Yucca ELATA

Yucca ELATA - Soaptree yucca, Yucca elata.

Yucca is a genus of perennial evergreen plants in the subfamily Agavoideae, family Asparagaceae. The genus was previously assigned to the lily family (Liliaceae) due to its striking tall inflorescences consisting of numerous lily-of-the-valley-like flowers of white or beige color with a delicate fragrance. The genus comprises more than 40 species. Its natural range covers North and Central America; some species occur on the islands of the Caribbean region and the West Indies.

Within the immense diversity of the genus, there are both arborescent (tree-like) and stemless species. Gathered in a rosette, beautiful elongated, leathery, sword-shaped leaves up to 1 m (3.3 ft) long and up to 8 cm (3.1 in) wide crown the trunk or form a basal rosette. There are solid-colored and variegated species with contrasting edging. The leaves can be smooth or with serrations along the margin.

Soaptree yucca grows from 1.2-4.5 m (3.9-14.8 ft) in height. The leaves are arranged at the top of the stems in a dense spiral rosette; each leaf 25-95 cm (9.8-37.4 in) long is very thin, 0.2-1.3 cm (0.1-0.5 in) wide. White bell-shaped flowers grow in a dense cluster at the top of a slender stem; each flower is 32-57 mm (1.3-2.2 in) long, creamy white, often with a pinkish or greenish tinge. The fruit is a capsule 4-8 cm (1.6-3.1 in) long and 2-4 cm (0.8-1.6 in) wide.

Seeds are pre-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 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 require 2-6 months.

Under favorable conditions, sprouts 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 individual 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 (11.8-23.6 in) above the plant.

In summer, Yucca can be taken outdoors, while protecting it from precipitation and providing diffused lighting. The location must not be damp or dark. In the spring-summer period, it prefers a moderate temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). In the autumn-winter period, it is desirable to provide cool conditions to stop growth and prevent shoots from stretching.

Yucca species are sensitive to dry air, which is why misting the plant is desirable. To increase air humidity, the pot with yucca can be placed on a tray with moist 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, a drainage layer of expanded clay, fine gravel, or broken brick is mandatory at the bottom of the pot. Soil mixtures are best chosen of medium density. If a mixture with peat is used, it should be neutralized to neutral values (pH 6.0-6.5). It is advisable to add coarse sand up to 30% of the volume to the soil mixture.