Not everyone is familiar with the representative of the Asparagusov family - the yucca. The plant was born on the continent of America and also populated islands in the Caribbean. An evergreen, beautiful, spectacular palm tree can decorate not only American lands, but also living rooms in our homes. Since the plant is classified as slow-growing, it will take time and effort to grow it. The Agronom.guru portal invites you to find out what yucca is, and home care for which will transform your living space.
Winter-hardy yucca is suitable for outdoor cultivation in Crimea, but the northern regions plant a palm tree in houses
Indoor varieties of the yucca plant with photos and names
What is yucca? This is a plant in which the xiphoid half-meter leaves of a small width are collected in a dense rosette. The bases of the leaves are wide, reaching up to 15 cm. A bluish bloom on the dark green foliage adds elegance to the plant. The trunk is quite pronounced, but branching is rare. The natural growth of yucca is 3-5 m. Many have not seen how yucca blooms - we suggest: divine!
Yucca palm tree in the photo in nature - a gorgeous beauty
The main varieties are represented by Marginata, elephant or giant yucca, Tricolor, Quadricolor. Differences are noticeable in the color of the leaves and the size of the adult plant.
Variegated Filamentosa "Bright Edge"
The varieties are distinguished by the height and splendor of the inflorescences. The most common home yucca, the giant yucca, grows only one and a half meters in a few years.
INTERESTING!
Countries such as Guatemala and Mexico are called yucca differently: Palmera and Palmita. Nevertheless, although we commonly call this plant a palm tree, botanists will point out a mistake: yucca varieties have nothing to do with palm varieties.
The so-called Palmita looks amazing in the Mexican wastelands.
Peduncle boggles the imagination
The gray, spreading leaves of the Yucca Gloriosa cultivar make an excellent background for a large peduncle.
Jewel is characterized by a dark green leaf edge
Yucca Aloifolia has short, wide, bright green leaves
Description of the plant and its types
Yucca is an evergreen tree-like plant with a thick and hard, weakly branching trunk. It belongs to succulents, as it is able to accumulate moisture in its trunk and shoots. The top of the trunk and the ends of the shoots end in dense rosettes of long and narrow leaves. Yucca leaves are tough, leathery, pointed at the ends. Young plants, when their trunk is still short, look like lush leafy rosettes.
Gradually, in the process of growth, old leaves die off and dry out, and the shoots and trunk lengthen and become bare.
The plant takes on the appearance of a tree and is very similar in shape to a palm tree. But there are also stemless rosette species. Yucca blooms very beautifully. She throws out a long peduncle, on which numerous white or yellowish flowers in the form of large bells bloom.
They exude a strong and pleasant aroma. Of the more than 40 types of yucca in the culture, about 10 are common. There are varieties that are very undemanding to temperature conditions that can withstand long winter frosts.
They are grown as garden plants:
- Yucca gray - has a short trunk and very long leaves (up to 90 cm), collected in a lush rosette;
- Yucca filamentous - bushy form with leaves up to 70 cm in length, withstands frosts down to -20 ° С.
Sizaya
Filamentous
Only the most compact varieties are grown indoors. But, all the same, they are rather large plants that are suitable only for greenhouses and spacious rooms:
- Yucca elephant - has a wide trunk, thickened at the base, is unpretentious;
- Aloe leaf yucca with wide leathery leaves collected in a spherical socket.
Elephant
Aloe leaf
Features of caring for elephant yucca (elephantis variety) at home
Caring for a plant, the tree-like trunk of which resembles an elephant's leg, does not differ in complexity or any peculiarities. Remember that yucca is the slowest growing, so be patient. The main thing is to master the ability to properly water the plant, remembering that it is not a fan of excess moisture.
Elephantis is perfect for exotic decor in the interior
Features of growing in the open field
Despite the unpretentiousness of the culture, it is worth knowing some of the features of its cultivation. The glorious, bluish and filamentous varieties are usually grown outdoors. The latter tolerates frost well in central Russia. The other two species are more often planted in warmer regions: in the Caucasus and in the Crimea. Due to its exotic appearance, the plant looks good in any area.
When planting yucca in open ground, you need to choose the right place. Then in the future the plant will not require much attention to itself. The culture thrives in sunny areas, but in some cases it can grow in partial shade. The plant can be planted on slopes. But in the lowlands and in the shade, it should not be placed, otherwise it will affect the appearance. Due to lack of lighting, yucca leaves turn yellow and become ugly.
How to propagate yucca at home
If you have questions about breeding yucca at home, then we offer a simple step-by-step instruction to get several plants, as in the photo below.
Beautiful home-grown flowers
Growing yucca from cuttings and seeds
Here are a few steps to help you breed pseudo palms:
- All procedures are carried out in the spring.
- The top with leaves is cut off from the trunk. If the trunk is not very thick, then it can also be cut into pieces of 10 cm each.
- Remember, very large parts take less root.
- 4-5 leaves will be enough on the handle.
- A piece of charcoal is thrown into a jar of water and the stalk is placed in water, which is changed every three days.
Cuttings root fairly quickly - Monitor the air temperature, which should not fall below 24 ° C.
- For seed reproduction, the freshest seeds are taken, which must be immersed in warm water for a day.
- The seeds are spread on a light nutritious soil, watered with a spray bottle and covered with a transparent material.
- The greenhouse needs to be ventilated twice a day and kept in a warm, bright place. The germination rate of seeds is no more than a month.
Reproduction of yucca by dividing the bush and side shoots
By dividing the bush, or rather, propagation by rosettes, they are used for garden yucca. She often has daughter rosettes that need to be cut off with a sharp disinfected knife, and sprinkled with crushed coal. The rosette takes root well in wet soil or vermiculite. An adult yucca sometimes produces several lateral shoots near the cut of the main stem - they are carefully broken out and placed in a glass of water until roots appear. Water is renewed every 2-3 days.
