ALMOND

Description

Almond oil is widely used not only in food, but also in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. It is used in the production of soap (bitter varieties of almonds), cosmetic ointments and medicines. The cake remaining after squeezing almond oil is used to make halva or as pet food.

Compound

100 g of almonds contains:

• Water - 4 g
• Proteins - 18.5 g
• Fats - 57.8 g
• Carbohydrates - 16.2 g
• Ash - 3.6 g

Vitamins:

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.25 mg

Macronutrients:

• Potassium - 750 mg
• Calcium - 264 mg
• Magnesium - 235 mg
• Sodium - 10 mg
• Phosphorus - 470 mg

Trace elements:

• Iron - 3.7 mg
• Iodine - 2 mcg
• Manganese - 1.9 mg
• Copper - 140 mcg
• Fluorine - 90 mcg
• Zinc - 2.1 mg

calories

Useful properties of almonds

Carefully!

Please tell me, .

common almond English almond
almond low(steppe, bean), three-lobed almond

Ziborova E.Yu

planting almonds

Almond care

Almonds are an unpredictable plant, some
(probably, it depends more on the soil) grows well and, which is typical, bears fruit without fertilizers and a special watering regime. Others fertilize and water, but do not get a bountiful harvest.

Watering almonds

Almond fertilizer

cutting almonds

Almond diseases

Almond pests

Collection of almonds

Gather

Almonds in the Crimea for lovers of natural beauties and goodies are good because they give joy without such problems and disappointments as its fellow peach. Almonds look great and bear fruit in limestone soils, where apricots and cherries soon wither. Even in the ruins of ancient fortress walls, clearly middle-aged, but strong almond trees often flaunt in the salty breath of the sea. Delight and eternal income of artists, sweet intoxication and saving calories for vegans and raw foodists.

There are many materials about almonds. We offer an overview of the best in lifestyle, without too much agronomy and commerce. Almonds for the soul

ALMOND

Description

Almonds - the name of plants from the genus Plums and the fruits of the same name. Almonds are mistakenly considered a nut, although they are actually stone fruits. The homeland of almonds is considered to be the territory of Central and Asia Minor, where it was cultivated in the 4th millennium BC. e. Then almond spread to other countries of the ancient world, in particular, it was grown in ancient Greece and Rome. Today, almonds are a common food crop, with the United States, China, and most of the Mediterranean countries among the largest producers.

Almonds are a valuable food product. Almond kernels are eaten fresh, fried or salted, they are also used in the manufacture of confectionery, marzipans, some types of chocolate and expensive sweets, or added to liquors, giving them a delicate taste and aroma, and salads are seasoned with oil obtained from almond kernels. , rice and vegetable dishes.

Almond oil is widely used not only in food, but also in the perfumery and pharmaceutical industries. It is used in the production of soap (bitter varieties of almonds), cosmetic ointments and medicines. The cake remaining after squeezing almond oil is used to make halva or as pet food.

Even the shells from almond seeds find their application - they make activated carbon from it and use it as a flavoring and coloring agent for cognacs and liquors.

Compound

100 g of almonds contains:

• Water - 4 g
• Proteins - 18.5 g
• Fats - 57.8 g
• Carbohydrates - 16.2 g
• Dietary fiber (fiber) - 2.5 g
• Ash - 3.6 g

Vitamins:

• Vitamin A (beta-carotene) - 0.02 mg
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.25 mg
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 1.0 mg
• Niacin (vitamin B3 or vitamin PP) - 3.4 mg
• Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) - 0.47 mg
• Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.14 mg
• Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) 50mcg
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - 1.5 mg
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) - 26.2 mg

Macronutrients:

• Potassium - 750 mg
• Calcium - 264 mg
• Magnesium - 235 mg
• Sodium - 10 mg
• Phosphorus - 470 mg

Trace elements:

• Iron - 3.7 mg
• Iodine - 2 mcg
• Manganese - 1.9 mg
• Copper - 140 mcg
• Fluorine - 90 mcg
• Zinc - 2.1 mg

calories

100 g of almonds contain on average about 645 kcal.

Useful properties of almonds

Avicenna also wrote about the many beneficial properties of almonds, in particular, he noted its benefits for the liver, spleen and kidneys. In addition, the use of almonds improves vision, it is recommended for anemia, diabetes, asthma, pleurisy, ulcers and gastritis with high acidity, insomnia, headaches, convulsions, various injuries and bruising.

It has been noticed that regular intake of almond nuts has a calming effect on a person, stimulates the brain and

Almond oil helps to cleanse the kidneys and bladder, lowers the level of "bad" cholesterol and increases appetite. It is also recommended for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, breast cancer, pneumonia and throat diseases, flatulence and sprains.

In folk medicine, almonds are used for insomnia, anemia, and as a cough remedy. Almond oil is used to treat ulcers, herpes, and lichen. It helps with freckles and sun spots, and in combination with wine is used to wash your hair to get rid of dandruff.

Carefully!

Almonds are contraindicated in case of individual intolerance. It is also necessary to be careful for overweight people, as it is a high-calorie product.

