Everything about the palm tree: what is this plant, where and how long does it grow, and what does it look like in the photo? Caring for palm trees Washingtonia is filamentous or filamentous.

Without plants, any room seems dull and lifeless. Plants bring life, create atmosphere and are more than just decoration in a room, because they create a completely different, completely new dimension and beauty in the room. Palm trees are not the only elements of room decor, but, first of all, they are living organisms that require certain conditions for their maintenance. For their life and development, they need light, water, warmth and nutrition, and all these elements in certain proportions. Our article is about the types of palm trees and the features of caring for them.

Indoor palm tree. © landmarkafterdark

Reproduction and transplantation

Palm trees are propagated by sowing freshly harvested seeds, and some species by suckers. Seeds germinate at 25-35°C. They are sown in pots with a mixture of sand or moss with sawdust.

A thick drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the pots, to which pieces of charcoal are added. The time for seed germination depends on the species and can last from several days to several months. For example, pritchardia seeds germinate in 9-12 days, date palm seeds - 30-50 days, chamerops seeds - 45-60 days, coconut seeds - 150-180 days.

Palm trees are replanted in the spring before they begin to grow. Young plants are transplanted annually, old ones every 3-4 years. When replanting, the roots must not be damaged (cut roots almost always die in indoor conditions), but rotten roots must be removed by cutting with a sharp knife to healthy tissue. The soil must be compacted after planting.

Some palm trees (date, kentia) have main roots that rise very high from the ground, so special tall and narrow pots or boxes are used to plant them deeper. To protect the roots protruding from the ground from drying out, they are covered with moss.

Young plants are planted in lighter soil - a mixture of 2 parts leaf soil and 1 part humus with the addition of sand (about 1/6 of the total volume of the mixture). During subsequent transplants, heavy turf soil and large horny shavings are added to this mixture at the rate of 3-4 kg per 1 m³ of land.

Temperature

In winter, heat-loving palm trees are kept at +14...+16°C, the rest - at +8...+10°C. To enhance growth in the spring and summer, fertilizing with organic fertilizers is used.

Lighting

Palm trees are very light-loving, and therefore they are placed as close to the windows as possible (as far as the leaves allow). In the summer, they are shaded from direct sunlight (light curtains), otherwise burns will appear on the leaves.

Ventilation

When airing rooms in winter, make sure that the plants do not freeze. Drafts should not be allowed. The optimal temperature for growth is +16...+18°C; at higher temperatures, the air in the room becomes drier, and the tips of palm leaves dry out.

To prevent this phenomenon, in addition to maintaining a moderate temperature, plants are often washed and their leaves are sprayed with water. The dried ends of the leaves are cut off without affecting the healthy tissue. When the entire leaf dries out or ages, it is cut off only when the petiole turns yellow.

Watering

On sunny summer days, palm trees are watered abundantly, so that there is always water in the pan, but before each new watering, stagnant water is drained from the pans. It is advisable to always water with warm water (about +20…+30°C).

For better growth in the summer, the leaves are sprayed heavily in the morning or evening; in the winter, they are wiped with a soft sponge dipped in warm water 2 times a month, and it is better to wash them first with a weak soap solution. Date palms, chamerops and pritchardia can be taken out to the balcony or garden in the open air for the summer. More delicate palms (kentia and patcha) provide shade.

Palm trees are widely used for indoor landscaping, sometimes for planting in flower beds and lawns. It is better to keep young plants in living rooms, and those that grew from seeds indoors will be more adaptable.

Types of indoor palm trees

Brahea (Brahea edulis)

It is a large palm tree that grows quickly. Its trunk is strong, dark brown in color, the leaves are fan-shaped, rich green, located at the top of the trunk, forming a crown.

In its homeland, this type of palm tree has practically disappeared, but in other countries it has taken root well, both as an outdoor and indoor plant. The minimum temperature that a tree can withstand is +8 degrees, but it is better not to lower it to this level. Choose sandy-clayey soil, not too wet. There is no need to artificially increase air humidity. Watering is not too abundant, but regular.

Features of care

In our country, brachea is a frequent visitor - in apartments and houses. It must be kept away from sunny places so that the sun does not hit the delicate leaves of the palm tree. But there is no need to hide it in dark rooms either - everything should be in moderation.

Brachea is well suited for growing at home - it is unpretentious and will not die if you forget to water it. It also tolerates relatively low temperatures. To propagate this palm tree, you need to collect the seeds that appear in the inflorescences and plant them. They germinate for quite a long time - several months.

Butia (Butia capitata)

It is a large, slow-growing, solitary palm with a strong, gray trunk and a loose, elegantly curved crown of leaves. Fruit-bearing specimens are also found in nature. It mainly grows in Brazil and Uruguay, on sandy soils.

Withstands frost from -8 to -12°C. Requires sunlight, moderate amounts of water in winter, sufficient water in summer, moderate nutrients. Can be grown at home.

