Black callas - description of the variety and care at home

Today there are a huge number of flowers. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, callas black and yellow or pure black will not leave anyone indifferent. It's very difficult to look away from them. These flowers are distinguished by elegance and mystery. Plants like these allow you to make your most amazing fantasies come true. Of course, calla lilies are not purely black. They are more of a dark purple and maroon color. It is worth noting that such plants are rare, unlike white ones. Maybe that's why black callas were so anticipated by many gardeners. But it is this variety that has become highly valued by couples in love.

Black callas: care

Black callas can be grown not only indoors, but also in the garden. Of course, caring for flowers growing in open ground is much more difficult. The most important thing is to plant callas of this type on the sunny side. After all, the birthplace of these amazing and beautiful plants is South Africa. This indicates that callas are accustomed exclusively to warm climates. In the temperate zone, these plants do not feel entirely comfortable. That is why you should carefully choose a planting site. It should be warm and light. However, in too hot weather they should be shaded, as the leaves will wither, burn and dry out.

Subsequent care of the crop

Caring for Black Satin blackberries is more difficult than other varieties due to the need to constantly form a bush and the problems caused by thick, rigid shoots.

Growing principles

Growing Black Satin blackberries without a garter is impossible. Although its lashes are devoid of thorns, they are very long, without shaping or pruning, they first grow upward, then descend to the ground and take root. With the powerful shoot-forming ability of the variety, impenetrable thickets can be obtained within a season. It is very difficult to tidy up a neglected blackberry tree, since the branches are thick, stubborn and easily break.

Black Satin blackberry shoots need to be trained to be placed on a trellis when they reach a length of 30-35 cm. The lashes are bent to the ground and secured with staples. They are lifted onto the support after reaching 1.0-1.2 m.

Necessary activities

Blackberry is a moisture-loving crop. The Black Satin variety is extremely productive, therefore, it needs more water, especially during flowering and berry formation.

Other varieties of blackberries are recommended to start feeding in the third year after planting. Black Satin quickly grows green mass and forms many side shoots and berries. Feeding begins after a year:

1. In the spring, immediately after melting or directly on the snow, give the first nitrogen fertilizer.
2. At the beginning of flowering, blackberries are fertilized with a complete mineral complex.
3. Next, once a month (until August) the plant is fed with a diluted mullein infusion (1:10) or green fertilizer (1:4) with the addition of ash.
4. In August and September, the bushes are fertilized with phosphorus and potassium. Potassium monophosphate is highly soluble in water and gives excellent results.
5. Throughout the season, foliar feeding should be done, they are also called quick. It is good to mix fertilizers specially designed for these purposes, humate, epin or zircon and a chelate complex. The latter prevents chlorosis and nourishes Black Satin blackberries with microelements necessary for plant health and a good harvest.

It is better to replace loosening with mulching with acidic peat or humus. Harrowing is carried out after placing the shoots on supports, harvesting and before sheltering for the winter.

Shrub pruning

Black Satin blackberries need to be pruned regularly. For fruiting, leave 5-6 strong shoots from last year. The side lashes are constantly shortened to 40-45 cm, weak and thin ones are cut out completely.

Shoots that have finished bearing fruit are removed before sheltering for the winter. In the spring, 5-6 of the best lashes are left, weak lashes, frozen or broken ends are cut off.

The leaves of the Black Satin variety also need to be rationed. During the ripening of the crop, those that shade the fruit clusters are torn off. Just don't overdo it! Blackberries need foliage for nutrition and the formation of chlorophyll.

Advice! In the first year after planting Black Satin blackberries, it is recommended to pick off all the flowers.

Preparing for winter

We will assume that you have trained young shoots to climb onto a trellis, as described in the chapter “Principles of Growing.” Before winter, all that remains is to cut out the canes that have finished bearing fruit at the root, remove the annual growth from the support, and secure it to the ground. Then you need to cover the blackberries for the winter with spruce branches, agrofibre and cover them with soil. You can build special tunnels.

