Heteropanax is a representative of decorative deciduous plants and belongs to the Araliev family. The place of origin of the heteropanax is the territories of southeast Asia.
Heteropanax is a small tree with a thin trunk and dense foliage crown. Leaves are bright green, glossy, large in size. The plant feels most comfortable in rooms with bright light.
Home care for heteropanax
Location and lighting
Despite the fact that heteropanax loves bright light, it is better to protect it from direct sunlight. The plant will grow well if it is in the west or east window. In the winter season, the length of daylight hours should be the same as in the summer, therefore, special lamps and devices are used for additional lighting. Good winter lighting is especially important at high indoor temperatures.
Temperature
In spring and summer, the temperature for keeping heteropanax should be no more than 25 degrees. The plant loves large differences between day and night temperatures. In winter, it can be kept at 14-15 degrees Celsius. It is important not to place the plant near heating devices with dry and hot air.
Air humidity
Heteropanax will develop fully only at high air humidity. To do this, the leaves of the plant are regularly sprayed with warm soft water. You can also use containers with wet sand or expanded clay, placing them next to the plant.
Watering
In the spring and summer, watering heteropanax should be moderate. From the moment the top layer of the substrate dries, at least 3-4 days must pass. In winter and autumn, watering is significantly reduced, especially when the indoor temperature is low.
The soil
You can buy soil mixture for planting heteropanax at a specialized store or prepare it yourself. It should be composed of 2 parts of sod land, 1 part of humus and 1 part of coarse sand.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Heteropanax needs feeding from March to September. Fertilizer for ornamental deciduous plants is suitable for this. In winter and autumn, heteropanax does not need feeding.
Transfer
A young plant needs an annual spring transplant, and an adult plant needs no more than once every three years. The substrate should be light, well moisture and air permeable. Stagnant water in a pot is detrimental to the root system of heteropanax. From an excess of moisture, the plant will begin to rot and die. Therefore, to avoid this, the bottom of the pot is covered with a good drainage layer.
Reproduction of heteropanax
There are three ways to propagate heteropanax: seeds, air layers and cuttings.
Growing difficulties
- Leaves turn yellow and fall off - insufficient lighting, high air temperature in summer, low air temperature in winter, waterlogged soil.
- The leaves have lost their turgor - insufficient watering.
- The leaves have lost their turgor and become pale or translucent - excessive watering.
- The leaves became pale, faded - insufficient lighting.
- Light spots appear on the leaves - excessive lighting, sunburn.
- Brown tips of leaves - too dry air.
- Weak shoots - insufficient lighting, lack of fertilizers.
Diseases and pests
Among the insect pests that infect heteropanax, there may be a scale insect, aphid, and a spider mite.