Features of care

The palm tree is a heat-loving plant, so in order to grow it at home, it is necessary to provide it with a normal temperature - preferably about +20 degrees. In summer, high humidity is also needed - the palm tree needs to be constantly watered and sprayed. In winter, watering should be rare. Once every 3-4 years, the palm tree must be replanted, changing the soil. You should also regularly trim dry or diseased branches and leaves.

The palm tree reproduces by seeds. In order to grow an adult palm tree from seeds, you need to plant the seeds in pots of soil, keeping the soil moist at all times. Before planting the seeds, you need to soak them in warm water for 24 hours and cut the shell. Then the sprouted palm trees must be planted in separate pots.

Washingtonia

There are two main types of this palm tree: Washingtonia filifera (Washingtonia filifera) And Washingtonia Robustra (Washingtonia robusta).

The first is a massive fan palm from the arid southwestern regions of the United States. Large gray-green leaves and a strong gray trunk are considered its distinctive features. The palm tree can tolerate cold temperatures down to -8°C. The trunk can reach 1 m in diameter. The maximum height of this palm tree is 15 m, but at home it will be much lower.

The second palm is much thinner. The maximum height of the tree is 22 m, it grows mainly in Mexico. The palm is fan-shaped, the leaves have white veins and may have orange thorns. The leaves have a purple tint.

Features of care

In order to grow this palm tree, it is necessary to keep the room warm. You don't need too much water, water the plant as needed. In winter, watering must be reduced.

Planting should be done in a tall pot. It is advisable to place the palm tree in a lighted place, but make sure that direct rays do not hit the leaves. Dried leaves must be removed promptly. At home, the palm tree grows well, and caring for it is not too difficult.

Hyophorbe (Hyophorbe verschaffeltii)

This palm grows on islands in the Indian Ocean. It is small in size - its height is no more than 7 m. The trunk of the palm tree is smooth, with a thickening in the middle. The fan-shaped leaves are composed of feathery parts that give the plant an elegant appearance. In its homeland, this palm tree is practically never found, but it is often grown at home. In an apartment, hyophorbe is a decoration and refreshes the room. High air humidity is desirable for it.

Features of care

The palm tree requires heat maintenance. It grows well in sunny areas, but the leaves must be protected from sunlight. The palm tree is quite demanding - it needs to be sprayed daily with water with a low lime content, temperature and lighting must be maintained.

If not properly cared for, the hyophorba may get sick or die. The first sign of plant disease will be drying leaves. The main mistake is usually low indoor humidity. You can place an aquarium next to the plant.

Because The palm tree grows slowly, then it will also recover slowly. But if you cope with all the care features, you will get a beautiful and unusual house plant.

Chamaedorea

Palm tree native to Central America. It grows in mountain forests, reaching a height of up to 5 m, and has a smooth green trunk. The panicles are equipped with a large number of dark green feathery leaves that look noticeably rolled up. Hamedorea blooms already in the early years of life and then forms panicles with spherical flowers, from cream to yellow.

In general, due to its easy cultivation and trouble-free care, it is the most popular indoor palm tree. It can tolerate a location in the shade, dry air and can easily withstand rare or heavy watering. Anyone who manages to cause this easy-to-care palm tree to die should buy only artificial plants in the future.

Palm Chamaedorea. © landas

Features of care

Fairly abundant watering of chamedorea is necessary all year round - its earthen ball should always be slightly moist, the soil should not dry out completely between waterings. It is important to remember that the frequency of watering depends on humidity, air temperature in the room where the plant is located, and a number of other factors. Therefore, we recommend checking the soil moisture at a depth of about two phalanges of your finger before watering, especially at first, until you determine in practice how often chamedorea will need watering in your home. For watering and spraying, use only settled water (it must stand for at least 12 hours).

Lighting — moderate, but the presence of a source of natural light or a phytolamp is required. Hamedorea should be protected from direct sunlight, especially in summer. The bright sun causes the leaves to burn out and become pale.

Feeding is required in the spring-summer period once every two weeks. During the dormant period from November to February - once a month with a half dose of fertilizer. You can use an all-purpose fertilizer or a palm-specific fertilizer. Fertilizer is applied only to moist soil immediately after watering.

Caryota

A low palm tree with a slender brown trunk. Its leaves are of an unusual shape - double, which hang down. This palm blooms once a year, the inflorescences appear along the trunk, from top to bottom.

Kariota is distributed throughout South Asia and primarily in the tropics. This is a very popular garden and park tree. As a houseplant, Kariota is also quite common. It will decorate any room or office. At home, palm trees are not too demanding, but you need to know the basic care parameters.

Features of care

Kariota is a very adaptable and truly hardy houseplant. It can withstand fairly low temperatures and low air humidity. Under good conditions, plants grow very quickly. Ideal palm tree conditions require sufficient water and medium to high humidity.

