Linen properties
The plant is considered one of the oldest agricultural crops. Today it is found almost throughout the inhabited world, and is often used in the home garden. All varieties of flax are divided into perennial and annual herbaceous forms of the plant.
All varieties form an independent linseed family (Linaceae), which includes about 15 genera, numbering about 300 species. Decorative flax can be grown in a flower bed as an ornamental plant, in a pot on a balcony or terrace. Common flax is the most common, blue flax flowers will decorate the garden.
Common flax is an annual herbaceous plant, the height is from 40 to 70 cm, in countries with a warm climate – one meter. The stem is thin, raised and branched at the top. The leaves of common flax are lanceolate in shape, their length is usually about 4 mm. and the width is about 2 mm. Depending on the type and variety, the stems are high in fiber, consisting of a large amount of cellulose.
It is believed that flax flowers are exclusively blue, but it can be blue, white, less often pink. Pale blue flowers 1.5 to 2.0 cm long are collected in inflorescences, always have 5 petals. The flowering period of the plant usually falls from late May to mid-August. Although the flowers do not last long, they are constantly replaced by new ones.
Insects rarely visit the plant because it has little pollen and nectar. Round and pointed seed pods develop from pollinated flax flowers. The fruits contain oval, brown seeds. Oily grains 2-3 mm in size. often used in folk medicine for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Flaxseed oil is highly valued for its linolenic acid.
Flax decorative in the garden[/ caption]
Flax cultivation
Decorative flax is easy to grow in the garden. It is often planted for its beautiful flowers. This is a relatively unpretentious plant that does not require special care. Gardeners also value common flax as a green manure plant.
The plant is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, which makes it easier to choose a place for its cultivation. It does not impose special requirements on the content of nutrients, it does not cope well with wet and heavy soils. Flax tolerates both sunny and partially shaded places.
Note! For the plant to be strong and healthy, the site must be open to sunlight. where moisture will not accumulate and stagnate.
If the climate is mild and warm enough, flax can be sown directly into the ground from mid-April to the end of May. Flaxseed can be grown from seedlings. To do this, the seeds are soaked for several hours in cold water, and then germinated on kitchen paper or in a germination container.
Sowing can be done in spring and autumn, the main thing is that the daytime air temperature does not fall below 20C. To do this, the site must be prepared in advance.
Additional Information! Seeds do not need to be buried, just spread evenly over the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe plot, then watered from the sprayer. The distance between the bushes is 5-10 cm, between the rows – 20-30 cm.
Flaxseed has a relatively short growing season. On average, only 100-120 days pass between sowing and harvesting.
The cold factor is taken into account, if the site was sown in the fall, it should be covered with a thin layer of soil and insulated. Young bushes can withstand short-term frosts down to -4 ° C without damage. Germination occurs within 7-14 days. At this time, young plants should be well watered.
Linen care
Linen ordinary is quite adaptable to moisture. Usually it has enough natural rainfall. However, in case of prolonged drought or prolonged high heat, it is necessary to water the plants abundantly. However, constantly wet soil is detrimental to plant growth and should be avoided.
To maintain an aesthetic appearance, the plant is regularly cleaned of wilted flowers. Timely carry out weeding and collection of weeds.
Decorative flax is easy to grow in the garden[/ caption]
Weeds are a major problem in flax cultivation. During the growing season and the formation of buds, the plant is fed with a complex of mineral fertilizers.
Linen types
Depending on the purpose and the climatic region, different varieties are used. Common flax is divided into subgroups: fiber flax, oil flax (curly), intermediate flax, creeping flax.
Oil flax is an ornamental variety of flax grown at home, often for the purpose of obtaining beneficial flaxseeds. It has larger pods, branched stems, and a shorter stature. Flax has been used for centuries to make textiles, and fiber flax is best suited for this purpose. Len-mezheumok average between long and curly. The main purpose of its cultivation is to obtain oil.
