There are many plants with caudex worthy of being included in our collection, but our protagonist is also one of those that best resists the cool. A characteristic that makes it ideal for temperate climates. Also, being more resistant, cultivation and care are much easier.
Let's know more about Jatropha gout.
La Jatropha gout, also known as Jatropha or Tártago, is a deciduous caudiciform plant native to Central America. We can have it both in a pot and in the garden, where it will grow to a height of 1m. As a curiosity, say that it is a close relative of the Euphorbia; In fact, like these, when you remove the leaves - either because they are very affected by some plague, or because they are practically dry - you will see how a little latex begins to come out of the »wound» (all Euphorbia, even those that they are herbaceous, they have this characteristic). It is very important to avoid touching it directly (ie without gloves) as it is toxic.
It is a plant whose life expectancy is around 20 years. It may not be much, but that should not worry you: it is becoming easier to find it for sale, due to the increasing demand. Thus, and as it is really easy to germinate their seeds - they only need heat, light, and a very porous substrate - they increasingly have it in more nurseries, and at an economical price.
If we talk about the fertilizer, it is highly advisable to pay it in spring and summer. We can pay in autumn if where we live there is no frost. We will use a specific fertilizer for cacti, because although it is not a cactus, this type of fertilizer contains everything the Jatropha needs to grow wonderfully.
Regarding irrigation, the substrate must be allowed to dry between one and the other. Depending on the weather, we will water once a week in summer, and once a month the rest of the year.
Remember transplant your Jatropha every two years so that you can look more and more beautiful 🙂.
Did you know this plant?