Horse-chestnut . Plant that belongs to the family of the hypocastanaceae , which comprises no more than 20 species that are typical of warm and temperate countries of Asia and America . It is a tree native to Greece , where it grows wild in many mountains of the country. From Greece it was taken to Turkey and later it began to be cultivated in Europe , spreading very quickly. Large in size, it is easy to recognize by its large facing leaves and long tail.
Summary
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- 1 Origin
- 2 Features
- 3 Ecological requirements
- 1 Light
- 2 Temperatures
- 4 Cultural services
- 1 Substrate
- 2 Irrigation
- 3 Subscriber
- 4 Pruning
- 5 Wiring
- 6 Transplant
- 5 Multiplication
- 6 Sources
Origin
It is a tree native to Greece, where it grows wild in many mountains of the country.
features
It blooms in spring and with the arrival of summer in the highest places. The fruit ripens in late summer or fall. In the bark of young branches are substances called esculina and esculetina , with a bitter taste. It also contains tannins, saponins, and various elements such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus . Esculin and esculetina confer venotomic properties to the plant, which increase capillary resistance.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties and controls the permeability of the vessels, thereby exerting an important anti-edematous action. It also has an excellent vasoconstrictor action, used against painful hemorrhoids, since it not only calms pain, but progressively reduces its volume. It is also very useful in reducing the diameter of the veins in varicose veins and phlebitis. Folk medicine has used chestnuts in the cure of persistent diarrhea , in dysentery and even in ancient times also against malaria.
In external applications it has been used to wash wounds and chilblains. But it is not a completely non-toxic plant. Some of its compounds can be toxic if used incorrectly. The seeds can be confused with those of the chestnut tree, which can cause, after ingestion, gastroenteritis, mydriasis and drowsiness, therefore its use is recommended under optional control.
Ecological demands
Light
It needs a lot of light, with direct sun, protecting it in summer from the midday sun if necessary.
Temperatures
They should remain outdoors also in the cold season. Frost resistant.
Cultural entertainment
Substrate
80% humus-rich mulch and 20% coarse-grained sand.
Irrigation
Water sparingly during sprouting so that the leaves do not overgrow.
Subscriber
Every 15-20 days, at the beginning and during the vegetative period, when the leaves have fully unfolded, with a pause of one month or month and a half during the warmer season.
Pruning
- The main root must be reduced or eliminated at the time of the transplant; This operation can only be carried out when the presence of abundant lateral roots is observed.
- The pruning of the branches should be limited as much as possible, since it must be taken into account that this species has difficulties in healing.
- The modeling of the crown must be achieved, mainly, by pruning the buds; the apicals must be removed during the winter rest period.
- If you want to stimulate branching, you will have to remove the bud from the apex.
- In order to stimulate the appearance of new leaves, it is possible to eliminate the larger ones, cutting them to a third of the length of the petiole.
- Apply sealing paste on the cuts.
Wiring
Wiring will be used only if no other form of modeling can be used, and can be done throughout the year. The fastening must be carried out in the period between spring and summer.
Transplant
Every one or two years, in early spring or autumn, trimming the roots.
Multiplication
Easy by seeds. The germination capacity of these is less than a year, even a few months, many of them, so care must be taken with the seeds of this species if they are purchased.