Conditions of detention
In summer, during the growth period, yucca tolerates a fairly high temperature above 30 ° С, but the optimal range is 20-25 ° С.
In winter, from late October to late February, the plant is dormant. At this time, it is recommended to lower the temperature to 7-12 ° C, otherwise the leaves of the plant dry quickly and fall off.
Fluctuations in temperature for yucca are quite natural, since a sharp decrease and increase in temperature is typical for the conditions of deserts and semi-deserts.
Yucca loves bright lighting and suffers from lack of light in winter., therefore, the most illuminated place is chosen for the plant.
Under natural conditions, this false palm tree perfectly withstands direct sunlight, but if the yucca was kept in the room in diffused lighting, it must be taught to the sun gradually. Otherwise, burns on the leaves cannot be avoided.
Yucca is a resident of a dry climate, it does not require high humidity.... On the contrary, excess moisture harms the plant. If the air in the room is too humid, it can provoke rotting of the roots or stem of the plant.
Diseases and pests of yucca
Diseases, like pests, immediately affect the state of the plant. Overmoistening leads to fungal infections, however, as well as hypothermia of the roots.
In a diseased plant, the leaves are covered with brown spots.
The same ugly state of the flower will be with stuck together, impermeable soil (little drainage). Diseased leaves are removed, the plant is watered with the fungicide Fitosporin, and henceforth they are more careful with watering. Fungus and bacteriosis can cause stem rot - it softens, the leaves turn pale and sag. The reasons are the same: overmoistening and hypothermia.
It is useful to include coarse river sand and vermiculite in the soil. Blackened leaves indicate that the yucca is on the verge of death, and it cannot be saved. Pay attention to the leaves curled up in a tube - the plant is excessively hot and the soil is very dry.
With the attack of a mealy mite, aphids, spider mites and scale insects, they fight with insecticides Aktara and Karbofos. The spider mite retreats after the application of Spark BIO. It is useful to rinse the flower with a solution of laundry soap before processing.
Watering and fertilizing
The plant needs moderate watering in the summer. Even in hot weather, it should not be watered more than once a week. Yucca, like other inhabitants of arid regions, must be watered so that the entire earthen lump is well moistened. After that, the plant is not watered until almost all the soil in the pot is dry.
In winter, at low temperatures, watering yucca is greatly reduced... Watering no more than 1 time per month. It should be remembered that even a slight stagnation of cold water leads to the death of the plant.
Fertilize the soil in which the yucca grows only during the growing season of the plant from early May to late September. To do this, you can use liquid complex fertilizers for palms and succulents.
You can also use universal mineral fertilizers for deciduous plants. Yucca is fed monthly, fertilizers are applied to wet soil 3-4 hours after watering.
During the resting period, the yucca is not fed.
Why do yucca leaves turn yellow and dry and what to do about it
A noticeable yellowing of the leaves, which turns into white, is combined with stretching upwards - there is a strong lack of lighting. If there is little natural light source, then fluorescent lamps should be placed nearby. Have the leaves turned yellow and wilted at the base of the yucca? This means that the plant is overly moisturized.
Drying of the leaves is associated with scabbard or excessive dryness in a hot room. Decorating the interior is wonderful. By investing part of your soul in growing unpretentious exotic yucca, you can turn any room into a heavenly place.
Yucca's homeland
Countries in which yucca grows everywhere - Central (and North) America, Mexico.
Back in the 19th century, the false palm attracted the attention of scientists so much that it became the basis of collections in many botanical gardens in all corners of the globe.
Today, the exotic tree is cultivated in greenhouses on the coast of the Crimea and the Caucasus, and in the central strip, yucca has gained popularity as an unpretentious indoor plant.
The subtropical origin of yucca affects the elementary rules of care and cultivation: the palm tree grows slowly, loves moist air and light drought. Some species (filamentous, glorious, aloe) are even frost-resistant, survive when temperatures drop to -15 degrees, and therefore are suitable for breeding in the open field.
Transfer and transshipment
Young specimens transplanted every two years in another pot, 3-4 cm larger than the previous one in diameter.For successful growth, you must follow the rules for planting and transplanting yucca:
- The volume of the pot should be proportionate to the top of the yucca. The depth of the pot is selected so that it is approximately twice the inner diameter.
- When the plant reaches an impressive size, the miracle palm is not transplanted, but an annual replacement of the top layer of soil in the pot is done.
- The culture is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but nutritious loose soil will be optimal, which will facilitate the access of air and moisture to the roots of the yucca.
For transplantation, a ready-made soil mixture is purchased at a garden center or flower shop.
If you decide to prepare the soil for transplanting yourself, do not forget to check the combination of components
- Instead of store soil use a self-composed mixture of sod land, leafy earth, coarse sand, humus in a ratio of 2: 2: 2: 1.
Self-preparation of the soil is not uncommon. The main thing is to know the percentage of the combination of components. For example, see how to make a pike tail flower soil.
- Vermiculite, perlite or expanded clay crumbs are added to any soil mixture (store-bought or prepared on their own), which will act as a baking powder.
- When planting and transplanting, a drainage layer of expanded clay or river gravel must be laid on the bottom of the pot.
- Any manipulations with the root system are carried out carefully, trying not to destroy the earthen lump and not expose sensitive roots. Therefore, it is more correct to call a transfer a transfer.
Sometimes owners of mature plants transplant them into larger pots to make the palm tree more resistant. To do this absolutely not, otherwise the soil in the pot will begin to acidify, which will lead to rotting of the roots and the death of the yucca. For stability, it is worth picking up a pot with a wide bottom.
