Washingtonia Robusta
The genus Washingtonia belongs to only give out 2 trees that grow in the natural environment in the southern states of North America. The plant is named after President George Washington.
Washingtonia is a multi-palm, which in the wild reaches a height of 25-30 m. It is characterized by straight rough trunk covered with dead leaves in nature which fall long remain on the trunk and dense cover him with a blanket. The leaves are large veyeropodibni, dissected into linear segments between which formed many strands that are twisted, sometimes even caught in a tight knot. The leaves on long stalks sits with solid spikes.
Flowers gathered in branched inflorescence forks, wrapped in bracts resembling petals, then they are hung. The fruit is fleshy, spherical seeds of woody located on the axis of the inflorescence. In the indoor environment does not bloom.
Washingtonia filifera great fan grayish-green leaves with delicate thin filaments hanging between segments leaf. The leaves are large, from stem to tip of the central segment of about 2 m. Petioles grayish-green, very developed, up to 2 m in length. The flowers are collected in long (3 m) mitlopodibni blossoms, pink or cream that rises above the leaves. In nature this species grows to a height of 15 meters in diameter is 1 m. A native subtropical regions of the United States, this palm requires cool winter.
Washingtonia robusta - graceful palm native to Mexico, in nature grows to 25 m, but a diameter not exceeding 70 cm. The trunk is thinner and elongated than vashynhtoniyi nytkonosniy also a spreading crown. It leaves smaller, around 1.5 m, dissected by about a third the length, they are virtually no fibers. Shanks leaves in adulthood korychnuvati to 1.5 m in length. Pink flowers are collected in inflorescence up to 3 m. This species is more sensitive to cold.
This palm is used as a houseplant. Wanting to diversify the interior of your home or office, you can not go wrong if you stop your choice on vashynhtoniyi. This cold-resistant palm, it will feel great in a cool room or hall, the exhibition conservatory or glazed gallery. In landscaping Interior used typically only young specimens.
Plant care
Location. Washingtonia - svitlolyubyva plant, so it is best to place it near the southern, southeastern, southwestern windows. Valid direct sunlight, but in the summer hot days should prytinnyaty plant from direct sunlight.
Temperature. Indoors should provide constant fresh air, so in May, better bring a palm garden or terrace, protected from rain and drafts. In October vashynhtoniyu made in house and to plant entered a period of calm, gradually reduce the temperature to 10-12 °C (minimum temperature should not be below 5 °C, for Washingtonia firmly below 8 °C). At high winter temperatures and dry air, the plant can drop leaves.
In southern regions with mild winters Washingtonia aleynyh used for landings. In open ground can tolerate intermittent temperatures down to -5 °C.
Watering in the spring and summer recommended regular watering, adult plants, although tolerate a dry prefer moist soil. For irrigation is desirable to use warm vystoyanu (at least 12 hours) water between watering the top layer of the earth give dry. In winter, reduce watering. In cold areas of stagnant water in the substrate rot the roots and the plant may die, but does not allow prolonged dryness.
Humidity. Washingtonia withstand dry atmosphere at home, but at temperatures above 20 °C is necessary to put a plant on the tray of wet gravel above the water level. Once a week is recommended to spray the leaves to wash away the dust of them.
Fertilizing. Washingtonia requires systematic feeding full range of fertilizers. This procedure is carried out 1 time in 2 weeks from March to October. To rest period slightly reduce the amount of fertilizer, and in the winter supply of fertilizers ceased altogether.
Transplantation. The first three years of transplantation spend annually. Later - as needed when the roots took all the free space in the pot or soil came into disrepair.
For planting and transplanting ready to use substrate for palms. Soil mixture can be prepared and most of turf, humus and leaf with the addition of sand (2:1:1:0.5). To pick vashynhtoniyi deep but not wide pot, the bottom of which should put a good layer of drainage.
Reproduction. Washingtonia prevents lateral shoots, so it is propagated by seeds only. Pre-soaked overnight seeds lightly nadpylyuyut the seams and sown in light soil mixture. The temperature during germination of seeds maintained at 20-25 ° C. Depending on the timing of storage shoots appear within 1-4 weeks. When the first leaf, the seedlings are seated in separate 9-centimeter pots. With seating seedlings seeds not be separated because they have long been supplying plant nutrients.
Pests. Most affected schitovkoy plant, spider mites, mealy scale insects that settle on the leaves, stalks and trunks of plants. They are sucking the juice, palm weaken. As a result of damage to leaves formed yellow or white spots, the leaves wither and fall off, the plant gradually dies.
To prevent the occurrence of pests partly helps washing sheets and high humidity. Identified parasites removed by wet swab in soapy water. If the outbreak spraying chemicals necessary protection.