Sedum caustic
Reproduction, cultivation, useful properties and use of sedum
Botanical characteristics of sedum
Sedum caustic is a perennial plant with a short rhizome and thick roots. First years are short, covered with many leaves. There are no flowers on such a plant. In the second year of life, stonecrop becomes much higher, and the leaves become smaller in size, and their number also decreases. In early summer, the plant is covered with numerous golden flowers. Depending on the climatic zone, sedum flowering lasts the entire summer period. Stonecrop flowers are collected in an inflorescence and are located on straight pedicels. The plant's rhizome is very branched, which plays a role in the life of the plant: with the help of the roots, it absorbs the moisture necessary for the plant from the soil.
Stonecrop fruit - five green leaflets collected together. Inside the fruit there are brown, oblong seeds. The fruits of the plant ripen from late summer to early autumn.
Sedum can be seen in Europe, North Africa and throughout Russia. He prefers to grow in glades, rocks, loves wastelands and meadows, as well as light forests.
Stonecrop propagation
The sedum propagates by seed, cuttings and plots.
Seeds are sown in spring or autumn in prepared boxes. These boxes need to be dug into the ground or placed in a greenhouse. Seedlings appear very small. As soon as two real leaves are visible, you need to dive into the beds. Thanks to this method, the plants will bloom after a year or two from the moment of planting. Plants propagated in this way do not retain their varietal characteristics, therefore such propagation is most often used in breeding.
Stonecrop is propagated by cuttings more often, since this method is not only easier, but also more reliable. The cuttings of the plant root very quickly, so if a fallen shoot accidentally appears on the ground, it will easily and quickly take root. A bird or a mouse can become a distributor of sedum - because of them, sedum can grow in a completely inappropriate place. And now the very process of planting cuttings: cutting off the cuttings, they are left aside, and during this time the soil is prepared. It is necessary to level the area that was chosen for planting the cuttings, and spread the cuttings on the prepared soil. Further, garden soil is poured onto the cuttings in a small layer, compacted a little. After it is necessary to water. After 14 days, you can transplant the plants into the ground.
Spring is the time for stonecrop breeding by bush plots. To do this, you need to dig out a curtain and cut it in such a way that each plot has roots along with buds (shoots will grow from the buds). The place of division should be treated with a fungicide, and the plots should be left for several hours to dry. Having chosen a good cool place, the resulting plots are planted in prepared soil.
Cultivation of stonecrop
The sedum plant prefers bright places and does not tolerate shade well. If the planting site is unlit, then sedum will simply grow in height and stop blooming. Sedum is a plant that is unpretentious to the soil, but prefers soil in which there is humus or compost.
Stonecrop blooms actively in summer, so at this time you need to water it, but in moderation. But in winter, stonecrop is watered once a month, not more often. If watering is excessive, this can lead to rotting of the roots of the plant, which means that it will soon die.
During the period of active growth, the plant needs feeding, for which mineral fertilizers are perfect.
If they want to transplant the plant, then for this, a substrate should be prepared, which must be loose, containing leafy and soddy soil, sand and humus. All these components must be combined in equal parts together. Young stonecrops can be transplanted once every 2 years, and old plants are transplanted no more than once every 4 years.
Sedum is often affected by root worms, due to which the leaves of the plant wither, the roots swell. If these worms are found, the diseased plant must be dug up and discarded.
Useful properties of stonecrop
Due to the fact that stonecrop contains various beneficial substances, it has many therapeutic properties. The sedum has a diuretic and irritating effect. Also, this plant is used as a remedy in the treatment of malaria. In addition, sedum is an intestinal peristalsis enhancer and a blood pressure increase agent.
The sedum has a wound-healing property, therefore preparations from it are used for ulcers, wounds and eczema. Also, medicines from this plant have an analgesic effect on the human body. Purification juice is very useful for both old and young people, as it contains many substances the body needs.
Stonecrop application
Sedum has long been used in folk medicine. Various drugs, pain relievers, compresses and washing products are prepared from it. For example, the plant sap is used to treat burns, ulcers, wounds and to remove warts on the body. Sedum is also used in homeopathy for the treatment of hemorrhoids and hypertension. The sap of the plant helps in the treatment of fever, epilepsy, jaundice, anemia, gangrene, pruritus and hemorrhoids.
The sedum is used in the form of infusion, juice, tea, broth, and also externally - in the form of poultices, rinses and ointments. A decoction from the plant is used for arthritis, anemia and gastrointestinal diseases. Tea made from stonecrop helps to cure the heart, diathesis, and childhood eczema. Stonecrop ointment is used to treat wounds, lichen and bone fractures.
Stonecrop infusion for stomach cancer. To prepare it, take 1 tablespoon of dry grass and grind it into powder, combine the stonecrop powder with 250 ml of boiling water and pour it into a thermos, leave to infuse for 2 hours, and then filter. Take an infusion of 50 ml three times a day after meals.
Poultices for rheumatism. To do this, you need to take stonecrop herb, make a powder out of it, take gauze, pour 3 tablespoons of grass into it and tie it in a knot. Now you need to pour boiling water over the compress and apply it still warm to the sore spot.
Ointment for the treatment of wounds. To prepare it, you need to take fresh sedum and squeeze the juice out of it. Next, 1 tablespoon of the finished juice is mixed with 20 grams of butter. Wounds and ulcers are treated with the finished ointment.
Contraindications to the use of sedum
Do not forget that sedum is a poisonous plant, although it is used to treat many diseases. When taking medications from this plant, you need to consult your doctor. Pregnant women, hypertensive patients and people with increased nervous excitability should generally not use this plant as a remedy.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