Important! You need to open blackberries in the spring before the buds begin to bloom.

Diseases and pests: methods of control and prevention

Like other blackberry varieties, Black Satin gets sick and is rarely affected by pests. If you do not plant raspberries, strawberries and nightshade crops next to it, spring and autumn treatment with copper-containing preparations will be sufficient.

The problem for Black Satin blackberries is gray rot of the berries. To prevent disease, fruits must be removed as they ripen every 3 days.

Watering black callas

In addition, black callas love moisture. Therefore, they should be watered abundantly. This fact should also be taken into account when choosing a landing site. To get a flower garden of incredible beauty, you need to combine plants, creating contrast. Ideally black callas look good next to white flowers. This will give the garden more mystery and mystery.

Characteristics and descriptions of the variety

Black calla lilies are actually dark burgundy or deep purple in color. Plant height is from 45 to 100 centimeters. The leaves are green, long, pointed with small white or silver specks. They bloom in midsummer. There are about thirty species, the most common are:

• "Calla Black Crusader" grows up to 50 centimeters, the flower is dark purple;
• "Black Forest"
• "Black Star";
• "Captain Palermo"
• "Maron Sensation";
• "Naomi Campbell."

Landing

Garden callas should be planted in early May. It is worth adding mineral fertilizers to the soil before planting. In this case, no more than forty grams of material are required per square meter. After this, the area should be dug up. When the planting site is ready, you need to make holes. Plant tubers should be placed in the prepared recesses. In this case, the immersion depth should not be more than ten centimeters. After this, you can bury the planting material. There should also be a distance of 30 centimeters between the holes. The planting site must be well watered.

Growing in an apartment

The long-domesticated plant, which arrived from the African continent, has its own growing characteristics.

Temperature

Calla is very thermophilic. The optimal air temperature for its maintenance is +20…+25 °C. To create comfortable conditions for the flower in summer, it can be taken out to the balcony. But it must be remembered that temperatures below +8 °C will destroy it.

When and how to water?

Zantedeschia requires regular, abundant watering and high humidity.

This can be achieved by spraying the flower. In this case, the liquid should not get on the bract, otherwise it will become covered with spots. You can increase the humidity by placing raw expanded clay or sphagnum moss next to the container.

The substrate should not be allowed to dry out. However, there is a difference in watering white and colored varieties. The former require continuous irrigation, the latter are less demanding on the water regime.

Location and lighting

Home calla is very picky about lighting and its location. During the day the light should be diffused, and in the evening hours it should be direct.

Therefore, at different times, the crop must be rearranged from window sill to window sill, focusing on the sides where the windows are directed.

Calla lilies require a minimum of 12 hours of daylight to bloom. And during the rest period, 10 hours is enough for her.

Flowering and dormant period

Callas bloom from October to April, at which time they need good care with fertilizing and timely watering. Proper organization of the rest period also plays an important role.

When the active phase of calla lily development comes to an end, the leaves of the crop begin to turn yellow and die. A period of rest begins. Zantedeschia is moved to a colder room, fertilizing is removed from its diet and the frequency of watering is reduced. The flower remains in this state for 2-3 months.

Why don't buds appear and how to force them?

Sometimes arum may not enter the flowering period. There are reasons for this:

1. Wrong location of the plant.
2. Oversaturation of the substrate with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
3. Increased soil acidity.
4. Poor root penetration.
5. Poor watering or low air humidity.
6. Inconvenient potty.
7. Temperature mismatch.

In order to speed up the flowering process of an elegant crop, it is necessary to ensure that all growing rules are fully followed.

Choosing a pot

To grow calla lilies in a pot, you need to choose the right container based on the characteristics of its root system.

For a rhizomatous crop, a low, wide container with a diameter of 30-40 cm and a height of 40-50 cm is best suited. And for a tuber crop, choose a container with a diameter of no more than 20 cm.

