Overview of Sphaerophysa salsula (Pallas) DC.
Sphaerophysa salsula (Pallas) DC. is commonly known as the Russian thistle or tumbleweed. It is a type of annual plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. The plant's stem and leaves are thin and light green, while its flowers are small and greenish-white. The plant is native to Central Asia, but it has now spread to various parts of the world.
General Appearance of Sphaerophysa salsula
The Sphaerophysa salsula is a unique type of plant, with a spherical shape on the top portion of its stem once it's matured. The leaves of this plant are narrow, pointed, and toothed, measuring about 1-4 cm in length and 1-3 mm in width. The stem of the plant is green or purplish, slender, and up to 1.2 m tall.
Common Names of Sphaerophysa salsula
The Russian thistle has various common names, such as prickly Russian thistle, downy Russian thistle, and windwitch. These names are derived from the plant's ability to break adrift from the stems after drying, rolling, and bouncing in the wind.
Uses of Sphaerophysa salsula
The Russian thistle has several applications in the agricultural sector. For instance, the plant is used as a feed source for livestock, especially during the winter season. The plant's leaves are concentrated with minerals and vitamins, making them an ideal supplement to the animals' diet.
The plant has also been used in traditional medicine to cure various ailments such as respiratory issues, coughs, and sore throats, among others. Additionally, the Russian thistle's roots can improve soil quality by aerating the soil and improving its water-holding capacity.
Conclusion
The Sphaerophysa salsula is a unique plant that has managed to spread to various parts of the world. Its versatility, coupled with its nutritional and medicinal benefits, makes it a valuable resource to humans and animals. However, it is also an invasive species that can cause harm to the environment. Therefore, it's essential to follow proper management practices when growing it.
Light Requirements
Sphaerophysa salsula typically grows best in full sun or partial shade conditions. It has been observed growing in areas with as little as 3 hours of direct sunlight daily, but optimal growth occurs with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight.
Temperature Requirements
Sphaerophysa salsula grows in a wide range of temperatures from hot summers to cold winters. It is a drought-tolerant plant, requiring little water to grow. The ideal temperature range for Sphaerophysa salsula growth is from 60 to 85°F (15-29°C). During the winter, temperatures can drop to 23°F (-5°C), and it can tolerate winter temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C).
Soil Requirements
Sphaerophysa salsula prefers well-drained, sandy soil with a neutral pH range of 6.5 to 7.5. However, it can tolerate a range of soil textures from loamy to gravelly to sandy soils. This plant is salt-tolerant and can grow in soils with moderate to high salt content. It can adapt to drought conditions and has been observed to grow in areas with little rainfall and low soil moisture.
Cultivation
Sphaerophysa salsula is a hardy plant that can grow in different types of soil, but it prefers to grow in well-drained and sandy soils. In cultivation, the ideal pH range is between 6.0 to 8.5. It is a sun-loving plant, so it should be planted in an area that receives full sunlight.
The plant can be grown from seeds or cuttings. If propagated from seeds, they should be sown in the spring or fall. The seeds should be placed in the soil at a depth of 1 to 2 cm. The seedlings should be thinned out to around 20 cm apart to allow them to grow properly.
Watering Needs
Sphaerophysa salsula requires moderate watering during its growing season, which is the spring and summer months. The plant should be watered deeply and allowed to dry partially before watering again. In the winter, the plant requires very little water as it is in a dormant phase.
Fertilization
The plant does not require frequent fertilization. However, if the plant shows signs of slow growth or low vigor, it can be fertilized during the growing season. A balanced fertilizer, with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, should be applied at half-strength. The fertilizer should be applied every four weeks to encourage healthy growth.
Pruning
Pruning is not generally required for Sphaerophysa salsula. However, if the plant becomes too leggy or is in need of rejuvenation, it can be pruned back in the spring. It is recommended to prune no more than a third of the plant's height to avoid damaging or stunting its growth. After pruning, the plant should be fertilized to encourage new growth.
Propagation of Sphaerophysa salsula (Pallas) DC.
There are several methods of propagating Sphaerophysa salsula (Pallas) DC. including seed propagation, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture.
Seed propagation
Sphaerophysa salsula can efficiently propagate from seeds, and this method is commonly used for mass propagation. Seeds can either be collected from the wild or directly sown. Seeds require exposure to cool and moist conditions before they can germinate, which requires stratification, usually for 30 to 60 days. Afterward, the seeds can be sown in seedbeds with sterile and well-draining soil mixture, where they can germinate in about 2-4 weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment.
Vegetative propagation
Sphaerophysa salsula can also be propagated vegetatively using several methods, including root cuttings, rhizome division, stem cuttings, and layering. Root cuttings can be collected either in spring or autumn. Cuttings should be taken from mature plants with a diameter of not less than 1 cm and planted in containers containing sand or perlite. Rhizomes can be divided in early spring or early autumn when the plants are in full growth. Cutting segments measuring 10 to 20 cm with several buds are selected for planting. Stem cuttings are best taken from new shoot growth about 10 cm in length, and a rooting hormone may be added to improve rooting rates. Air layering or mound layering is used to propagate Sphaerophysa salsula by bending a shoot down to soil level and partially covering with soil, which stimulates the production of roots. The rooted plant can then be separated from the parent plant.
Tissue culture
Tissue culture is a technique that involves growing plant cells and tissues in vitro under aseptic conditions. This method is useful for mass propagation of Sphaerophysa salsula and is done by taking an explant (a small piece of plant tissue) and placing it on an artificial nutrient medium that contains the necessary nutrients and plant hormones to enable shoot and root formation. After a few weeks, the explant grows into a plantlet and is transferred to a larger culture vessel, where it grows until it is ready for transfer to the field.
