| Description: |
Leaves may be as much as four feet (120cm) across in plants only a few years old, and the trunk when it forms is about 18 inches (45cm) in diameter. The leaf bases and old leaves persist for many years on plants grown outside. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/West |
| Soil Type: |
Use a GOOD rich potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well), such as an African violet mix. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 2 parts peat and 1 part coarse sand or perlite.
Always use a pot with a hole.
|
| Watering: |
Keep the soil barely moist in the winter and evenly moist during summer. 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 palm fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to spider mites, mealy bugs and aphids. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds
in the spring.
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.
|
| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Clean the leaves of the plant with a damp cloth occasionally and reduce watering during the winter. Do not let the plant sit in water and if possible put the plant outside during the summer months. If the roots start to grow out of the bottom of the pot, it's time to repot!
|