What kind of soil is needed?

The soil mixture for calla lilies consists of:

• 1 part of turf land;
• 1 part peat;
• 2 parts humus;
• 1 part coarse sand.

For white varieties, a purchased substrate for flowering aroid plants is suitable. For colored varieties, the soil composition is as follows: 1 part humus and leaf soil, 2 parts turf soil and 0.5 parts sand.

Boarding after shopping in a store

Healthy store-bought tubers should be firm, like new potatoes. In this case, they will definitely release flower stalks even in the year of planting. High-quality material is laid out on a tray and placed in a cool, dry place at a temperature of +5...+7°C. In April, they are planted in pots, sprinkled with 3 cm of substrate and the temperature is increased to +20...+22°C. At the beginning of summer they are moved to a permanent place of residence.

When is a transplant required?

Calla is a very delicate, sensitive and fragile flower. But at the same time, a plant cultivated at home needs annual replanting.

This should be done immediately after the end of the dormant period following flowering.

Watch the video about the transplant:

Reproduction

The reproduction characteristics of calla lilies differ depending on the type of rhizome of the plant.

Seeds

Propagating a flower by seeds is considered one of the most unreliable methods. You will have to wait a very long time for the result. Before planting, soak the seeds in a growth stimulant. Next, prepare a suitable container, which you cover with a damp cloth. Spread the seeds and place another damp cloth on top. Place in a warm place and do not allow it to dry out.

Tubers (bulbs)

Large tubers are broken into several parts so that each has a growth bud.

This is usually done at the time of transplantation. Small daughter tubers should not be planted immediately in a permanent pot. They need to be grown. To do this, they are planted in a separate wide and low container in the soil, deepened by 4 centimeters.

How to care for plants after cutting

To keep your plants fresh and healthy, you must follow certain rules after cutting flowers. First of all, you should place the callas in a cooler place, hiding them from the sun's rays. The water in the vase should not be very cold. It is better to use slightly warm moisture. It is worth noting that black calla flowers retain their beauty without water for only 20 minutes. After this, it will be very difficult to restore the plants to their former beauty. In such situations, hydration is unlikely to help. To preserve the beauty of flowers, you need to cut them under running water and only with a very sharp knife.

The best varieties of thornless blackberries

The concept of the best variety is very relative, for some people the taste is important, for others they want to get the maximum harvest, while for others their grandchildren come only in June and even a handful of berries during this period will be enough to call the variety the very best. Of course, the best varieties should have a great taste, beautiful bunches of berries that benefit either in quantity or size of the fruit, but there are also many such varieties at the moment. However, not all varieties can successfully bear fruit in our country with its severe frosts, so in this article we will consider the most popular varieties of thornless blackberries from the point of view of the possibility of their cultivation in Russia.

The earliest

With the onset of spring, gardeners pay a lot of attention to the earliest varieties of blackberries, which produce the first harvest in early June:

• Natchez. The large and beautiful berries of this variety are valued for their unique taste, which tasters unanimously give the highest score. Features of the variety are high yield and early fruiting.
• Columbia Star. It is pleased with its high resistance to disease, large-fruited fruit and the possibility of automated harvesting. Tolerates drought well.
• Loch Tay. One of the sweetest varieties. Notable for its high yield and drought resistance. Berries with a high content of vitamin C.

Thornless varieties for the Moscow region

In the Moscow region, any blackberry needs shelter for the winter, but even if protection is provided, not all varieties are tested at negative temperatures. In addition, you want to choose a variety with excellent taste, high yield, resistance to shade, drought, diseases and pests.

