Ducheney or Indian Potentilla: Edible or Not?

Dusheney Indian or also called Indian Potentilla (Potentilla indica) is a type of herbaceous perennial plants of the Pink family. In addition to these names, it is also called fragaria, Indian strawberry, Indian finger and pseudo-earthy. This miracle plant appeared in the 19th century, thanks to the French botanist Antoine Duchenne. It was his name that became the popular name.

What is the difference between dusheney and strawberries:

It has a great external resemblance to common strawberries. It has small basal rosettes formed by triangular leaf plates, whisker-like shoots reaching 50 cm in length. They differ in their flowers and fruits. The structure of the flowers is the same, but the colors are different. Dyusheya is famous for its yellow flowers. The fruits are round, bright red and covered with pronounced small seeds. They look upward, and drooping berries grow on ordinary strawberries. Each dushei fruit contains a large amount of vitamins and many other useful elements, which is the same as that of strawberries, but its taste is much lower. Their taste is bland, but because of the great wateriness, you can quench your thirst. Under natural conditions, this beautiful plant grows in the South and East of Asia.

Is it possible to eat duchenei:

The fruits of this plant are quite edible, but you should not eat a lot of them at once. Fresh berries in large quantities can make you feel unwell. For allergy sufferers, pregnant and lactating women, children and elderly people, the fruits of this plant are contraindicated. When using medicinal products based on it, made by traditional healers, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

As a domesticated plant, duchenea has been cultivated since the 19th century. She did not leave indifferent gardeners from all over the world and, of course, our country. It is grown all over the place, both in the Siberian regions and in the south of the country. If you plant her in a flowerpot, then she can decorate the terrace, balcony and windowsill.

Frost resistance:

Duchenei is suitable for moderate warm climatic conditions, it does not require special care and perfectly wintering under a layer of snow. In case of freezing, it quickly recovers upon the onset of heat, but on condition that at least a couple of outlets remain. It requires annual renewal, but you won't have to look for a new place for it, as is the case with ordinary strawberries. A plant can grow in the same area for many years.

There is an opinion that it is ducheney that is depicted by masters known all over the world in paintings made in the style of Khokhloma. As confirmation, they speak of yellow petals that are visible there. In those days, the cultivation of these berries was already actively involved in our country, but it was also known as a fragaria.

Seed growing method:

Seed germination lasts for 2 or even 3 years, for this reason it is not at all difficult to propagate a plant by seeds and is quite effective. Seeds must be stratified before sowing.To do this, in the last days of January, wrap them in a moistened gauze cloth, wrap them in polyethylene and put them in the refrigerator where vegetables are stored. They should be there until the onset of spring. During all this time, it is necessary that the gauze is always wet.

Once the seeds are stratified, they can be sown. For this, it is necessary to use containers of wide dimensions and filled with an earthen mixture of sand and peat. Plastic containers with a lid will also work.

When sowing, the seeds do not need to be buried, you can only sprinkle them a little. Next, the soil is sprayed with a spray bottle and covered with film or glass in order to keep the moisture necessary for the plant.

Dusheney's pick is very difficult because of the fragility of small gatherings, at this moment the seedlings may die. In order to avoid this, it would be more correct to use seedling cassettes, where there is a light and nutritious soil, and plant a seed or two there. You can use a toothpick to plant small seeds.

Every day, the soil with seeds must be aired by lifting the film. Lighting should be diffused, and the thermometer should show from +22 to +25 degrees.

Spray using a spray bottle when the soil dries up. Liquid stagnation should not be allowed, this leads to the development of rot and, as a result, to the death of the entire crop.

After the appearance of the first leaves, it is necessary to remove the shelter.

As soon as 2 real sheets appear, it is necessary to make a pick in different containers for their further development.

Top dressing is carried out with nitrogen-based fertilizers at intervals of 14 days. The fertilizer concentration should be half that indicated on the label.

Planting in an open garden area is carried out after the threat of frost has disappeared, as a rule, this is May. The place should be protected from winds, as well as be located where the plants will not touch the sun's rays during the day. By the time of planting, they should have a well-developed rosette and the plant should reach 8 cm.When transplanting from a container or pots, it is important to keep an earthen lump on the seedlings. It protects fragile roots.

It is not necessary to plant sluggish, small-sized plants in the garden, you can grow them at home, otherwise the transplant will lead to death. As soon as August comes, and the sun is no longer so strong, they can be planted in the garden. Before the onset of the winter cold, they have enough time to adapt to new conditions and take root. It is also possible to postpone the transplant to the next spring season. But in this case, the seedlings should be in the winter months in a room where the thermometer will show from +10 to +15 degrees.

Choosing a place in the garden:

For duchenei, partial shade and a place where water does not accumulate are most suitable. Trees and large shrubs can become excellent neighbors for her. If watered regularly, the plant will be able to develop well in places open to the sun. Lowlands and areas with a high groundwater table are not suitable for a plant. In the second case, if there is no other place, you can make an artificial earthen hill. This condition must be met, since the plant is not tolerant of stagnant water and its root system in such areas will rot.

Ducheneys are not suitable for fertile soils, it will grow best on loose and medium-nutritious soil, as well as with good water and air permeability. If the dusheney is grown in a vase, then you can make an earth mixture with your own hands. Deciduous humus, turf and sand are ideal. Mix them in proportions of 2/1/1. You can also buy a suitable soil in the nursery.

When preparing the site, it should be borne in mind that for 1 sq. there should not be more than 9 seedlings per meter.

