Overview
Astragalus australis (L.) Lam. var. glabriusculus (Hook.) Isely is a flowering plant species belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial native to Australia.
Common Names
Common names for this plant may vary depending on the region, but some of the most popular ones include Southern milk-vetch, smooth dwarf milk-vetch, and smooth milk-vetch.
Appearance
The plant grows up to 10-30 cm tall. It has a grayish-green stem and branches with pinnate leaves that are around 3 cm long. The flowers grow in clusters of 3-8 and are white or pink in color. The seeds are small, dark brown, and kidney-shaped.
Uses
The root of Astragalus australis (L.) Lam. var. glabriusculus (Hook.) Isely has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as colds, flu, and fever. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The plant is also known to be an excellent source of food for livestock as it is highly palatable and nutritious.
Light Requirements
The Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus requires full or partial sunlight to grow properly. This plant needs about 6 hours of sunlight per day to ensure that the photosynthesis process works efficiently. If the plant receives inadequate light, it begins to elongate and falls over, leading to stunted growth and reduced yields. It is, therefore, recommended to grow it in an area that receives full sunlight throughout the day.
Soil Requirements
The Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus prefers well-drained soils, with a pH range of 6.5-7.5. It grows best in sandy or loamy soils that are rich in organic matter. These soils are ideal for root penetration and robust growth. The plant can tolerate some levels of soil salinity, but it cannot thrive in waterlogged or poorly drained soils. Before planting, it is recommended to conduct soil tests to ensure that the soil is adequately drained and contains the necessary nutrients for plant growth.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for the Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus is between 15-25°C. This plant grows best in warm and dry conditions and can tolerate heat and drought to some extent. However, frost and freezing temperatures can severely damage the plant. Therefore, it is essential to protect the plant from extreme weather conditions. During the winter months, the plant may enter a period of dormancy, and growth may slow down. However, it will resume growth as the temperatures rise in the spring.
Cultivation methods
Astragalus australis (L.) Lam. var. glabriusculus (Hook.) Isely commonly known as Smooth Loco Weed, is a perennial herb that can grow up to 60 cm in height and 45 cm in width. These plants are winter hardy and prefer to grow in dry and well-drained soil under full sun or partial shade. For its optimal growth, it is recommended to sow the seeds outdoors in spring or fall when the soil temperature ranges from 15 to 25°C. First, prepare the site by removing all weeds, rocks, and debris from the planting bed of about 15 to 20 cm deep. Then mix soil with compost or organic matter, and plant the seeds in rows 45 to 60 cm apart. Cover the seeds with 1 cm of soil and gently press to ensure good soil contact.
Watering needs
Smooth Loco Weed is a drought-tolerant plant that requires a moderate amount of water. Water the plants deeply at least once a week during the growing season to ensure they thrive well. These plants prefer to grow in dry soil, making it essential to avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. It is best to water the plants early in the morning to allow enough time for the leaves to dry up before nighttime to prevent the growth of fungal diseases.
Fertilization
Astragalus australis (L.) Lam. var. glabriusculus (Hook.) Isely does not require excessive fertilization since its root system contains nodules that can fix atmospheric nitrogen. However, for optimal growth, it is good to feed the plants with low nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 or 10-10-10 NPK before planting and after every growing season. Do not over-fertilize the plants as this can lead to excessive foliage growth that may reduce flower production.
Pruning
Smooth Loco Weed is a low maintenance plant that requires minimal pruning. However, it is essential to deadhead the faded flowers regularly to encourage the plant to bloom repeatedly. After the blooming period, it is advisable to cut the stems back to about 10 cm above the ground level to stimulate new growth. Prune any dead or damaged stems in early spring or fall to maintain the plant's shape and encourage healthy growth.
Propagation of Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus
Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus is a perennial herbaceous plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is an excellent plant to grow in your garden as it is drought tolerant and can survive under extreme weather conditions. Propagation of this plant can be done by various methods as described below:
Seed Propagation
The easiest and most common method of propagating Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus is through seed propagation. The seeds of this plant can be collected from the parent plant during the fall or early winter. Once the seedpods have turned brown, they can be harvested, and the seeds can be extracted. These seeds can then be sowed directly into the soil in the spring, or you can start them indoor in the winter and transplant them outdoors in the spring.
Cuttings Propagation
Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus can be propagated through cuttings. This can be done in the summertime, where the stems can be cut into sections of about 10cm in length, and the lower leaves removed. These cuttings can then be placed in a rooting hormone and stuck into a pot filled with a mixture of sand and peat moss or perlite and kept moist. The cuttings should start developing roots within 3-4 weeks. They can then be transferred into individual pots and later transplanted into the garden.
Division Propagation
Division propagation is another way of propagating Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus. This method should be done during the spring or fall. The parent plant should be dug out of the ground, and the roots separated into sections using a sharp knife. Each section should have a healthy root system and at least two shoots. These sections should then be replanted or potted individually.
Propagation of Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus is quite easy, and the plant is adaptive to various soil types and requires minimal maintenance, making it a great addition to any garden.
Disease Management
Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus is generally a hardy plant with few disease problems. However, it can be susceptible to fungal leaf spot diseases, such as Cercospora and Alternaria. These diseases typically present as small brown or black spots on the leaves that can eventually merge to form larger lesions. They can be managed through proper sanitation practices.
Remove any infected leaves from the plant and dispose of them in the trash. Ensure that the plant is receiving adequate sunlight and air circulation, as this can help prevent the spread of fungal diseases. Additionally, avoid overhead watering, which can splash fungal spores from the soil onto the plant’s foliage. Finally, consider adding a fungicide to your regular garden maintenance routine to help prevent further infections.
Pest Management
Astragalus australis var. glabriusculus is relatively pest resistant, but occasional infestations can still occur. The most common pests that affect this plant are aphids and spider mites, which feed on the plant’s sap and can cause stunted growth and yellowing leaves.
To manage aphid and spider mite infestations, start by giving the plant a strong blast of water from a hose to dislodge the pests. This can be followed up with applications of insecticidal soap or neem oil, which are effective at eliminating soft-bodied pests like aphids and spider mites. Another preventative measure is to introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites, which can help keep pest populations under control.
When applying any pest management strategies, be sure to follow all instructions on the products, paying particular attention to application rates and frequency. It’s also a good idea to test any products on a small section of the plant first to ensure that there are no adverse effects before applying them more widely.
