Madagascar palm

The Madagascar palm is the best known name for the Pachypodium Lamera. In culture, this species is considered one of the most common and most often found in gardening. Refers to palm to the kutrovy family, and the birthplace of this plant, based on the name, is Madagascar. But here you can immediately emphasize that the Pachypodium can often be found very often also in stony valleys and in limestone soils, which are also quite favorable for the growth and reproduction of these palms.

Description of the plant

The palm tree is a succulent plant that has a very tall and thick trunk that is spindle-shaped. The trunk is covered with six-centimeter spines, which are not scattered one by one, but assembled in three pieces at the very tops of pronounced and visible tubercles. When the plant is still young, it has a green trunk surface, but as the plant grows and matures, the trunk becomes lignified, it becomes covered with a silvery, grayish film, which consists of scales. The thorns are also painted in a silvery grayish shade up to about the middle, and then the color changes closer to brown.

The leaves are short petiolate, elongated and thin, have a belt-like shape, they grow from exactly the same tubercles as thorns, but unlike thorns, they cover only the upper part of the trunk, and it is for this reason that the plant is so much like a palm tree. The length of the leaves can be more than thirty centimeters, and the width usually reaches no more than nine centimeters, the surface of the leaves is smooth and leathery, the color is dark green, the central vein stands out, which makes the plant even more decorative in its external characteristics. The flowers are large, their diameter is about ten centimeters, they are collected in inflorescences in the form of umbrellas. In the corollas, you can see a very narrow tube, which opens up with five very wide petals, painted in cream or snow-white shades, their throat is contrasting, painted in a bright yellow hue, it looks incredibly attractive and interesting.

Caring for a palm tree at home

If we talk about cultivation, then the Madagascar palm tree is not very easy in this matter. It requires enough attention from the florist, and in order for the Pachypodium to feel good and fully reveal all its decorative features and characteristics, several very significant conditions must be observed.

Throughout the year, this plant simply needs to be in areas with good illumination, and also the succulent perfectly tolerates direct sunlight. If the gardener has decided to place a palm tree indoors, then it is best to do this in the area of ​​the south window, in the southwest or in the southeast direction, since there the amount of light and shade will be in perfect balance for this culture, and it will feel it will be just wonderful. In warm weather, it is recommended to bring the plant into fresh air, you can place it on a garden plot, in a garden or on a balcony, where the palm tree will be saturated with oxygen and enhance its decorative properties and characteristics. The dormant period for this culture is completely absent, the growing season can stretch almost for the whole year. In winter, the plant is best placed in parts where it can extend daylight hours; phytolamps and other means for creating artificial lighting are ideal for this.If this is not done, then the trunk of the plant may stretch too much, the leaves will become quite sparse, they will turn pale and lose their decorative features. If even less favorable conditions are created, this will also lead to the palm tree partially dropping its leaves.

In summer, temperatures can exceed thirty degrees Celsius and the palm tree will still feel very good. In winter, when there is only natural light, and the daylight hours are getting shorter, the temperature can be reduced - the succulent will have enough interval from fifteen to eighteen degrees so that the palm tree feels comfortable and does not stop its growth and development.

Let's talk a little about watering. In the warmer season, the plant needs more abundant watering, while the water should be settled and soft, and it should also be at room temperature so that the plant does not experience shock when watering and normally perceives this procedure. The soil in the container where the culture grows must necessarily be slightly moist, but it cannot be brought to the state of wet soil, if waterlogging is suddenly allowed, this can lead to the fact that moisture will stagnate in the area of ​​the root system, and the roots will gradually begin to rot. If the plant does not have enough watering, then it can very quickly shed the leaves and with all its appearance demonstrate that it does not like something, and that the gardener should slightly change the agricultural technique so that the plant does not die at all. If the palm tree is kept in cold conditions, then watering should be significantly reduced, since it is at this time that some processes may slow down in the plant, and it simply will not have time to evaporate all the moisture that it receives during caring activities. So it is worth keeping these moments and subtleties in mind so that an excellent and significant result of the development of a palm tree is obtained, and so that it reveals its decorative features to the maximum.