Unripe almonds contain some cyanide, so there is a risk of poisoning if consumed in large quantities. Some varieties of almonds (bitter) contain hydrocyanic acid, which is an extremely toxic substance. Therefore, their use is possible in fried form and only in small quantities.

Please tell me, how to germinate almonds from seeds and how to care for young plants .

Almonds (Amygdalus) - deciduous shrubs or small trees, characterized by abundant and very spectacular flowering: single large (pink or white) flowers bloom in spring and delight for about two weeks. The fruit of the almond is a drupe with a dry, pubescent pericarp and an easily separated stone (“almond nut”).
Almonds are photophilous, undemanding to soils (but they cannot stand acidic and highly moistened soils), salt- and drought-resistant; grow well in liming soil. However, they develop better on loose, rich humus soils with sufficient moisture.
Varieties are cultivated in cultural plantings of warm regions common almond, whose nut kernels are a valuable food product. English almond originally from Eastern Siberia and Mongolia, very cold-resistant; small-fruited, but high-yielding.
Decorative types of almonds deserve special attention: almond low(steppe, bean), three-lobed almond and especially its terry form (it has thick pink miniature "roses" that give the flowering bush a fabulous look). Almonds are winter-hardy, give an annual increase in height, their shoots are completely woody. Sometimes in a harsh winter, almond shoots can freeze a little, but are easily restored. Ornamental almonds are valued for their early, exceptionally spectacular flowering (flowers completely cover the bush) that adorns the garden.
Almonds are classified as plants in which aging stems die off completely, being gradually replaced by rhizomatous offspring that appear in the third year of the plant's life; they bloom in the 3-5th year. Gradually, the bottom and middle of the crown are exposed. At about the 7th year of life, the offspring begins to die off the entire stem - therefore, aging plants, in the presence of good shoots, are completely removed.

During vegetative propagation, almonds are bred with green and root cuttings, offspring and layering, and grafting. Almonds are also propagated by seeds, sowing freshly harvested in open ground in the fall; in the spring they are sown after a mandatory three to four months of stratification.
For spring planting, almond seeds are stratified in moist coarse sand at a temperature of 1-5 degrees (not higher than 10 degrees); usually the volume of sand is taken three times more than the volume of nuts. To provide nuts with access to oxygen during stratification, it is recommended to mix them once a decade (pour out of the container, mix and loosely pour back into the container); wet the drying sand. During autumn sowing, the depth of embedding of almond seeds is 7-8 cm, during spring sowing - 5-6 cm; seeding rate - 60-80 pcs. Almond seedlings grow quickly. During the growing season, the soil is loosened 4-5 times and weeds are regularly weeded out and watered as needed.

Ziborova E.Yu ., source http://www.gardenia.ru/quests/quest_661.htm

Almonds: planting, growing, care. Our experience

When there is still snow on the banks of the Neva and the Moskva River, almonds bloom in the Crimea. And inhaling its aroma, once again it seems that we live almost in paradise. Almonds are good not only for their delicious spring aroma, but also for tasty, healthy nut fruits with medicinal properties. However, if you want to plant this beautiful plant in your home, keep in mind that almonds are quite thermophilic. If there are varieties for your climate, great!

We planted our "almonds" when we were planning our first pregnancy, stocking up ahead of time with our "drugs" for the period of pregnancy and lactation. Almonds increase the level of lactation (in other words, the amount of breast milk) in a nursing mother.
Almond nuts are dried and eaten, added as a spice to various dishes. In addition to fruits, almonds are valued for their aesthetic appearance and very pleasant aroma during flowering.

planting almonds

There are two main methods of planting: either a stone or a seedling is planted in the ground. I will say right away that the second method is much simpler - I had a chance to watch the neighbors who really wanted to grow almonds from seeds.

If you still want to grow an almond tree from seed, plant them in the spring. Because if you lay the seeds in the ground in the fall, as, by the way, our neighbors did, they run the risk of not surviving until spring - the field rodents will thank you very much and will eat the sown bones with pleasure.

As for planting seedlings, it also has a number of its own characteristics. If you want almonds to bear fruit, you need to plant at least 2, and preferably 3 plants. Pollination features are shown.

We didn’t have any special problems with planting - the seedlings were sold with a clod of earth near the roots (they seem to be almost all sold this way). We were advised to plant seedlings in the sunniest place, protected from the wind. Somewhere we did just that, dug small holes (25-30 cm deep) at a distance of about 3 m from each other, where the seedlings were lowered along with a clod of earth.

They tied it to a cane support (we sell such long sticks in supermarkets to support plants) and watered it every time the soil dried up.

Now, having talked with many almond lovers, I know that traditionally the bottom of the planting hole is covered with crushed stone and sand, and lime is added to the soil. But when we planted almonds (and it was almost 9 years ago), I didn’t know about it, respectively, and planted without any special tricks directly into the ground, since it’s already excessively sandy with us.

Almond care

Almonds are an unpredictable plant, in some (probably, this is more dependent on the soil) it grows well and, which is typical, bears fruit without fertilizers and a special watering regime. Others fertilize and water, but do not get a bountiful harvest.

