Today, the garden palm or yucca grows among many owners of garden plantings, and this phenomenon will not surprise anyone.
Many gardeners can rightfully be proud of the amazingly beautiful plant that resembles a palm tree and grows in their plots. But some are afraid to grow such beauty, mistakenly believing that the plant is too demanding in terms of growing conditions and care. In fact, propagation and care for this plant do not require much effort or expense.
Description and origin of the garden palm
Description of Yucca
The homeland of evergreen yucca is America. This plant belongs to the Asparagus family; in its appearance it resembles the Mediterranean agave, but unlike the latter, its leaves form a dense spiral rosette.
Domestic representatives of this family have a well-developed stem, while specimens growing in open ground have almost none; the rosettes are located tightly pressed to the ground. The peduncle is represented by a large panicle, the flowers of which are lowered down like bells. It protrudes from the central part of the rosettes, reaching a height of 1.5 to 3 meters. The exotic palm tree reproduces by root suckers.
Agave
In America and Mexico, industrial cultivation of agave, a relative of yuca, is practiced on huge plantations. The world famous tequila is produced from its stem.
The exotic appearance of the plant would seem to imply comfortable natural growing conditions, but the tropics and subtropics of America, the natural habitat for yucca, do not have such characteristics at all. The plant is adapted to prolonged drought and sudden changes in temperature. Such amazing endurance allowed the plant to spread from the southern regions to the middle continents.
Yuca appeared in Russia over a century ago. But if in the last century only the parks of famous palaces could boast of this amazing plant, today squares and city parks are replete with it, as well as many private plots.
How to stimulate flowering
Why the orchid does not bloom: the main reasons and methods of dealing with them
Many gardeners want to get flowers on a plant. To make yucca bloom, you can do several things:
- Treat the root system with caution, because it is through it that the peduncle is formed - the roots should not be flooded, and try not to damage them when planting.
- In warm weather, the home flower should be taken outside so that it gains sun and strength. Small bushes will easily take root in open ground, and a three-year-old plant can bloom.
- For yucca, it is important to periodically fertilize; it will also contribute to the appearance of a peduncle.
- If roots are visible from the drainage holes, the crop should be replanted with a more suitable container. In this case, the possibility of flowering will increase significantly.
Domestic specimens rarely bloom, so it is better to plant the yucca flower in open ground. After the peduncle dries, it needs to be cut off and the plant allowed to gain strength before wintering. If desired, even a house plant can be made to bloom by providing it with suitable conditions and proper care.
What types and varieties are there?
filamentous yucca
- Gray Yucca (Yucca Glauca) or the Lord's Candle, as it is also popularly called. The length of the leaves reaches 90 cm, the trunk is short. The leaves have a grayish-green tint. Along the perimeter the leaf blade is lighter. Small inflorescences are collected from greenish-white or yellowish flowers. The peduncle stretches up to three meters in length. This species has no substrate requirements. It can easily grow even in sand, tolerates dry periods and low temperatures well, but excessive soil moisture is detrimental to it.
- Yucca filamentosa (Yucca Filamentosa).
A bush representative, the castings of which are slightly smaller and reach a length of up to 70 cm, and the width ranges from 3 to 10 cm. The edges of the leaf plates are bordered by slightly protruding threads, and the top of the plates is slightly bent. The length of the peduncle is 2.5 m, represented by beige-white drooping flowers. Representative yucca filamentous planting and care. Like other species, it is a very unpretentious frost-resistant plant that can withstand temperatures down to -20C. Giant Yucca - Yucca elephantipes or “tree of happiness.” It got its name due to the shape of the trunk, which is strong and straight, slightly thicker at the bottom. This variety is often planted in apartments and offices. It can grow up to 9 meters, but by trimming the top, growth in height can be stopped. Subsequently, it sprouts several side shoots and becomes lush.
- Yucca aloelia can grow about eight meters. It has beautiful dark green leaves and cream flowers with purple splashes.
- Yucca Whippla is native to Mexico and Arizona. It is distinguished by white-cream tall flowers with a delicate aroma, as if floating above long dark green leaves.
- Yucca coracata can grow up to only three meters, so it can be considered a miniature variety compared to others.
Yellow flowers - Yucca southern or filamentous . A tall species capable of reaching 10 meters. Hanging threads are visible from each leaf, hence the second name.
- Yucca Trekulya. Grows in Mexico and southern America. It has meter-long leathery leaves of dark green color. And meter-long inflorescences with a delicate aroma.
- Yucca glorious or Spanish dagger can be found in the southern regions of America. It grows just above two meters. It has giant panicle inflorescences that soar 2-3 meters into the air.
- Yucca Schotta or large-fruited. In nature, it can often be found in the southern parts of Arizona. It blooms with a loose cream panicle.