Diseases and pests of flax
Flax is a fairly disease-resistant plant, but adverse conditions can weaken it, which can lead to pests and diseases.
The plant can infect flax fleas. The larvae of this insect infect the root system of the plant. A large accumulation of pests can lead to the death of flax. This plant is treated with insecticides in the phase of mass pest infestation.
If the tips of the flax are drooping, and the stems and leaves are yellow, then this indicates that the plant is affected by Fusarium. It is no longer possible to save the plant. Fungal diseases that affect roots or shoots can persist for up to five years, so flax is not planted in this area before this period. To reduce the rate of development of the fungus, it is better to treat the soil with lime. A colloidal solution of sulfur will get rid of powdery mildew and rust.
If the soil is low in phosphorus, shriveled leaves with black spots may also appear. In this case, a quick top dressing with mineral fertilizer is necessary.
Use of linen
Flax is an ancient medicinal plant, even in modern natural medicine it is of great importance.
Flax as a medicinal plant is used as:
- painkiller;
- anti-inflammatory agent;
- antispasmodic;
- emollient;
- laxative,
Flaxseed and oil squeezed from the seeds are used both internally and externally. Flax seeds have many useful properties, as they are rich in B, C and A vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements. fiber.
Note! Flaxseed is the richest plant source of omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The content of Omega-3 in flax seeds is 2 times higher than in fish oil.
In modern medicine, flax is mainly used for stomach and intestinal diseases. Important ingredients of pharmacological importance are primarily mucus, glycosides and unsaturated fatty acids.
The benefits of flaxseed for women’s health, as it contains phytoestrogens – plant analogues of female hormones. Flaxseed application alleviates the negative symptoms of menopause and is an excellent prevention of cancer of the breast and uterus.
Flaxseeds[/ caption]
A decoction of flax seeds has a positive effect on the skin – it becomes soft and velvety, nails are strengthened, hair becomes shiny. Flaxseed oil helps with skin rashes. A daily spoonful of flaxseed oil prevents a heart attack.
How to use edible linseed oil?
Flaxseed and flaxseed oil are considered essential food items, which is why they can be found in many supermarkets. Useful and valuable cold-pressed linseed oil is obtained from flax seeds. It is recommended to consume one/two teaspoons a day.
It is sold in small and dark bottles so that it can be consumed quickly and protected from light rays. After opening, it must be stored in the refrigerator so that it does not deteriorate. As a result of exposure to light and heat, fatty acids are oxidized and can have a carcinogenic effect.
The presence of oxidized fats in the oil affects its taste: it becomes bitter and has a specific smell. In no case do not take such oil, because it will cause great harm to the body. It is very important to use this oil only when cold, it is undesirable to heat it, because it becomes bitter at high temperatures.
Flax seeds are stored longer because they are protected by a shell. They spoil quickly when ground, so they should be ground just before use. When stored in a dry place, flax seeds retain their beneficial properties for 3-4 years.
Flax in cooking
Can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen. Flax seeds are considered very healthy and are therefore used as an ingredient in many dishes. They are often eaten as a breakfast supplement to stimulate digestion.
Because these seeds are small, they are difficult to chew effectively and our body has difficulty digesting the hard skin, so it is recommended that you grind flax seeds. Only a small amount is always ground – ground seeds have a shorter shelf life,
Flax tea
From the seeds, you can brew a tea that has a positive effect on the urinary system. Flaxseed tea also helps with hoarseness.
How to make flaxseed tea:
- Put 2 teaspoons of whole seeds in a cup;
- pour cold water;
- let the flax seeds swell for 60 minutes, stir from time to time;
- warm up the tea.
In acute inflammation of the esophagus or stomach, treatment with flax should be avoided, the same with intestinal obstruction. After taking flaxseed preparations, you should drink a lot. If other medicines are taken in addition to flaxseed, they should be taken after about an hour. In such cases, you should also contact your doctor or pharmacist.