Watering almonds

With the watering regime, everything is relatively simple, when the soil under the plant has dried up, you need to pour a bucket of water under it. And it is important not to overdo it - it can harm the root system of the plant. If the almonds are not watered enough, the flowering period will be reduced, and as a result, the volume of the crop obtained will be reduced.

Almond fertilizer

In spring, almonds are fertilized with manure, and in autumn with superphosphates and potassium sulfide.

cutting almonds

Almonds should be pruned regularly, removing dry and diseased branches. Decorative pruning also does not harm the plant. It is usually carried out after flowering, cutting off annual shoots in order to form a tree crown.

Almond diseases

One of the most common almond diseases is gray rot. There are no specialized means of protection against this disease. (If suddenly someone knows, I will be grateful if you share in the comments.) Pruning infected branches helps a lot. But it is important to prune on time (before the appearance of spore-bearing pads). We saved one plant in this way, but two more did not have time.

There are other diseases dangerous for almonds, for example, moniliosis. To save the plant from it, it is necessary to spray with Bordeaux water.

Almond pests

For our plant, the neighboring goats became the main pests. Fortunately, all the leaves were not eaten.
But in general, most often almonds suffer from aphids, leafworms and plum codling moth. Luckily, we didn't have to deal with the last two. And the aphids, it was the case, got there - they washed the leaves with laundry soap (solution, of course), we did the same with rose leaves, and the voracious insects retreated.

Collection of almonds

Almond blossoms in April, filling the area with the maddening scent of their flowers.

Then fruits are formed from these marvelous flowers, which, depending on the variety of almonds, ripen in June-July.

they are usually when the outer shell of the fetus cracks. Then the nuts are separated from the inedible outer shell (we are not talking about the nut shell, but about the outer green skin) and dried for several days.

Choice of almond variety

The choice of one or another variety of almonds largely depends on the climatic zone (and, accordingly, the method of planting it). For the southern regions, where almonds are planted directly into the soil, large-sized almond varieties are well suited. Residents of the northern regions who grow almonds in tubs prefer dwarf varieties. It is understandable - growing a three-meter plant in a tub is a dubious pleasure. For growing in a tub, a species such as steppe almonds is not bad. This is a low shrub with very beautiful flowers, but you should not count on fruits: steppe almonds are poisonous!

Such varieties of almonds as Foros, Yalta and others are grown in the soil. Most of the varieties are zoned for the appropriate type of climate. So, before choosing one or another variety, based on the size and taste of the fruit, the height and density of the crown, and other important factors, ask how it will live in your latitudes. Even in our relatively warm regions (Simferopol), only specially zoned varieties take root well, the seedlings of which are sold in nurseries.
You can paint for a long time the indescribable aroma of almond flowers and the pleasant taste of almond nuts. But all this will not give the necessary idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe true beauty and usefulness of the plant. Many who once inhaled the fabulous spring aroma remember it all their lives. If the climate allows you to plant this wonderful plant - plant it without hesitation, you will not regret it.

More details on the website 7dach.ru

Few people think about where the product used in food grows. If everything is more or less clear with ordinary vegetables and fruits, then what about exotic crops?

This also applies to almonds. Few people are interested in where it grows and where the nut comes from, and whether it is possible to grow almonds at home. You will learn about this in the article below. Read a detailed article about.

Tree or shrub?

In nature, almonds can grow both as a bush and as a tree. The almond shrub is usually dotted with large white-pink flowers and reaches a height of 4 to 6 meters. Trees are more common in the wild and can reach 6-10 meters in height and look very beautiful. Below you can see a photo of a flowering tree and shrub. Read the article about, it details all the elements of the nut.

growing

Where

Almonds grow mainly in warm regions. The largest plantings of the plant are in China, the USA and Tajikistan. For industry, it is grown in Slovakia, the Crimea, the Czech Republic, the Caucasus and Australia.

In Russia

In the Russian Federation, almonds are grown not only as an ornamental plant, but also as a fruit-bearing plant. It mainly grows on the Black Sea coast, mainly in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories.

In central Russia, a decorative subspecies of almonds is cultivated - steppe bean. Almonds are unlikely to bear fruit, even despite the warm climate, because in the southern regions the culture will be cold. The advantage is that although ornamental shrubs love warmth, they still tolerate frost well. High-quality and bitter almonds are more often planted in the Crimea.

The harvest of almonds in the Krasnodar Territory can only be in the region where there are no sudden changes in temperature. Because of this, the culture may prematurely fall flowers and ovaries.

In the suburbs, it is possible to grow almonds. When planting in open ground - a decorative view, in closed ground - fruiting. Even if you grow a fruiting subspecies on the site, there will still be no nuts on it.

In nature

Every year the demand for almonds increases around the world, so its cultivation is a priority in countries with a suitable climate, as it is quite a profitable production.

In this branch of agriculture, the United States (in particular the state of California) is leading. Of all the almonds produced in the world, more than 80% grow in this state. The remaining 20% ​​falls on the countries:

• Australia;
• Argentina;
• Afghanistan;
• Greece;
• Iraq;
• Iran;
• Spain;
• Italy;
• France;
• Chile.

In all these countries, sunny and warm weather prevails for most of the year.