- Yucca radiata. Another giant representative of its genus, able to reach 8-9 meters. Numerous half-meter sheets have a lightened part at the very tip, because of this it seems to glow.
- Yucca giant or short-leaved. Can be found in California and Arizona. Trunk diameter 0.5 m, height 9-10 m. The leaves are short, only 20-40 cm, but multiple. Peduncles have a creamy-yellowish tint.
Among the F. variegata filamentose hybrids, the following interesting varieties are distinguished:
- Bright Edge - bright bluish-green foliage, surrounded by a yellowish-crimson ribbon;
- Color Guard - wide leaf plates of yellow color, edged with a green stripe;
- Gold Heart – yellow foliage, green edge running along the leaf blade with blurred boundaries;
- Ivory Tower – green foliage, whitish border.
Landing
You can plant yucca everywhere except the harsh north: in the Moscow region, southern and middle climates. Gardeners do not recommend transferring the plant into the soil under the open sky immediately after purchase. Measures are needed to adapt garden flora to future realities, that is, hardening. You should start by taking the container out into the air for several hours, gradually increasing the “walking” period. After about a couple of weeks, you can start planting the future flower in the garden.
It is necessary to carefully select a location. In order for the shrub to flourish, shady areas should be excluded, opting for illuminated and high ones. Otherwise, the flowers will be loose, the foliage will become thinner, pale, and may stretch out. Yucca feels great in the sun, so it is better for it to highlight a zone of direct rays where it is difficult for other flowers to be.
The ideal soil for this type of plant is loose, without a high clay content; the following types of soil are well suited:
- rocky;
- sandy;
- black earth;
- with lime.
If the site is dominated by dense clay soil, it should be loosened and diluted with additives in the form of sand or peat. Yucca is afraid of moisture, so it is necessary to select areas where the groundwater is not too high. That is why landing in lowlands is contraindicated.
As for the temperature regime, the absence of too sharp jumps can be considered optimal; a stable temperature of 15 to 22 degrees Celsius is suitable.
The landing procedure is as follows:
- a hole is dug: small for a young plant, larger for a mature one, the approximate parameters of the hole are from 70 to 100 cm wide, up to 50 cm deep;
- Yucca is planted in the spring, but it is better to prepare the soil for this in the autumn;
- the bottom of the hole is lined with a drainage layer, you can take gravel or expanded clay with wood ash, two handfuls are enough;
- the optimal planting period is May; in any case, the average daily temperature should be above 10 degrees;
- Place the bush in the hole, straighten the roots, sprinkle soil on top;
- the neck of the root should be located at the same level as the edge of the recess;
- the plant is moistened and mulched with dry soil in a circle, this way the moisture will remain longer and there will be fewer weeds.
Garden palm care and planting in the garden
Despite its unpretentiousness and hardiness, yucca feels especially comfortable in elevated places with good lighting. Representatives growing in dark places are characterized by thin, loose rosettes and pale leaf blades.
When and how to plant a flower of happiness
Spring is the most favorable time for planting, but temperatures should not fall below +10C. The dense structure of the leaves can lead to numerous cuts and hand injuries, so gloves must be used when replanting the plant. The plant transplant itself is carried out in the spring, but preparatory work must be done in the fall: dig up the ground and form a hole for the spring transplantation of the plant.
What kind of soil is needed
Yucca can grow in almost any soil, but you need to remember that air should be supplied to the roots in large quantities, and the soil should not be overly moist, preferably without close proximity to groundwater, in order to avoid rotting.
But most of all, garden yucca prefers calcareous, sandy, clay-stony soils and black soil.
If the soil in which the plant grows is poor in nutrients, it is saturated with humus.
Before transplanting, the hole is filled with coarse gravel or sand with the addition of two handfuls of ash. After planting, the soil should be pressed (compacted) and watered.
- The size of the planting hole depends on the size of the plant itself.
- Adult plants will need a recess up to 50 cm deep and an area of up to 1 m in circumference.
- Young specimens will require less space, but it is necessary to take into account the area required for the growth of young animals.
To make it easier for a purchased plant to outdoor conditions, it is recommended to harden the plant for 11-14 days, regularly taking the plant outside, gradually increasing the time it spends outdoors. Only after such preparation can the bush be safely transplanted to a personal plot.
Watering and fertilizing
In the processes of watering and fertilizing, the main thing is to know when to stop.
