Few lovers of indoor floriculture did not start any of the palm trees in their “kindergarten”. These plants are attractive in that they do not take up a lot of space with their growth, and given the average dimensions of our apartments, this is a big plus. Among the variety of such pets, betel palm tree enjoys considerable attention. And not only because of its appearance (I must say, very attractive), but also because of the benefits that it can bring.
Wildlife Look
The birthplace of this tree is Asia (its south and southeast), it is common in China (again in its southern part), Oceania and East Africa. In native conditions, a betel palm tree can grow up to twenty meters, but, like a roommate, has a straight trunk without branches with scars in the form of rings - these are traces of once fallen leaves. In girth, the trunk can reach a third of a meter, and the betel palm leaves grow up to two meters in length "on the loose". It blooms with whitish-cream flowers, gives red or orange oval fruit-drupe, which contains betel nut.
How to use betel palm
In the homeland of the plant, it enjoys centuries of respect. Chinese medicine widely uses seeds to combat intestinal parasites, in case of digestive problems (from constipation to diarrhea), for the treatment of malaria and edema, the prevention and treatment of beriberi (polyneuritis), as well as purely Chinese, by the way, the use of normalization of qi energy circulation . Dried seeds are used for this purpose.
However, it should be noted that the betel palm (or rather, its fruits) is recognized by traditional medicine, and mainly in the same direction: to combat helminth infections. Prescribed drugs from it and with glaucoma, and to correct contractions of the intestines and heart. Of course, drugs from palm seeds are not the most common, but the fact remains.
There is another direction of using the seeds of the plant under consideration. All peoples of the Earth throughout their history have been looking for ways to relax. In Russia, vodka contributes to this; among the disappeared Indians, its function was played by mushrooms and cacti, and in southern Asia and eastern Africa, a betel palm. Its name just comes from the "name" of seeds, which were wrapped by aborigines in betel leaves and chewed for a mild narcotic effect. However, this is far from all.
Since the seeds of the plant contain coloring pigment, they are also used by locals to dye cotton fabrics and threads.
Betel indoor palm tree (or areca catechu) is also useful. During the day, it actively produces oxygen and contributes to air humidity. At the same time, the plant absorbs and processes toxins with formaldehydes - that is why areca is very popular with office phytodesigners.
However, do not forget that the Areca plant betel palm is poisonous, and this applies to all parts of the plant. So if there are animals and small children in the house, you need to carefully monitor that they do not chew its leaves, otherwise there is a risk either for a long time to heal or to completely lose the unconscious.
Indoor Areca species
In the wild, there are about fifty species of this plant. However, only three varieties are suitable for growing at home:
- Areca tri-stamen (Areca triandra). It grows up to three meters in height, has long (up to one and a half meters) and fairly wide, not curved leaves. Often the trunk near the ground is divided into two or three stems.
- Areca catechu (Areca catechu) - it is she among the gardeners who is known as the betel betel palm. Of all the decorative palm trees, it is the highest - it can grow up to twenty meters, in connection with which it is usually used in the phytodesign of large rooms. The diameter of the trunk in large specimens reaches half a meter; the length of the leaves is on average two meters.
- Areca yellowing (Areca lutescens). In height, it takes place between the two described species, the maximum "growth" is ten meters. The leaves have an arched shape, rather short (no longer than a third of a meter), and the trunk is very thick, up to a meter in diameter.
As already mentioned, the betel palm tree, that is, catechu, is the most popular of all indoor areca. Although its size and make it difficult to keep in small rooms, it is the most aesthetic and easily fits into any design.
Transplant difficulties
If you liked the betel palm, growing the house of this tree begins with its transplant. And already at that moment the grower is faced with certain problems. With a standard transplant, even when using suitable soil, the plant is sick for a long time, and in some cases, dies. Therefore, you must act as follows:
- A high layer of drainage is poured into the pot of the desired volume - up to a quarter of the height of the tank.
- The betel palm is carefully removed from the old pot. The roots do not collapse, it is desirable that the earthen lump remains large.
- The plant is placed in a new "place of residence", and the formed cavity is filled up with fresh soil.
- The root neck in the new pot should be at the same level as in the old one.
Until the tree settles in a new pot, it is required to maintain the same, even temperature in the room. The mentioned procedure for young plants is performed annually; in adults - every three years (you can limit yourself to replacing the topsoil).
