Relict plants are living fossils. They have come to us from ancient eras without significant changes over the past millions of years and bear the features of those plants of the Mesozoic era that people have long found in the layers of the earth and geological rocks in the form of fossils or imprints.
The most ancient plants
Among the most ancient plants are blue-green algae, traces of which are found in sediments that are 3 billion years old. Blue-green algae are primitive asexual organisms that grow today in salt and fresh waters, in wet places between rocks and even in hot springs. After all, they can withstand temperatures up to +85ºС.
More than 300 million years ago, the planet was covered with huge forests, which consisted of ferns, horsetails and huge lycophytes. As a result of climate change, all large representatives of the flora have now turned into coal seams in the depths of the earth. Relict plant species gradually learned to adapt to changes. They were able to survive to our times.
Examples of relict plants
Here are a few well-known plants that grew 200 million years ago:
- Selaginella selaginata is an algae that grows in moss swamps in Northern Russia.
- Horsetails originated in the Carboniferous period and inhabited almost all continents of the world, have a stem with nodes and internodes, have scales instead of leaves, and reproduce by spores and roots.
- Moss mosses are evergreen grasses that originated in the Carboniferous period and have survived to our time, only having changed in size. They have creeping stems from which branches grow upward, have a root system, reproduce by spores and vegetatively (roots, nodules, branches).
- Magnolia is an archaic flowering plant. Ancient in origin, the magnolia genus appeared when bees did not yet exist, so its flowers are pollinated by beetles. It grows in the south in the cities of Crimea and the Caucasus, where you can find entire streets planted with these beautiful flowering trees.
Relics from America
Some tree species and relict plants that have come down to us from the Tertiary period also grow in North and South America:
- Taxodium is a summer-green deciduous tree that was widespread 20 million years ago. This is confirmed by fossilized leaves in deposits of brown coal, the source of which they became over time. The tree is long-lived: one specimen in the vicinity of Mexico City is 5 thousand years old, it is called the giant from Thule. Their longevity is explained by the wood's resistance to rot and good resistance to pests, developed over millions of years. The trunk has cracks, is ribbed, and becomes thinner towards the top. One of the taxodihuam species is the swamp cypress, which can grow in water because it has pneumatophores (above-ground outgrowths).
- Araucaria Chilean is a coniferous tree growing in South American countries (Chile and Argentina), in nature it reaches 60 m, the branches are located almost horizontally, the needles are thick and hard, and can be stored for up to 15 years. This is a very hardy ancient plant.
Ancient healing tree
Ginkgo Biloba is translated from Latin as “silver apricot”. The tree has a powerful trunk with rough bark, turning into a spreading crown. The leaves of this relic are amazing: soft green with wavy edges, divided into 2 lobes, they are located on thin petioles. The plant is also a unique long-liver: some trees growing in Japan and China are about 4 thousand years old.
The seeds and fruits of this tree were brought to Europe by the Dutch scientist E. Kaempfer in the 18th century. The tree turned out to be cold-resistant and undemanding to the soil, resistant to diseases, due to which it became widespread in Europe and America. It was planted in parks and squares.
Even ancient Chinese manuscripts dating back to 3000 BC. e., describe its unique medicinal properties. In Eastern medicine, it was used to treat diseases of the lungs and liver, heal wounds and burns, and was used as a remedy for longevity.
Its leaves, which contain many biologically active substances, have medicinal properties, which are now widely used in modern medicine to improve blood circulation and stimulate memory, treat migraines and dizziness, hemorrhoids, male impotence, etc.
Fern: interesting facts
Ferns are ancient relict plants that appeared 350 million years ago, during the time of dinosaurs. There are 10 thousand species. They are interesting because they reproduce not by seeds, but by spores, so they never bloom. Fern is widespread across all continents of the world, growing in forests (lower and upper tier) and on tree trunks, in swamps, in rocks, in water (rivers and lakes), etc.
One of the types of ferns growing on the territory of Russia is the female kochedednik, which can vary greatly in the size and shape of the leaves.
