"Oh, what a jellyfish," I thought, looking at an incomprehensible tree that was still unknown to me. Succulent? It doesn't look like. And the trunk - just like they sculpted a bottle. Nice in its clumsiness, nolina, seen once, was forever remembered for its cap of twisted leaves and light brown smooth trunk. What is nolina? Care at home for her does not seem to be very complicated. Let's find out now.
Bokarneya, bottle tree, elephant foot (very rude) - this is also called this charming plant. It really resembles an elephant - especially in the first years of its life, when the trunk is short, and the difference in the girth of the base and top is obvious. Moisture is stored in the trunk, so the bokarney is not afraid of a long-term drought. In general, this is an ideal home gardening option for those who often go on business trips or long vacations. Nolina can not be watered throughout the year - she will remain just as cheerful and cheerful toyour arrival, economically spending the stock of water accumulated in the trunk. Then, growing up, the trunk of the nolina ceases to resemble an elephant's leg or a bottle. And if it also starts branching! You can’t confuse such a plant as nolina with any other, her photos always attract the eye. Previously, nolina was classified as a member of the agave family, probably because of its hard leaves. Now the “elephant calf” has been moved closer to the dracaena, to the Needle family.
How to care for Nolina
Nolina is not particularly fastidious, caring for her at home does not require any special knowledge or skills. She calmly tolerates dry air, delays in watering. The only thing that the bokarney is afraid of is overflow. Its barrel is essentially a canister for collecting water, and excess moisture can quickly
lead to rotting of the base of the trunk and death of the plant. Therefore, nolina should be watered only after the soil in the pot has completely dried. With high humidity, watering may be necessary with a break of 1.5-2 weeks. If the air is dry - 5-7 days. The dried tips of the leaves of the nolin plant testify to the dryness of the air. Care at home should therefore imply, perhaps, more frequent spraying. This cute pet doesn't need a big pot. Despite its size, the root system of nolina is superficial. Under natural conditions, bokarneya grows on stony soils, where the fertile layer is very small. Violets have the same root system. Therefore, if you need a large pot, then only forthe balance of a plant that can turn over in a small pot. And so, it is better to plant nolina in flat, wide containers with a sufficient number of drainage holes that provide good water flow.
Lighting "elephant" requires bright and sunny. This plant is accustomed to grow where the sunlight is not obstructed by the crowns of trees. The content of nolina on the north side can affect the juicy color of the leaves and the thickness of the trunk, which can completely thin out over time. Can take on different shapes
nolina, home care is critical here. If you want your pet to constantly remind you of a pretty bottle shape with a small crown, you need a sunny location and alternating drought with periods of heavy watering. In order for the trunk to smooth out its disproportionate shape and become more straight, like an ordinary tree, and the crown of the "jellyfish" has acquired a gorgeous length and density - a more shaded place with regular watering will do.
It is necessary to feed the bokarney no more than once a month with a slightly diluted mineral fertilizer. The concentration should be 2 times less than recommended. With an excess of nitrogen, nolina leaves can lose rigidity, which will affect its appearance. Nolina is an individual plant. Each individual has its own unique features. If you have nolina - be sure you have an exclusive. In addition, bokarneya grows very slowly. This is probably why its price is quite high on the market.
