How to grow pachypodium at home? Find out more about plant care

Characteristics and description

Pachypodium or in Latin Pachypodium comes from the Kutrovaceae family and is a perennial succulent in the form of a tree or shrub. It came to indoor culture from the hot places of Australia, southern Africa and Madagascar. Popularly, this succulent even received the nickname “Madagascar palm ,” although it has nothing to do with palm trees. Only its appearance in adulthood, when a tall, prickly stem is crowned with a tuft of long leaves, creates the impression of similarity with this tropical tree. The Latin name of the plant comes from the phrase “thick leg,” which indicates the impressive size of the stem.

In nature, the slow-growing pachypodium sometimes grows up to 10 m, while indoors - up to 30 cm (maximum for some species) or up to 1.5 m. You can admire the “green friend” for 15 years or longer, depending on the conditions of detention.

Some flora lovers notice in pachypodium a resemblance to milkweed, and this is not accidental. The plant is also poisonous and dangerous, but its juice does not leave burns on the skin. Still, it is better to avoid contact with milky sap, replant the tree very carefully and place it away from children and animals so that they do not get hurt by sharp thorns.

The leaves of the Madagascar palm are simple and entire and grow from the very top of the trunk. The stem of the tree is very thick, fleshy and covered with sharp spines. The flowers collected in brushes are snow-white, quite large and elegantly tubular in shape. They open up and delight the gardener with their beauty mainly during the day.

Features of the pachypodium

Pachypodium is a succulent tree or shrub. Although there are many differences between varieties and species, they have a thick trunk in which a reserve of liquid is stored in case of drought. Species within the genus vary greatly in appearance, ranging from cactus-like to dwarf bottle-shaped. Almost all species of the genus have spines, grouped in groups of 2-3, located around the stem in a ring or spiral pattern. Only some species of the genus do not form branching, while other species are characterized by rather strong branching. This genus differs from other members of the Cuthaceae family in that its sap is translucent rather than milky, but is still poisonous. When grown at home, pachypodium grows to a height of 0.3-1.5 m and has a lifespan of 3 to 15 years.

Kinds

There are at least 20 varieties of this amazing succulent. In indoor floriculture you can find:

• Pachypodium Lamera, or in Latin Pachypodium lamerei Drake , is a tree that is very popular in home culture. A powerful, sometimes branching, stem with spines and dark green leaves forming a rosette at its top make the plant a classic representative of the genus. The flowers are creamy or soft pink in color with a yellow throat and up to 11 cm in diameter. The spines are located on tubercles arranged in a spiral - 3 pieces on each. In a room, this representative of the flora grows up to 50 cm.
• Pachypodium Jayi, otherwise called Pachypodium geayi , is a tree up to 60 cm in height with a powerful trunk strewn with “needles.” Very similar to P. Lamera. It differs from it only in narrower and pubescent leaves. The flowers are white with a yellow throat.
• Pachypodium brevicaule, also known as Pachypodium brevicaule, is an unusual variety that looks very stone-like after shedding its leaves. Its flat and smooth stem, gray in color and up to 60 cm in diameter, is completely invisible in nature - its color blends so well with the sand. The yellow inflorescences look very impressive compared to the stem itself.
• Pachypodium lamerei branched or otherwise Pachypodium lamerei var. ramosum is distinguished by a bottle-shaped woody stem and a small number of thorns. Forms thorny shoots. White flowers growing in umbrella inflorescences reach 10 cm in diameter.
• Pachypodium Saunders, whose name in Latin sounds like Pachypodium saundersii, is interesting because of its spherical stem of gray-green color, no more than 1.5 m high, covered with a small number of thorns. The leaves are wide with a tapering base, and the flowers are white, decorated with pink edges.
• Pachypodium succulent or otherwise Pachypodium succulentum is a variation with a huge woody stem, similar to a cobblestone and slightly buried in the ground, small pubescent leaves and pairs of “needles”. The bell-shaped buds are distinguished by their pink color and red “sparks” from the center.
• Pachypodium densely flowered, in Latin called Pachypodium densiflorum - a variation with rich yellow inflorescences, very slow growing. Flowering occurs when the stem thickness is about 30 cm in diameter, maximum height is 45 cm. Small leaves point upward.
• Pachypodium Horombenze or in Latin Pachypodium horombense Poiss is a low-growing variety with a powerful smooth stem, thin leaves in rosettes at the ends of the shoots and large yellow flowers growing in clusters.
• Southern Pachypodium, otherwise called Pachypodium meridionale , is interesting with its very large and fragrant pink-red flowers. Over time it reaches up to 1 m. Its trunk is smooth and silvery-brown.
• Pachypodium rosette, in Latin called Pachypodium rosulatum , is a form with a short but powerful trunk (caudex), spiky branches growing upward and soft yellow or green-yellow inflorescences.
• - a species up to 60 cm high, with a spiny or smooth caudex and elongated spiny branches. Narrow leaves are located in rosettes at the top of the shoots. The inflorescences are painted in a bright yellow hue.
• Pachypodium Rutenberg, whose name otherwise sounds like Pachypodium rutenbergianum , is a variety with a caudex up to 60 cm in diameter, spiny branches, and rosettes of glossy dark green leaves. The flowers are large and white.