A male fern, which belongs to the genus of shield plants, also grows in the forest. It is with it that ancient Slavic rituals and beliefs are associated, according to which you need to look for the mythical fern flower. If found, it will reveal all secrets to its owner, give the gift of clairvoyance and power over otherworldly forces. According to Slavic beliefs, it blooms once a year on the eve of Ivan Kupala (July 7).
The female Kochedyzhnik also has its own meaning: since ancient times it has been considered a reliable witch root, with the help of which you can place a curse on a person.
Relics of Russia
Ancient plant species preserved from the Tertiary period (2-65 million years ago):
- Rhododendron ponticus is an evergreen ornamental shrub 1.5 m high, which still grows in some areas of the Caucasian coastal region. It has a characteristic leaf color: green with a creamy white edge. Blooms from April to June with lilac-pink flowers.
- Ironwood, which forms entire forests in the mountainous regions of Azerbaijan, is a relict deciduous tree with very strong and heavy wood (artwork and machine parts are made from it).
- Amur velvet (Amur cork tree) is a very common tree in Primorye, up to 25 m high, lives up to 300 years. The berries have healing properties.
Relict plants of Russia are very thermophilic, and therefore have been preserved in places where the climate has remained almost invariably warm for many centuries. In more northern regions of Russia, Tertiary period plants died during the onset of the Ice Age and other climate changes.
Relics of Primorye
The nature of the Primorsky Territory was formed under the influence of large climatic changes and the proximity of the ocean and includes the following preserved relict plants:
- The calopanax tree (white walnut) has a black trunk lined with sharp thorns, which is why it got its name “devil's tree.” Its height is up to 30 m, lives up to 150 years, the wood is used for making musical instruments, as it has high resonant properties.
- Rhododendron is a “pink tree” that loves wet mountain slopes; in the spring you can observe an unusually beautiful soft pink blanket that blooming rhododendrons form.
- Rhodiola rosea (“golden root”) is an ancient medicinal plant, the root of which was hunted by ancient Chinese emperors, sending expeditions to Altai.
- Komarov's lotus is a beautiful aquatic relict plant of the tertiary flora, growing in the south of the Russian Far East, the most cold-loving of the lotus family.
- The pointed yew is the ancestor of the yew that grew in the Jurassic period during the era of dinosaurs; it grows in Primorye and the Khabarovsk Territory, Sakhalin.
Schlippenbach's rhododendron and Komarov's lotus are plants of the Red Book of Russia and Primorye.
Relics of the Caucasus and the Black Sea coast
During the Ice Age, the Caucasus Mountains turned out to be a natural barrier that prevented the cold from penetrating the Black Sea coast.
The relict plants of the Krasnodar region have been preserved due to the unique climate of this region and despite human economic activity, which is gradually displacing forest lands and using them for their own needs. Such plants include:
- Evergreen boxwood is the slowest growing shrub (1 mm per year), lives up to 500 years, and is presented both as a tree and a shrub. It is often used when landscaping park areas in cities and gardens, where various green shapes are created with the help of boxwood shrubs.
- Tall juniper is an evergreen coniferous tree with a cone-shaped crown that lives up to 600 years. Height - up to 12-16 m. Preserved only on the Black Sea coast, between Anapa and Gelendzhik. It reproduces using seeds carried by birds, is drought-resistant and can grow on rocky or limestone mountain slopes, in crevices, and is classified as an ornamental and essential oil plant.
Tall juniper, boxwood and yew are plants of the Red Book of Russia and the Krasnodar Territory.
- Yew berry is an evergreen coniferous tree that appeared many million years ago. Its advantages are the absence of resin in the wood and its dark red color, which is why it is very popular in the manufacture of valuable furniture. Also has bactericidal properties. One of the long-lived trees (maximum age is 1500 years). It grows in the Caucasus, near Anapa and Novorossiysk, and then spreads east to the Caspian Sea.