Popular varieties among summer residents near Moscow:

• Thornfree. One of the first thornless varieties, bred by American breeders in the middle of the last century. In one and a half months of fruiting, the bush produces 22 kg. berries weighing 5-7 g. each. The taste varies from sweet-sour to fresh-sweet at different stages of ripening.
• Navajo. The variety is not large-fruited, but for 30 years it has held the record for the number of berries from one bush. Gardeners are attracted by its unpretentiousness to growing conditions.
• Loch Ness. Considered one of the best varieties for commercial cultivation. Notable for its beautiful large berries, which do not lose their excellent qualities during transportation.
• Black Satin. Very tasty berries for fresh consumption and canning, high yield, an average of 25 kg. from the bush. The ripe berries are very beautiful - black, with a glossy sheen.
• Triple Crown. Suitable for industrial cultivation. Large “currant” berries with a very interesting taste, reminiscent of plum and cherry at the same time.
• Buckingham Tyberry. The thornless hybrid of blackberries and Tayberry raspberries combines the best qualities of these two crops - taste, aroma, and beneficial properties. The weight of one berry can reach 15 grams.
• Chester Thornless. Does not require special care; flexible, short shoots do not need to be trimmed or tied to trellises. Berries of excellent taste and good transportability.

Repairers

Remontant varieties of thornless blackberries are not yet widespread. For many years, gardeners rejoiced at the Ruben variety, whose thorns cause virtually no trouble when picking berries, and then disappear altogether.

In 2009, Arkansas scientists managed to develop the first variety of remontant blackberry without thorns: Prime Arc Freedom. It pleases gardeners with beautiful giant fruits with a magical taste, however, in central Russia it can only be grown under a film.

What do these flowers symbolize?

Black calla lilies are primarily a symbol of elegance and mystery. Flower petals are smooth and silky. In many countries, black callas are associated with negativity. In addition, beautiful flowers are often associated with farewell not only to the deceased, but also to the girl with whom the young man wants to break off relations.

Black calla lilies are also associated with poor health. The reason for this lies in the unusual shape of the flowers.

Calla Elliott "Zantedeschia elliottiana"

Calla Elliott has large leaves with white spots and flowers of two shades. The plant is a tuberous plant and is best propagated vegetatively. The variety loves good care - a lot of light, warmth, frequent watering.

The most famous varieties of callas:

1. “Vermeer” is highly decorative. The leaves are carved, wavy along the edges, covered with white specks. The stem has a burgundy calla flower, gradually turning white closer to the edges.
2. “Yellow corner” - the green stem gradually changes color to yellowish. The cover of the flower is soft yellow, sunny in color. The variety looks great with bright speckled leaves.
3. "Black-Eyed Beauty" - a wide light yellow petal with a deep purple center and a corn-yellow stamen. The leaves are dark, strewn with large white spots of irregular shape.

Where can you use black callas?

These flowers will always stand out from the rest, even in large bouquets. After all, black callas are considered stylish and elegant. These flowers can give the interior a certain character. Even a small number of black calla lilies placed in a vase will add chic to the table on which they will stand.

To get contrast in the bouquet, you should mix flowers with white roses. To soften the velvety black hue of calla lilies, you can add pale pink buds to the composition. Single flowers can be used to decorate clothing. Black calla lilies can add elegance to any outfit.

Bouquets of these flowers can be used for many occasions. However, not every bride will decide to use them in wedding compositions. After all, there is a taboo on black callas. Of course, this applies exclusively to wedding bouquets.

Feeding

When growing black calla lilies, it is important to fertilize correctly. Typically, the plant is fed two months a year: March and April.

The rest of the time, no fertilizing is applied. Although, in order for the flower to bloom all year round, it is recommended to fertilize more often. For this purpose, the plant is fed twice a month.

For calla lilies, you can use compost by adding it directly to the soil. You can use fertilizers diluted in water. As the latter, use any liquid fertilizer intended for ornamental flowering plants or special fertilizer for calla lilies.

Sometimes burns may occur on the edges of the leaves. This indicates that the fertilizer was selected incorrectly and the plant is overfed. Burns are caused by excess nitrogen. The less light a plant receives, the more nutrients it will consume from the soil.

