THE RATTAN PALM (RATTAN) IS THE LONGEST INHABITANT OF THE TROPICAL JUNGLE.

Homeland Rattan palm trees are considered Southeast Asia and Africa.

This plant is most often found in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

general description

Rattan - This is a tropical vine, belonging to the Kalamus species and the palm family.

The rattan has smooth and thin trunks, the diameters of which range from 5 to 70 mm and have no side branches or knots. Palma can reach a length of up to 200 - 250 m.

The trunks of this plant possess three-layer structure. The top layer is a fairly strong bark, the middle layer is softer and more porous than the previous one and there is a very hard core.

The plant easily clings and spreads from one tree to another, therefore, Rattan is often called climbing liana.

The palm has an even diameter throughout its length, which distinguishes it from other plants. The rattan is adapted to any differences in temperature and pressure. It is elastic, it bends beautifully and, due to this, it takes any shape during steam processing.

Care

Rattan light-requiring and grows better in bright light. The plant is also thermophilic, but does not tolerate drafts, and the root is very sensitive to cold air.

The optimum temperature for growing palm trees is + 250С. The surface on which the plant pot stands should be at room temperature, but by no means cold.

Rattan needs a loose and easily permeable to water and air soilwhich contains the maximum amount of nutrients.

Palma is moisture-loving plant and grows well with high moisture content in the air, which can be achieved by using special humidifiers or by placing containers with water near the plant.

Leaves need to spray from different sides in the summer and spring. In the autumn and winter, spraying is stopped to avoid the formation of fungi. The leaves must sometimes be wiped with a soft sponge and rinsed with warm water. Yellow leaves should be cut, but only when the leaf is completely dry. The tips of the leaves can not be cut, as they begin to dry faster. Ratanga leaves grow rather slowly and if they are not cared for, the plant can lose all the leaves.

Water rattan palm preferably water purified from various impurities. Normal untreated water saturates the soil with harmful salts for the plant.

Water temperature should be at room temperature to prevent root rot. Water without the required purification for irrigation needs to be defended for at least a day to evaporate chlorine, which the palm tree especially does not like. Excess water must flow through the drain holes in the pot. Although Rattan is a moisture-loving plant, but excess water can cause oxygen starvation and the death of the plant as a whole.

While the palm is small, it needs to be held warm shower in the bathroom in order to prevent the appearance of spider mites. Palm needed fertilizer during active growth. Fertilizers need to pour directly into the ground or by spraying the leaves with a special solution.

Rattan palm should be watered in the summer at least once a week, and in the winter - once every two weeks.

Vegetative rattan does not breed. A new palm can only be grown from seed. They are usually sown at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring. You can not cut the top of the stem, as the palm tree may die.

Transplant The plant is needed once every few years. Palm is transferred from one pot to another with a lump of earth, in order to preserve the roots. A new pot should exceed the size of the previous one by 20 - 25%. Palm must be transplanted, otherwise it will lose all its beauty and begin to stop growing.

Despite the slow growth of palm trees, it reaches a large size, and it is desirable to grow it in spacious rooms.

Application

Palm Rattan most often use for making furniture, weaving baskets. Also from this plant weave a lace sheet, which is used as an interior decoration.

Rattan products are very eco-friendly and waste-free. At production of furniture and a decor all material is used, nothing is utilized. They are also cost effective as they do not require welding, nails or other additional materials.

A photo

Photos of the longest plant - Rattan palm trees.

Diseases and pests

Usually pests are brought into the house with a newly acquired plant, it is removed with the help of water, washing the pest from the leaves, or removed by hand.

Improper care may result fungal or bacterial diseases, root rot, leaf spot or leaf shrinkage.

When a disease occurs, the palm tree is isolated from other plants, the treatment is made with a special solution, depending on the disease, and infected leaves are removed. Typically, a fungicide is used as such a solution.

Root rot can appear when there is an overabundance of moisture, and leaf drying can occur when the air is too dry. With proper care, palm disease can be prevented.