Plants of this genus include palms with a thin trunk (usually several trunks), on which there are ring-shaped scars. The leaves of the plants are pinnate, bright green in color, the leaves are lanceolate, comb-erect, with dissected at the apex, are located rather densely.
The home-grown palm of the areka has poisonous seeds, of which the inhabitants of Southeast Asia make chewing gum with the same name "betel". This chewing gum is very popular - it is used as a stimulant and narcotic.
Kinds.
- Areca triandra Roxb. ex. Buch. - am. or Areca three-springs. It grows on the peninsula of Malacca and India. Has several thin, covered with scars in the form of rings of trunks, each of which grows to two or three meters. The diameter of the trunks is 2.5-5 centimeters. Leaves arelets of three-springs length from one to one and a half meters, straight. Leaflets of a plant in length from 45 to 90 centimeters, in width from 2,5 to 3,5 centimeters, drooping. Inflorescence axillary, up to a meter long. The flowers are white and fragrant. The fruit is about 2.5 centimeters long. This kind of areca is recognized as highly decorative, and it is cultivated mainly in warm rooms.
- Areca lutescens hort. or Areca yellowing. This species also has other names: Dypsis lutescens H. Wendl. Beentje & J. Dransf.) Or Dipsis yellowing and Chrysalidocarpus lutescens H. Wendl. or Chrysalidocarpus yellowing. It grows in Malaysia. Areca yellowing has a straight, thin, truncated trunk, which usually reaches 10 meters in height. The leaves of the plant are pinnate, curved arcuate, about 1-1.3 meters long. The leaves are fairly dense and reach a length of 20-35 centimeters, and a width of three centimeters. It is considered a highly decorative species.
- Areca catechu L. or Areca catechu. Another name is Palma betel. It grows on the coast of the peninsula of Malacca, in East India and on the islands of the Malay Archipelago. The only stem of the plant is straight, covered with annular scars, 25 meters high, with a diameter of 5 to 12 meters. The leaves are arcuate and pinnate, reaching 1.1-1.8 meters in length. The leaves are fairly dense, 40-45 centimeters long and up to three centimeters wide. The inflorescence is axillary (that is, it develops in the axils of the leaves, usually the lower ones) to 60 centimeters long. The flowers themselves are white in color and have a pleasant aroma. The fruit in length is 4-5 cm, the diameter of the seeds is 2 cm. The seeds of the catechus are reddish yellow and are called "betel nut". This plant species is highly destructive.
Care of the plant.
Areca is a palm tree that is very fond of bright light and tolerates direct sunlight. For this reason, the plant is like growing on southern windows. However, on especially hot and sunny days, it is better to prune at noon. The plant is well tolerated and partial shade, so it is suitable for growing on northern windows. Purchased or unaccustomed to the sun plant should be gradually accustomed to direct sunlight, otherwise it can get a canola sunburn.
In summer, it is preferable to keep the plant at an air temperature of 22-25 ° C. In the period from autumn to spring, the temperature should be slightly lowered to 18-23 ° C, but not lower than 16 ° C. In addition, the palm needs a constant influx of fresh air. However, avoid drafts.
In spring and summer, watering should be abundant as the upper layer of the earth dries up. Water for irrigation should be taken soft and permanent. Beginning in the autumn, the plant is watered moderately and only to prevent the earth from drying up. Carefully watch that in the autumn and winter there is no overflow, as it is very dangerous for areca. At this time of year, water the palm after two to three days after the top layer of the soil has dried.
The palate of the doe prefers air with high humidity, especially in the summer. In summer, also regularly spray the plant from the spray with durable soft water. Water should be at room temperature. Spraying should be discontinued during the cold season.
Fertilize the plant is necessary all year round. Areques are best suited for mineral fertilizers that have a normal concentration. You can use organic fertilizers. To feed a palm tree it is necessary two times a month in the summer and once a month in the winter.
Areca negatively relates to transplantation, so it is preferable to transplant the plant, replacing drainage and replenishing the ground. Young palms in the period of active growth should be transplanted every year, adults - once every three to four years. For specimens growing in tubs, the top layer of the soil should be changed every year without transshipment. It is best suited to the following soil mix: leafy earth, turfy ground, sand and humus in a ratio of 2: 4: 1: 1. The older the palm tree, the more humus land it needs. Also on the bottom of the pot you need to put a good drainage.
This house palm reproduces by seeds in the spring-summer period. In order for the seeds to germinate quickly and successfully, it is necessary to plant them in warm soil at a temperature of 23-28C.
Remember that areca - a poisonous plant, it contains some alkaloids, including arecoline, and tannins. Areku is used as a medicine - the plant serves as an excellent anthelmintic and helps to get rid of diarrhea.
Possible difficulties.
- As a result of natural aging, the lower leaves of the areca may become stunted and fall off.
- The tips of the leaves of the palm tree may become rotten due to the dryness of the air or if the plant is kept in a cold room.
- The leaves of the areka can turn yellow - this is the result of a lack of moisture or excess of sunlight.
The following pests are dangerous for the plant: mealybug, scab, spider mite and whitefly.