Pakhira: secrets of growing "Giant" at home

Pakhira belongs to the baobab family. This plant grows rather slowly. But if you can provide him with all the necessary conditions, then he can reach a height of 3 meters. This tree is bottle-shaped. You can also grow pakhira in an apartment, but you need to keep in mind that a lateral shoot is formed only when the plant reaches the very top of the ceiling. In shops, you can often see a pakhira, in which two trunks are twisted together. Growing such a plant is a very difficult process. and the price of such a plant can be significantly higher compared to other plants.

Pakhira home care

When purchasing these plants for an apartment, keep in mind that pakhira needs good lighting. If this does not happen, then the stem of the plant will stretch out and lose all its decorative appearance. But it doesn't like direct sunlight. In summer, you can take it out onto the balcony or into the garden. But at the same time, the place must be protected from winds, rains and direct sun. The temperature should be moderate, about 20-25 degrees Celsius. In winter, the temperature can range from 14-16 degrees. Also, do not put pakhira next to radiators. You also need to protect the pakhira from a draft, this will save it from diseases.

Watering and air humidity for pakhira

Pakhira needs special watering. It is necessary to water the plant strictly according to the diameter of the container, do not allow water to get into the base of the plant trunk. In spring and summer, a moderate watering regime is required. In the autumn-winter period, rare watering is carried out. Only warm water is suitable for irrigation. If watering is not enough, then the leaves may hang, and if, on the contrary, there is an overflow, then the stem may begin to rot. Pakhira is not demanding on air humidity. Most often, it is dry air in apartments. Pakhira tolerates it well, but if you spray it sometimes, it will have a good effect on it.

Top dressing

If you have a young plant, then it needs to be transplanted every year, an older plant needs to be transplanted once every 2-3 years. It is best to plant the plant in a wide container. From April to August, the plant needs to be fertilized once every 3-4 weeks. In autumn and winter, top dressing is not worth it. Complex mineral fertilizer is suitable for feeding.
We do pakhira pruning
In spring, pakhira can be slightly and very carefully pruned branches that stretch to the top. in most cases, crowns are made in the form of a ball or oval.

Pakhira: reproduction

Pakhira reproduces quite well by the seed method. Seeds must be planted in a wide container, practically do not sprinkle with soil and spray with warm water. Then cover with a bag. It will sometimes need to be ventilated and water droplets removed. You will receive the first shoots in 3 weeks.

What difficulties can you face

• Roots and trunk may rot. This is a consequence of improper or abundant watering.
• Edge of leaves or tips are brown. This may be due to dry air, insufficient watering, the presence of cold drafts.
• The stem is stretched, but its thickness does not change. This is due to a lack of lighting.