| Description: |
Clumping palm with upright stems with a diameter of about an inch (2.5cm) and six or eight feet (1-3m) tall. Feather leaves that come from a sheathing base that is not self-cleaning. Chamaedorea erumpens is very similar and many plants sold are actually hybrids between this and C. siefrizii. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the North/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part humus (leaf mold), 1 part coarse sand or perlite and 2 parts peat
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed monthly with a water soluble fertilizer. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to scale and spider mites. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds/ suckers
in the spring through at anytime.
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. Remove suckers and plant in the palm's regular potting mix.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Never let this plant sit in water. Mist in the winter and regularly clean the leaves with a damp cloth. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water. Put the plant somewhere free from drafts and ensure that it has good drainage. If possible put outside for the summer in filtered shade.
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| Air Purifier: |
A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere. |