Yucca elephantipes is a tree-like evergreen plant from the Asparagus family, native to Guatemala and Mexico. One of the main differences of this species is the trunk, which resembles an elephant's leg. Under natural conditions, the plant reaches a height of about 9 m, and the diameter at the base of the trunk is about 4.5 m.
The upper part of the plant consists of several straight, densely growing shoots, covered with leathery bright green leaves with a glossy surface. They are about 10 cm wide and more than 1 m long. In the summer months, the yucca begins to bloom. On long (90-100 cm in length) peduncles, inflorescences of large white bell-shaped flowers appear, after which oval-shaped fruits are formed with a length of 2 to 2.5 cm.
Yucca elephant care at home
Yucca elephant, with good content, feels great as a houseplant. The basic rules for caring for a flower are simple and within the power of every florist, regardless of experience in floriculture.
Location and lighting
Yucca is a light-loving plant that needs bright sunlight for 10-12 hours a day. Direct sunlight is not dangerous to the flower, but shady conditions will negatively affect the appearance of the leafy part. A slight partial shade in rare cases and a short period is allowed. The place of cultivation can be window sills on the south, east and west side of the room.
During the warm season, the plant can be placed outdoors. During short light days, the yucca will need additional lighting.
Temperature
The favorable temperature for elephant yucca should not go beyond 20-25 degrees Celsius. The plant does not like higher temperature indicators and will not tolerate without regular ventilation. Fresh air is necessary for a flower, but cold gusts of wind and drafts are undesirable.
In winter, when the houseplant goes into a dormant period, it is recommended to keep it in a cool room with a temperature of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Shoot growth stops during these months.
Watering
Irrigation water should be separated and moderate in temperature (from 18 to 22 degrees). It is recommended to water the yucca only after the top layer of the substrate has dried by about half a centimeter. The soil should not be constantly wet or dry for a long time. Both conditions are dangerous for the development of an indoor flower.
Watering the plant when it is dormant should be very sparse and with less water.
Air humidity
Additional humidification of elephant yucca in the form of spraying is recommended only in winter, when the room is heated by central heating or electrical appliances, and the air becomes dry.
The soil
The recommended composition of the soil mixture for growing yucca elephant: 3 parts of sod land, 2 parts of coarse river sand and leafy soil.The soil should be nutritious, loose, neutral in composition and with good moisture and air permeability. When purchasing ready-made soil mixture for palm trees, it is recommended to add a small amount of sand to it.
A flower pot needs a tall and voluminous one. Since yucca is a rather heavy plant, and the soil for it is light, then when planting, a layer of coarse pebbles or small pieces of granite (for weight) should be placed on the bottom of the container, and then a drainage layer. This will prevent the flower from tipping over due to its weight.
Top dressing and fertilizers
Complex top dressing for indoor deciduous plants is applied to the soil with the plant throughout the growing season once every 2 weeks. No fertilization is required in autumn and winter.
Pruning
In nature, elephant yucca reaches a very high growth, and at home, the height of the room for the plant also becomes small as it develops. As a precautionary measure, it is recommended to prune the top of the plant from time to time. This procedure will not damage the flower in any way, and its development will continue due to the appearance of young lateral shoots. It is important that pruning is done before the start of the growing season.
Transfer
Since young plants grow very quickly, in the early years they must be transplanted every season into flower pots of larger volume and size. With age, the frequency of transplants decreases, and adult cultures do not need this procedure at all. For mature large plants, it will be enough from time to time to replace the top layer of the old soil with a new one.
Reproduction of yucca elephant
Seed propagation is unpopular due to the low germination of seeds, which is significantly reduced every year.
The method of propagation by apical cuttings is used quite often. The tops of the shoots should be rooted in wet sand and then planted in regular potting soil.
The most common method is to propagate with parts of the trunk, which can be obtained by pruning a highly overgrown plant. A stem fragment with a length of at least 10 cm is placed in wet sand and left there until roots appear.
Diseases and pests
The main pests are spider mites and false scale insects. You can get rid of them only with the help of chemicals with the appropriate action. "Actellik" is a reliable and proven remedy for fighting these insects.
The main diseases are root rot and leaf spot. The cause of these diseases is improper (over-watering) and low room temperature. Violations of the rules of care can lead to rotting of the stem of the flower. At the initial manifestations of diseases, it is recommended to renew the plant. The top of a houseplant or a healthy part of the trunk should be placed in wet sand to form new roots. With severe lesions, yucca is very difficult to save.
And where can you order a shoot from this plant? please tell me.
If you live in Moscow, I can sell you a scion.