Hoyas pages 1, Asclepiad Asclepiadceae Hoya Tropical Plants, Hoya's, Hoyas

Yucca elephantipes is a native to Central America forming forests of attractive trees up to 8 meters high. Young plants form a swollen bulbous base that will eventually swell to over 1 meter across with many branches growing from the base. Older plants take 100 or more years to grow. Yuccas are extensively used in landscaping in all climates but in particular in dryer areas as Yucca can survive long periods of drought and grow with very little water. The shape of a well grown Yucca lends itself well to modern design and architecture and is also the classic shape for Mediterranean design. Yuccas have been chosen over a number of other species as they are fast growing, easily produced commercially and do not have sharp or spiny tips.

Yucca’s have an ancient history and were an important part of the ancient Mayan culture of Central America and has been used for food and medicine for over 3,000 years. The plants are still extensively used today as the flowers are nutritionally high in calcium, phosphorus and vitamin C and, the leaves are high in iron and calcium. Yucca’s have now taken a role in Feng Shui and are now widely used in China at entrances of homes and shops in order to channel good forces into the home.

Yucca’s can be grown outdoors in any climate except those where sever frost may occur, even then if they are covered on frosty nights they will survive. Older and well established plants can also tolerate heavier frosts than younger plants. Best growth is achieved in full sunlight as the shape of the base will improve, in shadier position the plant will grow taller and thinner. Good well drained soils will aid in growth and prevent any infections from damaging the base and root system. Fertilise little on only occasionally, Yuccas can draw food from very poor soils. Yuccas can be cut back to keep short, where ever they are cut the plant will regrow new tips, this can be done indefinitely to create a weird and unusual stem. Yuccas will do well in pots but ill grow much slower than in the garden.

Yucca’s are very hardy indoor plants that will do well in any well lit areas indoors or outdoors. In dark positions or if the plant becomes light coloured with very few leaves it should be moved outdoors to recover, if overgrown it can be repotted and tips cut back to allow regrowth before it is moved back indoors. Indoors, the plant should have only occasional feeding and water only when soil is dry, over watering is the single most common killer of all indoor plants, almost drying out the pot is essential and not allowing water to sit in the base is also important. Many indoor plants are kept in saucers and these saucers are allowed to retain water, it is important that this water does not sit in the saucer in the colder months as this can cause root rot to occur, this will kill the plant. Fertilizing should only be done once in spring and once in summer if kept indoors. Plants kept indoors for long periods without adequate light and exposure will begin to weaken, to prevent this the plants should be moved outdoors for a few weeks to recover and then brought back in. 4 weeks in and 4 weeks out is a good recipe, some keep them indoors for 6 months and outdoors for 3 months, this also can work well. Plants moved outdoors should be kept in a sheltered position.

An indoor environment is not the best environment for any living plant, in nature plants do not inhabit caves, we do, therefore we must adapt the environment to best suit the plants in order that they have some chance of survival. To do this we must supply sunlight, temperature variations and water, all of these are difficult as they do not suit the climates we humans enjoy. The best locations are near windows where sun can shine directly on the plants for some part of the day, preferably some of the period from 10am to 4 pm. If curtains are drawn over the period the plants will not benefit. Another essential requirement of most plants is fresh air and exposure to temperature variations, again near windows or in sun rooms this is easily achieved, in other areas it can be difficult. In many countries the general attitude to indoor plants is to keep them while they look good and replace them once they look tired.

Yuccas are very fashionable in Mediterranean and arid gardens, the Yucca can live throughout Australia and can survive long periods of drought or in wet soils. If in a heavy frost areas your Yuccas can be damaged so it must be protected or under cover in winter.

Another product from Paradisia, Australia

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