Arecastrum

Family. Arecaceae.

Origin. South America, northern Argentina, eastern Brazil.

Description. Arecastrum is an upright evergreen palm with dark green, glossy, pinnate, arched leaves up to 4.5 m long, each consisting of 150-250 lanceolate segments. The flowers are collected in inflorescences - large and very attractive panicles up to 2 meters long, white or yellowish, blooming in early spring. The trunk is gray, smooth, upright, up to 20 meters high, 30 to 60 cm in diameter, with horizontal marks from old leaves. The palm grows quite quickly and reaches a height of 7-15 meters at maturity. Dead leaves remain on the trunk for several months, and the palm looks very untidy. The fruits ripen in the winter months. They are a hard nut, round or ovoid, surrounded by a thin layer of fibers, and when ripe they acquire an orange color. The fruits are edible and sweet in taste, reminiscent of plums and bananas.

Height.  7 - 15 m.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Frost-resistant palm - tolerates light frosts for short periods of time. Regular room temperature is optimal. 

Lighting

Can be grown in direct sun from a very early age, but also grows well in the shade. 

Care

A very popular palm tree, it is used in landscaping all over the world (especially in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas) due to its very attractive appearance and unpretentiousness. Easily grown in a wide variety of conditions. Dead leaves at the base of the crown should be promptly removed. It grows quite quickly.

Substrate

Acidic, well-drained soil containing clay; loam; sand. It tolerates alkaline soils with difficulty.

Feeding

To maintain health, the palm tree requires constant feeding. It is especially good to use long-acting fertilizers. 

Purpose

A large, spectacular plant for winter gardens.

Flowering time

Early spring.

Air humidity

No special requirements, but occasional spraying would be appreciated.

Soil moisture

A fairly drought-resistant plant, although it would rather prefer even humidity. Doesn't like dampness.

Transfer

As it grows, in the spring. 

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, which are sown in spring in nutritious and well-moistened soil. This process is long and requires patience - even seed germination can take several months.

Pests and diseases

Micronutrient deficiency is a serious problem, especially when grown in soil with a high pH, ​​the leaves become distorted, and often the plant even dies. To prevent this, carry out regular preventive fertilizing with manganese and iron. With a lack of potassium, necrotic and leaf spots appear on the leaves. Can be affected by fungal infections spread by pruning with “infected” scissors/secateurs.