Types and varieties of pachypodium with photos and names

Pachypodium lamerei, or Madagascar palm

This species is a tree that grows up to 600 cm in height. The trunk is thick and prickly. In adult specimens, the leaves at the top are similar to a palm tree, from which the second name of the species comes. The thickened, erect stem becomes woody at the bottom and has prominent tubercles arranged in a spiral. Each of these tubercles has 3 strong spines.

The upper part of the stem forms a rosette of dark green, elongated, lanceolate leaf blades, the length of which varies from 0.2 to 0.4 m. 3 shiny spines appear under each leaf blade. The flowers are creamy white or pale pink with a yellow center, about 11 centimeters across. Green fruits are oval in shape. When grown at home, the height of the bush does not exceed 50 cm. There are several varieties of this species:

• typica - the underside of the leaves is covered with raceae;
• ramosum - branched trunk with a distinct central vein, umbrella-shaped inflorescences with white flowers, about 10 cm in diameter.

Pachypodium geayi

The height of this tree ranges from 300 to 600 cm. The trunk is thick and covered with thorns. When young, the plant is very similar to Pachypodium Lamera, but the leaves are narrower (10-30 mm wide) and have scales on the surface. Young shoots are grayish, but the tips are black. White flowers have a yellow center. At home, the height of the bush does not exceed 0.5-0.6 m.

Pachypodium brevicaule

This shrub has no leaves and looks like the gray rocks that surround it in nature. The tuberous, flat stem, covered with thorns, grows to a height of about 0.6 m. During flowering, oblong yellow flowers open on the bush.

Pachypodium saundersii

The stem of this succulent is greenish-gray, almost spherical and reaches a height of about 150 cm. It has a small number of spines on the surface of the bush, which grow up to 25 mm in length. The leaf blades have a broadly lanceolate shape with a pointed apex. During flowering, the shrub produces a large number of white flowers, each petal of which has a pink stripe.

Pachypodium succulentum

The shrub has a tap root, which gradually develops into a thick tuber up to 15 centimeters in diameter. Higher up, the root develops into a stem, which over time becomes woody, branched and branched, reaching a height of 0.6 to 0.9 m. Young branches have paired spines 10 to 20 mm long, slightly pubescent lanceolate leaf blades about 50 mm long and up to 10 mm wide. Flowering occurs in the summer, at which time the bush is decorated with bell-shaped, light pink flowers with red eyes, about 40 mm in diameter.

Pachypodium densiflorum

This succulent shrub grows slowly and does not exceed 0.45 m in height. The fleshy, greenish-gray trunk is covered with spines and reaches a length of 0.3 m. At the top of the trunk there is a rosette of leaves, consisting of leaves, the front surface of which is green and the bottom surface is grayish-gray. Tubular flowers are dark yellow, 30 mm in diameter, with a widened apex, with yellow anthers forming a cone.

Pachypodium horombense

This not very tall plant has a smooth, wide, greenish-silver trunk, thickened at the base. Narrow, small greenish-gray leaf blades form rosettes at the tops of branches. The flowers are yellow, on long stalks.

Southern Pachypodium (Pachypodium meridionale)

In the wild it reaches a height of 300 cm, but when grown at home it grows up to 120 cm. The narrow, long leaves are green. A smooth, brownish-silver trunk with a diameter of about 0.6 m. Large flowers with a pleasant aroma, consisting of a pale red corolla and pink petals.