The plant develops normally if the air humidity is low. Therefore, in general, the palm tree perfectly adapts to the conditions of a room in a city apartment, and in this regard, these conditions are quite suitable, and not so much is required from the gardener himself specifically in this matter. But at the same time, you can periodically wash the leaves with a warm shower, since this will not only moisten them a little, but also remove all excess dirt and dust that could accumulate over time from the deciduous part of the plant. The soil for growing a palm tree must be neutral. Loose soil is perfect, through which both air and moisture will pass. Such a soil mixture can be prepared by the gardener himself. This will require sod land, leafy soil and coarse river sand. If there is a desire, then also the gardener can additionally add a little crushed brick, charcoal to this mixture, since these components will create excellent drainage, and wood ash will allow the prevention of putrefactive diseases, which often develop in palms, if the moisture standards are not observed and glaze. At the very bottom of the container, it is worth initially placing a drainage layer, as it will allow excess moisture to be removed and prevent its stagnation.

If you cannot make the composition of the soil on your own, since the gardener cannot find some of its components, then he can safely purchase a ready-made substrate that is intended for growing succulents and cacti, and it is quite easy to find a substrate in any flower shop or specialized store for gardeners and florists ... It is worth feeding the plant with special care and attention, about once every thirty days. For top dressing, mineral fertilizers are excellent, in which there is an insignificant content of the nitrogenous component.To do this, you can also use some liquid formulations and fertilizers, which are just intended for growing cacti.

Young succulents can be transplanted from one container to another annually, while each time the pot should be of a larger diameter, since the root system of the palm tree gradually grows and, accordingly, it requires more and more space for better growth. It should also be borne in mind that the plant has a very delicate and fragile root system, and therefore one should be very careful and careful when transplanting. It is worth trying not to damage the root system; it is also better to leave the earthen lump in the same state as it was. It is best to immediately transfer it entirely into a new container, and fill all gaps and empty spaces with a new, fresh substrate. Adult plants are transplanted much less often - this procedure is required about once every five to six years, not more often.

At home, the palm tree can multiply by seed, and the seeds can be purchased from stores, nurseries or online stores. Palm cuttings root much less often, so this method is less preferable among gardeners than propagation of the Madagascar palm by seeds. Let's also talk about diseases. A lot of diseases, problems arise precisely because the gardener did not provide the planting with proper care. If suddenly the palm tree does not have enough moisture, as well as in the case of a too sharp drop in temperatures, when the palm tree is moved from one place to another, the plant can easily and in the shortest possible time shed its leaves, thereby showing that he does not like something in caring activities and that the gardener should be a little more careful in this regard. If suddenly palm on the contrary, it experiences an excess of moisture, then putrefactive spores and formations can develop in the soil and in the air, especially quickly they affect the roots and stems, leaves, which makes the plant vulnerable, and if measures are not taken in time, it will simply lead to the fact that it will soon die. It is also worth keeping in mind that palm trees do not tolerate sudden gusts of wind and drafts - in such conditions, the leafy parts begin to wrinkle, turn black, deform, and as a result they simply fall off. So it is worth being more careful about this plant, so as not to face similar problems and contradictions.

Succulent plants can be attacked by spider mites, thrips and scale insects, and in general these are the most common pests. Due to the fact that the stem of the palm is very prickly, it is almost impossible to manually cope with attacks from pests. For this reason, it is best to use insecticidal preparations, and the safest and most effective agents in this group are such as actellic and fitoverm. Be very careful though, as some parts of the palm tree can be slightly poisonous and therefore work best with gloves.