Excessive watering threatens rotting of the roots, and lack of moisture will certainly affect the condition of the leaves. They will begin to curl into tubes. Proper watering will help straighten the leaf blades. There is no need to water the plant often and only when the top layer of soil has dried out. Spraying the leaves is useful, which is carried out in the morning or evening hours, when there is no longer scorching sunlight. When does yucca bloom? This exotic plant blooms when it has been growing for 3-4 years. To begin this process, at the beginning of summer, the plant trunk is surrounded with superphosphate, which, dissolving in water, penetrates to the roots of the plant, starting the process of the formation of numerous buds.
Feeding the plant should be completed 30-40 days before the onset of autumn cold weather. During this period, the plants will have time to prepare for the winter season and severe frosts.
What factors influence the flowering of yucca
Why doesn't yucca bloom and what can I do to make it happen? This is a tropical plant, so it needs to be provided with suitable conditions for flowering.
Air humidity
Yucca is not demanding of high air humidity. However, some varieties do not tolerate drought well, so periodic spraying is required. The procedure is carried out in the morning or evening, but not during the day.
Important! Avoid getting moisture on the leaves if the crop is located in a sunny place.
Temperature
Palm tree is a heat-loving and sun-loving plant. It is better to plant the crop in an open and not shaded area. It is important to choose a place protected from drafts and not place the yucca next to tall plants that will block the light. Such conditions will negatively affect flowering, as will poor-quality shelter for the winter.
Attention! House flowers are placed in a bright place, but covered from the heat so that the yucca does not overheat.
By winter, all the yucca leaves are collected into a panicle and tied. It is allowed to leave the flower without shelter; garden species can withstand fairly severe frosts. The main thing is that in cold weather the central bud, which is responsible for flowering, is not damaged.
For domestic species in winter, it is important to ensure a temperature of no higher than 10 degrees. Beginning flower growers do not always understand why this is necessary. However, otherwise the plant loses its attractive appearance, may get sick, and is often attacked by pests.
Watering
Despite the fact that yucca is a tropical plant, it does not like too wet soil. Garden species need to be watered several times a season, a little more often in dry weather. Irrigation is carried out at the root, and not from above. House flowers are watered after the top layer of soil dries out at least 5 cm.
If the yucca does not have enough moisture, then this can be easily noticed by its appearance - the threads near the inflorescences will simply hang. The leaves of domestic flowers will begin to dry out and fall off.
Yucca blossoms make a bright impression
When to replant garden yucca
If the plant grows in conditions that are comfortable for it and with the same good care, then it can live perfectly in one place, without requiring replanting, for up to 20 years. And replanting a plant may only be necessary when the bush has grown excessively. This is especially painless for the plant if the age of the specimen has not yet reached three years.
Transplanting filamentous yucca video:
But even an adult, heavily grown plant needs a transplant. Plants often cannot tolerate transplantation.
Experts give some advice when replanting this plant, because you need to take into account some planting features.
- Transplantation period is spring or late summer.
- When replanting, remember that the roots of the plant can be located at a depth of up to 80 cm, so you need to dig it out carefully, without damaging the root system.
- All shoots must be separated from the adult specimen and planted separately.
- The conditions of the place intended for transplantation should resemble the previous one, have good lighting, and no drafts.
- It is better to carry out the first feeding after transplantation no earlier than two weeks.
TOP 10 reasons for the lack of flowering in yucca
Yucca is a very beautiful shrub that produces magnificent white flowers and is also an exotic plant. Yucca considers warm southern countries to be its homeland, where it feels comfortable with very long daylight hours and elevated temperatures.
Shrubs with yucca are a real godsend for a flower bed, as they bloom profusely and for a long time. It is unlikely that there will be even a simple passer-by who can fail to pay attention to the magic of yucca inflorescences, and what can we say about flower growers and experts, since yucca will become an excellent topic for discussion, because, alas, not everyone can fully enjoy this excellent plant.
One of the main problems of this plant is the lack of flowering. It would seem how such beauty could not bloom if this is the main “mission” of an ornamental shrub. Maybe, and often. Therefore, the problem of lack of flowering in yucca needs to be carefully studied so that your plant can fully enjoy the inflorescences.
Yucca propagation: how to do it right
For breeding there are the following methods.
- Root division
- Cuttings
- Propagation from seeds
- stem
Yucca propagation at home is simple - dividing the plant .
During the replanting process, the rosettes can be easily separated, not forgetting to dry them and sprinkle the cut areas with cinnamon powder or charcoal. Otherwise, infection or pests may enter them. If the transplant is carried out in the spring, then the root of the plant can be divided into cuttings, the length of which does not exceed 10 cm. Such cuttings are placed in a greenhouse, after first cutting off the top of the stem and treating it with charcoal. With this method, sprouts emerge from dormant buds.
Garden yucca in open ground sets seeds, which are collected at the end of summer. They are sown in a mixture of soil, which is represented by turf, leaf soil and coarse sand in equal proportions. Plants grown in this way begin to bloom only three years after planting.