How

Climate

Video

A video of bees collecting nectar can be seen below:

Fruit

If the growing conditions of the plant were met, then it begins to bear fruit in 3-4 years. And after 6 years, you can already harvest a rich harvest. The peak of fruiting occurs at 20-30 years of age. After 65 years, the tree begins to produce significantly fewer nuts. The benefits of the nut are written in this.

After the beginning of full fruiting at 8-9 years old (grafted plants) or 10-12 years old (seedlings from stones), the plant produces nuts for 50-65 years, after which the yield gradually decreases.

Where do they come from

The process of ripening almond nuts:

1. The flowering of the plant begins in early spring.
2. If the buds opened normally and were sufficiently pollinated, then the process of fruit set occurs.
3. Leaves appear after flowering.
4. The fruits grow within 40-50 days after the ovary.
5. The basis of the fruit (generative buds) is laid in early July on annual shoots.
6. While the fetus is pouring, the kidneys slow down development.
7. The buds actively develop after the nuts are ripe.
8. By early October, generative buds are covered with dense scales.
9. Almond nuts are fully ripe by the time they fall from the tree foliage.

To sum up our description: almonds come in both bush and tree forms. In the southern regions, a fruitful species is more often grown, and in the middle lane - an ornamental one, which is a beautifully flowering shrub. The plant is frost-resistant and unpretentious in care.

Healthy Recipes

1. Botanical description
2. Where does it grow
3. Varieties
4. Application
5. Landing
6. reproduction
7. Pests and diseases

The well-known almond is not a nut, but the fruit stone of a plant belonging to the plum genus. It is the closest relative of the apricot, peach and other members of the Rose family.

Botanical description

Almond is a low densely branched tree or shrub with a rounded or pyramidal crown.. In height, most species reach 3–6 m. The trunks are thin, not wider than 10–15 cm, covered with dark brown or brown, slightly wrinkled bark. The root system is powerful, it penetrates the soil to a depth of 4–5 m. Young shoots are long, reddish. Skeletal branches are shorter.

Leaves are simple petiolate, lanceolate, finely serrated, with pointed tips.. The length of the plates is 7–10 cm, the upper part is dark green, smooth, with feathery veins, the lower part is slightly lighter.

The flowers are bisexual, solitary, sessile, 1–3 cm in diameter, white, cream, pink or light red in hues, with a pronounced bitter aroma. Calyces are goblet-shaped, five-petalled, with many stamens and one pistil. In ornamental varieties, the buds are terry. Almond blossoms profusely and relatively early: from the beginning of April, when there are no leaves on the branches yet.

The fruits are bivalve drupes 2.5–4 cm in size, shaped like peaches.. The skin of the pericarp is light green, fleecy, dense. As it matures, it dries and cracks, the valves open slightly, releasing an oblong brown bone. Depending on the species, almond shells are hard or soft. The thicker it is, the larger the fruit kernels contained inside. Peeled almonds are covered with a yellowish or brown film, the flesh is light, oily, in cultivated varieties it is nutritious, with a delicate taste and aroma.

Greens, flowers and fruits of almonds contain a powerful substance amygdalin - a component of hydrocyanic acid. In wild species, its concentration is higher.

Despite the plant's resistance to cold down to -25 ° C, it is thermophilic. Flowers that have managed to open up quickly die in the spring from unexpected frosts, which is why the fruiting of trees in the current and next years is sharply reduced.

The plant bears fruit from 5-6 years of age. The total lifespan of an almond tree is 80–100 years.

Where does it grow

Almonds are common in regions with a warm subtropical climate. Grows in Western and Central Asia:

• Uzbekistan
• Tajikistan,
• Afghanistan
• iran,
• Tunisia
• Syria
• Pakistan.

The tree is comfortable in Transcaucasia, on the Mediterranean coast:

• Spain,
• Italy,
• Greece,
• Portugal.

Favorable climate for almonds in the southern territories of North America: California, Florida, Australia. Very picky about the level of illumination, heat-resistant, grows in areas from 800 to 1500 m above sea level. Prefers soils with a high content of calcium, loose, with good drainage. It does not tolerate saline, acidic and heavy clay soils.

Varieties

Among the fruit and ornamental varieties of plants, several are popular.

Ordinary

In addition to the wild variety - bitter almonds, there is a cultivated one with sweet fruits suitable for eating. Densely branched shrubs or small trees 4–5 m high with dark green, glossy, lanceolate leaves. The flowers are white or light pink in April. The fruits are about 3 cm in size, ripen at the end of July. The nuclei are large, elongated, bright brown. The yield of sweet almond varieties reaches 10–12 kg per tree. Fruiting for about 25 years. The largest number of fruits is in trees of 12–15 years of age.

Low (bean)

Low-growing shrub 1-2 m high with a dense spherical or trapezoidal crown. The leaves are lanceolate, bright green, fleshy. Flowers 1–2 cm in diameter, dark pink or red. Fruit-bearing species, kernels 1–1.5 cm in size, oily, bitter. Bobovnik well tolerates prolonged drought, thermophilic and sensitive to lack of sunlight. On the basis of the species, decorative varieties with abundant flowering and large fruits were selected: Pink Flamingo, White Sail, Anyuta, Pink Fog.