- Pitsunda pine is one of the subspecies of Calabrian pine, a relict tree of the Tertiary period of the Black Sea coast, listed in the Red Book of Russia. It requires little soil and moisture and grows quite quickly. It has light green soft needles up to 15 cm long, in the mountains it reaches a height of 400 m. The main habitat is located near Gelendzhik, as well as Tuapse, Anapa, Dagomys, etc.
Conclusion
After reading this educational article, all schoolchildren and adults now know which plants are called relict, because here are the most popular and interesting of them, which have come down to us through many millions of years of the existence of planet Earth.
Gingo biloba is an ancient species of plant that, according to science, belongs to the group of relict plants. In biology, relict species mean living organisms that played a large role in previous ecosystems that existed millions of years ago and have survived to this day.
The Ginkgo biloba plant is a prime example of such a relict species. Scientists first turned their attention to Ginkgo biloba in the 18th century, when Engelbert Kaempfer, a German traveler and also a famous naturalist, described the plant in his writings. In addition to Ginkgo biloba, relict trees include the well-known spruce and pine trees.
After studying various archaeological finds, researchers came to the conclusion that a species such as Ginkgo biloba became a descendant of ancient ferns. Currently, the wild Ginkgo biloba species grows in only two regions of China. Thanks to its unique natural properties, ginkgo biloba plays an important role for all humanity as a whole.
It is for this reason that a plant such as ginkgo biloba has been cultivated by people for thousands of years. It is worth noting that Ginkgo biloba is grown in many botanical gardens in Europe, as well as in the northern part of the American continent. In its biological essence, Ginkgo biloba is a tree that does not exceed 40 meters in height. Ginkgo biloba seeds have been eaten for a long time. Typically, ginkgo biloba seeds are boiled and fried.
Ginkgo biloba is a primitive gymnosperm plant of the dioecious type. The reproductive cells of a plant are divided into female and male. Male trees produce pollen, and female trees produce seed buds. They are pollinated by air currents. This deciduous tree has shiny, smooth grayish-brown bark.
It can live on average up to two thousand years. Some trees reach the age of 2500 years.
The powerful Ginkgo biloba often blooms in May. Immediately after pollination and subsequent fertilization, small ovules turn into plum-shaped yellow fruits. They consist of large dihedral kernels resembling nuts and are covered with pulp. Reproduction of this plant is carried out vegetatively and with the help of seeds.
Today, only the leaves of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. They are harvested in the fall during the growing season. Linalool esters and phenylpropane derivatives were found in the leaves, as well as in the seeds and wood. The composition contains special sesquiterpenes and tricyclic diterpenes. Ginkgo biloba roots contain a unique ginkgolide.
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Height: up to 37 m
Type: deciduous gymnosperm tree
Area: Central and Eastern China (virtually not found in the wild)
Places of growth: temperate deciduous forests on steep mountain slopes
Ginko (Ginkgo)- a relict plant, often called a living fossil. This is the only modern representative of the Ginkgoaceae class. (Ginkgoopsida). According to popular belief, ginkgo biloba disappeared from the wild more than a thousand years ago, but has survived to this day thanks to artificial replanting near ancient temples and monasteries. It is possible, however, that wild ginkgos may still grow unnoticed in remote corners of China to this day. In addition, this tree has been widely cultivated for many centuries both in China itself and in Japan and Korea. The ginkgo genus appeared on Earth in the Jurassic period and has remained almost unchanged over the millions of years since then. The ancestors of this tree, the oldest representatives of the Ginkgo family, arose even earlier - in the Permian period (about 270 million years ago). As evidenced by fossil finds, until the beginning of the Tertiary period, ginkgo grew abundantly in all parts of the world.
This dioecious tree in nature reaches 25 m in height, a relict of the Tertiary period. The leaves are long-petiolate, leathery, fan-shaped, with one or two notches along the edges. Male flowers are earring-shaped, with numerous stamens, female flowers are on long stalks, separated at the ends by two or more branches that end in seed buds. The fruits are the size of a cherry, yellow in color, and edible. Blooms in May. Originally from China. Looks great in winter gardens and spacious rooms.