Yucca can also be propagated by stems. In this case, the cut section of the stem is dried and planted horizontally in river sand. The substrate around the stem must be constantly kept moist. When sprouts appear, the stem is cut into fragments, each of which should contain a sprout, and planted in the substrate.
You choose the most suitable way for yourself to plant yucca.
Application
Yucca is a versatile plant and is used not only for decorative purposes. It is used to create compositions in landscape design and for the production of fiber. Yucca is also popular in folk medicine.
In landscape design
Since yucca is an evergreen plant, it is actively used in landscape design. Even during the period of absence of flowering, the plant complements compositions well and is a beautiful background for low-growing annuals. Yucca is used in group plantings in flower beds, gardens, and greenhouses.
In folk medicine
Yucca is not only an original ornamental plant, but a valuable medicinal raw material used in folk medicine.
Yucca has a very rich chemical composition, therefore it has a healing effect on the body:
- steroid saponins – have a detrimental effect on fungi and inflammatory processes, resist swelling and allergies;
- antioxidants – improve metabolic processes in the body;
- anthraquinones – act as a laxative, resist inflammatory processes;
- zinc – participates in the synthesis of proteins and fats, has a positive effect on the restoration of bone tissue;
- selenium is an antioxidant, resists viruses, stimulates the immune system;
- vitamin A – synthesizes enzymes, improves hormonal levels;
- Vitamin C – synthesizes collagen, improves immunity.
Important! Using yucca for treatment is prohibited for people who suffer from urolithiasis and cholelithiasis.
Medicinal raw materials are used in the treatment of:
- arthritis;
- skin diseases;
- polyps in the intestines;
- prostatitis;
- flatulence.
To cure skin diseases, make a medicinal ointment with yucca leaves, which is applied to the affected areas of the skin (2-3 times a day) until completely cured.
To prepare the ointment use:
- rendered pork fat – 100 g;
- fresh yucca leaves – 100 g.
Cooking process:
- The leaves are thoroughly washed, dried and crushed into a paste.
- Ghee is mixed with the vegetable part and cooked for 6 hours over low heat until all excess liquid has evaporated.
- The resulting mixture is filtered through gauze in several layers.
- The liquid is poured into a glass container and sent to the refrigerator to harden.
To prepare the decoction use:
- dried crushed yucca root - 2 tsp;
- dried burdock – 2 tsp;
- dried hydrangea – 2 tsp;
- dried Manchurian aralia – 2 tsp;
- water – 0.5 l.
Cooking process:
- The medicinal mixture is poured with water and brought to a boil.
- Cook for 15 minutes over low heat, set aside and leave for 2 hours.
- The broth is filtered and poured into a glass jar, stored in the refrigerator.
In the textile industry
The green parts of yucca are used in the production of strong fibers, so the plant is sown on an industrial scale throughout the United States. The resulting fibers, as an additive to the cotton composition, are used in the production of denim fabrics, which makes them as wear-resistant as possible. The produced fibers are very strong and are therefore popular for rope production and fishing gear.
Did you know? A close relative of yucca, agave is a plant from which the world famous alcoholic drink, tequila, is made.
Thus, garden yucca is a universal plant that is used everywhere to decorate a yard or garden. To get a beautiful, healthy plant, you must follow the care recommendations and carry out seasonal procedures in a timely manner.
How to trim yucca at home
Pruning the plant rejuvenates it and helps produce strong young seedlings. This method is also used for frostbite of flowers and their rotting. In the spring, when the plant is no longer under winter cover, the stem is pruned. At the same time, further growth of the plant stops, and dormant buds begin to wake up, which will give rise to new rosettes with leaves.
- Before pruning, the plant must be watered.
- It is necessary to cut the stem below the growing leaves by 6-9 cm.
- After drying, the cut areas are sprinkled with charcoal.
Yucca care
Despite the fact that yucca comes from the tropics, caring for it is not difficult, but if you want to achieve flowering, you need to care for it more painstakingly.
Watering mode
The main rule is to water infrequently, but abundantly and regularly. Watering is necessary when the top layer of soil in the tree trunk circle is completely dry.
Important! The plant responds well to spraying, but this should be done in the morning or evening, when there is no bright sun, to avoid leaf burns
Top dressing
Yucca is a representative of deserts, therefore it is undemanding to the composition of the soil. Fertilizer application is only necessary during the period when the plant is actively gaining green mass: late spring - early summer. Feeding is carried out in two stages:
- in May for active growing season;
- in June for long and abundant flowering.
Note! To properly feed the plant, use complex fertilizers designed for succulents. In addition to specialized fertilizers, azofoska and organic matter in small quantities are suitable for yucca.