Georgian

The natural range of the species is Transcaucasia. Georgian almond resembles a bean but with less dense shoots. The crowns are pyramidal, openwork. The flowers are light pink, rare, bloom in April. The leaves are wide, with sharp tops, up to 8 cm long. Fruits annually. More frost-resistant than other species. Unpretentious to the composition of the soil, can grow on stony scarce soils in conditions of prolonged drought.

Almond Ledebourg

Altai view. Wide low shrub with abundant flowering. The length of the shoots is 1.5–2 m. The petals are bright pink or cream bloom in mid-spring before foliage appears. Fruits are 2.5 cm in size with a light green fleecy skin. The kernels are bright brown, oblong.

three-bladed

Central Asian heat-loving species. Lush shrub 1.5-3 m high with dense dense crowns. It blooms profusely, the buds are fragrant, light pink or crimson in color, 3–3.5 cm in diameter. There are varieties with simple and double petals. The leaves are dark green, lobed, slightly hairy on the underside, velvety to the touch. Popular hybrid varieties of the species: Chinese, Ruslana, Tanyusha, Svetlana, Kiev.

Application

Almond trees are early honey plants: sources of nectar and pollen. Decorative species with abundant flowering are planted in gardens.

The fruits of wild almonds are not eaten because of the high content of toxic glycoside. They are used as raw materials for the production of fatty oils and natural flavors.

Cultivated almond is a valuable fruit plant. Its grains contain vegetable protein, fats, almost the entire spectrum of B vitamins, tocopherol, organic acids, calcium, iron, and potassium. They are eaten separately, used in cooking, the confectionery industry for the manufacture of nut paste, creams, almond flour, sauces and essences.

Essential oil is used to flavor food and cosmetic products. Fatty oil is used in pharmaceuticals as a basis for the preparation of ointments and creams.

Landing

It is recommended to plant almonds in the spring, in thoroughly warmed soil. The site should be protected from cold north and northwest winds, well lit by the sun. Do not place the plant in the shade of buildings, tall trees and fences. If you plan to get fruits, you need to plant several copies - almonds are cross-pollinated and only by insects, so there should be apiaries nearby.

Optimum soil acidity for almonds: 4.5–7 pH. At a higher level, it is desirable to add lime or dolomite flour.

The depth of the holes for seedlings depends on the species. Dwarf varieties need pits of 30 cm. Tall - about 50 cm. The distance between them should be at least 3 m. A 10-centimeter layer of drainage from brick chips or small stones is laid out at the bottom. A little nutrient mixture of rotted manure and mineral fertilizer with a mandatory phosphorus content is poured on top. The seedlings are placed in the holes so that the root collars protrude 1–2 cm above the surface. The roots are carefully covered with soil, tightly tamping. Next to the plants, it is desirable to place support pegs 50–60 cm high. The trunks are tied to them with a thin twine.

Immediately after planting, almonds are watered: 10-15 liters of water per copy. Trunk circles are recommended to be mulched with a thick layer of peat: about 5–7 cm.

Care

Frequency of watering young plants: once a week, 10 liters of water per plant. The earth around the almond trunks must be loosened to a depth of 5-7 cm, if mulch is not used. Starting from the age of 3, it is necessary to moisten the bushes less often: only during dry periods, when the soil dries to a depth of 2 cm. It is impossible to swamp the root system.

In the first days of the growing season, almonds can be fed with nitrogen, during the summer it is useful to pour 1-2 times with a liquid solution of mullein or bird droppings. At the beginning of summer, it is recommended to add 20 g of ammonium nitrate and 10 g of urea under each bush, dissolving them in a bucket of water. In October: 20 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate.

Sanitary pruning of the crown is done in early spring, before the start of active sap flow.. Shaping haircut - in the middle of summer, leaving the strongest shoots. It is advisable to outline the contours and length by which the shoots are to be shortened in advance.

Young trees must be protected from frost by covering the root neck with a thick layer of leaves or peat. The crown must be wrapped in lutrasil. Mature plants do not need shelter.

reproduction

By seed, almonds are propagated only for growing rootstocks - trunks, on which varietal plants will subsequently be grafted. They are sown to a depth of 8-10 cm, the sprouts are watered and fed until they reach a height of 50 cm. Lateral shoots are regularly removed.

The graft must be developed, have healthy growth buds. It is grafted in the summer, placed under the bark, in a T-shaped incision on the rootstock, at a height of about 10 cm above the root collar. Fix with plaster or tape. In autumn, the grafting site is spudded with soil.

Another method of propagation is by apical cuttings.. The material should be semi-lignified, 15–20 cm long. For rooting, it is placed in a mixture of peat and sand for a month, kept at a temperature of + 18–20 ° C.

Adult overgrown bushes are bred by root offspring or layering. In the first case, the shoots with part of the roots are dug up and planted in a new place at the end of summer. Take away and root lateral shoots. At the junction with the soil, several notches are made on their bark. Layers develop their own roots within a few months.

Pests and diseases

Almonds can be affected by fungal infections: molariasis, scab, gray rot, clasterosporiasis, rust. For treatment, fungicidal preparations are used: Topaz or Fundazol. Before spraying, diseased branches are pruned.

