Dioon

Family. Zamiaceae.

Origin. Central America, Mexico.

Description. Dioon is one of the largest plants in the Zamiaceae family. It has large, feathery branches divided into numerous pairs of leaves, reminiscent of a palm tree. Each adult specimen has 15 to 20 branches up to 2 m long. Each branch consists of 80 to 120 pairs of gray-green or blue-green, glossy, hard leaves up to 20 cm long, in turn, each segment has a sharp thorn at the end. The trunk is powerful, thick, with traces of dead leaves, about 30 cm in diameter. The species is dioecious, there are female and male individuals. The inflorescence is conical, up to 30 cm long.

Height. It develops very slowly, but reaches a height of 3 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Grows year-round at room temperature. Mature specimens can withstand short-term frosts down to -12 ºC.

Lighting

A well-lit place without direct sunlight, easily tolerates partial shade. Rotate the plant pot periodically to ensure its growth remains symmetrical.

Care

Remove dead leaves.

Substrate

Well-drained, sandy soil. It will grow well in soils with few nutrients. Add some sand, perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage. 

Feeding

Although dioon tolerates poor soils, it responds very well to regular complex balanced fertilizers. Feed every 2 weeks in spring and summer, stop feeding in autumn and resume when new growth begins.

Purpose

This large species requires a large container and plenty of space - for example, place it in a large room.

Flowering time

Summer. 

Air humidity

Unimpeded air movement is very important, as moisture can cause rot on the leaves. Spray periodically in the warm season if the air in the room is dry. 

Soil moisture

Dioon tolerates short-term drought, but needs a lot of water, especially in dry weather. When watering, try not to hit the center of the rosette. In the cold season, the frequency of watering is reduced.

Transfer

Can be grown for many years in the same container. The size of the tub affects the growth rate of this plant. Replant the bush in a pot one size larger only in the spring, before the start of active growth. For large adult specimens, it is enough to change the top layer of soil. Lightly compact the soil around the root system and water well to release air bubbles from the soil.

Reproduction

It reproduces by seeds or division, as well as by daughter bushes, which often form near the mother plant.

Pests and diseases

Dioon can be susceptible to stem and root rot when overwatered or exposed to stagnant water.

Mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects are the most common pests.  

Note

It grows slowly but has a very long life. The edges of the leaves are very sharp and, in addition, their tips are equipped with thorns - do not place flower pots in the passages, and use protective gloves when handling the plant.