Diseases and their treatment

If you care for callas incorrectly, and also choose the wrong soil, then there will be a high probability of diseases occurring.

To prevent the plant from dying, urgent measures must be taken.

Anthracnose is a disease of fungal origin. It is quite common in these flowers. Signs:

• brown spots, enlarge over time, the edges become red;
• mold appears;
• leaves dry out and curl;
• the stem weakens.

Causes:

• inappropriate temperature;
• high air humidity;
• abundant watering.

Treatment:

• remove affected leaves;
• reduce watering;
• remove from heating appliances;
• treat with antifungal agents.

Remember that the fungus can also spread to the soil, so be sure to remove leaves that have fallen. If this does not help, then you should replant the flower and treat it well.

Powdery mildew appears in flowers already affected by the fungus. It manifests itself by such signs as a white coating, which quickly grows and eventually covers the entire plant. After a short time, the leaves begin to turn black, and then they die.

How to fight:

• remove affected parts;
• treat with antifungal agents (once every 7 days, 3 weeks);
• reduce watering.

This disease can also appear in dry soil.

See below for the rules for planting tubers.

What foods cause black stool?

If you see your own black feces, you shouldn’t panic right away. Most likely the reason is the food eaten the day before. In the vast majority of cases, this is what causes the change in color of stool.

The most common foods that cause blackening of stool are:

• after beets and salads with them;
• coffee;
• red wine;
• blueberries, blueberries, currants, pomegranate, black grapes, chokeberries, blackberries;
• dried prune fruits;
• bananas;
• tomatoes and juice from them;
• so-called blood sausages and medium-rare steaks;
• liver.

Moreover, there is no need to worry if the change in color of stool is not accompanied by painful or uncomfortable sensations. Just observe your stool patterns for a few days. If the changes are caused by food, then during this time everything will return to normal.

Symptoms

The appearance of black feces, if the causes are food, prunes or medications, is not accompanied by specific symptoms. But if additional symptoms appear, you should not delay visiting a medical facility. These include:

• nausea and vomiting, and the vomit will be dark or red in color;
• general weakness of the body;
• increased body temperature;
• acute and intense pain in the abdomen;
• the appearance of bleeding from the anus;
• dyspnea;
• change in heart rate;
• loss of consciousness is extremely rare and only in children.

Reproduction

Callas are easy to propagate. It is not for nothing that this plant is considered a weed in its homeland, since it is capable of growing with great force over the entire area. If you do not stop the process, the bulbs will fill the entire area, every free centimeter. The same thing happens when growing in pots.

When new bulbs form, you need to dig them up. This procedure should be done regularly, as the plant will constantly reproduce throughout the year.

Home care

Callas need constant watering and spraying. While flowering lasts, they need to be watered even more abundantly. But this must be done after the soil is completely dry. Water the callas with settled water at room temperature. Since the plant loves slightly acidic soil, citric acid must be added to the water periodically.

It is very important that there is humid air in the room where the plant is located. If the flower is located in open ground, then it also needs to be sprayed. It is best to do this in the morning or at night so that the plant has time to absorb all the water, since during the day it will simply evaporate. Calla lilies should be placed in a well-lit room, but protected from direct sunlight, as direct ultraviolet radiation can lead to drying of the flower and burns. This applies to both home and garden varieties.

The temperature in the room where the plant is located is also very important. In certain seasons it is necessary to maintain different temperatures. In summer it should not exceed 24 degrees, but in winter it is better to keep the level at 15 degrees. And under no circumstances should drafts or hypothermia be allowed . In the summer, the plant must be taken out into the air, but before doing this, it is better to immediately take care of protection from exposure to the sun and drafts.

Characteristics of the calla plant

It is a calla lily or zantedeschia, a low plant with heart-shaped leaves. Their color is green, their width is 10 centimeters, and their length varies from 6 to 12 centimeters. Peduncles grow on the stem, smoothly turning at the top into a funnel-shaped flower, consisting of one petal. There is a cob in the middle.

