Archontophoenix

The genus Archontophoenix consists of two species. Perennial tender, so-called royal palms (due to their elegant appearance) are better known as seaforthia. These attractive ornamental plants in nature grow up to 20 m or more in height. The trunk is thin (20 cm in diameter), swollen at the base, crowned with a crown of leaves; the leaf plates are solid at the base, further divided into rigid segments with parallel venation. The leaves are 3-5 m long, turned inward, erect; the leathery sheath of the leaf is rust-brown or purple in color. Short petiole in the upper part with a groove, convex at the bottom. In summer, adult plants produce branched hanging inflorescences up to 90 cm long, covered with two falling bracts that look like paper to the touch. Lilac or cream flowers with a transition to yellow are usually collected in several pieces, two male and one female, and are arranged on the axis in a spiral. The size of pink or red spherical fruits is 2-3 cm. The height of the trunk of Archontophoenix alexandrae is up to 25 m, the length of the leaves is up to 4 m, their color varies from light gray to purplish-brown, the underside of the segments is silver. Inflorescences 40-80 cm long are formed from yellow or cream-colored flowers. The plant is often called simply "Alexandra palm". The elegant trunk of Archontophoenix Cunningham (A. cunninghamii) grows up to 22 m. The length of the leaves is 2-3 m. Inflorescences consist of lilac flowers 60-90 cm long.

The genus Archontophoenix consists of two species. Perennial tender, so-called royal palms (due to their elegant appearance) are better known as seaforthia. These attractive ornamental plants in nature grow up to 20 m or more in height. The trunk is thin (20 cm in diameter), swollen at the base, crowned with a crown of leaves; the leaf plates are solid at the base, further divided into rigid segments with parallel venation. The leaves are 3-5 m long, turned inward, erect; the leathery sheath of the leaf is rust-brown or purple in color. Short petiole in the upper part with a groove, convex at the bottom. In summer, adult plants produce branched hanging inflorescences up to 90 cm long, covered with two falling bracts that look like paper to the touch. Lilac or cream flowers with a transition to yellow are usually collected in several pieces, two male and one female, and are arranged on the axis in a spiral. The size of pink or red spherical fruits is 2-3 cm.

The height of the trunk of Archontophoenix alexandrae is up to 25 m, the length of the leaves is up to 4 m, their color varies from light gray to purplish-brown, the underside of the segments is silver. Inflorescences 40-80 cm long are formed from yellow or cream-colored flowers. The plant is often called simply "Alexandra palm".

The elegant trunk of Archontophoenix Cunningham (A. cunninghamii) grows up to 22 m. The length of the leaves is 2-3 m. Inflorescences consist of lilac flowers 60-90 cm long.

Cultivation

Seaforthia is grown at home, in a not too warm room or winter garden. It requires a soil mixture of fertile land (50%), peat (30%) and sand (20%), filled with a complex fertilizer at the rate of 30-50 g per bucket of soil. During the spring and summer period, a mineral complex fertilizer is diluted in water for irrigation at the rate of 15 g per bucket.

Location

They develop well in a bright but not sunny place.

Temperature

In winter, the minimum temperature is 10 °C, the optimal temperature that should be maintained during the growth and development of the plant is 15-20 °C.

Watering

In spring and summer, they are watered frequently and abundantly to keep the soil moist and the surrounding environment cool. In winter, watering is reduced.

Transplant

Transplanted in the spring, once every 2-3 years, depending on the degree of development of the plant.

Care

Clean the leaves with a damp cloth and remove any damaged ones.

Reproduction

Seeds are sown in spring, in boxes filled with soil, which is a mixture of peat (70%) and sand (30%) with the addition of a small amount of fertilizer (10-15 g of complex fertilizer per bucket), in the room maintain a fairly high humidity, temperature - at 22 °C. As soon as the seedlings grow up, sort the best ones and plant them in cups with a diameter of 10 cm.

