Currently, “bottle trees” are gaining more and more popularity – unpretentious, rather large plants with a characteristic “bottle-shaped” stem shape. This group includes plants from various genera and families. They can be very different from each other in appearance, but all are characterized by the formation of specific tissue with moisture and nutrient reserves in order to survive in arid natural conditions.
One of the most beautiful “bottle trees” is a houseplant beaucarnea (Beaucarnea), or nolina (NoLina), naturally common in Mexico and the southern states of the United States. A large, well-shaped bokarney perfectly complements the interior of the premises, designed in high-tech style.
For its peculiar appearance, flower growers call the bokarney “elephant’s foot” or “palm ponytail.”
Photo of a bokarnea plant (“elephant’s foot”)
Beaucarnea, or bent nolina (Beaucarnea recurvata, Nolina recurvata) is an evergreen tree with a thickening (caudex) at the base of the trunk, covered with gray-brown cork bark.
As you can see in the photo, bokarneya has long, narrow leaves of dark green color, growing at the top and drooping in a picturesque cascade.
Under room conditions, nolina (bokarneya) can grow up to 2 m, and the length of the leaves with good care reaches 1.5 m.
Caudex is the main decoration of an adult bokarney. It was the caudex that gave the plant the name “elephant’s foot” – the lower thickening resembles the foot of a giant animal. For its proper formation, it is necessary to allow the soil to dry completely between heavy waterings.
Bokarney care at home
Bocarnea is a great plant for beginner gardeners or very busy indoor plant enthusiasts. The main thing is to provide bright lighting, you can not even shade from direct sunlight.
Nolina (“elephant’s foot”) easily tolerates irregular watering, is undemanding to air humidity, can winter both warm and cool (but not below +10 ° C).
The main thing that you need to pay attention to when caring for a bokarney at home is top dressing, which can be done only in the warm season, about once every three weeks with fertilizers for succulents.
Nolina is transplanted only when the roots completely braid the clod of earth. It is better to use containers that are shallow and wide, since the roots are predominantly located superficially. Be sure to pour a good drainage layer into the pot, preferably from crushed stone or gravel, it will not only protect the roots from stagnant moisture, but also give the container stability. Propagated by bokarney shoots during transplantation.