So, the Madagascar palm tree comes from a very large steep family. It is a perennial succulent that can grow in two forms - a shrub or a tree. Indoors, the palm tree originally grew in Australia, Africa and Madagascar, but later became popular in other countries, including Russia. The external characteristics of this palm tree make it very similar to an exotic plant, and that is why the palm tree is so famous and in demand as part of the design, it fits perfectly into any interior, it can refresh it, make it more interesting and attractive. The size of the plant is quite impressive, and in itself it requires quite careful and careful care. In natural, natural conditions, a plant can stretch up to ten meters in height, but indoors up to thirty centimeters, and this is its maximum, but sometimes it can reach up to one and a half meters, but only if the gardener has created ideal conditions for growth and development, and if the plant felt as comfortable as possible and could develop in accordance with all the requirements. You can admire this palm tree for fifteen years, and sometimes longer.Everything will depend only on what were the conditions for keeping the plant, and whether the gardener was able to create conditions that would be most favorable for such an unusual plant.

Varieties and varieties

Today, there are at least twenty different varieties of succulents, and each variety has its own characteristics, characteristics and distinctive features. Some attract gardeners, some, on the contrary, repel, so it is better to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of some varieties, so that in the future it will be easier to choose exactly the type that will fit best.

The following types are found in indoor gardening. Let's start with a description of the Lamer pachypodium - this is a tree that is really incredibly popular in room culture. The stem is powerful, it can branch slightly, there are thorns on it. At the top there is a rosette, from which dark, deep green leaves emanate, which make this plant the most typical representative of this genus of Madagascar palms. The flowers have a creamy color, sometimes there are flowers painted in a delicate pink shade. The pharynx is yellow in color, the diameter of the flower is about 11 centimeters. In indoor conditions, this type of palm can reach half a meter.

Pachypodium Jaya - the tree reaches sixty centimeters in height, the trunk has a very thick base, it looks very impressive, you can see a large number of small needles on it. In principle, it is very similar to the variety called Lamera, it differs only in that the leaves are narrower and slightly pubescent, this can be seen if you feel them. The flowers are painted in perfect white, the throat is bright, yellow.

Pachypodium short-stemmed Is another variety to look out for. This is a very unusual type of plant, which, after the leaves have been shed, is very much like a stone than a plant. The stem is flat, very smooth, has a gray tint, the diameter of the stem is about sixty centimeters. At the same time, this species is practically inconspicuous in nature when compared with many other varieties of palm trees, since it can get lost among other plantings, and the color of the stem of this palm tree can easily merge with the color of the sand. The inflorescences are yellow in color, they look quite impressive, especially against the background of such nondescript stems.

Pachypodium Lamera - a branchy variety of palms, which is distinguished by a woody stem, on which there are practically no thorns, or they are, but in very small quantities. There are a lot of thorns on the shoots, so the plant can be quite problematic to care for, and gloves and other protective measures should be used so that you simply do not injure yourself. The inflorescences are in the shape of umbrellas, have white flowers, which can reach almost ten centimeters in diameter.

Pachypodium Sanders - this variety is incredibly attractive and interesting precisely due to the fact that it has a spherical stem, which has a grayish green color, the stem height usually reaches one and a half meters, no more. A small number of thorns are located on the stem, so you should be careful when caring for this variety, a type of Madagascar palm. The leaves are very wide, they can taper slightly at the base, the flowers are painted in a white shade, on the edges you can see a pinkish border, which in the overall composition looks incredibly attractive and interesting, gentle and naive.

Pachypodium succulent Is another variety that I would like to consider within the framework of this article. This variation of palms, which has a huge, gigantic woody stem.More this stem does not resemble a plant, but rather a cobblestone, which was previously slightly deepened into the soil. There is pubescence on the leaves, they themselves are quite small in size. The buds are bell-shaped, painted in a rich pink shade, bright red blotches are observed in the center, which give the inflorescences even more decorativeness, brightness and attractiveness, and which just make it clear that this is still not a cobblestone that sticks out of the ground, but decorative planting that can decorate any site or home.