The plant is unpretentious in cultivation. Light-loving, prefers well-lit rooms. In summer you can take it out onto the balcony or into the garden. In winter, after the leaves have fallen, they can be kept in the dark at a temperature of 5-10 °C.
During the active growing season, watering should be plentiful, in winter, during the dormant period, it should be rare (overdrying of the earthen coma is not allowed).
Feed from spring to late summer once a month with a solution of mineral fertilizers. Young plants are transplanted annually into a soil mixture consisting of turf, leaf, coniferous soil and sand in a ratio of 1:1:1:0.5.
Ginkgo is propagated by seeds and cuttings. The plant is rarely affected by pests and diseases. 
Medicinal properties
Ginkgo leaves and fruits are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves can be collected throughout the growing season and even in the fall. The fallen fruits are collected, freed from the fleshy shell and dried.
In Chinese medicine, the leaves were used as a dewormer and repellent. The seeds were used for asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, constipation and as a sedative, externally for the treatment of certain skin diseases and as a cosmetic (infusion of oil or wine). Roasted or boiled seeds were eaten; they contributed to the assimilation process. The raw seeds were considered an antidote.
In modern medicine, preparations from ginkgo leaves are used; they exhibit antispasmodic, vasodilating and bacteriostatic effects, normalize cerebral circulation, regulate arterial circulation, and do not exhibit any side effects. Ginkgo preparations are of particular importance in geriatrics, since their effect manifests itself slowly and lasts a long time. There are no other herbal drugs to combat atherosclerosis with such an effect.
The relict and sacred “tree of life, hope and love”, unique in its structure and one of a kind, is Ginkgo biloba, or Ginkgo biloba. This plant is of particular interest to gardener-collectors and philosophers, connoisseurs of rarities and those who want to have in their garden an ancient healer for many diseases.
Sergey Gorely / Personal archive
Ginkgo biloba is a deciduous tree up to 50 m high, with a trunk diameter of up to 3 m, and lives up to 2.5 thousand years! Ginkgo is distantly related to conifers and cycads, but is more similar to flowering plants. The structure of the leaves is needles, strongly growing to the sides and forming two lobes (rarely up to 10). The leaf dimensions are usually 5-7 cm, sometimes up to 20 cm in length and width. Leaf fall in October - November, and in the long, warm autumn the leaves take on a uniform yellow color (which looks very attractive), and in the cold autumn the green leaves fall off overnight after the first frost. The “flowers” of ginkgo, like those of all Gymnosperms, are called strobili.
Megan Wong / Flickr.com
Since the tree is dioecious, there are female and male plants. On female trees, strobili are in the form of a green berry on a long petiole; at the end of the female strobila there is a drop of pollinating liquid. On male trees, strobili are in the form of whitish spikelets with anthers. Ginkgo blooms in May, simultaneously with the leaves blooming; flowering lasts one week. Moreover, the tree is wind-pollinated. Male and female trees are so similar to each other that before flowering it is almost impossible to distinguish them (even by buds). It is often said that a female tree has a broad pyramidal crown, while a male tree has a more columnar crown, but this is not always the case (an example is the 60-year-old trees in the central park of Gomel).
Ginkgo blooms at the age of 26-28 years, although cuttings can occur earlier. Ginkgo wood is very durable, the root system is powerful, making the tree wind-resistant. The branches spread wide and twisted to the sides, and often give the tree a bizarre appearance. In large old trees, aerial stilted roots sprout on the lower branches, which, when rooted, provide the tree with additional support and nutrition. Such roots are often observed in thousand-year-old trees with serious damage to the trunk - cracking into pieces, the tree forms clones around the mother trunk (an unusual method of reproduction, like that of starfish - a full-fledged organism can grow from each ray).
Ginkgo fruits are yellow-orange drupes with a diameter of about 3 cm (only on female trees). The smell of ripe fruits is very repulsive. The seeds are light beige, about 2 cm in size.
Jean-Yves Romanetti / Flickr.com
Useful qualities of ginkgo
The ginkgo tree is extremely hardy. It was ginkgo (as well as willow and oleander) that survived the nuclear explosion in Hiroshima, being at a distance of about 2 km from the epicenter. This story gave rise to calling ginkgo the “tree of life and hope.”