Pachypodium rosulatum

This fleshy succulent has vertically arranged cylindrical branches and a petiole. Green-gray, short trunk thickened at the base. The branches have a large number of thorns on the surface. The leathery, glossy green leaf blades are narrowly oblong, with a pale colored central vein. The leaves grow at the ends of the branches and are arranged in rosettes or whorls. Small racemose inflorescences with long pedicels consist of tubular flowers of yellow or yellow-green color.

This species has a variety called exquisite (Pachypodium rosulatum var. Gracilius): 0.4 to 0.6 m high with brownish or grayish petioles, rounded and slightly compressed at the sides, possibly smooth or with numerous spines on the surface. The branches are short and twisted and may be spiny or smooth. There are rosettes of leaves at the tops of the branches. The rich yellow flowers are borne on long stems that are tubular in shape with a flared tip.

Pachypodium rutenbergianum

In the wild, this plant reaches a height of up to 8 meters, but when grown at home, its height never exceeds 0.6 meters. The short branches are covered with thorns, which reach a length of about 10 mm. Dark green glossy leaves are oblong in shape with a bright vein in the middle. They are located in rosettes at the tops of branches. The leaves are about 15 centimeters long and up to 4 centimeters wide. The terminal inflorescences consist of 3 or 4 large white flowers, expanded at the end in the form of a tube.

Home care

Pachypodium has recently gained popularity and a place on window sills. Just 10 years ago, few people knew about it and the plant was considered a rarity. Then flower growers took a closer look at the plant and discovered that this representative of the flora is not prone to whims: due to its undemanding nature and the lack of need for cold wintering, it is very convenient for indoor growing. Now the succulent is very common in culture, and this has been facilitated by the fact that it does not require any complex care.

After all activities for caring for the “palm”, which must be carried out with rubber gloves , it is important to wash your hands thoroughly.

Lighting and temperature

Great news - pachypodium does not need shading; it loves direct rays of the sun , but also takes root in partial shade. A south, south-west or south-east window is ideal for growing, but your pet will not die if placed in a different position. In summer, it is advisable to take it out into the garden or onto the balcony. The only caveat is that the succulent must gradually become accustomed to the bright rays

"Madagascar palm" is afraid of drafts, but likes frequent ventilation and prefers temperatures of 16 °C and above in winter and from 18 to 30 ° C or above in summer. Unlike many other representatives of the flora, it will take root perfectly on the windowsill next to the radiator!

Planting and replanting after purchase

Young pachypodiums are replanted annually in the spring, and adults - every 2-3 years . Delicate roots and slow growth are the reasons for rare and very careful transplantation. It is advisable to replant a newly acquired plant - the transport soil mixture is sometimes entirely peat, which means that there is a risk of waterlogging. In addition, changing the soil will protect the “Madagascar palm” - if there were pests in the ground, they will be neutralized. In addition, you should carefully examine it or even wash the leaves with laundry soap and rinse under a warm shower.

Priming

The best substrate for replanting will be obtained by mixing leaf and turf soil with perlite or coarse sand in equal Another option:

• 1 part turf soil
• 1 part ready-made cactus mixture
• 0.5 parts peat
• 1 part perlite or coarse sand

The most important condition is that drainage should occupy from a third to half the volume of the pot. It is useful to add pieces of clay, charcoal or brick to the substrate. The holes in the bottom of the container must be large! You can also grow palm trees using hydroponics.

Fertilizer/feeding

In spring and summer, pachypodium will benefit from fertilizing every two weeks with fertilizer for succulents. In the first month or two after transplantation, it is not fertilized - the additives included in the soil are enough for it.

Watering and air humidity

The fleshy trunk of the pachypodium perfectly stores moisture - this makes it not afraid of drought and dry air. However, there is a trick - the perfect balance between moderate watering and drought gives the green pet the best shape. If you overdry a succulent, it will lose its foliage, and if you overwater, the trunk will become excessively elongated.

The optimal watering regime is abundant from March to October, but without waterlogging, and moderate in the remaining months. This means that in the warm season they water every 1-3 days , and in winter - 1-2 times a week or month (as the top layer of the substrate dries).

It is possible to spray the “Madagascar palm”, but not necessary. She will appreciate regularly wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. Water is required to be warm and settled.