South Africa is recognized as its homeland. In our country, this flower has recently begun to be cultivated. Wild species are often found in marshy areas of Russia. Most often, white calla lilies are grown at home, but there are also colored varieties. For example, pink, purple. The burgundy varieties are also very interesting. Red and yellow callas look noble. There are even black specimens. And this is not the whole palette.

As for size, the plant also varies. There are both miniature bushes and very large ones, reaching a height of 1.5 meters. The height of colored varieties is about 50 centimeters. White varieties are usually meter long. Read the article: Yucca - home care for an unpretentious flower.

Diagnostics

In the absence of obvious signs of illness, you can observe a change in the color of the stool for several days. If the cause is the intake of coloring substances into the body along with foods, then after eliminating them from the diet, the color should normalize. If the problem persists for several days, you should consult your doctor for diagnosis.

Problems in the digestive system are indicated by the black color and smell of feces. At the same time, by the nature of the smell, you can determine the most likely problem area in the human body.

The nature of the smell says a lot:

• putrefactive - problems in the digestive system associated with disruption of protein breakdown processes or chronic inflammation of the large intestine;
• rancid - problems with the digestive tract associated with pancreatic secretion or lack of bile in the intestines;
• sour - the presence of dyspepsia, that is, enzyme deficiency.

To determine the causes and treatment, the following tests are prescribed:

1. Coprogram. The naked eye evaluates the color of the stool, mucus and pieces of undigested food. Small inclusions in the stool, such as villi or strings, can also be detected. This method allows you to detect altered red blood cells in the stool using a microscopic examination - a sign of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Analysis of stool for dysentery group with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics. If black or dark green feces appear, diarrhea, fever and stomach pain, these are symptoms of an infectious disease (shigellosis, salmonellosis).
3. Stool test for occult blood (Gregersen test or ICA). Prescribed when the color of the stool is normal, if there is a sign of internal bleeding. A week before the test, you must follow a special diet, which means excluding meat, liver, fish and tomatoes. Avoid the use of oral medications (bismuth, iron). Do not brush your teeth for 3 days before the test.
4. Complete blood count with leukocyte formula. Tarry stool indicates heavy bleeding, which is accompanied by clinical signs of anemia (pallor, shortness of breath) and changes in blood tests: the level of hemoglobin and hematocrit becomes less than normal.

Such diagnostic methods make it possible to accurately determine the presence of pathological changes in the human body and develop therapeutic treatment tactics.

How to plant calla lilies correctly

Purchased tubers should first be kept in potassium permanganate diluted until pink, and then placed for a couple of hours in a solution of the Kornevin stimulant or any other. The plant requires a fairly large volume of soil - about 2.5 liters per tuber. Drainage is poured into the bottom of the pot, then nutrient soil. The calla tuber is smooth at the bottom and has small protuberances at the top. The tuber should be placed with the smooth side down in moist soil.

The planting should be shallow, the tuber is only covered with a layer of soil no more than 1-2 cm. Otherwise, there is a high risk of root rotting.

Immediately after planting, calla lilies are not watered; the pot is left in a warm place without drafts. In the future, calla flowers need regular watering. The plant also needs to be fed with complex flower fertilizer.

Prevention

Prevention of black stool is:

• consuming small amounts of foods such as black pudding, grapes, prunes, blueberries, tea and coffee, as well as medications that can color the discharge;
• maintaining a balanced diet - meals should not be high in calories;
• At the first symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction, seek advice from specialists. This should be done as soon as possible if this feature of the color of feces was discovered in children, because pathological processes in a child’s body proceed much faster than in an adult;
• regular visits to an obstetrician-gynecologist by a pregnant woman;
• undergoing examination at the clinic at least twice a year.

Black stools can be caused by eating certain foods, taking certain medications or supplements (such as iron), or be the result of something more serious.

