beaucarnea

Beaucarnea are amazing plants. They are often planted in cactus and succulent gardens, because their needs are practically the same. Proof of this is the image you can see above: same substrate, same exposure.

Therefore, I'm going to present them to you, explaining not only the basics such as characteristics and care, but I will also tell you about the main species of the genus, including what we call the elephant's foot. Here we go  .

Origin and characteristics of the Beaucarnea

Beaucarnea are a genus of nine species of xerophytic trees native to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. It was once included in the Nolinaceae and later Agavaceae families, but today it is found in the Asparagaceae. But regardless of this, all of them reach a height of between 6 to 10 meters, with a more or less thick trunk between 20cm and 4m in diameter.

The leaves are linear, leathery, with serrated margins and 50 to 180 cm long by 1,5 to 2 cm wide. The flowers are grouped in panicles 75 to 110cm in length, and are light colored. They are dioecious plants.

Main species

Beaucarnea gracilis

It is an endemic species to Mexico, and reaches a height of 6 to 12 meters, with a trunk whose base measures between 1,5 to 2,5 meters. The leaves form apical rosettes, green in color. The flowers are grouped in orange to pale yellow inflorescences.

Beaucarnea recurvata

Known as elephant foot, nolina or belly palm (although they have nothing to do with palm trees), it is the most cultivated in the world. It is native from Mexico to Central America, and grows between 4 and 15 meters in height, with a trunk whose base measures up to 3 meters. The leaves are green, leathery, and its inflorescences are white.

Beaucarnea stricta

Known as Tehuantepec soyate, it is an endemic species of Mexico that reaches a height of between 6 and 10 meters. The base of its trunk is up to 2 meters in diameter, and its leaves are erect, almost flat, of green color. The flowers are grouped in pale green or whitish yellow inflorescences.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend you take care of it as follows:

Location

• Interior: they live quite well in dry and bright environments.
• Exterior: full sun.

Earth

• Flower pot: use sandy substrates so that excess water can come out quickly. Likewise, the pot must of course have drainage holes, and it is recommended that it be wider than it is high.
• Garden: plant in well-drained soils. They can be nutrient-poor soils without any problem (I speak from experience  ).

Irrigation

Rather scarce. They resist drought very well, but fear waterlogging. For this reason, the ideal is to water the less the better… but without going to extremes either. For example, I water the one I have in the garden once or twice a week in the summer and hardly ever the rest of the year, maybe once a month or so, but not much more. The climate is the typical Mediterranean coastline: maximum temperatures of 38ºC in August-September, and minimum temperatures of -2ºC or that in February, and with a dry season that usually lasts five to six months.

In areas where it rains more or is colder, the frequency of irrigation will be even less. Therefore, if in doubt, check the humidity of the substrate or soil, for example with a meter (for sale No products found.).

Subscriber

Not very necessary, but a monthly or biweekly contribution appreciates it. You can pay it with any fertilizer for succulents, like this one they sell No products found..

Multiplication

The Beaucarnea multiply by seeds and cuttings in spring-summer. Let's know how to proceed in each case:

Seeds

The seeds must be placed in a pot of about 13cm in diameter or in a seedling tray with universal substrate (for sale No products found.) mixed with perlite (for sale No products found.) in equal parts. Then, they are covered with a very thin layer of substrate, and with the help of a sprayer it is watered thoroughly.

Keeping the seedbed moist but not waterlogged, they will germinate in about 3 weeks.

Cuttings

A piece of semi-hard wood measuring 35-40cm is cut, and after impregnating the wound with rooting hormones, they are planted in individual pots with pomx (for sale No products found.).

If everything goes fine, will emit its first roots in a month or month and a half. You must keep the substrate moist.

Plagues and diseases

Very resistant in general. Sometimes you can have mites or mealybugs, but nothing that you should worry about excessively since they are removed either by hand or with a small brush and soapy water.

Planting or transplanting time

In spring, when the minimum temperature is 15ºC or more. And if you have it in a pot, transfer it to a larger one every three years.

Rusticity

They usually say that they can't stand the cold at all, but the truth is that at least la Beaucarnea recurvata Yes, it can hold up to -2ºC without damage. if they are specific and short-term frosts.

Where to buy?

You can get it at any nursery and garden store, and also here:

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