Cucumber tree - description, species, features of care and cultivation

What is a cucumber, with what and how it is eaten - each of us knows. We also know how a cucumber grows, a herbaceous plant, which is the oldest vegetable culture. But the inhabitants of Indonesia can say with confidence - it grows not only on bushes. Cucumber tree, which is also called bilimbi, is the most common plant for Indonesians. The same fruits of this tree are similar or different from the usual vegetable culture, we learn from this article.

Cucumber bilimbi wood

Bilimbi tree belongs to the family of Acidic (also there are several unrelated species, bearing the name of cucumber tree - dendrocisios and magnolia). In height, it can reach more than 9 meters - from one meter from the ground the trunk branches. The crown of the tree is wide and very rich. Leaves resemble foliage acacia - the same pinnate and beautiful.

The flowers of the tree during flowering favorably differ on a background of greenery - bright red, they open on 5 petals, becoming similar to stars. In addition, the flowers emit a delicate aroma, which is always collected by many different pollinators. It is interesting that the flowers bloom not on the branches of the tree, but right on the trunk - there are also cucumber fruits. They actually resemble ordinary cucumbers, only differ in size - a little more in length (from the average cucumber fruit) and in diameter. So, we generally learned what a cucumber tree is.

Fruits with sourish

Bilimbi fruits are well visible among the foliage. At a time, the leaves have a pale green color, but, gathering in one complex sheet, shade each other in a dark green tone. The unique quality of this tree is its ability to retain moisture in the trunk tissues, which helps the plant safely survive the driest times. In addition, the retained moisture positively affects the abundance of milky juice, which is used for economic purposes. The fruit of the cucumber tree grows in clusters - like bananas, although they look more like small zucchini.

The maximum length of the fruit can not be more than 10 centimeters. If you taste it, the first thing you'll feel is acid, comparable in taste with lemon or lime. But the seeds in fruits are very rare - from the whole fruit cluster with seeds will fall from the strength of one or two fruits.

A few interesting facts about the Bilimbi

Above we learned where the borage grows, but you can meet it not only in Indonesia, but also in India, Brazil, Colombia. Bilimbi is widely used in farming. Due to the unique ability to retain moisture for a long time, the wood tissues are filled with lactic milk juice, which greatly softens the pulp of the wood. In a particularly droughty period, farmers feed cattle with juicy pulp, which allows them to safely survive difficult times. Another extraordinary property that a cucumber tree possesses is its leaves. Or rather - their ability to close at night, again retaining their internal moisture and allowing the fruits to enjoy the night wind and sometimes passing rain. Foliage opens with the first rays of the sun, keeping fruits from excessive sunlight.

Application of Bilimbi fruit

Despite the fact that the pulp of the bilimbi fruit is juicy and crunchy, they are practically not used for fresh food because of increased acidity. But as a seasoning they are suitable for almost any dish. They are generously added when cooking rice, meat, fish, beans, marinades and even soft drinks are ideal.

Very delicious jelly is obtained, only pre-fruits must be pierced in several places and allowed to lie in heavily salted water to eliminate excess acidity. Known bilimbi (cucumber tree) and as an ideal supplier of candied fruits. Its cucumber fruits are pre-sugared and dried, turning into a delicious sweet-sour delicacy. And there are candied fruits as in the food, and separately. Of great importance is the area where the cucumber tree grows (species of trees are directly related to the taste qualities of the fruit). For example, there are those whose taste resembles a mixture of apple and plum, and there are varieties that give sweetness to grapes. However, not only fruits are widely applicable in everyday life. Due to the high content of oxalic acid, fruits are also used for household needs.

What to do with the fruits in the household

Cucumber tree, or rather its derivatives, are widely used in the household. Of tropical fruits, special means are prepared, with the help of which the fabrics are subsequently bleached, the dirty surfaces are cleaned or brass and silverware are rubbed, which then become quite new, returning their original shine. In perfumery, the bilimbi fruits are used as a skin cleanser - their juice is added when making soap.

But for medicists, a cucumber tree is a storehouse of useful ingredients. The leaves of the bilimbi help to clean the wound of the poison - it is only necessary to attach them to the bitten place. Decoction of leaves or bark - an ideal remedy for coughing, joint pain and rheumatism. In medicine, even plant flowers are used - they are an excellent remedy for diarrhea. Many African tribes consider the bilimbi tree sacred, and the fruits of the most important ceremonies for the aborigines.

Bilimbi as a house plant

However strange it might sound, the berry tree can be grown at home. The main thing you need to know is that the tree can be germinated from the seed, but only fresh, extracted immediately after the harvest. It is very important that the soil is sufficiently moistened and fertilized. It will be nice if you mix it with river sand. The seeds are germinated in a container - the sprout will need a lot of heat and sun. Then transplanted into a pot.

It is very important abundant watering and warm air (at least 20 degrees). Bilimbi must be fed with mineral fertilizers, as well as constantly sprinkled. In winter, the land should be watered a little less, but with persistence, so that there is no aridity. Top dressing stops with the onset of cold weather. Spring is the time for pruning. With the bilimby, the dried branches are carefully removed, and the crown is carefully arranged so that young leaves can breathe at full strength. Bilimbi blossoms and houses, but still recommended in the summer to transplant the tree in the garden.