Quick Facts About Black Stool

• Most cases of black stool are caused by eating black foods or iron supplements.
• Stool that is black due to blood indicates a problem in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
• Blood in stool can be detected using a stool test.
• Call your doctor immediately if you have black stools along with pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Food and Supplements

Black stools can be caused by foods, supplements, medications, or minerals. Iron supplements, taken alone or as part of a multivitamin for iron deficiency anemia, can cause black or even green stools.

Foods that are dark blue, black, or green can also affect the color of your stool.

Substances that often cause black stools include:

• Black licorice;
• Blueberry;
• Iron supplements;
• Lead;
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).

If you understand that the cause of black stool is food, there is no reason to worry. However, if the cause is not food, an iron supplement, or Pepto-Bismol, it's time to see a doctor.

If there is no obvious reason for the black color of the stool, it is worth considering the possibility that the black tint is due to blood in the stool.

Blood in the stool (Melena)

Blood coming from the upper gastrointestinal tract - the esophagus or stomach - may cause black stools. This condition is called melena.

With melena, the stool has a tarry texture or looks like coffee grounds.

As blood passes through the body and interacts with enzymes during the digestion process, the blood changes from red to black. This makes it a little difficult to determine if there is red blood in or on the stool.

Bright red blood in or on stool is usually blood from the lower gastrointestinal tract—the rectum or colon. This condition is called hematochezia. Blood flowing from this area will be redder in appearance because it will be less affected by the digestion process.

If a person has other symptoms, such as fainting or near fainting, dizziness, pain, or vomiting, call a doctor immediately.

Some people may have a known risk factor for bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of bleeding and blood in your stool if any of these potential risk factors apply to you:

• Liver diseases;
• Cancer;
• Dieulafoy's lesion (rare stomach disease);
• Erosive esophagitis (inflammation in the esophagus);
• Erosive gastritis (inflammation in the stomach);
• Intestinal ischemia (blood supply to the intestines is stopped);
• Peptic ulcers (ulcers in the lining of the stomach or upper small intestine);
• Esophageal rupture (Mallory-Weiss tear);
• Varicose veins (abnormally large veins) in the esophagus or stomach.

Establishing diagnosis

Black color alone is not enough to determine whether there is blood in the stool. Remember that black discoloration can be caused by taking certain foods or iron supplements. This is why your doctor will need to confirm the presence of blood, which may require various tests.

Once a diagnosis of melena is made, your doctor may order additional diagnostic tests to determine the cause and exact location of the bleeding.

In particular, the doctor may perform an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy). This procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera into your throat so your doctor can examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and upper intestine.

In addition to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), other tests may be performed:

• X-rays;
• Blood tests;
• Colonoscopy (internal examination of the colon);
• Stool culture (a test that looks for bacteria in a stool sample);
• Barium studies (X-rays taken after drinking chalk liquid).

Where can there be blood in stool?

Stool that is noticeably black and tarry usually indicates the presence of an acute condition in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Once the bleeding stops, the stool may remain black and dull for several days.

Possible causes of melena include a bleeding ulcer, gastritis, esophageal varices, or rupture of the esophagus from severe vomiting (Mallory-Weiss tear).

Ulcer

An ulcer on the lining of the stomach can cause bleeding and lead to melena. Contrary to popular belief, stomach ulcers are not usually caused by stress or eating spicy foods, although these can certainly make the condition worse. In fact, stomach ulcers are usually caused by an infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

To eliminate the infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics and also recommend an acid reducer.

Long-term use of painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is another cause of stomach ulcers. NSAIDs include common over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin.

NSAIDs can irritate the stomach, weakening the lining's ability to resist acid produced in the stomach. This is also why NSAIDs have an adverse effect on Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, conditions that cause ulcers and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs usually heal after stopping the offending drug.