Diseases

If the growing conditions are not observed, the leaves of the seaforthia begin to turn brown. The reason may be insufficient or excessive watering, being in a cold draft. Remove the damaged parts and be more careful in the future, pay more attention to the requirements of the seaforthia. Plants are affected by worms that suck the sap, which leads to a weakening of the culture and yellowing of the foliage, contribute to the formation of rust. Pests are removed with a brush or cotton swab soaked in alcohol; treatment with anti-coccidal drugs is carried out. Spider mite causes the appearance of specks, first yellow, later darkening. Then there are extensive spots and stripes, and as a result, the leaves become "transparent". Try to maintain a good humidity level by regularly spraying the leaves. Such conditions are unfavorable for this pest. Then apply acaricide treatment.

Acquisition

Select plants with good roots, no yellowing, damaged leaves.

The ratio between quality and price Palm trees, which are most often sold in flower shops and gardening centers, can confuse the buyer. The fact is that the cost of plants of similar shapes and sizes varies greatly. The" queen " among palm trees is Howea forsteriana, a rather expensive crop, especially if it is grown from seed (it is difficult to find on sale, in addition, they have poor germination). Much cheaper specimens obtained by dividing adult plants, but they are not so beautiful and less stable. But Forster's hovea is sold at a higher price, because it is unpretentious, it has excellent stability even with neglected care. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens is very similar to Forster's hovea, but its leaves are narrower and the petioles are pale pink. When purchasing it, a good price - quality ratio is observed. As for Archontophoenix, its leaves are slightly different from those of Hovea Forster, they are slightly curved, pointed and not drooping. Due to the fact that growing is more difficult, the adaptive properties are worse, and they grow quite slowly, they are more expensive. The smallest and cheapest palm tree is Chamaedorea elegans, a plant with more strongly cut leaves. It is often used in compositions, but it does not have the elegance and stability inherent in other palm trees. Another plant with a good price-quality ratio: Canary date palm (Phoenix canadensis). It is hard leaves in autumn acquire a beautiful copper-red color on the underside. But another member of this genus, Phoenix roebelinii, is smaller and more delicate. In addition, some palm trees with characteristic fan-shaped leaves are very beautiful, for example: Chamaereops humilis and Livistona chinensis. One of the cheapest, but also the most delicate plants is the Cocos weddeliana, which is characterized by characteristic leaves growing out of the nut.

The ratio between quality and price

Palm trees, which are most often sold in flower shops and gardening centers, can confuse the buyer. The fact is that the cost of plants of similar shapes and sizes varies greatly. The" queen " among palm trees is Howea forsteriana, a rather expensive crop, especially if it is grown from seed (it is difficult to find on sale, in addition, they have poor germination). Much cheaper specimens obtained by dividing adult plants, but they are not so beautiful and less stable. But Forster's hovea is sold at a higher price, because it is unpretentious, it has excellent stability even with neglected care. Chrysalidocarpus lutescens is very similar to Forster's hovea, but its leaves are narrower and the petioles are pale pink. When purchasing it, a good price - quality ratio is observed. As for Archontophoenix, its leaves are slightly different from those of Hovea Forster, they are slightly curved, pointed and not drooping. Due to the fact that growing is more difficult, the adaptive properties are worse, and they grow quite slowly, they are more expensive. The smallest and cheapest palm tree is Chamaedorea elegans, a plant with more strongly cut leaves. It is often used in compositions, but it does not have the elegance and stability inherent in other palm trees.

Another plant with a good price-quality ratio: Canary date palm (Phoenix canadensis). It is hard leaves in autumn acquire a beautiful copper-red color on the underside. But another member of this genus, Phoenix roebelinii, is smaller and more delicate. In addition, some palm trees with characteristic fan-shaped leaves are very beautiful, for example: Chamaereops humilis and Livistona chinensis. One of the cheapest, but also the most delicate plants is the Cocos weddeliana, which is characterized by characteristic leaves growing out of the nut.