Wendy Cutler / Flickr.com
Paleontological data indicate that ginkgo, practically unchanged, existed back in the Permian period (almost 300 million years ago). At that time there were no flowering trees, and conifers from that era became extinct. Of the large flora, palm-like cycads and tree ferns have survived to this day. So it turns out that of the surviving branched trees of the Permian period, ginkgo biloba is the only representative, which makes it the most ancient tree on Earth. In the pre-glacial period, when the climate was warmer, ginkgo was widespread throughout the world - from Scotland to Japan, including all of Siberia. And today China has only two corners of natural growth in the mountains. Monks and gardeners saved the ginkgo from extinction by planting a “sacred tree” near temples and villages. It is there that you can see the oldest and tallest specimens of this species. Ginkgo is also widely used in bonsai (which once again emphasizes the plant's hardiness).
There is a legend that an herbalist named Li Qingyun lived to be 256 years old. And one of his tea collections was ginkgo leaves. It is these leaves (in small quantities) that are used to treat cardiovascular, neurological, and sexual diseases. Active substances (antioxidants and anticoagulants) protect living cells of the body from oxidation by free radicals, prevent the formation of blood clots and dissolve fatty plaques in blood vessels, thereby improving blood flow.
Due to the improvement of sexual function, as well as resembling a heart in shape, ginkgo leaves have led to the fact that this tree is also called the “tree of love.”
This relict plant even gives off a special air. Having a ginkgo grove on your land can not only improve your health, but also realize a lot (especially after spending the night in a hammock under a tree). It is also surprising that ginkgo is not damaged by pests or affected by infectious diseases. We can say that this species has outlived its pathogenic pathogens.
Because of its antiquity, as well as the hypothesis of the participation of large lizards in the distribution of seeds, the ginkgo is called the “tree of dinosaurs”, which it outlived. Which is possibly what caused the decline of ginkgo forests.
The plant is very decorative with its foliage, but due to the pungent odor of the fruit, female ginkgo trees are unwanted pets in many parks. At the same time, ginkgo “nuts” are eaten in Asian cuisine.
Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project / Flickr.com
Therefore, if you want to surprise your neighbors and have a decorative, relict, sacred tree of life, hope and love in your garden, if you want to inhale the air of ancient eras and improve your health, plant ginkgo. By doing this you will transform your garden not only for yourself, but also for future generations.
Relict tree
Ginkgo is a plant that is called a living fossil. In the modern world, there is one species of this relic - Ginkgo biloba (lat. Gínkgo bilóba), belonging to the class Ginkgopsida.
Why is the tree called that?
The original name of the tree was Ginkjo, but Engelbert Kaempfer, mentioning it in 1712 in Amoenitatum exoticarum, made a mistake by writing Ginkgo. This mistake was then repeated by Carl Linnaeus in 1771 in Mantissa plantarum II, and the tree came to be called ginkgo.
The epithet biloba (from Latin - two shares) in the name characterizes the leaves of the tree, divided into two halves.
The Japanese name for this plant is icho, which translates to "silver apricot".
Charles Darwin, emphasizing the ancient origin of the tree, called it a “living fossil.”
The British often call this plant Maidenhair tree - “maiden hair tree” by analogy with one of the “Venus braid” ferns (scientific name adiantum), since the leaf lobes of this fern are similar to ginkgo leaves.
Where did the name come from
In France, a very interesting name was given to the plant - “40-ecus tree.” This name was given to ginkgo by the amateur botanist Petigny in 1780, who purchased five small trees from an English gardener for 25 guineas (40 ecus) each. All representatives of ginkgo in the territory of modern France originated from these trees.
History of a relict plant
Scientists believe that ginkgo is a descendant of ancient ferns. Ginkgo presumably arose in the late Permian, and reached its maximum diversity by the mid-Jurassic period. In the Mesozoic era, plants of the Ginkgo class spread widely across the Earth; there were 15 different genera. In the polar forests of Siberia, deposits of leaves of this relict tree dating back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods were found.