Care requirements for growing in the house:

Suitable pot

Dusheney grown at home, looks great everywhere, regardless of the interior and is capable of pleasing the eye for many years. It is perfect for a flowerpot, a large pot and will look great in a hanging planter because of the branchy shoots. A rounded support that can be positioned can be used to create a spectacular flower arrangement by pointing the stems at it.

Temperature conditions

The plant will be very comfortable on a terrace or open balcony in summer, and in winter it will be better indoors. Ducheney is not afraid to drop the temperature to +5 degrees, but temperatures from +12 to +15 are better for her in the winter months. During this period, the plant begins vegetative rest, so diffused light and minimal watering will be quite enough.

When to replant, water and feed:

During the spring-summer period, the plant grown in pots must be watered as soon as the top layer of the earth dries up. Annually, in the spring, it must be transplanted, transferring from one pot to another. The size of the pot should be slightly larger than the size of the root system. In the same period, it is necessary to feed the bush with the help of complex mineral fertilizers.

How and when to prune:

Fruit formation takes place in wilted inflorescences, so they are never removed. The flowering stems are removed along with the fruits, after the latter have lost their attractive appearance and become dark in color. In order for Ducheney to retain its decorative effect, it is necessary to remove those leaves that have dried up, but not under the base.

Plant care in the garden:

Taking care of the plant is not difficult and does not take much time. You only need to follow small rules:

Duchenie should be watered regularly and abundantly, especially in hot and dry periods, without letting the leaves dry, and appetizing fruits were formed on them. In the garden, it is best to water the plant by sprinkling in the early morning or late evening. If strawberries grow in an open, sunny area, then during periods of extreme heat, you can use a net to create shade. This will help protect it from burns.

In order for oxygen and nutrients to better and faster penetrate to the roots, it is necessary to regularly weed and loosen the soil. To prevent weeds from growing longer, you can cover the ground around the plants with sawdust mulch, which will also help keep moisture in the ground for a longer time.

The introduction of complex fertilizers in the spring will help the plant develop better. It is important to follow the directions in the instructions when using.

How to prepare for the winter cold:

If pots are used to grow dusheney, then for the winter it must be placed where the thermometer does not rise above 15 degrees and does not fall below 10.

The one in the garden will feel great under a layer of snow. In case of a small amount of snow, it is necessary to mulch the plants using spruce branches and dry leaves.

Possible diseases and harmful insects:

Ducheney can get sick with powdery mildew, fusarium, phyllostikosis, anthracnose. All of them are very dangerous for the plant. The invasion of spider mites, aphids, Colorado beetles, slugs and beetles is also dangerous. To combat diseases, fungicides must be used. They can also be used during prophylaxis.

For pest control, insecticidal preparations must be used. They should also be used for prophylaxis, without waiting for a meeting with harmful insects. To scare off dusheney slugs, crumbled eggshells or pebbles scattered around plants will help.

How to reproduce duchenei:

Multiply plant it is possible with division, with the help of processes formed on the roots or whiskers.

In the first case, reproduction takes place in the spring or in the last summer days. And if the plant is grown at home, then only during transplantation in the spring.To do this, you need to get the plant out of the ground, peel the roots and cut them into two or three parts with a sharp, disinfected knife. Use wood ash or activated carbon to process the sections. In the garden, everything is done in the same way, with the exception that the plants will need to be deflated with a sharp shovel.

In the second and third cases, the plant can be propagated when the root system is formed on the leaf rosettes located on the processes and whiskers, of which a large number appears during the growing season. If it is difficult to root the shoots on the site due to lack of space, then you can do this in small pots, placing them nearby. Separation from the mother plant occurs after the shoot or bush takes root.

Garden design using ducheneuil:

Landscape designers love to use ducheneu as a ground cover. Within one season, it can make a wonderful decorative carpet. It can be used to decorate mixborders, rockeries, rocky areas, as well as fill bald spots. By planting a ducheneu next to conifers, you can create a forest atmosphere.

Medicinal use:

Translated from Latin, the name of the plant "Ducheney" speaks of power and strength. This is due not only to the fact that it grows well and survives under adverse conditions, but also because it has medicinal properties.

The fruits of this plant are not dangerous to health, if you do not eat a lot of them at once. They do not have a special taste, but it contains a large amount of fiber, tannins, pectins, iron, calcium, alkaloids, phosphorus, folic acid, vitamins B and C, which in itself speaks of the unconditional benefits of these berries.

American scientists have proved by their research that this berry is able to fight cancer cells and defeat them. However, at the moment, only traditional healers use them for the preparation of medicines. Especially common in Asian countries.

Infusions made from the fruits of duchene relieve inflammation of all types, tone up, have a sedative effect, and are used as an antiseptic. The use of berries is recommended for problems with the digestive system, liver, pancreas and cancer. For stomatitis, cuts and snake bites, berry juice is used. To cope with insomnia, depression, neuroses, a decoction made on the leaves of the plant will help. With the help of the same decoction, you can speed up the healing of various wounds and burns. The berries can be used to make masks that can saturate the skin with vitamins. The maximum effect can be achieved when fresh fruits are used, but they will retain quite a few useful properties if they are dried or frozen.

Harvesting and storage:

To prepare raw materials, you need to start harvesting when the receptacle acquires a dark red color and the berries will be easily removed. Then they must be sent for drying. The temperature should be between 45 and 50 degrees. For this, both a special dryer and an oven are suitable. Further, the fruits are laid out in glass containers and tightly closed with lids. A dark place and room temperature are suitable for storage. You can store such useful fruits for 2 years.

To dry the leaves, you need to lay them out on paper or fabric in an even layer. The place should be in the shade and well ventilated. In order for them to dry evenly, they need to be stirred. For storage, use paper bags or glass containers. Can be stored for 2 years in a warm, dry and dark place.