Acacia CONSTRICTA

Acacia CONSTRICTA - Whitethorn acacia, Constricta acacia, Narrow white-spined vachellia, Whitethorn Acacia, Vachellia.

Can be grown in bonsai style!

Acacia is a genus of trees and shrubs in the Fabaceae family, comprising over 1,000 species and distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia, South America, and Asia.

Plants of this genus are spiny or thornless, with small even-pinnate leaves and a characteristic crown shape. They are distinguished by rapid growth, drought tolerance, and the ability to enrich the soil with nitrogen thanks to nodule bacteria on the roots.

Flowering occurs in the dry season. The flowers are small, yellow or cream, gathered in spherical heads or cylindrical racemes. The fruit is a flat pod containing 5-10 seeds, ripening within 1-2 months.

Whitethorn acacia is a branched shrub up to 2-3 m (6.6-9.8 ft) tall, with a broad crown. The stems are tortuous, grayish-brown, often with characteristic constricted sections on the shoots. Spines are developed, white, straight, up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long. Leaves are small, bipinnate.

Flowering is observed in late spring and early autumn. Inflorescences are yellow fluffy balls about 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter. Fruits are curved, narrow pods up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long, turning brown and dehiscing when ripe. Seeds are small, hard.

Seeds are pre-scarified (without disrupting the outer layer, germination will be minimal); for this, the outer coat is carefully filed or scratched with a hard tool without damaging the seed, while small seeds are scalded with hot (~80 °C (~176 °F)) water, after which they are soaked for 12 hours in cold water with the addition of stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon), then sown into a light breathable mixture to a depth equal to the size of the seed, moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a greenhouse or covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun at a temperature of 20-22 °C (68-72 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

Sown at 20 °C (68 °F), seeds germinate from several days to several weeks. After the appearance of two true leaves, seedlings are pricked out into individual pots. Seedlings are planted into open ground after reaching a height of 30-40 cm (11.8-15.7 in). Seeds retain viability for many years.

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It is grown outdoors in regions with hot climates. Placement in sunny locations with light, well-drained soils is preferred. It does not tolerate prolonged waterlogging.

The optimal temperature during the growth period is 24-32 °C (75-90 °F). Young plants are sensitive to frost. Watering is carried out moderately, as the soil dries out. After rooting, plants tolerate drought well.

The soil used is light, sandy loam or loam. Sand and organic matter are added to heavy soils. Repotting is carried out in spring. When rooted in open ground, it does not need repotting.

Fertilizers are applied during the active growth phase 1-2 times per season. Phosphorus-potassium or universal complexes are used. In poor soils, additional organic feeding is possible.

Sanitary pruning of dry and weak branches is carried out. Shaping is not mandatory, but possible to create a crown. Propagation is carried out by seeds. Cuttings are rarely used.