The first mention is found in China, in poems of the 11th century. In those days in Japan and China, ginkgo trees were planted near sacred temples and tended by monks. In Tokyo, in the botanical garden, there grows a tree, on a marble plaque next to it is carved the name of Hirase, a Japanese botanist who studied this plant.
Ginkgo grows in Nagasaki and is more than 1200 years old. A tree 45 meters high was found in China and is believed to be about 2,000 years old.
The emblem depicting a bright green ginkgo leaf is the symbol of Tokyo.
History of the plant
European scientists discovered this plant in 1690; before that they knew it and studied it only from imprints on the stones of ancient specimens. The first tree was planted in the Utrecht Botanical Garden in Holland. Brought to England in 1754, one of the trees still grows today; scientists used it to study the characteristics of fertilization.
The German poet Goethe dedicated his poem to ginkgo:
This leaf was from the east
I am modestly brought into my garden,
And for the seeing eye
It reveals the secret meaning.
The poet saw the unusual shape of the tree's leaves as a symbol of friendship.
The tree came to America in 1784; the oldest specimen grows in Philadelphia in the Forest Cemetery. The tree was taken under the supervision of specialists and is protected.
Today, the ginkgo tree grows wild in eastern China. It is believed that the mountain forests in Northeast China are its homeland. There is a whole ginkgo grove growing on Mount Memusha. The trees growing there have trunk diameters up to 2 m.
In cultivation it is found in parks of Western Europe and in the cities of North America. It has not grown in the wild here since the Mesozoic era, the trees are doing well.
Where does a relict tree grow?
In Russia, ginkgo is distributed as an ornamental plant. It can be found in the Caucasus; two trees grow in Kaliningrad at the entrance to the zoo.
In the Main Botanical Garden named after. N.V. Tsitsin RAS, the tree was imported in 1946: from Potsdam (Germany), 3-year-old seedlings and seeds from Sukhumi, Pyatigorsk and Korea.
Ginkgo is a beautiful ornamental tree
Ginkgo is a tree that grows up to 40 meters. The trunk diameter reaches 4.5 m. The trunk is slender, brown-gray. With age, the bark becomes covered with deep wrinkles. A young tree has a pyramidal crown, then it grows.
The leaves of the tree are unique: they are a bluish-green fan-shaped bilobed blade 5-8 cm wide. The leaf is slightly corrugated at the edges, attached to a thin petiole up to 10 cm long. Leaves develop quickly singly on long shoots, and on short shoots slowly and in groups of 2-4.
Decoration of any garden
The plant is dioecious. Male trees have catkin-shaped spikelets on which pollen develops. They are slimmer and have a pyramidal crown shape. Female trees have a more rounded and wider crown. On female trees, two ovules grow on long stalks. These processes occur when the tree is 25-30 years old, and only then can it be determined whether it is male or female. Wind pollination occurs in late spring. By autumn, the pollinated ovules are fertilized, the seeds ripen and fall from the tree. After the seeds fall, an embryo develops in them.
The seeds of the tree are shaped like an apricot, round, but have a burning-astringent taste and emit an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of rancid oil.
The seed skin has 3 layers: the outer layer is fleshy, amber-yellow in color; The middle layer is hard, has longitudinal ribs, and inside there is a thin paper-like layer. The kernel is edible, sweet in taste, and is eaten in East Asia.
In autumn, the leaves acquire beautiful yellow-golden tones and then fall off.
Ginkgo has a well-developed root system, so the tree is resistant to fairly strong winds and easily tolerates snow drifts. The tree can reach an age of 2500 years. Slow growing, grows by 1-2 cm per year, very rarely by 4.
Medicinal properties of ginkgo
Ginkgoside compounds are isolated from ginkgo leaves, which are used in pharmaceuticals for the treatment of vascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, and atherosclerosis. The drugs help improve concentration and memory.
