Ombu (Phytolacca dioica)

If there is a huge plant that gives a nice shade, that is the ombu. Due to its characteristics, it can only be grown in large gardens, as far away from pipes and buildings as possible, but if you have the opportunity to at least see it, you will surely enjoy it.

And this is one of those that you want to see over and over again. For this reason, we couldn't stop writing this special article for you.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist it is an evergreen plant native to the northeast of Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. Its scientific name is Phytolacca dioica, although it is known more as ombú or bellasombra. Reaches a height of 10 to 15 meters, with a wide crown of 5-6m. The leaves are simple, ovate-elliptical, acute, glabrous and petiolate.

The flowers are arranged in small clusters and are whitish. There are female, which have 10-12 carpels, and male, which have 20-30 stamens and a perianth with 4-5 pieces. The fruit is greenish, fleshy and toxic.

Para muchos, it's more of a grass than a tree, since if we cut a branch, for example, we would not see the annual growth rings that we do see in trees. In addition, the ombú is a plant with several main stems, while those have only one. Even so, by having wood - light, but wood after all - we could say that it is a tree. Anyway, you have to know that scientists include it in the group of Dicotyledons or. permal centers, phytolacaceae family.

What are their cares?

If you want and can have a copy, we recommend providing the following care:

Location

It is important to be outside, in full sun. As we mentioned before, it must be away from pipes and others, at least 10 meters.

Earth

• Garden: grows in all types of soils, but prefers those that are fertile and have good drainage.
• Flower pot: universal growing substrate. Due to its characteristics, it cannot be kept in a pot for a long time.

Irrigation

The frequency of watering will vary depending on the season of the year you are in, as well as the location you have chosen for the ombú. But usually, you have to water about 3 times a week in summer and every 4-5 days the rest of the year. In case of having it in a pot, during the summer you can put a plate under it to take advantage of more and better water.

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Not advised. In a pot, you can fertilize it 2-3 times a year with a fertilizer such as guano (liquid) following the instructions specified on the container.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring, when the risk of frost has passed. If you have it in a pot, you have to transplant it every 2 years to a larger one.

Multiplication

The ombú is multiplied by seeds as soon as the fruits finish maturing; also in spring. The step by step to follow is the following:

1. First, a seedling tray is filled with universal growing medium.
2. Second, it is watered, so that the substrate is well soaked.
3. Third, a maximum of two seeds are placed in each socket.
4. Fourth, they are covered with a thin layer of substrate and watered again, this time with a sprayer.
5. Fifth, the seedling tray is placed in a somewhat larger tray without holes, outside, in full sun.
6. Sixth, the hole-free tray is regularly filled with water to prevent the substrate from losing moisture.

Thus, will germinate in 2-3 weeks. As soon as roots grow out of the drainage holes, it will be time to transfer them to individual pots or the garden.

Pruning

No pruning required. You just have to remove the dry, diseased or weak branches, and also those stems that arise close to the ground.

Plagues and diseases

It's very tough.

Rusticity

Withstands cold and frost up to -10ºC, but the young branches can be damaged if the temperature drops below 0º.

What uses does it have?

The ombú is a plant that is used as an ornamental in large gardens. As an isolated specimen, gives an excellent shade, and as bonsai It is spectacular. In addition, as we have seen, it is not difficult to take care of.

Ombu bonsai

If you can't grow it in the ground, you can always work it as bonsai. The care you need are:

• Location:
  • Outdoors: in full sun or in semi-shade.
  • Interior: in a room with abundant light.
• Substratum: 70% akadama with 30% kiryuzuna.
• Irrigation: 3-4 times a week in summer, somewhat less the rest of the year.
• Styles: broom, double or multiple trunk.
• Pruning: it has to be pruned to control growth, removing dry, diseased or weak branches and cutting those that are growing too much.
• Pests: it is very resistant, but it can be affected by some cochineal, trips, red spiders o white flies, but it does not affect him too much. Still, they can be removed with specific insecticides.
• Transplant: every 2 years, in spring.

And with this we are done. What did you think of the ombú?