Content
Sour sorrel is a common garden crop, which has a peculiar leaf shape and a bright, memorable taste. Most summer residents and gardeners prefer perennial species of sorrel, but the productivity of the plant decreases from year to year. For each region of Russia, a certain type of herbaceous culture is provided, which fruitfully grows in this area.
Sorrel description
The plant is considered the offspring of the Buckwheat family. At the moment, there are about 150 species in gardening that are planted by gardeners. In the forest belt it grows in the form of grass, summer residents cultivate bushy varieties. It grows without the help of gardeners in the European part of Russia up to 3-5 years.
Common sorrel is characterized by elongated, oblong and wide leaves, the base of which begins at the petioles of the plant. During the flowering period, the plant grows peduncles. The bush is distinguished by a large inflorescence, the flowers are located on the tops of the peduncles. The seeds are contained in a triangular capsule that appears after flowering.
Sorrel varieties and types
About 70 varieties of sorrel are grown on the territory of Russia. Due to the content of nutrients and vitamins, it has remained popular among gardeners and gardeners for decades. The advantage of this plant is the ability to hybridize with different types of herbaceous culture. The result of such experiments is a hybrid variety of red sorrel.
Sour sorrel
It is considered the most common plant species from a number of perennial herbaceous crops. In favorable growing conditions, sour sorrel reaches a height of 30-50 cm. Stems are erect, soft, spear-shaped. The leaves have a pronounced sour taste due to the high concentration of vitamin C. It blooms in summer and early autumn with red or green flowers.
Sour sorrel is used to normalize the digestive and diuretic systems. Due to its low calorie content, sour sorrel has established itself as a dietary product. In folk medicine, it is used as a component of decoctions to stimulate the liver. The sour plant juice is used to increase appetite and strengthen immunity. Demonstrative photo of sour sorrel variety:
Large-leaved sorrel
The birthplace of this sour plant is Europe and Asia. Large-leaved plant variety with early ripening. The foliage is large, oval in shape with a narrowed base to the roots of the plant, it grows in a bush 20 cm high. The rosette of the plant is erect, compacted. The root system of the bush develops from the main stem. Closer to the surface of the earth, the roots branch out.
The first young leaves are eaten after 30-45 days after planting the seeds. In addition to oxalic acid, the leaves of this species contain malic and citric. The yield is from 1 to 1.5 kg per 1 sq. m. Large-leaved variety resistant to stemming and low temperatures. Cut bundles are stored for up to 3 days in a refrigerator without losing their presentation.
Sorrel red
The only sorrel variety with blood-red veins. It is used by gardeners as an ornamental plant. Sorrel leaves are spear-shaped with red veins. Depending on the acidity of the soil, the leaves can be light green with purple veins. The red species blooms with greenish brown flowers. Most gardeners cut the inflorescences when they first appear, so the bushes grow and have a dense rosette.
The variety is unpretentious to high temperatures. It harmoniously coexists with a variety of flower cultures. Red sorrel leaves are rarely eaten. The plant is often attacked by aphids, therefore chemical treatment is necessary for the plant to grow comfortably.
Broadleaf sorrel
This type of herbaceous culture is distinguished by a late ripening period from 45 to 60 days. In one season, a cut from a bush is made 5-6 times and about 5 kg of sorrel are collected from 1 sq. m. The leaf blade reaches 8 cm. The rosette of the bush is loose, it can be 10-15 cm tall.
Seeds are planted every 5 years. Greenery grows rapidly if the distance between the bushes is no more than 45 cm. The broadleaf crop grows well in any soil, but the variety is not intended for planting in wetlands. An acidic plant contains protein, in minimal amounts, a concentrate of iron, sulfur, phosphorus.
Belvian sorrel
Among the relatives, it is the earliest ripening variety. The herb is ready to cut after 20-30 days after planting in the ground. The bush grows sprawling in a raised position. Leaves are light green. The surface of the sheet has a glossy sheen, there are convex irregularities. Leaf width reaches 5-6 cm ovoid. Bushes grow high 20-25 cm, quickly overgrow.
The species is resistant to frost and high temperatures. For one harvest season from 1 sq. m are collected up to 3-3.5 kg. The plates of the sheets are eaten. By the time of ripening, the stems become tough, so they are added to tinctures to normalize the digestive tract. Planting in film greenhouses is possible. Belvian variety is suitable for planting in the northern part of Russia.
Fermented milk products react with acid. In this form, it can be consumed in large quantities.
The best sorrel varieties for the Moscow region
The Moscow region is characterized by a cloudy and changeable climate. Summers are hot and cold in one season. Gardeners and gardeners of this area either grow several varieties of sorrel, or plant the most unpretentious plant to care for.
Sorrel Sanguine
Perennial plant, growing season 40 to 45 days. The bushes are formed high - 30 cm. The herbaceous culture has a taproot without branching to the surface of the soil. Sorrel stems with red veins and reddish edging. The yield is 4 kg. The variety is resistant to drought, frost. Sanguine has a unique foliage color - rich green.
Nikolsky sorrel
A variety with elongated light green leaves. The width of the leaf blade is 3-5 cm. The rosette is loose, it reaches 30-40 cm in height. For good growth and harvest, the plants, when planting, maintain the standard distance between the bushes of 20-25 cm. Eat together with the stems for food, make preparations for the winter.
Sorrel Champion
Early ripening species, suitable for greenhouse planting. It has an attractive presentation, which is preserved for a long time. Planting is done in April or mid-May. The champion does not need frequent watering. The leaves taste sour, juicy.
Sorrel Odessa
An early maturing variety with a moderate ripening period of 30-35 days. Odessa variety is resistant to pests, it does not require chemical treatment. The yield is up to 7 kg per 1 sq. m. Leaves are rich in potassium, iron, proteins.Often eaten, used in tinctures, dried for the winter.
Sorrel Bloody Mary
An ornamental, early-ripening herbaceous variety. Unlike the red species, the Bloody Mary leaves are eaten, they make preparations for the winter. The leaves are characterized by burgundy blotches on the green background of the leaf blade. It also contains vitamins A and C. For the climate of the Moscow region, Bloody Mary is the best choice of sorrel varieties.
Growing features
For all varieties of sorrel, open ground is fertilized with compost, black soil. Soil with a high acidity content does not require fertilization. The peculiarity of planting is that sorrel can be planted at any time of the year. In a greenhouse or open field, the yield will not decline. For the initial planting, choose a place where carrots, whipping or greens previously grew. At the planting site, partial shade should be present so that young leaves do not shrink during the growth period.
The land for planting is prepared in the fall: it is dug up with leaves. In the spring, the soil is loosened, beds or holes are made. Before planting, the seeds are treated with a growth stimulant, mixed with superphosphate and planted in a hole. The distance between the rows depends on the selected type of sorrel. Most gardeners use a standard planting distance of 40-45 cm.
The first watering is carried out after planting. The culture is unpretentious to the irrigation schedule and can grow on its own. However, the harvest in this case will not be fruitful. Gardeners water sorrel with diluted nettle infusion to preserve nutrients if they do not have time to harvest. Frequent feeding of sorrel is not required. When the soil is stagnant, surface loosening is performed.
Conclusion
Sour sorrel is unpretentious to growing and planting conditions. All varieties have an attractive presentation and a large amount of nutrients for the human body. The plant is popular not only among gardeners, it is recommended as an element of dietary food for weight loss. Sour lovers are not recommended to consume it in large quantities without additives that neutralize oxalic acid.