The almond is a deciduous tree or shrub belonging to the Plum genus and the Rose family. The shape of a plant depends on its habitat.

Cultivated seedlings usually grow as shrubs, not exceeding a height of 6 m, in the wild, almonds are more common in the form of trees reaching 10 meters.

The root system of the plant is quite powerful, individual roots are able to penetrate deep into the soil in order to receive the necessary moisture, which protects against drying out.

Walnut or stone fruit?

The first fruits appear 4-5 years after planting, in general, a tree can bear fruit for up to 50 years.

Many ordinary people believe that almonds are nuts, but this is fundamentally wrong.

Ripe almonds resemble a dried plum, only the pericarp is not edible, the contents of the stone are eaten, that is, the edible fruit is a drupe.

Where does almond grow

Since the plant is thermophilic, it is grown only in regions with a warm and hot climate.

Where does it grow in the world

In the world, a tree or bush can be found in Asia, Iran, Israel, China, Afghanistan, the Himalayas, Turkey and Indonesia. In these countries, almonds are grown commercially for export.

The plant has also become widespread on the Mediterranean coast: Italy, Greece, France, Spain. In smaller quantities, the tree grows in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Where it grows in Russia

In Russia, there are large plantations in the Crimea, in the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, and in Transcaucasia.

Despite the fact that the tree does not belong to the category of exotic, in central Russia the plant is grown more as an ornamental than a fruit-bearing one.

Under what conditions

The tree grows well and gives abundant yields on calcium-enriched soils, in the wild it is found on hills, rocky slopes, in ravines.

Almonds grow either in organized plantations or in small plantings. Some varieties of the plant are pollinated only by the wind, and for the appearance of the ovary, two or more pollinating seedlings must grow next to it.

There are varieties pollinated by bees, then beekeeping apiaries are needed nearby. In any case, a plant planted in a single copy will not bear fruit.

How almond blossoms

The plant in the process of flowering looks very elegant and exudes a stunning, slightly sweet aroma.

Depending on the region of growth, the timing of flowering varies.

In the south of Russia, in Asia and in the Crimea in February-March, in warmer countries - at the end of January.

The flowers are similar to cherry or plum, the color of the inflorescences depends on the variety of the plant and can vary from white to bright pink. An interesting fact is that the flowers bloom long before the first leaves hatch from the buds.

In recent decades, breeders have bred several frost-resistant varieties, they practically do not produce fruits, because flowers and inflorescences die due to late spring frosts.

What is the product used for?

Almonds come in three varieties:

Sweet

Used directly for human consumption, in the confectionery industry and in folk medicine for the preparation of medicines.

Fragile

(it got its name for a very fragile bone, which is very easy to split) is also used for the preparation of confectionery.

bitter almond

Bitter almonds are most often used in the manufacture of perfumes. It is not safe to eat this type of drupe because it contains hydrocyanic acid derivatives. Only 50 nucleoli can lead to the death of an adult, healthy person.

Almond nuts are used as a raw material in the production of mineral water, almond oil and milk, creams and shampoos, and some cosmetic products.

From the crushed shells, high-quality natural exfoliating scrubs and peeling products are obtained, which are widely used in cosmetology.

In the pharmaceutical industry, shells are used in the production of activated carbon and other absorbents.

What is useful almonds

Many people appreciate the nut not only for its exquisite taste and unique aroma, they also prefer it because it is able to have a beneficial effect on the entire human body.

Due to the unique composition, the fruit is used:

1. as a natural and safe remedy against various oncological diseases;
2. for quick recovery after protracted illnesses and surgical interventions;
3. as a product that slows down the aging process and improves the condition of hair, nails and skin;
4. as a means to help speed up metabolic processes and get rid of excess weight;
5. to normalize bowel function;
6. with chronic fatigue, depression, insomnia;
7. with cardiovascular and pulmonary pathologies;
8. For women, almonds are a fertility booster.

Try this wonderful nuts, you can buy them here.

The most useful nut about which you will soon learn a lot of interesting things from my future articles.

Almonds, the benefits and harms of which will be the topic of our conversation. Many people love almonds, the benefits of which are the presence of a large amount of nutrients in nuts, which are very necessary for the mental and intellectual development of a person. The damage is minimal, but more on that below. Almonds are the most valuable and very useful plant from the nut group. The fruit of the almond is commonly referred to as a nut, but it is actually the pits of the inedible almond fruit. The almond plant has an interesting duality: according to biological characteristics, systematic position, it is a stone fruit plant, but according to the commercial characteristics of the fruit, consumption, it is a nut-bearing plant.

Biological characteristics of almonds

The almond genus unites about forty species, but one species has become widespread as a horticultural crop - the common one (Amygdalus communis L), belonging to the multi-colored family.

In our country, the culture of almonds has recently developed, it is industrially distributed in the Crimea, Central Asia. Although it was brought to the Crimea in the VI century. The initial position of the distribution of almonds is Asia Minor.

The ancient Phoenicians saw the image of the goddess-beauty Amygdala in a blooming pale pink tree, from her name came the generic name of this culture - amygdalus. Tajiks call it "bod", Uzbeks call it "badam".

