Palisota is a decorative herbaceous perennial. It is popular with flower growers due to its large leaves covered with embossed or colored stripes. The palisot plant lives in tropical forests in the west of the African continent; it belongs to the Commeline family. Palisota is ideal for domestic lovers of exotic. She pleases with a beautiful appearance and unpretentious character.
Botanical Description
Palisota is a grassy, rhizome plant from mountain rainforests. It has a very short stem or even grows without it. Almost from the ground rises a bunch of large petiolate leaves. Fleshy petioles are cylindrical in shape with one longitudinal groove. Leaflets have a heart-shaped or ovoid shape with a pointed edge. The length of leathery, smooth leaves is 30-50 cm, and the width is 10-40 cm. The upper side of the sheet is glossy with embossed veins. The leaves are painted dark green. They are located in several tiers, the lower specimens are larger than the upper ones.
White or pink flowers are collected in panicle or capitate inflorescence on shortened peduncles. Peduncles grow from the center of the leaf rosette and are located below the upper tier of leaves. Between the free petals there are several short stamens and one protruding ovary. The flowering period falls on January-February.
More decorative look are the fruits of palisotes. Small shiny berries of red, blue or white colors form a dense bunch at the end of the peduncle. Juicy berries fully ripen by mid-April.
Popular views
In flower shops you can buy a palisot of only three types, although more than 20 varieties are registered in the genus. The most widespread Palisot Barter. Its large dark green leaves are attached to the base with fleshy, pubescent white villi, petioles. The length of a glossy leaf plate reaches 40 cm and a width of 15 cm. The shape of the leaves is oblong or ovoid. The leaves have a slightly wrinkled or wavy appearance. On a short thick peduncle is a dense, numerous inflorescence. Flower petals are painted white or light pink. Over time, the place of flowers is occupied by red juicy berries.
Palisota bract. The plant is distinguished by large, oval leaves. Their length does not exceed 40 cm and a width of 15 cm. The surface of the sheet plate is dark green. Often the central vein is outlined in a lighter color. A whitish or yellow spot may become wider or narrow significantly. Fleshy petioles have a hunched shape, their length is 6-7 cm. Faded numerous flowers are tightly attached to the apex of a short peduncle, they form a capitate inflorescence. Bright red oval berries ripen in mid-spring. Inside each berry is a gray seed 3-4 cm in diameter.
The Palisota Mann. Herbaceous perennial with large, oval leaves of light green color. The leaf length is 35 cm, and the width does not exceed 10 cm. The inflorescence resembles a very dense, multi-flowered head with white small flowers. Fruits - red oblong berries with a pointed end.
Reproduction of palisota
Reproduction of palisotes is produced by seed or vegetative methods. Seed growing is considered more difficult. Harvested seeds are sown in early spring in flat and wide pots. The soil for planting is prepared from a mixture of sand, peat and sheet soil. Seeds are sown in wells to a depth of 5-10 mm. The pot is covered with a film or glass before emergence. The container is left in a warm place, regularly ventilated and moistened as necessary.
Seedlings are expected within 2-4 weeks. The grown seedlings are thinned out so that the distance between them is about 7 cm. With the advent of 4 real leaves, young plants dive into separate pots with soil for adult palisot.
At the base of the bush, small lateral processes can be found. They can be separated and transplanted. Sometimes children are left in a glass with water until the roots appear. After transplanting, the seedling requires more gentle handling, moderate watering and protection from the sun. A month later, the plant is fully adaptable.
When transplanting palisotes, you can propagate it by dividing the bush. This procedure is not often performed, as it builds up green mass for a long time. The root is cut into several parts with a sharp blade and the cut is treated with crushed charcoal. On each dividend, at least two growth buds must be left. Delenki try not to overdry and planted in pots prepared in advance.
Cultivation and care
Palisota lives in shady and humid tropical forests, so she needs to create the appropriate care at home. However, this plant is not too capricious in nature and can adapt to the existing habitat.
Palisota is planted in deep, large pots, as the rhizome grows very much. A thick drainage layer is laid at the bottom, and soil is placed on top. Land for palisota should be light, with a neutral or slightly acid reaction. Mixtures of:
- deciduous soil;
- soddy soil;
- sand;
- peat.
The bushes do not tolerate the transplant very well, so the procedure is carried out no more than once every 3-5 years. Use the method of transshipment of an earthen coma.
Palisota prefers bright rooms, however, direct sunlight should not fall on the leaves. Excessive sun exposure, especially in dry air and high temperatures, causes burns and yellowing of foliage. In the southern rooms, the pots are not placed on the windowsill, but in the back of the room.
The optimum air temperature in summer for palisota is + 18 ... +24 ° C. You can take the plant to the balcony or to the garden, but choose windless places. Fresh air is carried out in late May, when night temperatures become more stable. In winter, the plant needs some cooling (up to + 16 ... +18 ° C).
You need to water the palisot regularly. The surface of the soil should be constantly slightly moistened. In this case, it is impossible to flood the earth very much, otherwise the roots will rot very quickly and the plant will not be able to save. The first sign of a lack of moisture is drooping leaves. With regular drying, the ends of the leaves begin to dry.
During flowering and active growth, palisota is fed twice a month with mineral complexes for deciduous indoor plants. Fertilizers are applied in liquid form, combining with watering. In the resting period, feeding is not needed.
Of great importance is high air humidity, it should be at least 60%. Foliage should be regularly sprayed and dusted. In extreme cases, trays with wet expanded clay should be placed near the pots.
Possible difficulties
Palisota is prone to fungal diseases with excessive watering. In case of petiole blackening, it is necessary to carry out fungicide treatment and try to save at least part of the plant.
Of insects, its spider leaves are sometimes attacked by a spider mite. When the subtlest cobweb and punctures appear on the leaves, they are sprayed with a solution of an insecticide (Actellik or Fitoverm). After a week, the procedure is repeated to remove young insects.
