Howea

The genus Howea unites only 2 species, which traditionally continue to be called Kentias. The name of the genus comes from the island of Lord Hove, which is located between Australia and New Zealand, the birthplace of this plant. Hovea is one of the most beautiful and popular feathery indoor palms; besides, growing these plants is a great pleasure. They can - even at home-reach significant sizes: up to 3 m in height and 2 m in diameter. They have characteristic short trunks, falling short, complex leaves on elegant petioles of a beautiful dark green color, with bright yellow leaves. pronounced streaks. More common is Howea forsteriana, with outwardly curving petioles with leaflets until they are almost horizontal. In natural conditions, the plant can stretch up to 15 m in height. At home, flowering practically never happens. Howea Belmora (H. belmoreana) is very similar to the first species, but it is more erect and elongated up plant. The leaves that make up complex leaves are narrow. This species is characterized by slow growth.

The genus Howea unites only 2 species, which traditionally continue to be called Kentias. The name of the genus comes from the island of Lord Hove, which is located between Australia and New Zealand, the birthplace of this plant. Hovea is one of the most beautiful and popular feathery indoor palms; besides, growing these plants is a great pleasure. They can - even at home-reach significant sizes: up to 3 m in height and 2 m in diameter. They have characteristic short trunks, falling short, complex leaves on elegant petioles of a beautiful dark green color, with bright yellow leaves. pronounced streaks.

More common is Howea forsteriana, with outwardly curving petioles with leaflets until they are almost horizontal. In natural conditions, the plant can stretch up to 15 m in height. At home, flowering practically never happens.

Howea Belmora (H. belmoreana) is very similar to the first species, but it is more erect and elongated up plant. The leaves that make up complex leaves are narrow. This species is characterized by slow growth.

Cultivation

Howea is grown at home as a potted crop; the exception is mild climatic zones, where it can be grown outdoors, however, with some caution. For example, if the temperature drops below 10 °C, you should mulch the soil and cover the plant with matting. A hovea as a houseplant can be taken out into the open air, on a balcony or terrace, but cannot be put under direct sun. This crop is easy to grow and in good conditions it is very easy to achieve the appearance of 2-3 new leaves per year. During the entire growing season, a liquid complex fertilizer should be periodically added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket of water.

Howea is grown at home as a potted crop; the exception is mild climatic zones, where it can be grown outdoors, however, with some caution. For example, if the temperature drops below 10 °C, you should mulch the soil and cover the plant with matting. A hovea as a houseplant can be taken out into the open air, on a balcony or terrace, but cannot be put under direct sun. This crop is easy to grow and in good conditions it is very easy to achieve the appearance of 2-3 new leaves per year.

During the entire growing season, a liquid complex fertilizer should be periodically added to the water for irrigation at the rate of 10-20 g per bucket of water.

Location

In residential areas, hovea prefers a well-lit place, but not in direct sunlight. A moderately lit place is also suitable, but in this case the plant will experience slow growth. It is recommended to avoid drafts.

Temperature

The optimal spring-summer temperature for this plant is 20-25 °C, in winter it can be in the range of 15-20 °C, and it is important that the air temperature never falls below 10 °C.

Watering

Howea has no special requirements for the irrigation regime: it is enough not to allow the soil to completely dry out, not to overdo it when watering with the amount of water, and often repeat spraying the leaves. In general, this plant tolerates a lack of water better than an excess of it.

Transplant

They are usually transplanted in the spring, but only if necessary (when the roots have occupied all the free space in the pot). Well-prepared potting soil should be used, sometimes with peat and sand added to improve structure and drainage. The new pot should always be 1-2 sizes larger than the previous one. It is recommended to choose relatively deep pots, but they should correspond to the size of the plant, otherwise it can easily tip over backwards.

Care

To give the palm a beautiful appearance, it is enough to spray with water or clean the leaves with a damp cloth. Do not use lustrating solutions. Dry leaves are removed.

Reproduction

Propagate Howea mainly by seeds, however, for amateurs it is not too easy, since the early stage of plant development is characterized by extremely slow growth: in order to grow noticeably, Howea takes 5-7 years. Sowing is carried out at the end of winter in peat, and the air temperature during seed germination is maintained at 27 °C. If the seeds germinate, then when they develop sufficiently, they are unpacked (planted) singly in 8-cm pots. As the plant develops, the size of the pot is increased during transplantation; the temperature is maintained within 18-25 °C.

Diseases

If optimal growing conditions are not met (for example, in case of lack or excess of water, being in a cold draft), the leaves of Howea may turn brown. As for pests, it can be damaged by worms: both powdery and false-coccides, which, sucking the juice out of the plant, cause wilting and yellowing of the leaves, and contribute to the appearance of rabble. They are removed with a wet cloth or cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Then the plant is treated with an appropriate (anti-coccidal) insecticide. Mites can cause mottling, yellow at first, then dark, then more extensive wounds and grooves are formed, and finally the leaves become transparent. It is necessary to maintain high humidity around the plant-regularly spray the leaves with water - such conditions are not liked by ticks - and treat them with special preparations.

Acquisition

The best time to buy a hovea is spring: at this time, it is better to get used to the conditions of an enclosed space.