As a garden crop, almonds are now common in many countries and continents: in Australia, the USA (California), Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco), Yugoslavia and others.

Depending on the soil, the common almond in natural conditions has a height of 2 to 6 meters, that is, it can be in the form of a bush or a tree. The crown is wide, oval, spreading, broom-like, rarely cylindrical. Branches without thorns, straight or deviated, with numerous small branches.

Winter flower buds oblong-ovate, slightly pointed at the apex, rounded at the base. Vegetative buds are wide-conical, up to 5 mm long.

The leaves are dark greenish, sometimes with a bluish tint, soft (leather in very dry areas). Flowers up to 4 cm in diameter, monoecious. Five white petals with a pink tinge, carmine base, up to 36 stamens.

Fruit - consists of an outer pericarp, endocarp (bone) - a nut, a seed (kernel). The fruit is slightly pubescent (sometimes naked), thick, green, ripening, cracking along the ventral suture. The stone (nut) is smooth, perforated, brownish-brown (rarely white, straw-colored, fawn), varies in shape: compressed or swollen (two-seeded).

The kernel is protected by a brown thin durable shell - a nut shell, inside is white, ovate-lanceolate or oval, tastes sweet or bitter with a pleasant almond smell.

Almond buds are laid in July on annual shoots. This is clearly visible: small green tubercles are visible in the axils of the leaves, which by the end of the month become larger buds, from which flowers and vegetative buds will develop.

When harvesting almond nuts, it is advisable not to damage the developing buds, as there is a very active internal development of the flower buds at this time. The earth is moistened (do not flood!), After which they are loosened, fertilizers are applied.

In spring, pink tips of future flowers appear before flowering. The flowers consist of five light pink petals, the bases of which are painted in a bright carmine color. up to 30 stamens are placed inside the petals. the pistil, consisting of an ovary at the base, ends with a stigma.

Since almonds are strictly cross-pollinated, insects are required. Nature created this plant so that the pollen of the tree's own flower could not successfully pollinate the pistils of its own flowers, that is, the plant itself is sterile. This eliminates the deterioration of offspring, which happens during self-pollination.

Almonds form an amazingly large number of flowers, but out of tens of thousands of them, no more than 5-8% of fruits are formed on an adult plant.

Flowers are the main reserve of the seed crop. In winter, when the temperature drops to minus 22 degrees, only part of the flower buds die. Even at minus 24 degrees, up to 20% of flower buds remain viable.

With normal pollination, young almond fruitlets increase rapidly, and at the same time, active growth of new shoots begins. After 2.5 months from the beginning of fruit growth, the amount of fatty oil in the seeds is up to 50% of its total amount.

Almonds - benefit and harm

The delicious almond has long been revered as the epitome of wellness and health. Its nucleolus is a highly nutritious dietary, medicinal product. The core contains - 70% fatty oil, up to 15% carbohydrates, up to 35% protein. It is rich in proteins, perhaps this is the most protein-rich plant, not only among the nut-bearing ones. One hundred grams of almonds contain 85 mg of sodium, 228 mg of sulfur, 451 mg of phosphorus, 4 mg of iron, 75 micrograms of vitamin A, 75 micrograms of vitamin B 1, 600 of vitamin B 2.

The benefits of almonds, the harmonious composition of the nut kernel give it an excellent dietary and medicinal value. In terms of nutritional value, almonds are ahead of meat, milk, fish, all fruits, vegetables of temperate, subtropical zones.

It is a source of many nutrients for the mental and intellectual development of a person. It has long been considered one of the most important foods for growing children. Almonds contain two vital, brain-healthy substances - riboflavin, L-carnitine, which increase brain activity, and as a result, the risk of Alzheimer's disease is reduced. Studies have shown that almonds, as well as almond oil, are an important component for overall health, the functioning of the human nervous system.

It is a fantastic source of many vitamins, minerals, and phosphorus is definitely one of them. Phosphorus affects the strength, durability of bones, teeth, and also prevents the occurrence of age-related diseases such as osteoporosis. Almonds are high in vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant.

Its significance for the health and beauty of the skin is well known. Massage with almond oil is often recommended for newborns. Almond milk is added to cosmetic soaps because of its well-established reputation for improving skin condition.

Many people think that the word "fat" means something negative, but in fact, certain fatty acids are essential. They can be very beneficial for our health. The body cannot make its own fatty acids, which is why we must get them from food sources. The benefit of almonds is that they contain two very important fatty acids such as linoleic and linolenic acids. These fatty acids help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Fatty acids also help lower "bad" cholesterol levels. They support healthy skin and hair. The presence of potassium and sodium in almonds help regulate and control fluctuations in blood pressure. Regular consumption of almonds protects the body from the dangerous spikes in blood sugar that diabetics suffer from.

It contains folic acid, which helps reduce the risk of birth defects in newborn babies. It also stimulates the growth of healthy cells and tissue formation. Doctors regularly prescribe folic acid supplements to pregnant women to ensure proper development of the fetus.

Unsweetened almond milk can be used if you are trying to lose weight. Monounsaturated fats, which contain almond kernels, reduce appetite and prevent overeating. Dietary fiber also contributes to the feeling of satiety, despite the fact that you eat a little nuts. Studies have shown that a low-calorie diet that includes almonds is beneficial for obese people who are obese, helping them lose weight. Finally, the dietary fiber contained in the kernels promotes consistent bowel movements, which also helps to lose excess weight. Overall health improves as dietary fiber helps to flush out toxins from the body.

A therapeutic emulsion is prepared from the kernel - almond milk. According to Oriental medicine, the beneficial properties of almonds are enhanced by figs, superior to ginseng. With sugar, it is very useful for asthma, pleurisy, hemoptysis, intestinal ulcers, bladder, increases male abilities, improves eyesight.

This is an excellent honey plant and valuable wood. The almond is considered one of the earliest domesticated nut fruits. Throughout history, it has retained religious, ethnic, social significance. Almonds are mentioned ten times in the Bible, where they are described as "the best among the best fruits."

But even the most useful product can be harmful. Almonds, its nuts are a strong allergen, so it should be used very carefully by allergy sufferers, since an excessive amount can cause not only a severe allergic reaction, but even cause poisoning.

Do not eat unripe almonds - they have a high content of hydrocyanic acid, and this can also cause poisoning.

Well, a high calorie content contributes to weight gain - this, of course, is harmful to overweight people.
It comes in two varieties, sweet and bitter. Sweet is used in many Asian dishes. A popular use of crushed sweet almond kernel is marzipan candy base.

Bitter is also used in cooking, but must first be processed while still raw to remove the bitterness. Bitter almonds contain toxic amounts of hydrocyanic acid, which can be extracted from the kernels and processed into the poison cyanide. Eating a handful of unprocessed raw almonds can kill a person.

In addition to the world-famous macaroons, cakes, salted or candied kernels, I recommend two recipes.

Almond cocktail: Pound 20 g of almonds with a porcelain mortar or mince, add 200 ml of milk and 20 g of any fruit syrup, mix with a mixer, the cocktail is ready. Fruit syrup can be replaced with 15-20 g of jam - strawberry, raspberry, fig, unabi.

An almond cocktail will be of particular benefit when, instead of syrup, jam from figs, raspberries, strawberries, unabi and slightly warmed milk are used. This cocktail can be a healing drink for colds.

Almond cake. Crushed cookies, almond kernels, mix well, pour condensed milk, put in a mold, refrigerate for 35-40 minutes. Then sprinkle sugar and cocoa on top. The almond kernel for such a cake should not be crushed as much as for a cocktail.

And another video recipe for flourless almond cake:

Growing almonds

Features of growing almonds: it grows even on stony, slate, light clay, light sandy soils, but prefers deep fertile permeable soils. Almonds are undemanding to soils. But it does not tolerate heavy clays, high standing groundwater, saline areas. On personal plots, it is easy to increase soil fertility by applying organic fertilizers for deep digging.

This is a photophilous plant, with a lack of illumination, productivity decreases. It should not be planted in the shade of tall trees, buildings.

Under natural growing conditions, almonds are propagated by seeds. To preserve the variety, vegetative propagation is used - budding. The rootstock is obtained from the seeds of the bitter seed variety of almonds. Seeds are sown before winter to a depth of 8-10 cm. Already in July, with proper care, seedlings at the root collar reach 1 cm in diameter and are suitable for budding.

Two days before budding, the soil is well watered - after abundant watering, the bark exfoliates better. At the base, the stock bole is wiped from top to bottom with a piece of damp cloth, after which budding is performed. For budding, well-developed straight shoots are selected, on which eyes are clearly formed.

In areas where it can be up to minus 25 degrees in winter, the strapping is not removed in winter, moreover, it is better to sprinkle the place of budding with earth, and in the spring remove the strapping, cut off just above the grafting site (cut by eye). Coppice shoots of the rootstock are systematically removed.

On poor soils with weak growth of seedlings, fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is applied, but rotted manure is better at the rate of 4-5 kg ​​per 1 sq. meter. In home garden conditions, it is desirable to plant at least 2-3 plants for cross-pollination.

In the first year of planting, plants especially need careful care: watering, loosening the soil. Watch the plant - it will tell you what it needs.

If the soil in your area is already very heavy, you can use seedlings of peach, cherry plum, plum as a rootstock. In 3-4 years you will already get a crop.

Pruning is carried out forming and rarefying. I am a supporter of undersized trees. Dwarfism has a lot of advantages: ease of care, a large number of plants in the same area, the absence of mutual shading, much higher yield per area, the possibility of sheltering plants for the winter.

Almonds increase their yield until the age of eighteen, and after twenty-five years, the yield decreases. Watering during the growing season contributes to a sharp increase in yield. To avoid frequent watering, the soil surface can be mulched with grass, old sawdust, any mulching material.

Ripening of almond fruits is determined visually by cracking of the pericarp along the ventral suture. The removed fruits are cleaned of the pericarp, which is used as feed for small livestock. Then the nuts are dried.

Despite the peculiarities of growing this crop, it is second only to walnuts and hazelnuts in terms of production. Whoever loves almonds is not afraid of impending old age. Fans of this nut at any age feel cheerful, easy, boldly looking into the future!