Pachypodiumis a remarkable Madagascar succulent with an exotic palm-like appearance. Its main decoration is a magnificent plume of leaves crowning a long shoot bristled with long thorns. See whatgrowing pachypodium in a potlooks like and what this plant needs for he althy growth. We also advisehow to multiply pachypodiumin amateur conditions and whatdiseases of pachypodiumcan be troublesome.
Pachypodium (Pachypodium lamerei)
Fig. depositphotos.com
What does the Pachypodium look like?
Pachypodium(Pachypodium lamerei), also called the Madagascar palm or the star of the steppes, is an extremely interesting exotic plant. It is a succulent with a club-shaped shoot covered with numerous sharp thorns. Long (up to 40 cm), lanceolate, dark green leaves grow at the top of the shoot. Pachypodium grows very fast. Reaches 1 m in height after 2-3 years! It is a long-lived plant and, with proper care, it can survive in home cultivation for 20 years and even bloom. Then delicate, white flowers appear at the top of the stem, similar to those of a Vinca.
Pachypodnium - cultivation
1. Pachypodium cultivation position and temperature
Pachypodnium requires a sunny position . It is best to grow them near the south or east window. You can also put them outside in summer. Lack of sun causes the stem to stretch out, and it causes the leaf to become small and even shed.
Pachypodnium is an extremely thermophilic plantIn winter, the temperature cannot drop below 15 ° C. Low temperatures, combined with excessive moisture and a small amount of light, cause the plant to rot and may die within a few days.Pachypodium hates drafts
2. Watering the Pachypodium
Pachypodium is a root succulent that stores water in an overgrown root collar. Therefore, the substrate in the pot must not be too moist. However, watering the pachypodium should be regular so that the plant does not start shedding its leaves.The safest way to water the pachypodium is to place the pot in a bowl filled with water for about 15-20 minutes.Watering should be done once every 7-10 days in summer. In winter, a maximum of once a month, pouring water into the saucer.
Pachypodium plants in the garden shop
Fig. Tangopaso, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
3. Substrate, fertilization and transplanting
Pachypodnium requires a light and permeable substrate with a pH close to neutral (pH 6-7.5).Pachypodium is grown using a cactus substrate mixed with coarse sand(ratio 2: 1). Pots for pachypodium cultivation should be wide and shallow.
Pachypodiums should be repotted every 2-3 years , preferably at the end of the dormant period, i.e. in February. This is done only when the roots have completely filled the inside of the pot and start to escape through the holes in the bottom. Pachypodium is very sensitive to transplanting, so it shouldn't be done without a reason.
For the fertilization of pachypodium, it is best to usebiohumus or fertilizer for cacti in a dose half lower than that recommended by the manufacturer. The plant is fertilized once a month, from April to October.
4. Wintering Pachypodium
Pachypodium is a succulent that grows in the humid and warm climate of Madagascar Its leaves are very sensitive to dry air and require fogging. However, the low amount of light in winter, combined with high humidity, quickly leads to the development of fungal diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to force the plant to go into a dormant period.
For this purposewatering of the Pachypodium is gradually reduced in autumnA decrease in soil moisture is a signal for the plant simulating the arrival of the dry season.When the pachypodium goes into a state of rest, it sheds all its leaves and stops growingIn this state, the pachypodium can withstand the conditions that prevail near heating radiators. Pachypodium, unlike other succulents and cacti, does not have to overwinter in the cold. In spring, we start to water the plant more abundantly and it quickly returns to its previous state.
Pachypodium in the botanical garden in Prague
Fig. Karelj, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Pachypodnium - reproduction
Multiplying the pachypodium is not easy and requires some practice . Cut the main shoot of the pachypodium at a height of about 20 cm and leave it in the pot. Coat the cut wound with garden ointment. Over time, the plant will start to sprout young shoots at the cut site.
Divide the cut, upper part of the shoot into 15-20 cm pieces and leave it to dry. Then, the upper part of the cuttings is covered with garden ointment and the lower part is dipped in the rooting agent.We plant ready-made Pachypodium seedlings in moist sand(we only use sand, no need to add anything to it). Rooting cuttings should have a constantly moderately moist substrate. After a few weeks, when the seedlings have formed roots, we transplant them into pots with soil for cacti.
Note!Pachypodnium has a highly poisonous juice. Use gloves to carry out all care work on this plant, and in particular reproduction, related to cutting the shoot and transplanting.
Pachypodium - diseases
1. Black leaves
Blackening leaves in the pachypodium are the result of feeding of spider mitesTo remove pests from the plant, wash the leaves and thorns with water and dishwashing liquid. Every part of the plant should be cleaned. You should also try to increase the air humidity by misting the plant. Spraying Agrocover Spray and Multi Insekt helps in the fight against spider mites.
2. Yellowing leaves
Yellowing leaves of the pachypodium are a sign of a substrate that is too moist . The soil in the pot should be dried and the rules of proper watering of the pachypodium should be followed.
Yellowing pachypodium leaves may signal a need for repotting . Check that the roots in the pot are not overdeveloped and replace the pot with one size larger if necessary.
3. Brown leaves
Browning of the pachypodium leaves may indicate that the substrate is saline The s alts in tap water and fertilizers accumulate in the soil, causing it to become saline. In order to remove excess s alt from the substrate, fertilization should be stopped and for some time Pachypodium should be watered from the top with a strong stream of water (e.g. from a bottle). You can also completely replace the substrate in the pot, but it's best to do this during the rest period.
4. Resin Leakage
Resin drops on pachypodium thorns are a symptom of fungal infectionThe plant should be transplanted to a new substrate and a clean pot, and then sprayed with a plant strengthening agent against diseases, eg Biosept Active. Pachypodium should be protected against excess moisture in the substrate, which is conducive to the development of fungal diseases.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
