Pokeweed, Phytolacca - instructions for successful care

The pokeweed is a visually appealing plant with hanging or upright flower spikes. It belongs to the genus Phytolaccaceae, of which around 35 species are known. The Phytolacca is widespread all over the world. Most of the species originate in South America. Significantly fewer species come from Africa and Eurasia. In home gardens you will mainly find the American and Asian pokeweed, which, with the right care, thrive in our latitudes.

Characteristics

• botanical name of the blackcurrant: Phytolacca
• Plant family of the pokeweed family or Phytolaccaceae
• 35 known Phytolacca species
• spread worldwide
• Heights between 80 and 150 cm
• Flowering period: from June to August
• upright or pendulous white flower spikes
• bears blue to black berries from September
• prefers lime poor, very nutrient-rich soils
• sunny to partially shaded locations
• contains saponins and is slightly toxic with moderately

Phytolacca acinosa

The Asian pokeweed, also known as Indian pokeweed, comes from Southeast Asia and is a perennial herbaceous plant. It is often used as an ornamental plant in Europe and can be admired here and there in the great outdoors. As the degree of ripeness increases, the toxicity of the berries decreases. The ripe fruit is completely non-toxic and can be consumed in small quantities. However, the seeds are still poisonous, so caution is advised. In no case do not let your children eat the berries.

characteristics

• beet-like root
• Growth height of over 100 cm
• green, elongated leaves
• small, whitish flowers in racemose inflorescences
• chambered berries: purple to black
• The inflorescence and fruit stand upright

Phytolacca americana

The American pokeweed is also called American pokeweed and ten-male pokeweed. It owes its name to its North American origins. In southern Germany it has spread invasively in the wild. The American species is significantly more poisonous than its Asian relatives. Eating the berries can lead to convulsive diarrhea, vomiting, and even respiratory paralysis and ultimately death.

characteristics

• strong, furrowed stem
• Stems often purple in color
• alternately arranged leaves
• pale pink sepals
• black-purple, spherical berries
• hanging, racemose inflorescences and fruit clusters

An effective snail control agent

The American cranberry plant can be used as a control agent against unwanted snails. Both the roots and the seeds are great for preparing a natural weapon against the voracious pests.

• Boil and dry seeds and roots
• grind the dried parts of the plant thoroughly
• four tablespoons to one liter of water
• water the snails with it

The agent attacks the snails' mucous membranes and decomposes them so thoroughly that the animals perish. At the same time, the homemade organic snail control agent has a positive effect on the soil. For reasons that have not yet been clarified, it increases the pH value. This makes microorganisms feel more comfortable. As a result, the soil is loosened and mixed up, making it more nutrient-rich and therefore more attractive to many different types of plants.

General tips

The two pokeweed species known in Germany are undemanding plants that require little maintenance. But since all species are at least slightly poisonous, you should always wear gardening gloves when working with the Phytolacca and avoid direct contact with the skin. In this way you can prevent unpleasant skin irritations. For toddlers, consuming the berry fruits can make them feel nausea, vomiting, and other discomfort. The plant is therefore only partially suitable for a family garden.

Location and soil conditions

The best care is of no use if you plant pokeweed in the wrong place. It prefers a sunny to partially shaded location, so it is relatively undemanding. She just doesn't like an absolute shadowy place. The soil should be loose and as nutritious as possible. It is insensitive to the pH value. But she likes it warm. Moist sand or clay soil is the perfect choice.

plants

You can usually buy American and Asian pokeweed berries in Europe. The Asian species, however, has a lower proportion of poison and is therefore preferred by many hobby gardeners. When planting, it is best to do the following:

• choose an optimal place
• Pay attention to a distance of 80 - 100 cm to other plants
• Dig a hole
• if necessary work sand into the soil
• Pour pokeweed lightly

Under no circumstances should Keerkersbeer planted too close to other sun-hungry plants. Because it grows very quickly and could cover these plants so quickly and deny them the light they need for survival.

to water

Due to its height and the many leaves, pokeweed needs plenty of moisture. Regular watering is therefore an important part of maintenance. If the plant is in a sunny spot, it has to be watered more often. Water your Phytolacca regularly and take care not to create waterlogging. Also, avoid watering in direct sunlight. Water the soil, not the plant. A permanently moderately moist soil is optimal.

Fertilize

Regular fertilization is essential for an adequate supply of nutrients. In the bed, you should fertilize the plant every 3 to 4 weeks between April and October. You can use compost for this. Alternatively, bark humus or horn shavings are ideal. Rake the fertilizer neatly into the soil and then water the bed. When rearing in the bucket, regular addition of a liquid fertilizer is necessary. Apply this approximately every 14 days.

Cut

After the flowering period, all of the above-ground plant parts of the white currant recede. When that happens, you can cut the plant down to the ground. Alternatively, the leaves can be used as natural winter protection. However, you should always cut off the withered flower spikes. Otherwise it can lead to self-sowing and uncontrolled wild growth. However, if you cut the ears too early, the plant will not be able to develop berries. So wait until autumn.

Multiply

Propagating the different types of pokeweed is child's play. The plant usually reproduces itself from its seeds. However, if you want targeted propagation, you can divide the root. In this way, you can determine for yourself where your pokeweed plants are located. Otherwise they have to rely on chance.

• Time: spring, before the plant sprouts again
• Dig up the root ball
• divide into two or more parts
• replant in the desired places

Prevent uncontrolled growth

The pokeweed spreads rapidly in the garden. It sows itself and is also spread by birds. Even if you've never planted one of these, you may find that many of the tall plants suddenly appear in your garden and they are not that easy to control. Therefore, you should limit the spread of the plant at an early stage. You can do this by removing the inflorescences before they wither. This also removes the seeds.

Fight

To effectively fight the pokeweed plants, you need to remove the roots. The best time for this is spring. You can simply tear young roots out of the damp soil. However, the roots of older plants are so firmly anchored in the ground that they have to be dug up. This is very tedious work as many roots go deep into the earth. Avoid throwing it in the compost. There is a risk that new shoots will form and the wild growth will start all over again.

Overwinter

Asiatic pokeweed overwintering

If you decide on the Asian desiccant berries, overwintering is recommended. It withstands temperatures down to -23 ° C. If you take the appropriate measures, you can continue to enjoy the plant in the coming year. To do this, cover the root disc with a 20 to 30 cm high layer of leaves. Fir fronds ensure optimal fixation. in the spring the plant sprouts again. Container plants can also overwinter in the garage, as there is no need for light during this time.

American pokeweed overwinter

The American species is much more susceptible to frost. It is usually not worthwhile to hibernate here. Instead, you can collect some of the ripe berries in autumn and use them for growing. Simply remove the seeds from the berries. In February you can then sow the seeds in a bowl. Keep the seeds in a partially shaded location for 2-4 weeks and moisten them regularly. Then the seeds must be kept in a cool place for 4-6 weeks.

Cultivation

• Transplant into bowl in March at room temperature
• Use sandy and moist growing soil
• Cover the seeds with soil
• Cover the bowl with foil
• Always keep the soil slightly moist
• ventilate the film every two days
• prick out the young plants when they are two centimeters tall
• Plant in the garden in May

Conclusion

Pokeweed are visually appealing ornamental plants that require little maintenance. Regular watering and species-appropriate wintering are usually sufficient in addition to a carefully selected location. Due to their toxicity, however, the various types of pokeweed should be consumed with caution. If necessary, the less poisonous Asian pokeweed plant is preferable to the American species. The plant cannot be controlled easily. However, overgrowth can be prevented by removing the seeds.