Pachypodium is a genus of succulent plants that look like cacti but are different. The main difference is that the Pachypodiums have visible leaves. In some species, the leaves are even huge compared to the plant, for example, Pachypodium rutenbergianum and Pachypodium lamerei. This characteristic means that these plants use their leaves to acquire the water and carbon dioxide they need quickly. So they meet their nutritional needs, especially during the rainy season, which may be sudden and violent in the warm season. This is necessary for them as the growing season is relatively short in their natural environment.
Pachypodiums have large fibrous roots that absorb moisture very quickly, as they need to take advantage of sudden (but very rare) good rains in their natural habitat. In contrast, most other succulent plants have much finer roots. Pachypodiums have a thick, shiny bark that helps them reflect intense sunlight and protect themselves from drying out during long periods of drought.
Growing Conditions and General Care
The three key factors—light, temperature, and watering—are closely related. Therefore, when adjusting one of these factors, it's essential to consider the other two. Maintaining a balance among these three parameters is crucial to ensuring your plant's health.
All Pachypodiums, except perhaps Pachypodium succulentum and Pachypodium bispinosum from South Africa, need much light because they originally grow under full sun in tropical countries. Direct sunlight is not necessary, but the sunlight should not be shielded by natural (or artificial) view protection. A Pachypodium lacking light will wither, its branches will be weak and appear "lean," and the leaves will be too long and soft. Over time, the plant will be susceptible to disease and fungus and eventually die.
The temperature can be very high, as in the habitats of Madagascar and South Africa during the summer. However, the minimum temperature is much more important for growing Pachypodiums because it triggers the rest. For most Pachypodiums, the minimum temperature is about 55°F (13°C). However, it depends heavily on soil moisture. The drier the soil, the lower the temperatures possible. Ideally, you should not fall below a minimum temperature of 59°F (15°C) during the rest period.
In the growth phase, the Pachypodiums require a lot of water. The fact is that the climatic environment drives them to store as much water as possible as quickly as possible. Because the rainy season can be very short, the plant must quickly draw on its reserves. For beginners, it can be not easy to decide when and how much water to give Pachypodiums. It would be best if you did not treat them like cacti. A helpful rule is that the soil should not be completely dry during periods of active growth.
The dormancy or rest period of Pachypodiums is the most delicate time to decide whether to water and how much. It is the time that beginners most misunderstand. It is different from other succulents, so the plant will not survive without irrigation until next spring. Although the plants are very hardy, you should keep in mind that they need regular watering to replenish their moisture reserves during the rest period.
Pests and Diseases
Fortunately, Pachypodiums are rarely attacked by insects, and fungal infections are rare. It is always better to address mechanical problems (such as spraying water on the leaves when beetles are present) or to try biological and organic products. Most problems come from treatment and cultivation, so it is important to think carefully before treating the plant with an aggressive product, as the consequences could be very bad.
Source: seedsplants.com
Links
- Back to genus Pachypodium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus