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Medlar is an evergreen or deciduous culture, which until recently was considered purely decorative. But now it is classified as an edible fruit species. Medlar is a member of the Yablonev family. There are other names for this culture that can be found in different sources: shesek, lokva, eriobotria.
Medlar - long-lived tree
Description of medlar with photo
Lokva is a tree, the height of which, under favorable conditions, can reach 3-8 m. The crown is dense, spreading, the diameter of its growth is 3-4 m. In one place the medlar can grow and regularly bear fruit up to 100 years. The culture is considered relatively winter hardy.
The tree has a superficial, branched root system. Lokva is undemanding to soil composition and can grow on heavy clay soils. Easily withstands partial shade and direct sunlight. Medlar tolerates pruning well, which allows you to regularly rejuvenate the tree. At the same time, new shoots grow quickly and, after lignification, begin to bear fruit abundantly.
The growing young branches of the lokva have a reddish tint and a felt edge on the surface. As they mature, their bark turns dark gray. The leaves of this tree are large, oval-oblong in shape. They are 30 cm long and 8 cm wide. Throughout the warm season, the plates are dark green in color, but with the arrival of autumn, their shade becomes orange with a reddish tint. Therefore, before the frost, the medlar tree looks very elegant. The surface of the leaves at the lokva is hard, leathery, slightly wrinkled between the veins.
The fruits of this exotic tree are round or pear-shaped, depending on the species. Their size is 6-8 cm. When ripe, the fruits become yellow or orange in color. The taste of the fruit is sweet with a slight sourness. Each fruit contains one to five seeds inside. They have a tough brown shell. Edible juicy pulp is located around the seeds.
Lokva tastes like a combination of apple, strawberry and pear
Types and varieties of medlar
There are three types of this culture in nature. But in horticulture, only two have become widespread: Germanic and Japanese. Both are able to easily tolerate a lack of light, as well as a lack of nutrients in the soil. But they also have significant differences.
Germanic
The species is considered to be more decorative. German lokva is a compact deciduous tree up to 3 m high. This culture is not demanding to care for and is characterized by increased frost resistance in comparison with other species. German medlar (Mespilus germanica) can withstand temperatures as low as -17 degrees, but its shoots freeze over. In a frost of -23 degrees, the tree completely dies. Therefore, Germanic loqua can be grown in temperate regions with warm winters and cool summers.
Fruits are round, when ripe they become honey-yellow in color. They taste sweet, but tart. Therefore, it is recommended to remove them from the tree after the first frost. And in order to improve the taste before use, it is recommended to hold it in the freezer for several days.
Germanic lokva resembles quince in appearance and taste
Japanese
The height of this tree species varies within 3-5 m, but there are specimens reaching 8 m. According to the description of the plant, the skeletal branches and young shoots of the Japanese medlar (Eriobotrya japonica) are covered with a gray-red edge. The leaves are elongated, dark green with a glossy surface and short petioles. The reverse side of the plates is gray with pubescence.
Japanese lokva is a thermophilic culture that cannot stand temperatures as low as -5 degrees. But at the same time, with the death of the aboveground part, it has the ability to grow again from the root in the presence of favorable conditions. Cold winter negatively affects the fruiting of this species. Therefore, it can only be grown in the southern regions.
Berries in this species can be pear-shaped or rounded. When ripe, they become a rich yellow-orange color. They grow in clusters of 10-12 pieces in one. The pulp inside the berries is juicy and aromatic. You can keep the harvest fresh for no more than three days.
The fruits of the Japanese lokva look like apricots.
This type of culture has become the basis for the development of new productive varieties:
- Tanaka. It is characterized by pear-shaped fruits with pink flesh inside. Their taste is sweet and sour.
- Silas. Forms rather round fruits weighing up to 80 g. When ripe, they become honey-yellow in color.
- Champagne. A distinctive feature of the variety are rounded yellow berries with a pubescent surface.
- Morozko. A dwarf species that is suitable for growing at home and greenhouses. It is characterized by large red-brown fruits without astringency.
- Premier. The variety is distinguished by large oval fruits. Their skin is orange in color, slightly pubescent.
In what conditions and countries does medlar grow
The distribution area of loqua coincides with albicia, persimmon and figs. China and Japan are considered the birthplace of culture, where it grows in mountainous regions. Subsequently, the medlar was introduced in the 19th century to the territory of Europe.
Lokva grows in the subtropics and in the surrounding areas. Therefore, now it can be found in any corner of the world where there are favorable conditions for its development and fruiting. At the same time, the tree prefers to grow on hills.
This culture was widespread in India and Southeast Asia. Medlar also grows on the other side of the equator, namely in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. She was once brought by Chinese immigrants to Hawaii. This plant can also be found in South and North America. In the northern regions of Europe, the medlar is grown as an ornamental tub plant. Variegated varieties are especially popular.
Where and how does medlar grow in Russia
On the territory of Russia, Japanese lokva grows only along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, where conditions are optimal for it. It can be found between Gelendzhik and Sochi, as well as in the south of Crimea. The medlar is successfully cultivated in Dagestan.
And the Germanic species is sometimes grown by gardeners of the Azov region on their plots. But this exotic culture was not widely spread.
When and how medlar blooms
This tree blooms for the first time in the fifth or sixth year after planting. Medlar buds appear at the ends of the shoots and are collected in lush panicle inflorescences. In them, the buds open gradually. The flowers are simple, consisting of five yellowish-white petals. Their diameter when opened is 2.5 cm. Numerous stamens can be seen in the center of each flower. For the ovary of medlar fruits, like all pome and stone fruit crops, cross-pollination is necessary.
When opened, the buds exude a pleasant, exquisite aroma
The flowering period for the Germanic and Japanese species of culture begins at different times.In the first case, the medlar opens its buds in May, like other fruit trees in the garden. This period lasts for her about 14 days.
In the Japanese lokva, flowers appear on the tree in winter, namely in mid-February. Therefore, her fruiting period begins much earlier than that of other trees. The flowering time of the Japanese medlar is 10-14 days in the presence of favorable conditions.
When the medlar ripens
The fruits of the Germanic and Japanese medlar ripen at different times. In the first case, this occurs in the fall, namely in mid-October - early November. Moreover, the fruits hang on the branches when they no longer have leaves.
The fruiting season for the Japanese medlar begins in late May - early June, when other trees in the garden have just faded. In the event of a harsh winter, the tree blooms but does not bear fruit. Therefore, sometimes the crop can be harvested once every 5-7 years.
Conclusion
Medlar is a culture whose fruits are high in sucrose, fructose and pectins. They can be eaten fresh as well as used for processing. The leaves of this tree also have useful properties. Decoctions based on them are used to treat intestinal infections. However, despite the benefits of medlar, it must be consumed in dosage so as not to unwittingly harm health.
