2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Rapis (lat. Rhapis) - indoor plant; fan bamboo palm of the Palm family. The plant is often called a whip or stick palm. China and Japan are considered the homeland. Translated from Latin "rhapis" means a stick, a rod. Rapis was introduced to Europe about 240 years ago.
Characteristic
Rapis is a bushy palm tree 60-200 cm high. The stems are thin, reed-tubular, covered with felt-mesh fibers. The leaves are small, fan-shaped, deeply dissected into 5-10 lobes, the edges are finely serrated, located at the ends of the trunks.
The rhizome is powerful, forming a large number of lateral shoots. Rapeseed is a perennial plant. The growth rate is low. Under favorable conditions, rapese blooms with white or cream flowers, although this phenomenon is quite rare.
Views
* Tall rape (lat. Rhapis excelsa) - the species is represented by reed palm trees up to 3 m high. The stems are segmented, few in number, outwardly similar to bamboo stems, reach 3-4 cm in diameter, covered with felt-mesh fibers. The leaves are short, fan-shaped, deeply dissected, green, serrated at the top, 25-30 cm long, 5 cm wide. Petioles are thin, long, covered with fibers at the base. The inflorescence is branched, axillary. In indoor conditions, tall rapese blooms extremely rarely.
* Low rape (lat. Rhapis humilis) - the species is represented by bushy plants 1-1.5 m high. The stems are densely fibrous, very thin, up to 1-2 cm in diameter. Leaves are hard, glossy on the outside, fan-shaped, deeply dissected on 7-8 lobes, length 20-25 cm. Petioles are thin, long. The inflorescence is branched, axillary.
Growing conditions
Rapis is a light-loving plant, prefers well-lit rooms, it is preferable to place the culture in a tub near the east or west window, it is not forbidden near the north one. From time to time, the plant needs to be turned to the light on the other side. The optimum temperature for normal growth and development is 18-20C, the upper limit is 24C, the lower one is 7C.
Rapese has a negative attitude to dry air, however, with regular spraying with warm, settled water, it grows well. The soil substrate should consist of turf, moist peat, humus and coarse sand or perlite (2: 2: 2: 1). For large and highly overgrown plants, the content of sod land is increased. Pots and containers are required with holes.
Care
Rapis is a plant that requires regular watering. In spring and summer, watering is abundant, as the upper layer of the soil substrate dries up, in autumn and winter - moderate. For irrigation, use only soft, warm and settled water.
Top dressing of the culture is carried out in the spring and summer every 2-3 weeks. For this purpose, complex mineral fertilizers for ornamental deciduous plants are ideal. It is also necessary to periodically wipe the leaves and remove dried parts of the plant. In the summer, it is advisable to take the plant out to the balcony.
Reproduction, planting, transplanting
The culture is propagated by seeds and dividing the rhizome. When sowing seeds, entrances appear only after 2-3 months.
Rapeseed is transplanted by transshipment. Like all palm trees, rapese does not tolerate transplanting well. Adult plants do not need to be transplanted; it is necessary to replace the top layer of the soil substrate once a year. Rice pots require wide ones and provide good drainage at the bottom.
Growing difficultie
The reason for the appearance of mottling on the leaves can be a high temperature or insufficient air humidity. You can eliminate these troubles by spraying with warm, settled water.
Yellowing and drying of the leaves often indicates that the plant is affected by scale insects. Pests are removed with a cotton swab dipped in tobacco infusion or soapy water.
The reason for the yellowing of the leaves and the appearance of cobwebs on them is the defeat of the rapeseed spider mite. To prevent this kind of problem, it is necessary to adjust the air humidity and room temperature.
Young leaves open prematurely due to damage to the root system or excess moisture. Insufficient nutrition slows down the growth of rapeseed. The darkening of the leaves may be due to the low temperature of the content.
Application
Rapis is an ornamental plant, used to decorate staircases, spacious rooms and offices, landscaping winter gardens. It is also relevant in ordinary city apartments.