Gastritis

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, spicy foods, smoking, bacterial infection, or long-term use of NSAIDs. Gastritis can also develop after surgery or injury, or be associated with pre-existing medical conditions.

Gastritis that is not treated can lead to stomach ulcers and other complications. Some people have no symptoms, while acute, sudden-onset cases of gastritis may result only in tarry, black stools.

Persistent bleeding can lead to more serious symptoms, such as:

• Abdominal pain;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea;
• Vomit;
• Stomach upset.

If gastritis is suspected, antacids or proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics that treat H. pylori infection, or sucralfate, a drug that helps the stomach heal by soothing irritation, may be prescribed.

If these treatments do not relieve symptoms, your doctor may order an upper endoscopy to take a closer look at the stomach and small intestine.

Varicose veins of the esophagus

Esophageal varices are dilated veins in the wall of the lower esophagus or upper stomach. When these veins rupture, they can cause bleeding and lead to blood in the stool or vomit.

Esophageal varices are a serious complication resulting from high blood pressure caused by cirrhosis of the liver. Most people with esophageal varices do not experience any symptoms unless the veins rupture.

Symptoms of bleeding esophageal varices include:

• Melena;
• Vomiting blood;
• Dizziness;
• Fainting.

These symptoms require immediate medical attention, as bleeding esophageal varices are life-threatening.

Mallory-Weiss syndrome

Mallory-Weiss syndrome is a tear in the mucous membrane connecting the esophagus and stomach. If the tear bleeds, it can lead to melena.

Salory-Weiss syndrome is rare, affecting about seven in 100,000 people in the United States, and can be caused by severe vomiting, coughing, or epileptic seizures. About 5% of patients do not survive.

Like other conditions that cause melena, symptoms of a Malory-Weiss tear may not be obvious. Along with tarry black stool, some patients may experience one of the following:

• Vomiting tarry blood;
• Dizziness;
• Dyspnea;
• Diarrhea;
• Abdominal pain;
• Chest pain.

In most cases, the tear will heal on its own. If this does not happen, the patient may require endoscopic treatment - either in the form of a drug that is administered orally, or in the form of heat therapy - electrocoagulation.

What can be accompanied by the appearance of black stool in adults? What features might there be?

• Small inclusions of black color - may be the result of eating fruits with small grains or seeds (raspberries, grapes).
• Black worms in feces - they are often mistaken for parasites. But, as a rule, the cause is eating a lot of bananas. Worms are usually whitish or yellowish in color.
• Liquid black feces - most often occurs with gastrointestinal bleeding. As a result of the influence of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid, the blood in the stool becomes black, which is what causes the color of the stool. When bleeding from the large intestine, the stool will not be black, but will have the appearance of “raspberry jelly” (see bleeding from the anus).
• Black stool streaked with blood can occur with a number of diseases of the large intestine, for example, with Crohn's disease. In this case, you should definitely consult a doctor immediately.
• The appearance of black stools in the postoperative period may be a sign of internal bleeding, most likely during surgery on the stomach, upper intestines or esophagus.
• Black-green stool, accompanied by a rise in temperature. With a high degree of probability, it can be assumed that there is a serious intestinal infection, the treatment of which should be carried out in a hospital.
• Black stool during pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth affect intestinal motility, but do not affect stool color. Therefore, in pregnant women, all of the above reasons can lead to a change in the color of the stool. In pregnant women, iron supplementation is often the cause of dark-colored stools, since anemia is not uncommon in them.

Causes of dark stools

The reasons for the appearance of black feces can be different and its appearance does not always mean something bad. This phenomenon can occur in both women and men. Children are also not immune to black feces. All the reasons why stool turns black can be divided into two main categories:

1. Physiological;
2. Pathological.

Physiological causes are less dangerous and usually go away once the source of the problem is eliminated. Pathological ones are associated with dangerous changes in the body and often require medical intervention. The main factor in identifying the root cause is the general well-being of a person.