Yucca RIGIDA

Yucca RIGIDA - Blue yucca, Yucca rigida, Luminous yucca, Yucca LUMINOSA.

Yucca is a genus of perennial evergreen plants in the subfamily Agavoideae, family Asparagaceae. Formerly, the genus was assigned to the family Liliaceae, owing to wonderful tall inflorescences consisting of numerous lily-of-the-valley-like white or beige flowers possessing a delicate fragrance. The genus consists of more than 40 species. The distribution range spans North and Central America; some species occur on the islands of the Caribbean region and the West Indies.

In the immense diversity of the genus, there are species with tree-like stems and stemless ones. Beautiful elongated, leathery, sword-shaped leaves up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long and up to 8 cm (3.1 in) wide, gathered in a rosette, crown the trunk or form a basal rosette. Solid-colored and variegated species with contrasting edging exist. The leaves can be smooth or serrated along the margin.

Yucca rigida is a plant with a simple or branched trunk 3-4 m (10-13 ft) high. The crown consists of a rosette of stiff, bright blue-gray leaves up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long, narrowly lanceolate, tapering toward both ends. Inflorescences are 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) tall, with white spherical, nodding flowers. It grows in northeastern Mexico and withstands heat, drought, and moderate frosts.

The seeds are preliminarily soaked in warm water for 4-6 hours, then sown in a mixture of leaf mold, peat, and sand to a depth of 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.4 in), moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings. Seedling emergence may take 2-6 months.

Under favorable conditions, seedlings appear within 15–45 days. The maximum germination period can reach 2-6 months. Pricking out is carried out at the stage of 2–3 true leaves with transplanting into separate pots.

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Yucca develops well in a bright and warm room. The plant is very light-demanding - especially at a young age it requires a lot of sunlight with shading from direct sun rays. It can be grown under artificial lighting for 16 hours a day using fluorescent lamps placed at a distance of 30-60 cm (12-24 in) above the plant.

In the summer, yucca can be taken outdoors, while protecting it from precipitation and ensuring diffused lighting. The place should not be damp or dark. In the spring-summer period, it prefers a moderate temperature, 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). In the autumn-winter period, it is desirable to provide coolness to stop growth and prevent shoots from stretching.

Yucca species are sensitive to dry air, so misting the plant is desirable. To increase air humidity, the pot with the yucca can be placed on a tray with damp expanded clay, moss, or gravel.

Repotting is best done in spring, or if necessary in summer. This plant thrives in a well-drained substrate. When repotting yucca, drainage made of expanded clay, fine gravel, or broken brick must be placed at the bottom of the pot. Medium potting mixes are best chosen. If a mix with peat is used, it should be neutralized to neutral values (pH 6.0-6.5). It is desirable to add coarse sand up to 30% by volume to the soil mixture.