English (United Kingdom) 
Russian (Russia) Caryota
Family. Arecaceae or palms.
Origin. Burma, Malaysia and the Philippines.
Description. The genus Caryota includes 12 species of palms with one or more trunks. The stems are erect, slender, topped with a lush crown of large pinnate leaves 3-5 m long and about 1.5 m wide. The light green leaves have a very unusual angular shape, similar to a fish tail. There are varieties with variegated leaves that have radiant veins of a lighter tone. This is a monocarpic plant that forms buds only once in its life. The inflorescences are large, branched, drooping cobs containing large clusters of yellow, greenish or purple flowers. After flowering, spherical, reddish berries appear on the palm. Only adult plants at least 10 years old bloom.
Height. Over time, the palm can reach a height of 2.50 m, but it develops very slowly and adds only a few centimeters per year. In home conditions, mainly young caryots are grown as a palm.
Care
Keeping
One of the most undemanding palm trees. Wipe the leaves of the plant with a damp sponge to remove dust. If the growing point of a palm tree is damaged, it stops growing.
Reproduction
Propagated by seeds sown in spring, but germination may take several months at a minimum temperature of 24° C. The planting material is pre-soaked in warm water for 3-4 days. The seedlings are covered with glass or a transparent plastic cap to maintain humidity. Condensation that forms on the underside of the cover must be removed.
Temperature conditions
Loves warmth and moisture. In summer, normal room temperature is suitable, in winter - in a cool room with a temperature of about 13 ° C. The ideal temperature range is 18 - 29 ° C in summer.
Lighting
Bright, but reflected light, can grow in partial shade.
Substrate
Well-drained soil with a sufficient content of coarse river sand and a neutral or slightly acidic pH. A mixture based on peat with the addition of leaf humus, sphagnum moss, pine bark, fallen pine needles and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. The substrate must allow water and air to pass through well.
Fertilizer
Regular liquid fertilizer once a month from early spring to mid-autumn.
Purpose
Caryota is a shade-tolerant palm, so it can be placed in low-light areas along with ferns.
Flowering time
It occurs extremely rarely in indoor culture. Even in greenhouses, when the plant is kept in ideal conditions, the flowering of caryota is a unique phenomenon.
Air humidity
At least 50%, place the potted palm on a tray of damp pebbles or use a room humidifier to increase the humidity. It is recommended to spray only with soft water at room temperature.
Soil moisture
In summer, water generously and maintain uniform soil moisture. Drain excess moisture that has accumulated in the tray after watering. In winter, the top layer of soil should dry out between waterings. Caryota is more resistant to drought than to waterlogging. Use only soft water for watering - filtered or bottled. The tree does not tolerate high levels of fluorine, chlorine and other chemicals in water.
Transfer
The palm prefers slightly cramped conditions; repotting should be done in the spring every 2-3 years, when the roots begin to peek out of the drainage holes of the pot. After planting, compact the soil around the plant slightly so that there are no air pockets.
Pests and diseases
Dry, brown tips of leaves indicate insufficient air or soil humidity. Leaves turn yellow when exposed to excess direct sunlight. Caryota slows down growth when waterlogged.
Of the harmful insects, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects can pose a certain danger.
Note
This palm tree is long-lived.
Varieties:
Caryota urens
Single slender palm trees, which in their natural habitat reach a height of 12 m. The trunks are smooth, green, with small scars from fallen old leaves. At the top of the trees there is a luxurious, lush crown formed by large, arched, dark green leaves, each of which can reach a length of 3.5 m. The leaf segments are glossy, triangular. Abundantly branched drooping inflorescences appear in the summer months under the crown, reach a length of 3 m and consist of many small yellow flowers. Over time, the flowers turn into small round berries.
Unfortunately, when grown indoors, flowering occurs extremely rarely.
Caryota mitis
In their natural environment, these palm trees grow up to 10 m in height; adult plants have slender trunks. The compound, arched, pinnate leaves range from 90 cm to 3 m in length and consist of many variably arranged, dark green, triangular leaf segments. Drooping branched inflorescences consist of small purple flowers; towards autumn, palm trees form round red or purple berries.