Features of care during the flowering period
When yucca blooms, it needs infrequent but regular watering. Faded inflorescences are immediately removed, as they inhibit the development of new panicles.
Features of care during the rest period
During the dormant period, before and after flowering, the yucca is fed, pruned, and inspected for signs of pests or diseases. Caring for yucca in the spring involves pruning and feeding. In autumn, the plant is prepared for wintering.
Trimming
The plant needs pruning in early spring after removing the winter cover. At this point, remove rotten or dried leaves.
During the growing season, leaves lying on the ground are removed so that they do not rot, becoming a haven for pests. Dried inflorescences are also cut off.
Flowering and why yucca does not bloom
Yuccas bloom with gorgeous flowers of various shades and color combinations; their appearance is similar to delicate bells placed on a giant rod.
The arrangement of numerous bright bell flowers on one leg gives the plant decorative properties. But there may be several such peduncles. And you can’t even imagine what amazing beauty it is.
The snow-white color of numerous bells is clearly visible even at dusk and from the far corners of the garden. The delicate and not cloying aroma attracts the attention of both people and many insects.
What year does yucca bloom?
- Sometimes it can bloom after transplantation only in the 4-5th year.
- The reason for this may be severe winter frosts, which can damage the above-ground part of the plant.
- Lack of lighting can also slow down the flowering process.
If the growing conditions and care of the plant were good, this will certainly be reflected in its appearance; flowering will be abundant and will last up to 2-3 weeks, which necessarily fall in the first two summer months. Blooming yucca is an unforgettable sight.
Description
This original plant comes from the subtropics and tropics of America, but in fact it turned out to be not too whimsical, and has taken root well in the harsh weather of our region. In its usual environment, yucca has learned to withstand temperature changes and drought. Of course, planted under the open sky of the central zone of the country, yucca requires special care during the winter months. As for the southern part of the country, yucca is perfectly capable of surviving slightly below zero temperatures, and does not need to be insulated for the winter.
Garden yucca is also called filamentosa and comes from the Agave family. This flower belongs to an exotic species; it is a tree-type perennial shrub. The foliage of the shrub is hard, sword-shaped, formed into a dense rosette, arranged in a spiral. The foliage can have different shades - from green to bluish color, the size reaches one meter. Inflorescences are formed on a panicle that grows from the middle of the rosette. The flowers are of a drooping type, milky, white, yellow, and even pink, and resemble bells in appearance. The width of each inflorescence can reach 5 cm, height – 7 cm.
As the lower leaves wither, dry out and droop, they form a sort of skirt around the trunk. With proper care, flowering is annual, abundant, the height of the bush is from one and a half to two meters. The number of flowers on a panicle per flower season is up to 200 pieces. At the end of flowering, seeds are formed.
How to cover for the winter
Is it necessary to dig up yucca before frost?
It is enough to insulate the plant before the cold season sets in. Plants tolerate short-term cold in spring and autumn quite easily. It is important that the fallen snow melts quickly. Frost-resistant specimens perceive such temporary inconveniences especially easily. But real long frosts during a snowless winter are certain death for garden yucca.
The yuca foliage is wrapped with twine to gather it together and the plant is covered with a box, on top of which spruce branches or fallen leaves are laid. This composition is secured by a covering material wrapped with tape. In such a shelter, the yucca will easily overwinter without fear of any frost, especially when a large layer of fluffy snow falls on top.
In the spring, when the temperature becomes stable, it is time to free the plant from its winter shelter. Do not delay this for too long, otherwise it may lead to the appearance of mold.
Preparing for winter
Considering the tropical origin of the plant, the issue of shelter is worth considering in more detail. Although yucca is highly frost-resistant, in temperate and cold climates it needs shelter.
There are 2 main methods of “warming” a plant for the winter.
- The method can be called a lightweight version of shelter for the winter. It involves insulating only the root zone with a layer of leaves, which is additionally covered with non-woven material. Such shelter is aimed primarily at preventing freezing of the root system, since the rosette of leaves remains open. Its use is relevant only for regions with warm climates. Severe cold winters for yucca will be destructive with this method of insulation.
- You can more generally insulate the yucca by tying it and wrapping it with non-woven material around it, as well as additionally covering the root zone. The leaves are not tied too tightly to avoid damage. This option is more suitable for harsh climates, because in this case not only the root system, but also the above-ground part of the plant will be protected from frost.
Important! Many sources suggest tying yucca leaves before wintering. When using this method, it is worth taking into account the location of plantings and climate characteristics.
Bound leaves can bend due to gusts of wind, which subsequently negatively affects the growth of the plant in the spring.
