The orache is one of the oldest cultivated plants. In 2000 it was even voted crop of the year by the German Nature Conservation Association. At the same time, however, it is an extremely stubborn and rapidly growing weed that, as a strong nutrient competitor, can displace other plants in the bed. You can find out how to effectively remove reports in this article.
How do I remove orchard weeds effectively?
To effectively remove orchard weeds, pull large plants out of the ground along with their roots and remove young plants when hoeing the ground. Avoid chemical pesticides and use the edible parts of the orach in the kitchen.
Plant profile
The name “Melde” goes back to the floured appearance of the leaves. This feature makes it easy to recognize the plant.
- Scientific name: Atriplex patula
- Other names: Spreading Orach, Spanish Salad, Wheywort, Maiflitsch
- Genus: Report
- Plant family: Goosefoot family
- Height: 30 to 100 centimeters.
- Growth: Sparse
- Leaves: Gray-green in color, alternate, diamond-shaped or triangular, mealy hairy.
- Flower: Radial, only 2 mm large. The small, almost stalkless flowers form spherical partial inflorescences that are arranged in panicles.
- Flowering period: June – October
- Fruit: Tiny nuts.
- Location: Prefers nitrogen-rich soils such as roadsides, fallow land, fields, green areas.
Special feature: A plant can produce over 3,000 seeds, which remain viable in the soil for several years. The orache produces two different types of seeds. The brown colored seeds are able to germinate immediately, while the black seeds only germinate after two years at the earliest.
Fighting Reports
You don't have to attack the reporter with a chemical weapon. Large plants can be easily pulled out of the ground along with their roots. You can remove freshly sprouted orchards while chopping.
Rediscovered Wild Herb
Melde is now being cultivated in the vegetable garden again. New varieties with interestingly colored leaves add visual accents. Like common weeds, they can be used in many different ways in the kitchen.
If you remove orach, you should not carelessly put the plant in the compost. Leaves, shoots, flower buds, flowers and seeds are edible and too good to simply be thrown away.
Young leaves with their nutty aroma can be cut into fine strips and added raw to salads, herb butter or herb quark. They can be processed like spinach. The Spanish salad tastes very tasty in green smoothies.
Orache was once used not only in the kitchen, but also as a medicinal plant. The active ingredients it contains have a diuretic effect. In folk medicine, lung diseases were treated with Maiflitsch.
Tip
Origin reproduces very strongly via seeds. If you want to cultivate orach, you should cut off the flower heads before the seeds ripen.
