Cordilina Kiwi - A popular plant from the family of agaves, resembling a miniature palm tree. Cordilina kiwi are native to Northern Australia; other species are found in the countries of Southeast Asia and the Hawaiian Islands.
These plants differ from each other in size, size, shape and color of leaves. Cordilleas unpretentious, elegant and well suited for indoor content.
general description
In the wild nature, Cordilin kiwi grows up to 2-3 meters, but with a room content it is compact in size. Usually, potted trees reach 1-1.5 m in height.
The main advantage - spectacular narrow leaves, crowning the ends of thin stems. With the growth of the plant, the lower leaves die off, the plant becomes very similar to a palm tree. On the sides of the main trunks constantly appearing new shoots, suitable for transplants.
The leaves of the plant hard, juicy, with rounded edges. Leaf color combines dark green, yellow and pink shades.
A photo
Cordilina kiwi: photos of this species.
Care and maintenance at home
She feels great in a city apartment, not suffering from dry air, high temperatures or dust. No resting period in winter, plant keeps decorative all year round.
Lighting
Plant container best placed on window sill facing south, southwest or southeast. Larger copies are placed next to the window on a table or a special stand. With a lack of light Cordilin kiwi lose spectacular multicolor coloring, the trunk will stretch, the leaves will become sluggish and lifeless.
Cordilina need pritenyat from the direct sun. On a hot afternoon it is enough to close the curtain without moving the pot. Ideal - constant bright, but diffused light.
In winter and late autumn, you can arrange additional lighting, the flower will look much better.
Temperature
The plant loves moderate heat, ideal temperature - 18-23 ° C. Cordilina Kiwi does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and drafts.
In late spring and summer, the pot can be taken out on the balcony or veranda, be sure to remove it at night in the house. The slightest frosts will ruin the flower.
When placed on the window, it is necessary to protect it from the flow of cold air during ventilation. Opening the window or window, it is better to remove the plant from the window sill.
About air humidity
The air in the room can be dry, but to ensure the normal functioning of the plant leaves should be regularly sprayed with water room temperature from a spray bottle. Do not place the plant near a hot battery. If necessary, cover the battery with a thick cloth.
Watering rules
In spring and summerDuring the heat and active growth, the Cordilins need abundant watering with soft boiled, rain or settled tap water.
With decreasing air temperature watering a little cut.
The secret to the successful development of the Cordilin is the absence of stagnant moisture in the soil without complete drying of the earthy coma.
Riddle of flowering
Contained in a city apartment Cordilina kiwi does not bloom. In greenhouses, flowering is possible. Inflorescences of Cordellina kiwi paniculate, abundantly covered with small lilac or white buds.
Top dressing
For successful development you need regular feeding. The plant is fertilized all year round, using universal formulations for indoor palms, diluted according to the instructions on the package.
Liquid fertilizer is preferable granulated. In spring and summer, the plant is fertilized 1 time per week, it is better to conduct top dressing in the winter and autumn 1-2 times a month.
Transfer
Cordilina is developing quite actively. Young specimens need an annual transplant, adults are transplanted every 3-4 years.
Excessively overgrown roots, visible on the soil surface - a sign that the plant needs a new, more spacious pot.
For transplanting you will need a deep plastic or ceramic container. Drainage holes in the bottom are required, the pot needs to be added with the pallet. A layer of expanded clay, pebbles, well-washed river sand is placed on the tank.
A ready mix for dracenas and room palms or a mixture prepared from sod (3 parts), peat and sand (1 part) is used. To make the mixture easier, you can add perlite or moss.
Adult plants are removed from the old pot with a lump of earthplaced in a new pot and sprinkled with prepared soil mixture. After that, Cordilina is watered and placed on a bright diffused light ...
Reproduction and cultivation
You can multiply Cordilin kiwi tops or shootsforming near an adult plant. For rooting shoots are selected with several formed leaves. The shoots are cut with a sharp knife and instilled in pots with a well-moistened palm ground or dracen.
You can root processes in a mixture of moss and thoroughly washed river sand. Young shoots are better placed in a greenhouse or covered with plastic bags. For the quick engraftment of shoots requires bright lighting without direct sun and attentive watering.
Diseases and pests
One of the common diseases of Cordilin kiwi - root rot. It affects plants in case of non-compliance with the irrigation regime in combination with excessively low temperatures.
Having found rotting, you need to cut off the healthy top of the plant with leaves and root it in a new pot. The affected parts will have to be thrown away.
Cordilins contained in rooms often suffer from aphids, thrips, spider mites or scale insects. These pests deplete the plant, the leaves weaken and wilt. Detect pests or their larvae can be a careful inspection of the inside of the leaves.
Insects are removed with a damp cloth, then the plants are sprayed with an insecticide solution. Prevention of pests will be spraying the leaves with clean water and periodic washing of the cordilina with a warm shower. Land in a pot to cover the film.
If a white crust forms on the soil, you need to remove it and pour fresh earth into the pot. It is required to use softer water for irrigation, it is better to boil ordinary tap water.
Cordilina kiwi is suitable even for inexperienced growers.
Having mastered all the subtleties of care for this "mini-palm", you can include in the collection other types of cordilins with white, lilac or cream stripes on the leaves. Together they form a real greenhouse and bring the atmosphere of southern exotic to the house.
