How long can Peacock Plant live?
Do you know this? The small knowledge of how long the Peacock Plant can live and the tips for planting it, let's take a look together.
Peacock Plant (Cathea makoyana), also known as Five-color Curcuma and Peacock Xiu bamboo, belongs to the Xiu bamboo genus of the Marantaceae family, which is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the tropical rainforest of Brazil in South America. It grows in clusters, with plant height of 30-60 cm, basal leaves, ovate leaves, 20-30 cm long and about 10 cm wide, with a metallic sheen and light yellow-green in color. There are irregular color patterns near the rich veins, which change color from red to dark green on the leaf surface and from red to purple on the leaf back as the leaves age. Leaves of different ages in the same pot have different colors, with patterns radiating from the central vein to the edge of the leaf, resembling the tail feathers of a peacock.
1. Propagation
The Peacock Plant is commonly propagated by dividing the clumps. After April each year, when the temperature steadily rises to above 20°C, the clumping plants can be removed from the pot and cut into 3-4 buds per plant with a sharp knife, planted in small pots with cultivation soil, and placed in a semi-shaded area. Initially, do not water too much to prevent root rot, and only water thoroughly after 2 weeks of survival.
2. Management
The Peacock Plant is native to the tropical rainforests of Brazil in South America, requiring a high temperature, high humidity, and shaded environment. The soil should be rich in humus, loose, fertile, and well-drained. It grows vigorously in high temperatures (above 25°C) and should be placed in a semi-shaded environment with plenty of scattered light and no direct sunlight. Fertilize lightly every two weeks and water thoroughly as long as drainage is good. When the temperature exceeds 30°C, water the ground more to increase humidity, and if possible, use a spray. In low temperatures (below 15°C) during the season (from November to the following April), it should be moved to a greenhouse for wintering in the north, while in the south (south of the Tropic of Cancer), it only needs to be moved to a south-facing windowsill during cold spells. The cultivation environment should not be below 15°C for normal growth. Besides midday semi-shade, it should be exposed to more sunlight. Stop fertilizing in winter, control the amount of watering, and keep the potting soil semi-dry, preventing wet leaves and no standing water, otherwise, it is more likely to rot and die. When the temperature drops to below 10°C, the leaves will first become dull and lose their luster, then curl up, the leaf tips turn yellow, and they lose all ornamental value. In severe cases, the entire plant will die. If the frost damage is slight, new leaves can still sprout in spring. After May, when the temperature stabilizes above 20°C, you can repot, prune the damaged leaves, and replace with new cultivation soil for replanting.
Disease and Pest Control: The Peacock Plant has few diseases and pests, but it is prone to stem rot in overly wet conditions and may die. Pests to watch out for include general aphids, red spiders, and scale insects. With a good cultivation environment, especially in the hot and dry summers, good air circulation and maintaining proper humidity can reduce the occurrence of pests.
Application Range: The leaves have a "sleeping movement," where they are horizontally extended during the day and stand up from dusk until dawn. At night, the leaves fold from the sheath to the blade, curling up in a stem-hugging manner, and then unfold again with the morning sunlight. Each leaf can grow for a year from sprouting to withering, and in terms of luster, color, composition, leaf posture, and ornamental period, it is one of the outstanding ornamental leaf plants.
The above is all about how long the Peacock Plant can live and the tips for planting it. Green plant enthusiasts can refer to this aspect for reference.