An indoor plant with a little constant care in terms of the environment, although with great results. It is taking more and more presence and gaining fans despite the care it requires, due to its undoubted ornamental value. Let’s see how to take care of this tropical species.
Index
PACHIRA AQUATICA , DIFFICULT CARE BUT WITH REWARD
Scientific names often give innate characteristics of the species in question. This case is no exception. The term aquatica is given by its origin: the marshy areas of Mexico , although its presence is also extended to Central America and northern South America.
It is from the Bombacaceae family . This genus is made up of mostly tropical trees, called bottle trees. Its main characteristic is the characteristic thickening of the trunk in the middle or lower area, where they store water for possible periods of drought.
The arrangement of the leaves (fingered), is very reminiscent of the horse chestnut and this plant is also colloquially called water chestnut. Other names are water ceibo or wild cacao.
In the areas of origin, toasted Pachira seeds are eaten as well as the flowers and leaves (when they are very tender). The flowers are very spectacular but it is something that we will not be able to see if the plant is cared for indoors. What a shame, but it is what it is. We show you how they are even if it is useless if you plan to have it at home.
PACHIRA AQUATICA CARE INDOORS
This elegant plant requires more than difficult, constant care, which makes it a bit laborious. It is not one of those plants that we can forget and hope that they endure and give good results. The difficulty will increase depending on the particular environment of each home.
TEMPERATURES
During the vast majority of the year there will be no problems in this aspect because it develops in medium temperatures. From 15-16 ºC to 23 ºC. In hot summers it should be moved to slightly cooler places or it will suffer from excessive heat. It is important to protect it from cold air currents.
LIGHT
It was not going to be an exception. It does not support direct sun exposure but needs high indirect light conditions. It will grow at a good pace.
SUBSTRATUM
It is not picky about the soil. It adapts very well to different types of soil. The only demand is that it be a draining soil.
IRRIGATION
The term aquatica and the fact that it comes from swampy areas suggests that irrigation should be copious. Big mistake if this is done. You will kill her without remedy. It is watered very very little. Let the water dry completely between waterings, especially in winter.
To find out if the earth is dry, you can do what we once advised in our twitter agripsis : Insert a pencil or stick into the earth and if it does not come out with stuck earth, then it will be dry and we will proceed to the next irrigation. In summer it will require an increase in frequency.
It is watered little, does not require a specific substrate, it is of medium temperatures, so where is the difficulty? In ambient humidity .
You need water sprays almost daily. We need an environment with high humidity so the use of humidifiers, tricks such as wet pebbles around the pot will be necessary for a good humidity and therefore a good development.