Pachipodium: home care, description, types

Cacti and succulents have long been fond of flower growers. After all, with minimal care and observance of elementary rules, a very effective and unusual plant grows . One of these is the pachypodium (Pachypodium). The description, types and care for it we will study today.

Plants of the genus Pahipodium

This is a small (23 species) group of succulent bushes and trees. All pahipodiums are inhabitants of hot edges. The name literally means "thick leg". It is caused by an interesting appearance of the plant. Like any succulent, the pachypodium accumulates moisture in the stem, which is very thick and can have a different shape. The leaves are located on the very top. On the stem there are thorns, because of what the plant is sometimes confused with cacti. The birthplace of pahipodiums is continental Africa and Madagascar, where they are very common. The most famous representative of the genus is the Bottled Tree (on the first photo). There are real giants, growing to 8 meters in height. Some species are adapted for indoor floriculture. Care for the pahipodium at home is not difficult, but it is important to know some of the subtleties and observe the precautionary measures, because the plants secrete milky juice, and it is poisonous.

Types of pachypodium for indoor floriculture

1. Pachipodium Lamera (Madagascar palm). In the wild it is a large tree (up to 6 m), which has a thick barbed trunk. At the very tip of the stem an outlet is formed of dark green leathery leaves, which have an elongated-lanceolate shape. In the room conditions, the maximum height is 50-70 cm. There is a species - pachypodium Lamer branchy.
2. Pachipodium of Zhai. In a natural environment this tree grows up to 3-6 meters in height, in the room conditions the dimensions are more modest (50-60 cm). It is similar to the species of Lamer, but the leaves are narrower and pubescent.
3. Pahipodium short-stemmed. The name speaks for itself. The stem is large enough, and the width of the bush grows to 60 cm, but the height - much less. Small leaves are located at the very top.
4. Pawning of Saunders. Its distinctive feature are beautiful white flowers with a pink strip. The stem has a practically spherical shape with a small number of spines.
5. Pachypodium is succulent. The plant has a root, reminiscent of a turnip, which smoothly passes into a wide stem tuber. This, perhaps, is the most effective room pahipodium. Care at home is not different from other species, with a favorable environment, it grows up to 90 cm in height.
6. Pachypodium gustoflyvkovy. This species of succulent shrubs has a very fleshy stem, up to 30 cm in diameter, densely studded with thorns. Sheet sockets are located in the apical part.
7. Pachipodium of chorobenze. The plant is small in size and has a wide trunk. It flowers in large yellow flowers.
8. The pachypodium is rosette. Has a large thickening near the root - the caudex, from which the cylindrical branches leave. Very unusual pahipodium. Care for the pachypodia rosette is the same as for the other species. There is a branchy subspecies, in which the branches leave the caudex with rosettes of leaves at the end.
9. Pachipodium of Rutenberg. In nature, grows a large tree 4-8 meters in height and a trunk diameter of up to 60 cm.

All these species can be grown in room conditions, but most often the first two.

Choice of location and air temperature for pahipodium

This succulent plant comes from hot Africa, so it needs a maximum of light and even direct sunlight. A pot with a pahipodium is best placed on the south, south-west or south-east windows. In summer it is recommended to take it out on a balcony or terrace. But it is necessary to accustom oneself to new conditions gradually.

Growing pahipodium and care at home for him require the maintenance of high air temperature. In the summer, it can be quite high (even more than +30 ° C), and in winter it should not drop below +16 ° C. Therefore, the plant is well experienced by the proximity of the room heating batteries.

Soil and transplantation

The main condition for a suitable primer for this succulent is good permeability, which will prevent moisture stagnation. It can be bought in a specialized store (choose a substrate for cacti), or cook yourself. Pahipodium prefers moderately acidic soils. You can use peat and sand in equal parts with the addition of a small amount of sod land. It is desirable to add charcoal or brick crumb to the substrate. Drainage is mandatory, use claydite for this, the layer must be at least 1/3 of the pot part.

Transplant annually requires only a young pahipodium. Care at home in any case, slows the growth of plants, so adults can grow in the same pot for 2-3 years.

Watering and humidity

In the spring-summer period pahipodium should be watered moderately, the soil should be constantly slightly moist, but without stagnation of water. In winter, he has a rest period. It is not as pronounced as, for example, in cacti, but still watering is reduced.

The formation of new shoots begins, as a rule, in the spring. At this time it is necessary to feed pahipodium. Care at home involves the introduction of mineral fertilizers, it is best to use a complex, the ones that are designed for cacti. The periodicity of fertilizing is not more than once a month, since excess can lead to plant death or cracking of the stem.

Spray pahipodium not necessary, to the dry air it is stable. But periodically wipe the leaves from the dust with a damp sponge.

Reproduction of the pachypodium

Unlike many other succulents, it is rare to propagate pahipodium. This method is used most often when it is required to save a plant with hopelessly decayed roots. To do this, the stem is cut to a healthy area, then a little dried. The cut is sprinkled with charcoal. There are two options. Either try to root immediately into the ground, or leave it for a while in an upright position on the weight, in case of luck the plant will give roots.

The second way of reproduction - seeds, which can be purchased at the store. Sow them best in the spring, for germination, an air temperature of at least +20 ° C is required.

If you want to have an unusual plant in the house, then choose pahipodium. Home care does not require much effort, but you will be more than rewarded with an unusual and extremely effective kind of plant. The only thing that grieves is that it grows slowly enough.