Prickly Acacia (Acacia horrida)

prickly acacia

Sometimes, when you have a farm or a large garden, you need a plant that, in addition to having a certain ornamental value, can be used as a defensive hedge. If you are one of those people who do not know which one to put, this time I am going to talk to you about the prickly acacia.

As you can see in the image, its spines are very long and very sharp, so none like it to protect you. Meet her.

Origin and characteristics

Prickly acacia origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is a deciduous tree whose scientific name is acacia horrida. It is popularly known as African carambuco, African buffalo acacia, orange mimosa, African aromo, sweet thorn and thorny acacia. It is native to South Africa, found in savannahs and deserts. It reaches a height of 3 to 6 meters, with a more or less rounded cup composed of branches armed with long thorns.

The flowers are grouped in small ballerina pompom-shaped inflorescences 1-2cm in diameter. The fruit is long, dry and inside we find rounded and hard blackish seeds. It has a life expectancy of about 30 years.

Know that the African acacia is ideal for Mediterranean gardens because it tolerates salinity very well. In addition, it is perfect for maintaining privacy since as it grows it blocks views and, with its thorns, it makes it almost impossible for a person to want to approach it (unless they want to get hurt).

However, we do not recommend that do not put this plant near buildings or sewers. The reason is that it has a very strong and extensive root system; that is, its roots develop easily and are very hard, being able to "destroy" everything in its path.

What are their cares?

prickly acacia care

If you dare to have a prickly acacia, we recommend providing it with the following care:

Location

Outside, in full sun. Yes indeed, when the place where you are going to grow it has a hot climate or with too hot summers, it may be more advisable to put it in semi-shade, so that he does not suffer.

This must be taken into account when the plant is young since it may not tolerate the amount of sun as well as an adult specimen and you could find that its leaves burn and it appears more wilted.

Earth

In a pot you need a Universal culture substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts. In the garden, it tolerates dry and poor soils as long as they have good drainage.

Why does it not tolerate any soil in a pot and in the garden can you put it in clay, calcareous, poor or sandy? Well, it is due to the “freedom” that it has in this second case.

Keep in mind that in a pot, the plant cannot spread its roots as far as it wants; is limited. On the ground, however, it can do so in a way that it can nurture and expand to find what it needs.

Irrigation

As a general rule, twice a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year.

You should keep in mind that the prickly acacia does not have the problem of other plants with irrigation. That is to say, if you go too far you can tolerate it (Another thing is that you always spend).

About this type of care for this bush with thorns the key is leave the soil moist, but wait until it dries completely to be able to water it again.

Now, if you live in an area where it rains a lot, and the plant is outside, then we do not recommend watering unless it has not rained for a long time because the rain is enough for the plant. Otherwise, you will have to adapt the irrigation according to the climate and the place where the plant is.

And it is that, something that not many know, is that this plant depending on where you are, the weather, etc. change your disposition.

Subscriber

From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, you have to pay with organic fertilizers once a month following the instructions specified on the product packaging.

Multiplication

It is made by seeds in spring. Direct sowing in seedbed.

Many, before planting the seeds directly, soak them for at least 12 hours since this way you can know if they are going to be good or not (as they say, if the seed stays floating in the water it means that it is bad, but if it ends up sinking it is that it is good).

Once they are in the seedbed, and they have grown, you will have to plant them so that a healthy plant grows. To do this, the steps you must follow are the following:

  • Check which plants have germinated and which ones look good (sometimes, even if all the seeds come out, in the end not all of them end up in bushes with thorns).
  • Then you must have decided if you are going to plant it in the garden or in a pot. If it is the first case, you have to make sure that there is nothing around it that could break (pipes, cables, buildings, fences...); and if it is in the second case (in a pot), always choose one that is large and above all deep and with drainage.
  • The soil that you are going to use is above all a universal substrate, but we recommend that you mix it with perlite to help the soil to be oxygenated and avoid internal puddles of water. You can also choose a special substrate for shrubby plants.
  • During the For the first few days you should keep the substrate moist so that the plant does not suffer. At first it is more sensitive and that is why keeping it moist will achieve better results. But be careful with passing.
  • After 2-3 days start moving it to a place in full sun. Keep in mind that this plant is always best placed in direct sun.

Another form of reproduction, which is not well known but is also carried out, is through the cuttings. These are always cut in summer and the same is done as with the seeds, that is, the steps that we have mentioned before.

Pruning

It can be pruned after flowering, removing dry, diseased or weak branches.

El The objective of pruning is not only to clean up the plant, but also to prevent it from invading the garden or areas where you do not want it.

To perform it, be sure to wear gloves to avoid being hurt by the thorns of this spiky bush, and don't get too close to it. In fact, it is recommended that, when pruning, you wear clothing that covers your entire body so as not to make any cuts.

In addition, you must ensure that all the tools you use, before you start cutting, are sharp and disinfected. In this way you will not only achieve a cleaner cut, but you will not transmit diseases from other plants.

Plagues and diseases

Although prickly acacia is not a plant that is easily affected by pests and diseases, the truth is that it can be affected by them.

One of the usual and main ones has to do with a excess moisture, mainly due to too abundant watering. This would cause fungal diseases. It can also be attacked by fungi, such as mistletoes. You will notice them because they are usually placed in the crown of the bush and cause it to not grow.

As for the pests, the mealybugs, aphids and some other insects such as ants they can feast on the sap of stems, leaves, and fruit. Therefore, if they appear, they must be eliminated as soon as possible or they can kill the plant. And how are they removed? Mix water with dish soap and apply it in the form of a spray on the plant until you see that the African acacia recovers.

Rusticity

withstands cold and frosts down to -7ºC.

African Acacia Uses

African Acacia Uses

There is no doubt that the prickly acacia is one of the plants for farm closures more useful (not only does it prevent prying eyes, but if someone tries to enter they will end up with scratches). But what you may not know is that this plant also has other uses.

Among them, we can highlight the manufacture of chemical products, foods, beverages, domestic use, fodder, etc.

It is often used as grass for animals, both domestic and wild because it is not toxic.

Also, over in Africa, they use it for the therapeutic properties It has the bark and the leaves. It is soothing and astringent; and even it can cure colds or eye problems such as conjunctivitis.

What did you think of the prickly acacia?


6 comments, leave yours

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  1.   Jose Manuel Martinez said

    The horrid Acasia is an excellent impenetrable hedge to separate paddocks and make them independent, very rustic and adaptable to various climates.

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Indeed, Jose Manuel 🙂

    2.    Jose said

      Hello, where can I buy the seeds? I have looked for them but other options come up.
      Thank you

      1.    Monica Sanchez said

        Hello Jose.
        I have seen them on etsy.com, but the truth is that I have never bought there and I don't know what they are like.
        At rarepalmseeds.com they often sell exotic acacia species, in case you are interested.
        A greeting.

  2.   Andrew said

    spinoza acacia every few centimeters is planted to ensure safety in a living fence
    Thank you
    Andrea

    1.    Monica Sanchez said

      Hello Andrea.
      Being a plant that tolerates pruning quite well, you can plant it about 30-40cm between one and the other if you want to keep them small, or about 50-60cm if instead you want them to be in the shape of a tree.
      Greetings.