Pachira aquatica is a tropical plant from the genus Bombax or Baobabs. Its homeland is the marshy regions of South and Central America. Its second name is Guiana or Malabar chestnut. Pakhira water is also known as nut-saba. You can buy this plant on the market under the name money tree or Chinese tree. This unique tree, due to the peculiarities of the shape of its stem, has another name - the bottle tree.
Description of the plant
Pakhira aquatic can grow up to 20 meters in height. This tree stores water between bark and wood. The barrel is shaped like a bottle and expands closer to the root. The trunk is covered with smooth leaves growing on long cuttings. Smooth green bark can be seen on the cuttings. The flowering period of pakhira water begins in June and ends in November, but with proper care, this period can last all year round. During flowering, pakhira aquatic does not shed leaves, as some of its relatives do.
Flowers are arranged on a long panicle, up to 35 cm in size. The size of flowers can reach 10 cm in diameter. The colors can be completely different: from white to pink or pale green. The scent of the flowers is reminiscent of the scent of vanilla. There are many stamens on the flowers.
After the fruit ripens, they split in the center and you can see the seeds. Each fruit, 10 to 20 cm long, contains 10 to 25 seeds. They are also called nuts because they are covered with a tough brown skin. Nuts are absolutely edible. They can be used to grind flour and bake bread. In addition, they can be eaten in any form: boiled, fried, or raw. Not only that, you can also eat leaves and flowers, and drinks that taste like chocolate are made from nuts.
Pakhira in East Asia
In this part of the world, pakhira is more called a money tree. In Japan, this tree received the status of a decorative tree for a long time. Several trees were first cultivated in 1986 by a single Taiwanese driver, after which it became quite popular in Japan. Subsequently, this status of the money tree spread to all of East Asia. This tree is grown in various enterprises, farms, as well as private estates, as it symbolizes the accumulation of capital. This tree can be found with various elements on it, including red ribbons. The Taiwanese economy exports $ 7 million worth of pakhirs annually.
The tree can be grown both from a cuttings and by sowing seeds. Pakhira can grow alone. This plant begins to strengthen and bush when it begins to reach the ceiling. On sale you can find several pakhira trees woven into one piece. Unfortunately, these are expensive specimens, since it takes a certain amount of time to create such masterpieces. Pakhira is widely used to create miniature trees (bonsai).
Feng Shui Pakhira
Feng Shui masters associate pakhiru with good luck, material well-being and health that this tree brings to the house. Each finger of a pakhira leaf, and there are five of them, symbolizes natural elements - metal, water, fire, earth and wood. It is generally accepted that with the formation of the next pakhira leaf, the wealth of the family increases. The presence of this tree in the house contributes to the formation of a special aura, which enhances the effect of positive and weakens the effect of negative energies formed on the principles of feng shui.
Pakhira care at home
Location and lighting
Pakhira, as a representative of the tropics, needs good lighting. It is able to withstand a short time without the effects of direct sunlight, but more "responds" to diffused bright light. With a lack of illumination, the plant loses its decorative properties. Feels good on the west or east side of the house. It can grow on the south side, but with a high intensity of sunlight, it requires shading.
In the summer, pakhira can be taken out into the open air. To do this, you need to find a suitable place: without drafts, sun rays and rain. Starting in spring, the plant is gradually accustomed to the increasing amount of light, otherwise the tree can get sunburn.
Temperature
In spring and summer, the optimum temperature for growing pakhira is 20-25 degrees. With the onset of winter, the temperature of the content can be reduced to 14-16 degrees. In winter, pakhira should not be placed near radiators and heating appliances. To prevent the tree from getting sick, it should not be placed in places where there may be drafts.
Air humidity
Pakhira is not critical of air humidity and easily tolerates the dry air of modern apartments. However, daily spraying with settled and soft water will only benefit. At the same time, it is necessary to control the watering process so that water does not stagnate on the trunk. Excessive moisture can lead to decay.
Watering
During the period of active growth, pakhira must be watered abundantly, otherwise its leaves begin to fade. Watering is done with warm rainwater. In winter, watering should be limited or stopped altogether, as the tree may begin to rot. The next watering is carried out when the topsoil dries up. Tray watering is not practiced.
The soil
The optimal composition of the soil for growing pakhira has the following ratio: 1 part - leaf land, 1 part - sod land, 1 part - sand, 0.5 part - brick chips. You can use a ready-made mixture for palm trees and dracaena. It is very important to take care of good drainage at the bottom of the pot.
Top dressing and fertilizers
During the period of active growth, pakhira must be fed with mineral fertilizers no more than once a month.
Transfer
Young trees are transplanted annually on a mandatory basis. To do this, take pots with a diameter 4-5 cm larger than the previous ones. Mature trees are transplanted as needed. Transplantation is carried out in March-April, when the plant is still dormant. Since the roots are not large, the pots are not used deep.
Pruning and shaping the crown
The ratio of the diameter of the pachyra trunk and its height depends on the watering and the planting of the tree. The more abundant watering and less light, the more the pakhira stretches out and becomes similar to an ordinary thin-stemmed tree. In order for the plant not to stretch upward, pruning should be started already in spring. At the place of the cut, the pachira branches out and becomes more luxuriant. As a rule, they try to give the crown of a pakhira the shape of a ball or an oval.
It is very common to find a pakhira with several intertwined trunks. It usually takes more than one year to form such a tree from several seedlings. On sale, these trees cost a lot of money.
Reproduction of pakhira
Water pakhira can be propagated in two ways: by seeds or by apical cuttings.
For sowing seeds, you need to prepare pots with ordinary soil. The soil temperature should be in the range of 25-30 degrees and have uniform moisture. Only fresh seeds are sown. Stored seeds do not germinate well. A wide groove is made in the ground, where the seeds are poured, after which they are moistened with warm water. After that, the pot is covered with plastic or glass. The seeds will sprout in about 3 weeks, but before this period you need to regularly air the seeds and remove excess moisture.
Cuttings are harvested at the end of summer and planted in a humid environment consisting of a mixture of peat and sand. The temperature regime is the same as when sowing seeds. You need to cut off the cuttings that have the mark. If it is warm and there is enough moisture, the cuttings will definitely take root.
Growing difficulties
- Pakhira aquatic does not tolerate drafts or wind, therefore, it must be placed in well-protected places.
- If the plant does not have enough moisture, then it can shed its leaves.
- If watering is not correct in the cold season, rotting of the roots or trunk is possible.
- If the tips of the leaves turn brown, it means that the tree is not watered enough, especially in very dry air.
- Curling of leaves is possible with a large temperature difference between day and night.
- When placing a tree in the shade, the loss of its decorative effect is possible: the stem is stretched, and the lower thickening disappears.
- When dry light spots appear on the leaves, which indicates a sunburn, the pakhir needs to be shaded.
- If the air is too dry, a spider mite or scabbard attack is possible.
If you follow all the rules for caring for water pakhira, then this decorative tree will delight you with its beauty for a long time.
