This is a rather original group of palms, which is not similar to another genus, it is unique in its way. The leaves of this group of palms are twice pinnate, difficultly dissected, have an unusual feather shape, the apex of which is asymmetrical, obliquely cuneate, truncated, unevenly "gnawed." Feathers of leaves resemble a fish fin, so the plant is sometimes called "palm fishtail".
Plants of the genus Cariot are single-stem and multi-stemmed trees. The leaves of these trees are large, dentate, bipedate, and grow to a length of 3-5 m in length. The lobes of the leaves are irregularly triangular in shape, similar to the fins of the fish, and the unevenly torn edges on the apex. Quarterly slightly rounded; The vagina has fibrous margins. Inflorescence in plants - branched cob.
This kind of plants is monoecious: flowers are sessile, same-sex, between two male flowers is located one female flower with infertile stamens.
The blossom of the cariota is extremely unusual. Inflorescences large axillary have numerous dangling branches (resembling the cropped tail of a horse), which develop from the top of the crown to the base. First, the inflorescence appears in the sinuses of the uppermost leaves. Then the flowering zone gradually descends. It blooms for 5-7 years continuously.
Lower inflorescences dissolve in the last turn, at this time in the upper inflorescences there are already ripened fruits. As soon as the lower fruits are ripe, the trunk begins to die, and if the plant is single-stemmed, then the whole plant dies, and not just the trunk.
The flesh of the fruit consists of countless needle-shaped crystals, from the touch of which on the skin there is an unpleasant sensation.
Cariota as a valuable decorative tree is cultivated in most countries with subtropical and tropical climates. Young, slowly growing kadon and pottery copies of karyotes will become a beautiful decoration of each interior. Like most tropical palms, they do not tolerate dry, dusty indoor air, but they can grow in a room environment this kind of plant.
Kinds.
Among the caries you can find stunted and tall, shrubby and single-barreled species. Among themselves, all species of the genus karyot are very similar. In nature, it is easy to interbreed, because of which it is difficult to determine the species of this genus. In culture, only two species are widely distributed. It is a burning cariota (also called a Wine Palm) and a soft cariot.
Care of the plant.
Indoor plants: a kariot palm is better to grow on a western or eastern window, since they like diffuse bright light. If the plant is grown on a southern window, then in summer it should be shaded from the direct rays of the sun. On the northern window the plant will not receive enough light to fully live. In spring and summer, the cariota should be grown at 22-24 o C with a plus sign, in autumn and in winter it is necessary to ensure that the temperature does not fall below 18 o C. Also, monitor the humidity in the room, the higher the indoor temperature, the higher the humidity.
In the spring-autumn period the plant needs abundant watering. Water should be damped with soft water, as soon as the top layer of the substrate dries (the depth of drying depends on the size of the pot), and neither in the pot nor in the pan should water stagnate. With the onset of autumn, watering should be moderate, it should be watered when the soil in the pot dries out 1-5 cm deep. After watering, if there is water in the pan, it should be poured.
Karyotas need to create a high humidity, for this they should be regularly sprayed with permanent soft water. In summer, the plant needs multiple spraying throughout the day.
In the spring-autumn period the plant needs fertilizing, this period for the plant is a period of active vegetation. Top dressing can be done weekly, or every 14 days. Feeding is done by fertilizer, specially designed for palm trees, or liquid complex fertilizer.
Young palms are usually transplanted more often, older ones are less common.
Transplantation (the ideal option will be transshipment) of adult plants is carried out in the spring, but not more often than once in four years. Young palms can be cautiously handled annually with the onset of spring.
If the palm grows too fast, then the restriction of its growth will be a transplant. But transplant should be done when the roots of the plant begin to get out of the pot. Each year, the top layer of the substrate (about 2-4 centimeters) should be replaced with a nutrient new substrate.
The soil can be neutral or slightly acidic, these houseplants are undemanding to the composition of the soil.
For earthen composition, you can take compost, sand and humus in equal proportions, for every three liters is added to 1 st. l. of this composition. You can buy a ready mix for palm trees. For overgrown plants, even heavier soil will fit - with a lot of sod land. For the caries fit deep pots, equipped with good drainage.
The karyot palm reproduces by the offspring appearing at the root neck of the plant. From the mother plant, the offspring should be separated when several roots are formed, this will make the offspring easier to take root. For good rooting offspring you need sand, a greenhouse and an optimum temperature of 20-22 o C. Also, protect the offspring from direct sun rays and often spray it. Watering - that's what a young plant needs in the first year of culture. With the onset of spring, the plant is transferred to a pot, at least 9 centimeters in height. The earth composition should be as follows: 0.5 parts of sand, 1 part of leaf land and humus, 2 parts of sod land.
Caryotes multiply seeds, karyots are soft and offspring. With lower heating for germination, it takes 2 to 4 months.
Plants of karyot in a room with dry air and high temperature are affected by a spider mite.
Possible difficulties.
- If you bought a palm tree in the winter and put it in a room, then it can begin to hurt, and also lose leaves, so the plant is better to buy, either in spring or in summer.
- Insufficient watering can cause the leaves to drop down.
- Too dry air leads to the fact that the tips of the leaves begin to dry.
- Too low temperature and drafts cause the leaves to fade and darken.
- The plant is damaged: mealybugs, spider mites, scutes.