Unfortunately, ginkgosides are often used in bioactive supplements; their uncontrolled use there leads to allergic effects. The effectiveness of ginkgo preparations was actively discussed in medical journals, and both critical and arguments in favor of the drugs were given. Studies have also produced conflicting results. Therefore, the use of drugs should be carried out under constant medical supervision, and is contraindicated during breastfeeding and pregnancy.
Medicinal properties of the tree
There is an opinion that biological substances, of which there are 40 in the tree, are not compatible with other additives, and therefore cause a negative reaction. The tree itself is an excellent antihistamine and diuretic; preparations made from it expand the lumen in arteries, capillaries and veins, reduce blood viscosity, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots. Substances contained in ginkgo help stop the aging process, regulate carbon metabolism and increase insulin production and the body's energy capabilities, and preserve intelligence.
Eastern medicine uses Ginkgo Biloba to treat diseases of the liver, lungs, bladder, alcohol addiction, to treat burns and wounds, and to maintain healthy longevity.
Originality of Ginkgo propagation
Ginkgo reproduces in a unique way, similar to fern spore plants, where fertilization occurs through floating male cells. In other trees, male cells cannot move independently. It is because of this that ginkgo is a unique object for studying plant evolution.
The tree is propagated by seeds, root and stem cuttings. Gingko seeds have high germination capacity when ripe, which is quickly lost, since the seeds contain fatty acids in the endosperm.
One thousand seeds 200 g. Cleaning the seeds from the fleshy covering gives 75% weight loss. DachaDecor.ru recommends cleaning in salted water and sowing immediately after treatment. 10-15 g of seeds are sown per 1 linear meter at a depth of 3-5 cm. The seeds germinate in approximately 25 days. Ginko produces abundant shoots from the root. It does not tolerate transplantation well; it does not grow for 2-3 years after transplantation.
Tree propagation
Cuttings for planting are taken in late June-early July. They use short, non-lignified shoots and cut them into cuttings, leaving some of last year's wood. The cuttings are freed from leaves and placed in a solution that stimulates root formation. Then it is recommended to plant it in a film soil greenhouse with soil made from a mixture of coarse sand and high peat, perlite or other breathable, loose material. Cuttings must be sprayed regularly. By autumn, plants form roots or callus. Cuttings should be covered with spruce branches for the winter. In the spring they grow quickly, so they need to be planted in April. In the second year, all cuttings produce roots.
Ginkgo planted from cuttings develop much slower than seed ones, especially in the first 1-3 years.
Ginkgo care
The tree is wind-resistant and tolerates low temperatures. Trees are planted in well-lit places, but it is advisable to protect young plants from the hot sun and shade them with light fabric or shields.
The tree is not demanding on the composition of the soil; it only needs to be constantly moistened.
Pests of ginkgo are unknown, the only danger is mice that gnaw the bark. To prevent this, the base of the trunk is tied with burdock, roofing felt or spruce branches for the winter.
Ginkgo: cultivation and propagation (video)
Application of the plant
According to legends, in ancient China in the north, ginkgo seeds were accepted as tribute.
In areas favorable for the development of these trees, they are used as decorative groups, placed against the backdrop of evergreen conifers, for planting alleys, and are also grown singly in lawns. Females are not suitable for landscaping, as the fruits emit an unpleasant odor when ripe, and when they fall, they interfere with transport and pedestrians. Therefore, they usually use male trees or graft a male bud onto a young seedling.
Female trees are not suitable for decorative plantings, because the fruits smell quite unpleasant when ripe, and when they fall, they interfere with pedestrians and transport. Usually males are grown in these cases.
Ginkgo is grown in containers as a bonsai. For this purpose, a tree is specially grown either with numerous fruits or with aerial roots and beautiful golden leaves. For bonsai, the tree is replanted annually in the spring when green leaves appear on the buds.
In Japan, the peeled seeds are soaked in salt water, fried and eaten - the dish is considered a gourmet delicacy.
In cosmetology, ginkgo is used to produce creams for the face and hands, which prevent the formation of wrinkles, renew skin cells, relieve peeling, irritation and remove vascular venous network. Also patented are various hair care products that help treat cellulite.