It is recommended to tie the leaves for the winter
It is important to remove the cover in time - this is the main point of caring for yucca in the spring. As soon as it gets warmer and the threat of frost has passed, the rosette and root zone are opened
If you leave the insulating layer longer than expected, the socket may rot. This is especially true for large specimens with a large number of leaves.
Garden yucca is an original tropical plant that grows successfully not only in hot countries, but also in temperate climates. This exotic guest is not afraid of frost, drought, or high temperatures. Caring for garden yucca is quite simple - just periodically water the plant and apply mineral fertilizers twice a season. In temperate and cold climates, yucca requires shelter for the winter. With proper care, the time when yucca blooms will be the most awaited.
Yucca flower, how to care if problems arise
Yucca, like all plants, can be attacked by pests or diseases.
The most common are slugs, whiteflies, scale insects, and aphids.
The latter easily gets on the flowers, which quickly dry out and fall off. Wood ash in combination with a soap solution will help in the fight not only against aphids, but also against other insects.
You need to take 0.250 wood ash, pour water (10 l) and bring to a boil, adding 0.50 grams of ordinary laundry soap (grated). When the resulting solution has cooled completely, immediately treat the affected leaves.
Possible problems
- Dry air and cold drafts contribute to the formation of untidy brown leaf tips that spoil the appearance.
- Brown spots throughout the leaf may indicate fungal diseases caused by possible overwatering.
- Bright sun rays can affect the appearance of light, dry spots.
Diseases and pests - as a cause of non-flowering
Diseases and pests disrupt the normal development of the flower, so it does not produce flower stalks and does not bloom. Danger to the crop is watering with cold water, constant drafts with cold air, excessive irrigation, and damage to the root system. As a result, yucca is affected by various types of fungal and bacterial diseases, which can cause the death of the plant.
Why cyclamen does not bloom: the main reasons and methods of resuscitation
The flower can be affected by pests such as scale insects, aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Parasites quickly develop on plants with weak immunity and spread to all parts. Having noticed the presence of pests, you need to immediately take the necessary measures - treat the plant with a soap solution, and then with special preparations with a chemical composition.
Important! The faster you clean the crop from pests, the easier it is to keep the flower in good condition.
Many beautiful flowers form on the panicle
In landscape design
If yucca grows in the garden, then the surrounding landscape immediately takes on a Mediterranean hue.
It will look great even in the driest areas and territories. It is the appearance, reminiscent of a palm tree, that gives the garden plot a special southern atmosphere, especially if other southern representatives, such as garden hibiscus, are located nearby. Even if yucca grows as a single plant, it is able to captivate with its appearance during the flowering period and at this moment become the brightest and most colorful spot on the garden plot.
Some types are used in the design of verandas, staircases and other architectural structures. Such options do not require winter shelters or special rooms for the winter season.
Planting seedlings in open ground
To effectively grow a flower in open ground, you need to choose the right place and plant the plant in compliance with basic recommendations.
Selecting a location
Yucca prefers to grow in well-lit areas; it is better if they are located on a hill. If you plant a shrub in a shady area, this can lead to thinning of the leaves and looseness of the leaf rosette. Low-lying areas and areas near bodies of water with dense, wet soil are not suitable for planting flowers.
Suitable soil for growing a flower is sandy loam; the flower also grows well on black soil with the addition of river sand. The bottom of the pit is covered with a thick layer of drainage to avoid stagnation of water during heavy rains or regular watering.
Layout and depth
Depending on the age and size of the plant, as well as its root system, prepare a hole for planting. A hole is dug 2 times larger than the root system, usually 60-70 cm in diameter and 50 cm in depth. It is better to keep a free space of 2 m between each plant so that they do not interfere with each other during the growth process.
Five-leafed maiden grapes can also become a wonderful decoration for your site.
Signs and superstitions
Yucca filamentosa is called the “tree of happiness.” It is believed that it brings good luck and prosperity to the home. It is enough to devote just a little time to it to regularly admire the huge inflorescences and original foliage of an unpretentious flower.
According to Indian legends, its branches once helped ships that had gone off course to reach the shore. She seemed to attract them to their native places.
To this day, people believe that filamentous yucca brings happiness and health, success in business and business, and in the house where it grows, peace and quiet, mutual understanding and respect reign.
How to revive a plant
Having found out the reason for the loss of yucca's decorative appearance, it is necessary, without delay, to begin solving the problem.
Fighting fungal diseases
If a plant is affected by cercospora or brown spot, dry the soil in the pot, reduce the amount of watering, tear off diseased leaves and spray the yucca with chemicals “Topaz”, “Ridomil Gold”.
To cope with marginal necrosis, the infected area is removed, capturing healthy tissue. The sections are sprinkled with activated carbon, and the palm tree is treated with Topaz.
