YUCCA FILIFERA

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS

This species, belonging to the Aspargaceae family, is also called "Izote" or "Espadillo" and comes from Central America. It is a shrubby plant that tends to branch over time and can reach 10 meters in height.

The leaves of Yucca Filifera are characterized by their rigidity, their green color and can reach 50 cm, they are born in a spiral shape in the upper part of the stem. This stem can also heal over time, in addition to branching.

The flowers are borne on an erect penicle and are white. They also produce fruits, called dates, the flowers can also be used to feed livestock.

DECORATION OF ... EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR?

Filifera is perfect to decorate our garden, whether we want to plant it alone or in groups. They are very attractive and will add height and variety to whatever garden they are planted in. It does not require much maintenance, since its characteristics are similar to those of cacti, so it does not need much water and we must make sure when watering that it soaks the soil well and that the area where there is a lot of sun exposure.

CARE FOR CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS

They are showy plants, very pretty and that practically do not need much maintenance.

- They prefer places with direct light or that have good lighting, preferably next to a window, on a balcony, a terrace or in your Garden.

- They can withstand low temperatures, around 5ºC.

- It is essential that they have good drainage, both in the soil and in a pot.

- The ideal substrate for cacti has to be combined with sand and gravel, so that they have good drainage, humidity and excess water are not good.

- Irrigation does not have to be excessive. From spring to autumn, which would be its growth period, water every 15 days, abundant watering and wait until the soil is very dry again. In winter do not water or give one watering per month.

- Fertilizer. During the growing season (spring - autumn) you can fertilize them with worm humus. Eggshells are a good homemade fertilizer, they contain (Calcium, Iron, Potassium, magnesium and Phosphorus) these nutrients are very important and favor their growth, you must crush and mix them with the substrate, administer them a couple of times a year.

- Treatment against fungi due to excess humidity, disinfect the area with a copper-based fungicide.

- If you want to transplant them from the pot or the ground, the best time would be from spring.

And don't forget that to work with cacti you have to wear good gloves.