Pachypodium

Kutrov family. Homeland Fr. Madagascar, South Africa. These are tree-like plants with a thick (succulent) stem covered with needles like a cactus, and long narrow leaves that fall during the dormant period. The value of this plant, unlike cacti, is that it does not need cold wintering. In general, this is not a demanding plant. By the way, pachypodium contains milky juice containing rubber in the leaves.

• Pachypodium Lame pachypodium lameri is a very large plant, has a main cylindrical stem and long linear leaves, slightly pubescent on the reverse side. At the base of each leaf are three spines. Under natural conditions, this species grows to 5-6 m in height.
• Sanders' pachypodium pachypodium saundersii is a small plant that has a thick, short, cylindrical stem that branches into 3-4 shoots, leafy at the apex and covered with long brown spines. The leaves are green and ovoid.
• Pachypodium short-stalked Pachypodium brevicaule - has a main tuberous stem and short lateral shoots with a silver-green coating. During the dormant period, when the plant drops its leaves, it becomes like a pile of stones. It usually has few leaves, they are oblong or ovate, pubescent on both sides, up to 3 cm long and 1 cm wide. It flowers in large, light yellow flowers.

Pachypodium succulent Pachypodium succulentum - has a short main stem, lateral shoots form from it, which are initially pubescent. The leaves are long linear-lanceolate, pubescent on the reverse side. At the base of each leaf there are two spines. It blooms in small pink flowers.

Care for Pachypodium

When kept in favorable conditions at home, some types of pachypodium may not shed leaves. But in natural conditions, the leaves are lost before flowering.

Temperature: The plant is thermophilic, the optimal temperature for growth is about 24-26 ° C in summer, in winter an average of 14-15 ° C. Does not tolerate cooling of the root system after irrigation. For summer, it is better to put it in the open air in the garden or on the balcony, but when watering, take into account the night temperature drop, water only in the morning. Cold wintering up to + 5 ° С is permissible, with a completely dry content.

Lighting: For pachypodium, you need a bright sunny place. Growing well on the south window, totally unsuitable for the north side. Sometimes in winter, even on the south window, it can be too dark - the leaves gradually turn yellow and fall off. Especially sunny Pachypodium decary Pachypodium decaryi - he needs either a very cold wintering or a south window in winter with additional light on cloudy days.

Watering: In spring and summer (from May to September), moderate, the soil should not be slightly wet all the time, but have time to dry well. However, if watering an insufficient plant can gradually dry out the leaves lower on the stem. With a natural cooling in autumn, leaf fall begins - succulents can completely or almost completely lose leaves. If there is a possibility of cold wintering, then with leaf fall watering is reduced and until the formation of new shoots, practically not watered. Short-stemmed pachypodium is watered sparingly enough throughout the year.

Fertilizer: With the formation of new shoots, pachypodium is fed with special liquid fertilizer for cacti, adding it to water for irrigation. Top dressing no more than once a month.

Humidity: Pachypodium is resistant to dry air. But the leaves can be wiped clean with a damp sponge.

Flight connections

Transplanted annually in the spring. The soil should be loose and have a slightly acidic reaction. The soil 2 part sheet, 1 part humus, 1 part sand (fine gravel) and brick crumb. You can use a purchased soil mixture for cacti - "Cactus +." Drainage to the bottom of the pot is 2-3 cm. Young and adult plants are transplanted up to 5-6 years old annually, older after three years. By the way, the roots of pachypodiums are quite powerful, sometimes they crack and break the pot. Therefore, if roots are visible in the drainage hole, it's time to transplant. However, you should not take too spacious a pot in advance - it is easy to allow waterlogging of the soil.

Reproduction

Pachypodium is propagated by cuttings and seeds. Seeds cannot be obtained at home, even if kept in very good conditions. But you can buy seeds in specialized online stores. They are planted like cacti and other succulents in a mixture of peat soil and perlite (sand, vermiculite), in a greenhouse. You don't need any special dances around the seeds, but you can soak the day before in epin or zircon. Humidification is moderate. Since the emergence of seedlings, very good lighting is required.

Tick on Pachypodium

Spider mite: Damaged plants are distinguished by the pale yellow or light color of the leaves. Whitish spots form on the surface of damaged leaves, the leaves turn prematurely yellow. Between the spines, a reddish coating similar to rust can be seen on the stem. Some species of spider mites are so small that only their traces are noticeable in the magnifying glass - microscopic whitish skins on the back of the leaf or outer, along the central vein.

Control measures. If the spines allow, wipe each leaf on both sides with a soap sponge, beat the soap cap on the stems and leaves. Leave for 3-5 minutes. Wash off with very hot water with a powerful shower pressure. At the same time, water the soil surface. After that, drain the water from the pallet, loosen the soil, water only after thoroughly drying the ground. After 3-5 days, repeat, but do not wet the soil, close with a bag. If you do not risk using this method, just treat with acaricide (actellic, vermitek, apollo, phytoverm).