To treat fusarium rot, use “Profit” and “Previkur”. The top layer of soil in which fungal spores grow is removed. Fungicides are sprayed on the leaves, shoots, and trunk.
Destruction of spider mites
Having discovered whitish spots caused by pests, the yucca should be thoroughly treated with laundry soap and the plant should be covered with polyethylene for a day, and then sent under a warm shower. The window on which the succulent stood is washed by adding Karbofos to the water. The plant is sprayed with insecticides “Fitoverm”, “Intavir”, and the air in the room is humidified.
Rescue from scale insects
To cope with the pest, which drinks the juice from the leaves and stems of yucca and covers them with a sticky coating, the plant is treated with kerosene or a special product. The composition is prepared by combining 2 tsp with a liter of water. alcohol and 15 mm liquid soap. If such treatment is ineffective, the succulent is sprayed with Actellik and Aktara insecticides.
Why has there been no flowering for several years? How can I get the zygocactus to bloom?
There are no exceptions in cases when the Christmas tree has stopped blooming and has not been blooming for several years, it stops its growth, and in order to understand what to do, you need to understand the reasons why Schlumbergera does not bloom:
- lack of proper lighting (little light);
- inappropriate pot size, which should be medium to avoid excessive root growth;
- unsuitable soil;
- lack of watering and lack of fertilizing;
- The plant has not been replanted for several years.
To bring the Christmas tree back to life and make it bloom, you need to remove the plant from the pot and carefully inspect the root system for damaged or dry areas.
If any are found, then it is necessary to eliminate them and wipe the sections with an antiseptic or sulfur. Next, you need to move the Schlumbergera into a special soil for cacti; if necessary, you can change the pot to a more suitable one.
Important! After replanting, you should restore watering to the plant, fertilize it with nitrogen fertilizers and place the pot in a bright place, but avoiding open sunlight. After the “operation”, the Christmas tree will definitely begin to grow. Unfortunately, Schlumbergera often actively develops, but does not bloom for several years
Unfortunately, Schlumbergera often actively develops, but does not bloom for several years.
Seasoned flower growers recommend arranging a “drying” for the Christmas tree:
- Take it to a cool place and stop watering.
- After 2-3 weeks, the Decembrist is returned to the warmth and begins to water and fertilize as usual. After such a stressful situation, in most cases, buds appear on the plant, and after 2 months the flowering period begins.
Here's how to adjust the seasonal cycle and make the Christmas tree bloom in winter.
Landscape use
Yucca looks very impressive in the center of a flower arrangement. It is also beautiful as a tapeworm on the lawn. Sometimes it is planted in groups of 2-4 or more plants. Yucca is also widely used in borders and for edging small groups of trees. Filamentous yucca looks especially beautiful when planted in one row along the paths.
Yucca is surprisingly decorative; this plant is very desirable in landscaping and landscaping and is used quite often.
Since light threads hang along the edges of the sword-shaped leaves (hence the species name), it seems that the bush is slightly shrouded in cobwebs, which gives it a special charm.
Yucca filamentosa is grown not only for its beautiful flowers. The plant itself is spectacular, exotic and can decorate your area. Where does “southerner” look good?
- The plant will be an excellent background for low-growing annuals in flower beds. Long leaves will highlight the beauty of variegated petunias, calceolaria, marigolds, lobelia, purslane, etc.
- Yucca filamentous is often planted on alpine hills, combined with succulents and mosses. The tall plant looks great on lawns. Sprawling bushes up to a meter high will add a touch of intimacy to an open, empty space.
- When choosing a place for Yucca, do not forget about your comfort. Please note that the bush will grow up to a meter in diameter, and the fan of sharp leaves will scratch. Do not plant Yucca filamentosa near paths, porches and near recreation areas.
Rot on roots and stems
Unfortunately, these diseases are fatal for yucca. Such diseases develop at a very fast pace. Root rot affects the entire underground system, which makes saving the plant simply impossible. The presence of this disease is primarily indicated by dark spots on the leaves. Also, if you check the roots of the flower, you will notice that they have become watery, damp, and acquired an unpleasant odor. Since it is almost impossible to save yucca when it rots, you should take the conditions of its maintenance very seriously.
With stem rot, similar manifestations are also observed, but on the stem. Moreover, the lower part is affected first of all. Peculiar red sores may also be observed. The cause of this disease is considered to be frequent changes in the location where yucca grows. Since it is very difficult to treat yucca in this case, it is recommended to take all measures to prevent such problems from occurring.
To do this, you must adhere to the basic rules of care:
- When planting the plant, use only sterile pots and soil.
- Carry out periodic moderate watering, avoiding both waterlogging and drying out of the soil.
- When growing indoors, be sure to have holes in the pot and a layer of drainage.
