Beaucarnea recurvata

Beaucarnea recurvata, also known as Bottle-palm, is a plant in Agavaceae family. The base of this plant is extremely swollen like a wine bottle. It has perennial green leaves and white or yellow flowers, being widely planted as a decoration in garden. 
Bottle-palm needs full sunshine. If the light is insufficient, its leaf will turn weak. However, in midsummer, the plant also needs appropriate shade to avoid scorch. 
Interestingly, the plant’s bottle-like stem can store sufficient water, so this plant is particularly resistant to drought. It can survive half a year without water. You can supply it sufficient water at a time when the soil becomes dry. But remember to avoid water accumulation in the basin, otherwise the fleshy roots and stems will become rot. In rainy season, Bottle-palm can be planted outdoors to keep soil well aerated.
Bottle-palm is not resistant to cold, and when the temperature is below 3℃, you need to reduce the water supply gradually. Soil should be kept dry below 0℃. During the long winter months, the plant will become dormant and stop growing, but its leaves won’t fall off.
When temperature is just rising in early spring, you may begin to supply some water to it. At first, only a small amount of water will be needed, and gradually you can increase the water to help them revive from hibernation. It will be harmful to plant if you pour too much water at first, because the temperature in early spring is not stable.
After Bottle-palm begin to grow, appropriate topdressing can be applied on it, in order to compensate for nutrient consumption in winter. 
Spring, summer and autumn are suitable for growing, you can apply liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote the expansion of its base. And stop fertilization in winter.
Generally, you can carry out sowing in late autumn, early spring or winter. The seeds will germinate in 20-25 days after sowing and you can change the pot after seedlings grow to 4-5 cm in height. Seedlings grow relatively slowly and can be used for viewing in the second year. 
When it encounters cold wave climate, you can use plastic film to wrap the pot to keep warm and moist. In the morning before 9:30, or in the afternoon after 3:30, small seedlings can be placed outdoors to accept sunshine, otherwise it will not become strong.
Cuttings is also a good way for propagation. At the end of spring, select strong branches of Bottle-palm, and cut them into segments of 5-15 cm long. Each should have at least 3 Stem junction. 
Bottle-palm needs a deeper pot to grow because its roots are well developed. It grows well in loose sand and humus soil, and is resistant to drought or barren. 

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Beaucarnea Recurvata

Beaucarnea recurvata

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