Washingtonia

Only 2 types of palms belong to the genus Washingtonia, which are characterized by a straight, squat, rough trunk, covered in nature with dead drooping leaves that remain on the trunk for a long time and cover it with a dense blanket. The leaves are large, fan-shaped, dissected into linear segments, often with ragged edges. The flowers are collected in branchy inflorescences-cobs (dense elongated swellings on the axes of the inflorescences), wrapped in bracts, similar to petals; over time, they become drooping. Fruits are spherical black drupes (fleshy fruits with lignified seed) located on the inflorescence axis. This plant is named after US President George Washington (1732-1799). As indoor crops, young specimens are grown in tubs, the distinctive feature of which is the numerous threads located between the leaf segments. Both species are easy to distinguish from each other (especially in adulthood): Washingtonia filamentous has gray-green, and Washingtonia is powerful - brownish leaf petioles. Washingtonia filifera (Washingtonia filifera) is a species that naturally grows up to 15 m in height. Leaves are grayish-green, with coarse fibrous edges, on long petioles. Flowers are located at the top of the trunk. Washingtonia powerful (W. robusta) grows in nature up to 25 m, the trunk is more elongated than that of Washingtonia filamentous, almost entirely covered with remnants of dry leaves, bare only in the lower part. The leaves are dissected by about a third of their length - less than that of Washingtonia filamentary, the fibers are shorter.

Only 2 types of palms belong to the genus Washingtonia, which are characterized by a straight, squat, rough trunk, covered in nature with dead drooping leaves that remain on the trunk for a long time and cover it with a dense blanket. The leaves are large, fan-shaped, dissected into linear segments, often with ragged edges. The flowers are collected in branchy inflorescences-cobs (dense elongated swellings on the axes of the inflorescences), wrapped in bracts, similar to petals; over time, they become drooping. Fruits are spherical black drupes (fleshy fruits with lignified seed) located on the inflorescence axis. This plant is named after US President George Washington (1732-1799). As indoor crops, young specimens are grown in tubs, the distinctive feature of which is the numerous threads located between the leaf segments. Both species are easy to distinguish from each other (especially in adulthood): Washingtonia filamentous has gray-green, and Washingtonia is powerful - brownish leaf petioles.

Washingtonia filifera (Washingtonia filifera) is a species that naturally grows up to 15 m in height. Leaves are grayish-green, with coarse fibrous edges, on long petioles. Flowers are located at the top of the trunk.

Washingtonia powerful (W. robusta) grows in nature up to 25 m, the trunk is more elongated than that of Washingtonia filamentous, almost entirely covered with remnants of dry leaves, bare only in the lower part. The leaves are dissected by about a third of their length - less than that of Washingtonia filamentary, the fibers are shorter.

Cultivation

These are open ground plants, in the southern regions they are used for alley planting. In the early years, they can be grown in pots, replacing the pot with a larger one in the spring if the roots no longer fit in the container. They are finally planted in the ground in the spring. As tub plants indoors, washingtonia is more often grown. There are no special requirements for the soil, as long as it is sufficiently moist and well-drained. During planting, organic fertilizers are usually applied at the rate of 5-7 kg per plant. When watering for feeding young plants in spring and summer, a complex fertilizer is added to the water in an amount of 20 g per bucket.

Location

Open sun required.

Temperature

Although representatives of Washington are resistant to fluctuations in air temperature, it is better to maintain a constant temperature regime, the minimum temperature should be at least 0 °C.

Watering

Regular watering is recommended because mature plants, while tolerating some dryness, prefer moist soil.

Reproduction

Washingtonia does not give lateral shoots, so it is propagated exclusively by seeds. Sow in March, in a closed place, at a temperature of 20 °C. The grown seedlings are transplanted one at a time into pots with soil consisting of 2/3 of peat and 1/3 of fertile soil. They are kept in the open air, if the climate permits, they are brought into the house in the fall. They are planted in the ground after 2-3 years.

Diseases

Due to a lack or excess of water, the leaves can change color, turn brown. Regulate watering. Of the pests, mealybugs infect plants, which suck out the juice, weakening the palm tree, the leaves turn yellow, and rust may appear. In this case, the cultures are treated with anticoccidal drugs. From a spider mite, specks appear on the leaves, first yellow, then darkening, wounds are formed, specks are drunk into extensive strips. Maintain proper moisture level and treat with acaricides.

Acquisition

Washingtonia is relatively easy to find in horticultural centers and nurseries, mainly those that specialize in palm trees. In the spring, relatively small plants are acquired, it is easier to plant them in a tub or soil. Check that the foliage is in perfect condition.

The curious dimensions of washingtonia Washingtonia filamentous has a trunk up to 15 m high and up to 1 m in diameter. The leaves are large: from the petiole to the tip of the central segment, about 2 m. Up to about half of the leaf plate, they are divided into 80-90 segments. Its petioles are also very developed, up to 2 m in length. Washingtonia powerful can grow up to 25-30 m in height, but the trunk diameter does not exceed 40 cm. Its leaves are smaller, only 1.5 m, and are divided into 70 segments; petiole length -1.5 m. Both palms have a surprisingly high seed germination rate, reaching 97%.

The curious dimensions of washingtonia

Washingtonia filamentous has a trunk up to 15 m high and up to 1 m in diameter. The leaves are large: from the petiole to the tip of the central segment, about 2 m. Up to about half of the leaf plate, they are divided into 80-90 segments. Its petioles are also very developed, up to 2 m in length.

Washingtonia powerful can grow up to 25-30 m in height, but the trunk diameter does not exceed 40 cm. Its leaves are smaller, only 1.5 m, and are divided into 70 segments; petiole length -1.5 m.

Both palms have a surprisingly high seed germination rate, reaching 97%.