the cuts are sprinkled with crushed activated carbon, the soil is not watered too much. Usually a tree is grown no longer than 1 meter.

Watering mode

Watering rates for acacia depend on the season. Albitsia is a tropical plant, so it grows well in moist soil, so during the growing season it is necessary that the soil is well moistened. Drying out of the soil can lead to disease and even death of the plant.

Bonsai from albicia

Top dressing

Silk acacia is fertilized from spring to autumn once a month, starting from the second year of the tree's life. As a top dressing, a liquid complex mineral fertilizer is used, intended for indoor plants.

During flowering

The most comfortable temperature during flowering is + 22-25 ° С. In indoor conditions, albicia blooms very rarely, therefore it is recommended to take out the pot with the plant in the spring-summer period to the balcony. During this period, it is important to monitor soil moisture. It shouldn't dry out.

During the rest period

In winter, the tree sheds its foliage, a period of rest begins for it. At this time, all physiological processes in the plant slow down. Therefore, albition is not fed with mineral fertilizers. To keep the bonsai alive after wintering, watering is reduced, but not stopped.

However, acacia needs good lighting during this period as well. Therefore, artificial lighting is arranged for her. In winter, the plant is kept at a temperature of + 10-15 ° C.

Preparing for winter

For a successful wintering of a plant, several rules must be followed:

• Starting in August, the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen is discontinued so that the tree does not release young shoots. Fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus can be used;
• In the fall, crown molding is not carried out, since any pruning leads to the stimulation of the growth of new shoots;
• The intensity of watering decreases, as this will contribute to the lignification of the shoots.

Thus, growing albition at home is not difficult. With proper care, bonsai from albicia will delight the owners of the house with bizarre shapes and beautiful flowers.