Rapis (rhapis) - a type of decorative palm. Translated from the Greek meaning "rod". This name was due to the structure of the trunk, resembling a rod. It comes from China and Japan.
Quite often, the Rapis palm tree can be found in offices. She feels well at home and gives the situation extravagance.
Further in the article we will talk about low rape and high rape: care at home, photos, pests and diseases.
Kinds
Is counted about 15 species. At home, grows about 230 years. Stems palm Rapis used for the manufacture of umbrellas and canes. The most common are two species. The most obvious difference is growth.
Tall (Rhapis excelsa)
This species grows up to 3 m tall, and is suitable for gardening at home or office. The diameter of the trunks, departing from the spine, is no more than 3-4 cm. The stems cover the mesh fibers - these are the remains of petioles. The scape is thin and small, about 25-35 cm.
Leaves fan, dark green, in length reach 27-32 cm, in width - 3-5 cm. They are cut into 5-7 lobes and veins are viewed along the entire length. The surface of the sheet is glossy. The inflorescence reaches 25 cm, has a axillary structure. At home it is almost impossible to achieve flowering.
Motherland This species - tropical forests of Japan.
Palm tree is tall: photo of a plant.
Low (Rhapis humilis)
This species is lower than the previous one, it grows in height. up to 2 m. The stems are thin, with a diameter of 1-2 cm. The surface of the stem is densely covered with fibers. It has a small petiole, 25-30 cm.
Foliage cut to almost the very base of 6-8 shares. In length, the sheet grows by 20-25 cm, quite hard. The surface of the sheet is glossy. Inflorescence with axillary structure.
Habitat in the wild - subtropics of southern China.
Rapis: low type photo.
Home care
Rapis easy to clean. It is successfully used for gardening offices or private houses, it grows well in winter gardens. Palm, with proper care, can bloom. Flowers produces white or ivory shade. But flowering is very rare.
Features care after purchase
After buying Rapisu quarantine required. He painfully tolerates a change of scenery. This palm is pretty light-loving, but immediately after purchase it must be placed in a shade. After 7-10 days, you can gradually change the location to a more illuminated. After another 7 days, she can take her permanent place.
Such movements from partial shade to light will help to avoid diseases and more calmly adapt to a new place.
Lighting
Rapis loves good lighting. It can even carry direct sunlight in the morning. Therefore, the best location will be the windows facing the east. Placing a palm tree at the southern windows, a shading is necessary. The dining sun may burn the leaves. To crown evenly developed Rapis need to periodically rotate.
In the summer months, the palm tree is desirable to carry out into the fresh air. Only need to equip shading place.
Temperature
During the summer months the room should be no more than 22 degrees. Also a prerequisite is airing.
In winter it is advisable to keep Rapis in a weakly heated room. The temperature should not exceed 16 degrees, and also fall below 10 degrees.
Air humidity
There are no specific moisture requirements. SummerIn dry weather, spraying is carried out 1-2 times a week with separated water to avoid drying of the tips of the leaves.
In the autumn and winter months spraying is not performed.
Watering
Needs in moderate watering. Rapis does not tolerate dry soil as well as overmoistening. In the summer months, watering should be done every 3 days; the ground in the pot should be damp.
In winter watering is reduced. It is enough to make watering every 10 days.
For moistening the soil, soft separated water of room temperature is used.
Fertilizers (dressing)
In spring and summer Fertilizers are applied to the soil no more than once every 2-3 weeks. Organic imineral fertilizers are used for indoor plants.
In the autumn and winter months do not need additional feeding.
Transfer
Rapis is transplanted as needed about once every 4 years. In an adult plant, annual replacement of the top layer of soil in a pot is desirable. An alternative to transplanting is transferring the plant to a new pot.
Landing is best used. slightly acid or neutral soil mixture. In the flower shop you can buy ready-made soil for palm trees. When preparing yourself, you need to mix the turf, compost and peat land with sand in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 2.
Growing up
Rapis multiplies in two ways - this is with the help of seeds and rhizome division.
Seed propagation - rather labor-intensive process. In planting capacity in March, seeds are sown and gently sprayed the soil. Be sure to cover with plastic wrap or glass and put in a dark place. Periodically, the soil must be sprayed. After 2-3 months, small sprouts will appear. With the formation of several leaves, a young plant is transplanted into a separate pot.
Palm tree can be propagated in April-May rhizome division. To do this, a part of the stem with the root system, with the earth on it, is transplanted into a new pot.
Diseases and pests
Lowering and lethargy leaves indicates insufficient watering. Need to increase watering.
When drying the tips of the foliage spraying is necessary. This happens when the air is dry.
About darkening and wilting of leaves says lower temperature. To eliminate this disease, you need to increase the temperature in the room.
With a lack of minerals in the soil is observed slow growth. It is necessary to fertilize the soil.
If a young leaves bloom very quicklythen this indicates an excess of moisture in the soil. When the root system decays, the leaves wither and fall off quickly. In this case, you need to gently pull out the plant from the pot and cut off all the rotted roots. Rinse the roots under running water and process wood ash. Then transplant in a pot with a new soil, providing good drainage.
Of pests occur spider mite, scale and mealybug. With the defeat of a spider mite, a thin spider web will appear between the leaves. On the leaves themselves begin to grow brown specks, followed by their fall.
Shchitovka looks like grayish tubercles. With the defeat of the shield there is a rapid wilting of the green part of the plant.
At defeat mealybug a fluffy patina will appear on the leaves.
To control pests used soap or soap-alcohol solution. In case of a large defeat, it is worth using chemicals purchased in a specialty store.
Palma Rapis looks very profitable in the living room at home or on the stairs. She can decorate any room. And with proper care will please the eye for many years.
In this video you are a slide show of photos of the palm Rapis.
