Content of the article:
Pachir households have grown in the same household plants have been brought up to the world. This tropical plant comes from the marshlands of South and Central America. Includes 24 views. According to some information, the plant belongs to the family of malvaceae, but according to other sources, it is ranked among the Baobab species. Often a pakhira is called a Guiana chestnut or Malabar chestnut for its external resemblance to a regular chestnut.
Types of pachyra for indoor cultivation
The most popular form for cultivation at home is pachira aquatika, it is also called aquatic. Its fruits are edible, can be used as a whole, however, they often make flour for the further preparation of a drink resembling hot chocolate. Externally, this plant is similar to a bottle tree, so it is often used in bonsai culture.
Growing pachyr at home is rather slow and the plant reaches a maximum of 3 m in height, while water is accumulating in the cavity between the bark and wood. In its natural environment, the plant can reach 20 m in height. Its leaves are leathery, have a dark green color and grow on long cuttings. They can see a smooth crown green. The flowering period of this species begins only in June and lasts until November. If you provide proper care, pachira aquatic can bloom almost all year round. It is noteworthy that during this period it does not shed its leaves, which is typical of similar plant species.
Cultivation rules
Features of groin care are quite simple, so even beginners can grow a plant. However, young specimens acquire a characteristic appearance over a long period — it takes years to form shoots, as well as tillering. Typically, branching begins only when the plant reaches a certain height - at least 2 meters. For planting, you can use the soil with an average level of nutritional value.
If the pahira has brown leaf tips, this may indicate that there is insufficient watering or the air in the room is too dry. In some cases, the cause may be drafts.
Location and lighting
It is preferable to grow pachira at home on the western or eastern windows. In order for the plant to develop in a normal rhythm, it is important to protect it from direct sunlight, in particular, from 10 am to 5 pm. In summer, the plant, like all tropical representatives, tolerates fresh air. For this pachira can be transferred to an open place without strong drafts, precipitation or direct sunlight. It is not recommended to put the pachira opposite the heaters.
Pakhira aquatika needs bright and diffused lighting at home. If you do not provide such conditions, then the stem of the plant will begin to stretch, which would entail a loss of decoration.
Watering and Humidity
Pahira prefers abundant watering. However, it is necessary to ensure that water does not fall on the trunk. You can use warm water with a low level of hardness. Watering is carried out on the diameter of the pot. In spring and summer it should be moderate. It is very important to wait for the top layer of the soil to dry before re-watering. In the autumn period, the plant easily tolerates the absence of moisture, but it should avoid excessive drying of the soil. If the pachira is provided with insufficient watering, there is a risk that its leaves will hang, and in case of excessive moisture, the plant may rot.
As for air humidity, this indicator does not play a special role in the cultivation of this species. Even moderately dry air will not have a harmful effect on the Malabar chestnut. However, the plant prefers regular spraying. They should be carried out at least 1 to 2 times a week. To do this, use only soft water. As with watering, it is important to ensure that moisture does not fall on the trunk. This can quickly cause the plant to rot.
Pruning rules
Diseases of the Guiana chestnut are most often the result of illiterate care. To avoid such consequences, it is important to constantly provide the plant with thorough care. Pruning of the pachira is done in spring, when the plant responds best to this procedure. Trim the upper branches, which more than the others are drawn to the top. In places where pruning was carried out, the plant is overgrown with a thicker crown. Following the example of stunted trees, the pachyre is most often tried to give a rounded shape, resembling a ball. Trimming gives it a decorative look. In specialized stores, sometimes there are instances that have intertwining stems. At home, you can also achieve this result, but this requires special skills and experience.
Features of reproduction
If you want to successfully grow a tropical plant like pachira, seed multiplication will be the easiest option. The plant multiplies quite simply in this way with the proper temperature of the soil up to 30 degrees. It should be noted that outdated seeds are not suitable for this, since they lose their germination during prolonged storage. It is preferable to use young seeds. They are sown in the usual mixture. Strongly sprinkle them with soil is not worth it. It is enough to spray the seeds with soft water a little, and then cover with glass, you can also use a plastic bag. For at least three weeks of planting should be constantly checked, aired and sprayed with water. With proper care, seedlings appear fairly quickly.
Pachyra reproduction by cuttings is another popular and effective option. For this, cuttings with a heel are cut from the plant. It is advisable to do this at the end of the summer to minimize harm.
Next, they must be laid out in a wet mixture consisting of sand and peat, covered in the same way as with seed reproduction. It is very important to observe the correct mode of humidity and heat. After a couple of months to grow a young tree.
