Howea (кentia)
Hovea widespread on the islands, located near the Australian continent. The plant belongs to the family of palm (Palmae).
The genus includes two species differ from each leaf shape and color. In both indoors cultivated species: Hovea Forster (N. forsteriana) and Hovea Belmora (N. belmoreana). The plant is great for creating interiors, looks great in bright spacious office.
Hovea will feel himself perfectly in the living room with windows facing south, as tapeworm. This palm is used as a focal plant, ie a plant that attracts opinion, in this case, due to its large size and decorative leaves. It fit the space of the lobby and hallways with multiple artificial light. Undemanding and decorate a spectacular Hovea any office space.
Plant care
Location. Prefer bright sunlight southern window. In summer, you may need a slight shading from the midday sun, no shading on the leaves appear with care, especially when spraying with water. Moderate lighting fits well, but in this case, the plant will experience slow growth.
Temperature. The optimum spring-summer temperature for Hovea - 20-25 °C, in winter it can be between 17-20 °C, it is important that the temperature does not fall below 12 °C (for Hovea Belmora not below 16 °C). Summer feels better in the open air. If you can not keep a plant in the yard, you must often ventilate the room, and the follow up to the palm tree does not fall under the influence of cold air, especially drafts.
Watering. In the spring and summertime soil should be fairly wet, but we can not allow excess water to the pot. In autumn and winter, when the plant is kept at room temperature should be watered as well as in summer; in cool conditions should be watered moderately, but not to lead to the complete drying of the soil. Water for irrigation should be at 2-3 °C above room temperature.
Humidity. In a cool room undemanding, but at temperatures above 20 °C is often necessary to spray the leaves, pods recommended to put in wide trays exposed wet moss. Spray should only be used by soft water, and if not, the leaves are formed spots. In the summer of palm leaves can wash in the shower, it will save them from dust.
Fertilizing. For good growth Hovea need regular fertilizer, preferably organic. Palm prefers infusion cow manure that can replace mineral subcortical. In spring and summer it is recommended to feed 2 times a month in the autumn-winter period 1 per month. You can not muck trees in winter in the year of transplantation, it is better to wait for next spring.
Transplantation. Young Hovea transplanted each year, more adults - 1 every 2-3 years, then - if necessary, when the roots have taken all available space in the pot. Soil mixture can be prepared with very sod land, compost, leaf and sand (4:2:1:1), with age, the proportion of humus should be increased. Or use a ready substrate for the trees. When planting carefully clean off the top layer of earth podrezhut sick, pidhnyvshe or withered roots. Cuts sprinkled with powdered charcoal. The first time after transplantation palm leaves prytinyayut that the plant does not spend too much water to evaporation.
Hovea shnurkopodibni form long roots and fill them all the bottom of the pot. These roots had such force that often raise the pot edges of all breast hrudtu. Therefore Hovea selects higher pots, which could easily fit all shnurkopodibni fast-growing roots. At the bottom of the pot need to put a good layer of drainage.
Reproduction. Hovea mainly propagated by seeds. Early stage of plant development is characterized by extremely slow growth: to grow significantly, hovea need 5-7 years. Planting done in February and March in a mixture of peat and sand, and the air temperature in germination of seeds maintained at 25-30 °C. Depending on the type and timing of storage stairs appear within 2-12 months. When will appear the first leaf, seedlings are seated in separate 9 cm pots. With seating seedlings can not take your seed because they have long supply plant nutrients.
Pests. Hovea often affected red spider mite, quadraspidiotus perniciosus, trips, which settle on the leaves, stalks and trunks of plants. As a result of damage to the leaves formed yellow or white spots, the leaves wither and fall off, the plant gradually dies.
Prevent the occurrence of pests occasionally helps washing sheets and high humidity. Revealed parasites removed by soaked in soapy water tampons. In the event of outbreak of spraying chemicals necessary protection.