The areka palm is a popular and very impressive potted plantIt is valued for its extremely decorative leaves and elegant habit. Areka is a universal plant that fits into any interior and does not cause many problems. See what the correctcare of the areca palmlooks like and learn about the diseases and pests that threaten it. With these tipscultivating areca at homewill be very easy!
Areca yellowish (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens, syn. Areca lutescens)
© PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
What does the areka palm look like?
"The name areka is used to describe several species of palm trees that inhabit naturally tropical regions of the world.Two species of areca are most often found indoors- yellow areca (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens syn. Areca lutescens) and catechu (Chrysalidocarpus catechu syn. Areca catechu). "
The yellowish areca is sometimes also called the golden areca or simply the golden arecaIt comes from Madagascar, where it reaches even several meters in height. In home cultivation, however, it does not grow more than 1.5 m. It is a very resistant plant and can survive in an apartment for many years.Yellowish areka is a beautiful plant with feathery, light green leaveswith a distinct yellow main vein, which are embedded in a yellow-gold sediment. The leaves are set on golden-green stems. Initially they are straight, and after unfolding - arched. Additionaladvantages of the yellowish areca include the ability to remove toxic substances from the environmentand excellent air humidification.It is therefore a great houseplant for the bedroom.
The second species, the catechu areca, is often found under the names of areca, betel palm, areca palm, or bamboo palm. It comes from the regions of the Philippines and Malaysia.Areca catechu is taller than the yellowish areca(reaching about 2 m in height) and is distinguished from it by green, striped stems and long leaves of intense green color, which are embedded in a green leaf. The stripes on the stems are arranged in a regular ring pattern. These are the scars that are left over from fallen leaves. They become visible when the palm tree is about 3 years old. Young catechu areka palm trees resemble a miniature coconut palm.
Areka katechu (Chrysalidocarpus catechu)
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Areka cultivation and care
Areka should be grown in an area with lots of diffused light . The optimum temperature for cultivating areka is between 18-22 ° C. In home cultivationareka palm trees do not have a dormant period .
Areca needs high air humidity to develop properly. Too dry air causes the tips of the leaves to dry out. This problem is especially aggravated in winter in flats with central heating. That is whyone of the most important treatments in the care of the areca is the regular sprinkling of the leavesThis treatment should be performed quite often, i.e. every 2-3 days. A good way to humidify the air around plants is to place a pot with a palm tree on a stand filled with expanded clay and water (the water from such a stand evaporates, moisturizing the air).
Areca leaves should be sprinkled regularly
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
The areka palm must be watered frequentlyThe substrate in the pot should be kept constantly moist. In summer, in hot weather, it tolerates excess water in the pot very well (so-called wet feet). Areka is perfect for hydroponic cultivation.Water decalcified(decalcified or boiled) should be used to water the areca, as excess calcium will damage this palm."
Fertilize Areka from spring to the end of summer , every 2-3 weeks, using liquid palm fertilizer or universal fertilizer in a dose half the amount indicated in the instructions on the package. Nutrient deficiencies manifest themselves in the form of leaves that turn pale and yellow from the top.
Areca palms are usually planted several in one potto give the impression of being denser. However, this is not necessarily the case. They also look good when planted individually. The specific structure of the root system (long, poorly branched pile system) means that these palms should be grown in tall and narrow pots. If necessary,the best time to replant the areca is February and March
In the cultivation of areca it is very important to choose the right substrateA good substrate for the areca is compost soil with an admixture of peat or leaf earth and sand, which should be mixed in equal proportions.The substrate should be loosened with perlite or expanded clay to make it more permeable. Of course, you can buy a ready-made substrate for palm trees, which is available in garden centers. At the bottom of the pot, it is worth creating a drainage layer made of gravel or expanded clay.
Diseases of the areka palm
1. Drying of leaves
Drying out of the leaves of the areca palm is one of the most common problems that arise during its cultivation. It is caused by too low air and substrate humidity. Dry air destroys the leaf blade and, unfortunately, even if the ambient humidity improves, the damage cannot be repaired. Damaged leaves should be shortened by trimming them a millimeter above he althy tissue. Then remember to sprinkle the leaves on a regular basis (every 2-3 days, and if that's not enough - even every day).
Drying ends of areca leaves
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
2. Leaf spot
Often, various discolorations appear on the leaves of the areca. They have the form ofyellow or brown spots that are scattered on the leaves of the arecaThe cause of such changes may be a disease caused by parasitic fungi of the species Gliocladium vermoeseni, Exosporium palmivorium or Drechslera ssp. excessive plant density, which prevents proper air circulation between them, as well as too much sprinkling of plants on cold and cloudy days.
After noticing symptoms of the diseaseremove all diseased leaves and spray the plants with a fungicideeg Biosept Active or, in case of a very strong infection, Topsin M 500 SC (1 ml of the agent in 1 l of water). It is best to apply both of these preparations, alternately repeating the spraying. We use Topsin for a maximum of 2 sprays with an interval of 14 days. Biosept Active can be sprayed on the plant many times, also preventively so that the disease does not return, using it every 7-14 days.
3. Shields
Scales are common pests of the areca. These insects are only a few millimeters long and have a flattened body covered with a characteristic brownish shield. As a result of their foraging , areca leaves initially turn yellow and then fall , which results in the inhibition of plant development. Scum discs develop best in conditions of high temperature and low air humidity (i.e. in winter, when radiators heat up). Thereforethe most effective method of fighting scales is to regularly moisten the air in the immediate vicinity of the arecaIf we find the presence of scales on the leaves and stems of the areca (sticky substance, brown raised points), remove them mechanically with a brush, and then wipe the leaves with a cotton swab soaked in denatured alcohol. For better protection of the areca, it is worth using Shielding Sticks Ultra, which are placed directly in the soil in the pot.
4. Red spider mite
Ifappears mosaic-like yellow spots on the upper side of areca leaves , and the leaves turn yellow and dry over time, the plant is attacked by the spider mite (Tetrańus urticae). If the areka palm tree is not large, you can try to remove the pests mechanically from its leaves with a cotton swab dipped in soapy water, and then rinse the entire plant thoroughly with running water. With large plants, it will be easier to spray them with a spray preparation, eg Agricolle AE. To avoid the reappearance of spider mites, increase the frequency of misting the areca leaves and maintain high air humidity in the immediate vicinity.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
