Dipsis (Chrysalidocarpus)

 
дипсис

Arecal family (palm trees). Homeland Island Madagascar, Antilles, Jamaica, Comoros.

This palm is particularly bushy - wai branch abundantly at the base and the plant looks like a very spectacular bush. The genus has about 70 species. Spread as a houseplant was Dipsis yellowish Dypsis lutescens. Its stems are smooth, green in color, grow up to 12 m in height in nature, and in apartments it can reach the ceiling. The leaves are pinnate, averaging 1-2 m long in adult palms. Petioles are densely covered with black scales. Synonym: Chrysalidocarpus yellowish Chrysalidocarpus lutescens.

By the way, it is known that Dipsis perfectly cleans the air from chemical impurities such as xylene and toluene.

Dipsis - Care and Cultivation

Growing at a temperature of about 20-24 ° C, like all palm trees, dipsis does not tolerate heat indoors. He needs a lot of fresh air, regularly ventilate the room, put a pot of palm tree on the balcony for the summer. In winter, a cooler content is required at 16-18 ° C, at least 12 ° C.

Lighting: Dipsis prefers a bright place, shading from the sun's rays in the afternoon, but the sun's rays in the morning or after 16 o'clock are very beneficial for him. You should not place this palm tree in a shaded place, further than 50 cm from the window you probably need to light up on cloudy days and the autumn-winter period.

Watering: should be uniform, without overdrying or waterlogging. In spring and summer, plentiful, but after the soil dries in the upper third of the pot. In winter, moderate, wait with watering after drying for a few more days.

Top dressing: carried out from March to September in 2 weeks, with special fertilizer for palm trees or any liquid fertilizer for ornamental and deciduous plants.

Humidity: Palm is very fond of spraying, and small plants can be worn in the shower, once a month to wash off dust and carry out hot shower (45 degrees) tick prevention.

Transplant: Dipsis (chrysalidocarpus) is transplanted annually or after two years. The soil is 2 part light turf, 2 part humus-leaf, 1 part sand and some charcoal. It is not bad to add small (1-3 mm) expanded clay or vermiculite to the soil, about 2 handfuls per bucket of earth.

Reproduction: seeds without problems. Seeds germinate after 30-40 days, it is advisable to use an indoor greenhouse and soil heating for germination of seeds. Young seedlings contain at a temperature of 18-22 ° C, periodically ventilated.

For more on palm cultivation and cultivation, see Palm trees

Growing problems

Yellowing of leaves - due to lack of watering, lack of nutrients in the soil, excess calcium in the soil, i.e. watering with too hard water.

Leaves can turn yellow from the appearance of pests, in extreme heat in summer or in a heated room in winter.

The leaves turn pale - mainly in too bright sunlight, when the soil is depleted, if the palm has not been transplanted for a long time, and it can also be caused by a spider mite or other pests. Take a magnifying glass and carefully examine the leaves on both sides, especially on the lower surface, along the central vein of the leaf.

Brown leaf tips: the most likely reason is dry air, also possible due to insufficient irrigation, proximity of the heating system or exposure to cold air (from touching cold, for example, window glass in winter).

Brown spots on the leaves - when the soil is waterlogged, especially when the temperature drops sharply. When transplanting, always pour 4-5 cm high drainage into the pot.

Brown lower leaves - in many palms, the lower leaves darken and die with age, they are periodically cut off with a sharp knife.

Pests - palm trees are attacked by scale insects, spider mites and mealybugs (see pests).