Correct soil
All plants require soil with certain indicators. Betel palm is no exception. Growing it will be successful if you provide the tree with the most suitable soil. First of all, its reaction should be neutral or slightly acidic, and the earth should pass water and air well, and even be nutritious. Therefore, experienced plant growers are advised to mix universal soil for palm trees with pine bark, bone meal, charcoal, peat, pumice and pebble. If you are not lazy for your pets to prepare the soil on their own, combine leaf and turf soil, sand and black peat (2: 4: 1: 1).
Growth Features
A young betel palm (photos are presented in the article) often has at its base the fruit that gave it life. In no case can you forcibly remove it - the tree will die. When it completely darkens and falls off, only then can it be removed.
In stores, the plant is often sold by a bush, several in a single pot. Separate them during transplantation is not worth it: even the slightest damage to the roots destroys the entire "grove". It is better to buy a larger container and leave the trees together - this way they look even more beautiful.
Keep warm
It is worth constantly remembering where the betel palm comes from. Caring for it in the first place is to maintain the thermal regime. The minimum permissible temperature is 18 degrees: the plant feels somewhat uncomfortable with it and stops growing, but does not die. Categorically contraindicated areca drafts. It should be positioned away from the windows: in winter, the palm can suffer even from the cold exuded by glass. At the same time, if you use heaters for heating, you will have to place them away from the plant - too dry air is no less harmful to it.
Shine
Betel palm tree (the photos used in the article allow us to get an idea of this beauty) is a tropical tree that needs plentiful lighting. It also tolerates the direct rays of the sun, so shading only needs hot noon (from mid-May to late July). However, an abundance of light is not a necessary condition - the betel palm tree feels great and in partial shade. So the choice of windows for its placement is the broadest. The only thing you should definitely pay attention to: if the areca has been in a dimly lit place for a long time, it must be moved under the bright sun gradually to avoid burns. And so that the crown develops proportionally, weekly the pot turns the other side to the light source.
How to water
During increased vital activity - in spring and summer - the betel palm tree needs frequent and plentiful watering. Water should be soft and settled. Ideally, it would be nice to use rain; water needs to be maintained for at least three days. Chlorinated water can kill a tree in one irrigation, so you should carefully monitor your treatment schedule. Moreover, already settled water is still harsh for this plant. To soften it, citric acid is added (drip).
In the hot months, the betel palm is watered as the top soil layer dries up (to determine the right moment, it is enough to pierce it with a finger for a couple of centimeters). Overfilling is no less negative than underfilling. If the room is stably warm and there is no danger of cooling an earthen coma, you can even put the pot in a pan with water - just remember to change it regularly so that it does not bloom. In the cold season they watered less often - about two days after the drying of the earth's surface.
Humidity should be provided not only by watering. In the heat of the palm you need to spray every day; if the air in the room is excessively dry, installing a humidifier will be useful.
Fertilizer needed
In principle, if there is enough nutritious land, the betel palm does not really need additional nutrition. However, young or, for some reason, weakened trees in the spring and summer months still nourish (with conventional complex fertilizer, twice a month). In winter and autumn, it is enough to do this once a month. In late May - early June, you can support the palm with organic fertilizers.
If pests attacked or the tree fell ill
Betel palm often suffers from the attacks of the mealybug, whitefly, scale insects and spider mites. Fortunately, when signs of the presence of pests are detected, it is enough to treat the plants with the appropriate drugs - such “attacks” do not cause complications. Palm is not affected by special diseases. Most often, troubles are caused by errors in care: for example, when overflowing, the roots rot. If you don’t stop in time, you won’t be able to save the plant. Drying of the leaves at the tips is usually caused by too dry air, unacceptably low temperatures or insufficient watering. However, such mistakes do not carry grave consequences. If the leaves begin to brown, this is a sign of overflow: it is on it that urgent conclusions must be drawn to prevent rotting of the root system.
additional information
Most houseplants need periodic pruning. However, for the areca palm, this action is unnecessary: it does not branch, so the procedure will result in a bare stump that will die very quickly.
The betel palm is propagated by seeds. To get them at home is quite difficult, but in order to sprout a sprout, a greenhouse is required. Therefore, exclusively hot enthusiasts are engaged in home breeding.