Many people are looking for how to save yucca from a soft trunk, because they do not know that this is impossible to do. Therefore, in order not to lose the plant, you need to maintain it properly.
What does yucca like:
This unpretentious tropical plant will not cause much trouble when growing. It loves the sun and grows even in soils depleted of nutrients.
place
Yucca feels best when planted in open, well-lit, elevated areas. It can also tolerate short periods of light partial shade. Being planted in shaded places or lowlands, yucca loses its external attractiveness, becomes very elongated, its rosettes become thin and loose from lack of light, and the leaves of variegated forms turn pale.
priming
In the wild, yucca is a semi-desert plant, so it is unpretentious to soil quality and grows well on sandy, rocky and calcareous soils. When planting it in a flowerbed, it is recommended to use a loose soil substrate consisting of leaf and turf soil, sand or small stones, and humus. If the site is dominated by heavy clay or acidic soils, sand and lime should be added to the soil before planting yucca.
Attention! Yucca does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so waterlogged, swampy or heavy soils are not suitable for it.
planting depth
The size of the hole intended for planting yucca depends on the size of the seedling. On average, it should be twice the size of the plant’s root system. For young plants, a hole measuring 50x50 cm is quite suitable, for large adult plants - approximately 100x100 cm. At the bottom of the hole, you should definitely arrange a drainage layer using gravel, broken brick or expanded clay. The top drainage layer must be sprinkled with ash and soil. The average planting depth of yucca is 10-15 cm for young seedlings, and 40-50 cm for large ones.
watering
Tolerating heat and drought well, yucca needs moderate watering. An indicator that this plant is experiencing a moisture deficiency is sagging fibers on the leaves of Yucca filamentosa and curling of leaves in other species. When watering exotic plants, water should be poured only at the root, trying to avoid water getting into the middle of the rosette. It is important to remember that excess moisture in the soil leads to rotting of the yucca roots.
feeding
To feed young plants, it is recommended to use complex mineral fertilizers - ideally, special fertilizers intended for succulents are suitable. They should be applied at the end of spring, and then again at the end of summer. Starting from 3 years of age, organic fertilizers can be used to feed yucca, applying them in April. It is recommended to carry out the next feeding in June - before the start of flowering, the last one - after flowering.
Botanical certificate
Amazing white bells rise on a meter-long peduncle.
Yuccas are evergreen plants with a tree-like stem, united in a separate genus Yucca, which in turn is included in the Agave family.
In nature, yucca can be found in the south of North America, Mexico and Central America. About 20 species of plants are known, some of which can withstand wintering in open ground when planted in a subtropical climate zone. In Russia, garden yucca is widely used for landscaping areas in resort areas of the Black Sea coast; they adapt perfectly to urban conditions, serve as an ideal decoration for rocky hills, and are grown as solitary plants.
Most often, garden yucca is grown in city parks, which forms a dense rosette of hard leaves growing in a spiral on a shortened stem. The characteristic color of the leaves is green with a bluish coating over the entire area of the leaf blade.
During flowering, the inconspicuous bush acquires extraordinary attractiveness - tall peduncles (more than 100 cm) rise from the center of the rosette, which are densely covered with large milky-white bells. The flowers are quite large, their length is 7 cm, width - 5 cm. During flowering, garden yucca is unusually attractive to insects - the graceful bells are visited by bees and bumblebees.
Types and varieties
Yucca filamentosa has white curled hairs along the edges of the leaves.
All species can be divided into plants for indoor and open ground cultivation. The primacy among open ground cultivars undoubtedly belongs to the species - garden yucca.
Yucca filamentosa is another popular plant that has virtually no stem. Yu. filamentous has sharp, dense leaves with a bluish coating, along the edges of which there are thin, strong white threads. Large flowers are yellow-cream, collected in paniculate inflorescences.
Yucca gloriosa - a plant common in the USA, this variety has bluish leaves with jagged edges of the leaf blade and a sharp thorn at the top of the leaf. The stem is very strong and tree-like. Yucca gloriousa blooms with decorative inflorescences consisting of many bell-shaped flowers of a purple hue.
Yucca treculeana - this variety of yucca is usually grown indoors. The tree-like stem is covered with rosettes of dense leaves, painted in green-blue tones. The leaves are hard, in adulthood the leaves can reach more than 1 m. Yucca treculeana blooms with rare bell-shaped flowers of cream color.
There are several other popular species in nature: Yucca aloelifolia, radiata, glaucous, beak-shaped, Schotta, short-leaved, turned-leaved, ivory, southern, Whippla. All varieties are characterized by powerful, durable trunks (reduced in some species), hard leaves and paniculate inflorescences of bell-shaped flowers.