The gac tree is a popular plant widely cultivated in Vietnam. However, many people are still unaware of its origins, significance, and cultivation methods. Let’s explore this fascinating topic together in the article below!
1 What is a Gac Tree?
Origin and Significance of the Gac Tree
The gac tree, native to southern China and northeastern Australia, has long been a familiar sight in Vietnam. This tree holds immense significance in daily life, serving as an ingredient in traditional dishes and a potent medicinal herb.
Feng Shui Significance of the Gac Tree
The gac tree is considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity. Due to its profound meaning, the gac fruit is often used in ceremonial sticky rice dishes during the Tet holiday to bring good fortune and prosperity to the household.
Origin and Significance of the Gac Tree
Characteristics and Classification of the Gac Tree
Also known as the Mộc Miết, the gac tree belongs to the vine family and can grow up to 15 meters in length. This species is distinctly classified into male and female plants.
The gac tree has a unique angular stem. Its leaves resemble a goosefoot shape, typically consisting of 3 to 5 lobes, with each leaf measuring around 8-18 cm. The green leaves of the gac tree are alternately arranged and about the size of an adult’s hand.
Gac flowers are also differentiated into male and female, with the male flowers having larger bracts. These flowers bloom only once a year, approximately 2 to 3 months after planting and careful tending. They bear a characteristic pale yellow hue.
When ripe, gac fruits boast a vibrant red color and are slightly oblong or round, measuring about 12 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter. The fruit is covered with small spines, transitioning from green when unripe to orange and finally, a rich red when fully mature. The harvest season for gac fruits typically falls between September and December each year.
Characteristics of the Gac Tree
2 Benefits of the Gac Tree
Health Benefits
The gac tree is a valuable medicinal plant. Various parts of the tree, including the aril, seeds, roots, and leaves, can be utilized for their therapeutic properties. Here are some traditional remedies that incorporate the gac fruit:
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Hemorrhoids treatment: Mix 2-3 gac seeds with water and use the solution for washing and topical application on the hemorrhoids several times a day.
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Treating mumps: Combine 40g of gac seed kernels, Xích Tiểu Đậu, and 40g of rhubarb, grind them into a fine powder, and mix with sesame oil. Apply this mixture to the affected area.
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Relieving swollen and bleeding gums: Crush gac seeds, mix with water, and use the solution as a mouthwash for about 30 minutes before spitting it out. Repeat this process 2-3 times a week for effective results.
Health Benefits of the Gac Tree
Culinary Uses
Beyond its medicinal value, the gac tree, specifically its fruit, finds extensive use in cuisine. The most notable example is the traditional sticky rice dish, where the vibrant orange-red color of the rice is derived entirely from the gac fruit, making it an indispensable ingredient for ceremonial dishes during the Tet holiday.
Additionally, gac fruits are used to create gac jam, gac wine, gac smoothies, and gac cakes, all of which are visually appealing and incredibly delicious.
Culinary Uses of the Gac Fruit
3 Growing and Caring for the Gac Tree
Planting Gac Trees at Home
The most common method for cultivating gac trees is through seed germination. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Growing Gac Trees at Home
Caring for Gac Trees
Fertilization: During the rainy season, apply additional fertilizer to each hole, using 30-50g of a balanced NPK 16-16-8 mixture to promote healthy growth.
Watering: Gac trees require moist soil, but it’s crucial to ensure proper drainage to prevent waterlogging. Maintain a soil moisture level between 70% and 80% for optimal growth.
Pest and Disease Control: Common pests affecting gac trees include the coconut beetle, yellow-winged beetle, and green caterpillars that feed on the leaves. To control these pests, spray the leaves with a solution of Vibaau 50ND (25cc/8 liters of water). For leaf spot disease, apply Benlate C as a foliar spray.
Caring for Gac Trees
Notes on Growing and Caring for Gac Trees
When the vines reach a length of about 30-40 cm, train them to climb the trellis, distributing them evenly. You can also allow the gac vines to crawl up large trees or along fences. Constructing a trellis for gac trees is similar to building one for cucumber, squash, or pumpkin vines.
4 Beautiful Images of the Gac Tree
Gac Tree Laden with Fruits
Gac Tree with Ripe Red Fruits
Young Gac Vines in Green
Ripe Gac Fruits in Vibrant Red
In this article, we’ve explored the origins, significance, and cultivation methods of the gac tree. We hope you’ve gained valuable insights and are inspired to grow your own gac tree successfully.
15-Minute Recipe for Homemade Gac Oil
Learn how to make pure Gac oil at home with a few simple steps, courtesy of XANH Electric. Dive into the article below for a detailed guide on producing your own Gac oil.
How to Make 100% Pure Gac Oil for Babies at Home
Are you curious to find out how to make your own pure, natural gac oil at home? This comprehensive guide reveals the step-by-step process to create this unique extract, which provides numerous benefits – from promoting beauty to contributing to the growth of children.
Delicious Dishes from Gac Fruit: A Guide
Do you want to include nutritious fruits in your diet? Look no further than gac fruit! In this article, we’ll share recipes for dishes you can make using gac. From salads to desserts, there are plenty of delicious possibilities! Read on to find out how to incorporate this nutrient-packed fruit into your meals.
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Fruit in season during winter, highly demanded by many countries, sold cheaply in Vietnam, remember to eat to prevent illness
This is a type of fruit that usually ripens at the end of the year. Vietnam exports it to many countries, while the price within the country is cheap. Moreover, it has numerous uses.