Pests and diseases of pachypodium

Diseases

When grown indoors, pachypodium is very sensitive to excess moisture, which manifests itself in the occurrence of various diseases. To protect the bush from fungal diseases, it should always be properly watered. It should also be remembered that this succulent tolerates drought much better, but stagnation of water in the substrate can cause rotting and thinning of the stem, as well as blackening and falling of the leaves. As soon as you notice that the bush is rotting, immediately stop watering it and put it in a warm place. The plant and soil in the pot should be sprayed with a fungicide solution, and the watering system should be reviewed to prevent recurrence of the disease.

Harmful insects

If the air humidity in the room is too low, spider mites can settle on the plant and suck the cell juices from the bush. It is almost impossible to see mites with the naked eye, but a sure sign that a plant is infested is the presence of tiny cobwebs on its surface. To get rid of this pest, rinse the pachypodium well under a warm shower and increase the humidity in the room. To do this, moisten the plant every evening with warm water from a spray bottle. If the number of mites on the bush is very large, acaricides such as Actellik, Fitoverm, Aktara or Akarin can be used to destroy them.

If the room is relatively warm and the humidity is low, thrips can settle on the pachypodium. This pest also sucks cellular juices from flowers. In this case, light-colored dots and silvery stripes form on the front surface of the leaf blades. This pest is found on the underside of leaves. To get rid of this pest, you can use the same drugs as for spider mites.

Reproduction

Pachypodium reproduces in several ways:

• Seeds. First, they are soaked in warm water for a day, then evenly distributed over the surface of wet sand and sprinkled with the thinnest layer of the same substrate (about 0.5 cm). Germination takes 3-4 days, several months or even six months.
• Stem pieces. This is a problematic method, with almost zero rooting observed. A mixture of peat and sand is used.
• By cuttings. The method is suitable for Pachypodium Lamera. In summer, the cuttings are separated, dried for 5 or 8 days on a sheet of paper, and then placed in a mixture of sand and peat. Warmth, light and constant light moisture in the substrate are important conditions for success.

Bloom

The flowering period occurs in spring or summer, depending on the variety. Only specimens that have reached 6-7 years of age are covered with flowers. Different species have inflorescences of white, yellow, red, pink shades, some are fragrant. They last on average about a week.

From the second half of October to February, pachypodium goes into hibernation. During the rest period, it may remain completely without leaves. When new ones grow, the “crest” of them moves a little higher.

Reproduction of pachypodium

Growing from seeds

Pachypodium can be propagated by seeds (generatively), but keep in mind that it is quite difficult to independently obtain the seeds of such a plant indoors. The seeds are sown to a depth of 5 mm in the substrate, and the container should be covered with foil or glass. Then the seeds are placed in a cool, well-lit place (about 20 degrees). When the first shoots appear, the cover should be removed, but this must be done gradually so that the plants get used to the new conditions. After the seedlings take root, they should be transplanted into separate pots and cared for in the same way as adult plants. Before you decide on this method of propagation, you should know that seedlings are very, very slow.

Cuttings

This plant can be propagated by cuttings, but such cuttings very rarely take root well. However, it is known that the bush takes root successfully if the upper part of the rotten bush is cut off at the base. To do this, cut off the top part at a height of 15 centimeters using a very sharp sterilized tool, sprinkle the cut area with crushed charcoal, and then plant the cuttings in the soil mixture for planting adult pachypodiums (see above). Place the cuttings in a well-lit area.

Common problems

• If you water the palm tree excessively, it may lose all its foliage.
• Fresh leaves darken and fall off - too little light or watering with cold water.
• With poor watering, the succulent loses its lower leaves.
• Cold and excessive watering can cause the trunk to rot.
• The foliage withered and the stem shriveled - too little watering.

Pests

Pachypodium can be attacked:

• Red spider mite
• Shchitovka
• Thrips
• aphids

fight enemies using traditional methods or insecticides. Often, simple laundry soap, which is used to wash the victim, helps to cope with them.

Pachypodium is an unusual and original plant that can emphasize the originality of the gardener. Impressive spines, expressive “hair” and delightful flowering - all this speaks in its favor. You just need to give the succulent the right conditions and minimal care - and your green favorite will delight you with a lush rosette of leaves, a beautiful and strong stem and the most delicate fragrant flowers.

Photo

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