Pachypodium densely flowered - This is a variety of palm trees that has very bright and rich inflorescences, but at the same time the variety has its own peculiarity - this palm tree grows very slowly. Flowering occurs when the stem reaches thirty centimeters in thickness, the maximum planting height is about 45 centimeters, no more. At the same time, the leaves of the plant are of a small color, they are always directed only upward. Pachypodium Horombenze is a low-growing palm that has a very powerful and smooth stem. Its leaves are also very thin, fragile, the flowers are large, have a yellow color, flowers grow in separate clusters, the overall composition really looks very decorative and attractive, and in general this variety is also very popular.

Pachypodium southern - this variety is interesting due to the fact that the flower of the plant is very large, fragrant, it is colored pink with a red tint. Over time, the palm tree can reach about one meter in height, the trunk of the palm tree is very smooth, has a silvery brown color, looks quite attractive in general, so that this variety is often found in decoration of room design. Rosette pachypodium - has a short stature, although the trunk is short, but powerful enough when compared with some other varieties and varieties of Madagascar palms. The branches are very thorny, grow only upwards, they form bright yellow or yellow-green inflorescences that look incredibly delicate and attractive, although growers say that this variety is not so decorative, especially when compared with some other varieties and varieties of pachypodiums ...

In general, the palm tree recently became a popular planting precisely as a houseplant, and about a dozen years ago, no one could think that it could become so popular, and the plant itself was quite rare. But later the flower growers took a closer look at this plant, appreciated all its advantages and disadvantages, and realized that the plant has rather decorative features, and at the same time it does not put forward any special requirements for care. It is because of the absence of whims, as well as because of the lack of the need for cold wintering, pachypodiums are very convenient to grow at home, indoor conditions. Now the succulent has become incredibly in demand, and this was also facilitated by the fact that, in principle, there is no need to constantly monitor the planting and constantly care for the succulent so that it shows all its decorative features and characteristics.

For many gardeners, especially for those who do not have rich experience in growing palm trees, there is good news - Pachypodium does not need shading at all, it responds perfectly to direct sunlight, but at the same time it can perfectly take root in partial shade. In order for the plant to grow successfully, it is necessary to expose a container with a planting in the southern part, as well as on window sills with a southeast and southwest orientation. But even if the gardener cannot provide this planting, then the probability that the palm tree will die is very low. In the summertime, you can take the palm tree out onto the terrace, balcony or directly into the garden.There is also one "but" - it is worth accustoming the plant to bright sunlight gradually, and not abruptly, otherwise the plant will experience stress and shed its leaves.

Reproduction

There are several ways to propagate a plant:

- with the help of seeds - for this, first, the seed material is soaked in warm settled water for 24 hours, and then they are evenly distributed over the surface of the moistened sand. Lightly sprinkle on top with the same substrate, a layer of half a centimeter is required, no more, so that the seeds hatch faster and shoots appear. In order for the seeds to germinate for the most part, they need from three to four days, sometimes they need several months or six months, everything will depend on the characteristics of the variety, type, on its needs, and on the care provided by the florist himself

- pieces of the stem are another breeding method, but many say that it can cause a lot of trouble and problems. Rooting in this case is 0%, a mixture is used for planting, which includes peat and sand. Of course, this method is not suitable for everyone, but the gardener, in principle, can try, and he may even succeed. The most important thing is to create the most favorable conditions for the Pachypodium to feel as comfortable as possible.

- cuttings - this method is mainly suitable for the pachypodiums of the Lamer species. In the summer, it is worth very carefully separating the stalk, drying it over a period of time (it will take from five to eight days), after which the stalk is placed in a substrate, which includes a mixture of peat and sand. Important conditions for the rooting of the cutting and its development are warmth, light and light moisture of the substrate in which the cutting is located. If all these conditions are met, then the result will not be long in coming. In principle, if you follow all the rules of planting and agricultural technology, then the plant will respond perfectly to any conditions, and there will be absolutely no problems with it. But if suddenly the agricultural technology or the rules of care are violated, then this can lead to the fact that the Pachypodium will get sick, a nuisance may occur, the plant will drop its leaves or will grow completely unevenly.