For optimal care of the plant, it is necessary to use special nutrients and fertilizers; the palm tree should be planted in soil with a high humus content. Kariota loves bright and warm rooms, but direct exposure of the leaves to the rays can lead to their disease and death.

Livistona

This is a slow-growing palm tree native to the island of Java in moderate temperatures. But if you provide the palm tree with high temperature, good lighting in the room and air humidity, the palm tree will grow much faster. It reaches a height of up to 15 m and has a smooth gray trunk.

The palm is fan-shaped, with light green leaves. Today it is one of the popular indoor plants, because... it's not too demanding. The palm tree is quite frost-resistant; it does not need to be fertilized often.

Features of care

The soil should be loosened regularly. It is necessary to water regularly, but not too much, preferably with settled water. Water with a high content of lime impurities can destroy your plant. It is good to maintain high humidity in the room and spray the leaves with water.

The room should have good lighting, but too much sun is not recommended. If there is a lot of sun exposure, the leaves of the plant will dry out and become stained. For normal maintenance it is necessary to maintain heat, not lower than +20°C. At low temperatures, the palm tree will begin to hurt and may simply die.

Rapis

It is a small, bush-like palm tree, with a height not exceeding 3 m. It has a thin trunk and divided, thin, hard leaves. The flowers are yellow, the fruits appear rarely. Rapis is native to China. It grows slowly, but as a houseplant it has no equal.

The palm tree tolerates lack of light and dry air well. For wintering, you need to place the palm tree in a cool or cold room. The varieties of this palm are very similar, so they are often confused. Species include Rhapis excels, Rhapis humilis and Rhapis subtilis.

Palma Rapis. © justbecauseblooms

Features of care

The palm tree needs to be planted in acidic, loose soil. It is not too demanding on water, but it must be watered with settled or filtered water. Air humidity is welcome, but not required. The palm tree prefers not too lit rooms, because... when directly exposed to sunlight, it begins to hurt.

Rapis is quite resistant to low temperatures - it can withstand up to -8°C, but the most optimal temperature is from +15°C to +20°C. In summer, rapis can be taken outside, but choose a location so that the palm tree is in partial shade. Usually, even beginners do not have any problems maintaining it.

Chamaerops

This is a slow growing, robust palm native to the Mediterranean Sea region. It reaches a maximum height of 5 m. The trunk is covered with brown fibers. The leaves are dark green, very hard and dense. The leaf stems have thorns. In most cases, a palm tree has several trunks that are located closely together. The palm tree gets used to home conditions quite easily if you follow the recommendations for caring for it.

Features of care

The soil should be very loose. Watering is necessary regularly, but not abundantly. Increased soil moisture can contribute to root rot. The room in which the palm tree is kept should be sunny. Chamerops is quite hardy; it tolerates both high and low temperatures (down to -10 °C). If the temperature is lower, you need to take care of the plant's roots by wrapping them in foil.

For wintering, the palm tree must be placed in a room; the optimal temperature will be approximately +5°C. It is possible to place the plant for the winter in a dark place. At the end of the cold weather, it must be placed again in a lighted space. Regular replanting is required.

This is only a small number of palm trees that you can grow at home and then enjoy the beauty of these unusual plants. From small to large, from colorful to bright green, in general, you can choose a palm tree to suit your taste.

I would also like to know your experience in growing these beauties. Write about it in the comments to the article.

Some time ago, everyone was swept up in the fashion of looking for “energy vampires” among plants. According to the logic of adherents, since cacti are prickly, that means they are evil and scary, spewing “bad energy” and, in general, “vampires”. The authors of these statements are completely unaware of the fact that all life in the desert is concentrated exactly around these energy pumps. The sharp needles of cacti contribute to negative ionization of air and condensation of humidity - both of these factors have a positive effect on animals, and per person.

The tips of dissected palm leaves are also ionizers. The air under the palm tree is noticeably fresher and rich in ozone, and there is less dust. In short, the so-called “vampires” turned out to be biological filters. Which is certainly useful for you and me.

So what? - the reader will ask, rubbing his hands impatiently. How to breed and maintain these unique creatures?

Where can I get a palm tree?

Even dwarf palms are relatively large plants, more suitable for winter gardens and greenhouses (although many of them grow well in partial shade in apartments). Therefore, about a dozen relatively unpretentious species are widely sold. The vast majority are very young specimens. If a collector wants to purchase some curiosities, then he should contact foreign nurseries.

How to breed them?

Pinch off a leaf and root it will not work. With extremely rare exceptions, palm stems also do not take root. True, the author was once shown the “rooted” tops of dates with a trunk diameter of 30-40 cm, but it is not possible to assert that these plants were actually rooted and were not simply dug into the ground with the prospect of drying out. However, rhizomatous palms take root well. Bush palms can also be propagated vegetatively by cutting out the stems and roots. However, this should be done with extreme caution: the cuts must be treated with a fungicide and covered with garden varnish, and root formation in the cuttings must be stimulated with special substances. Due to all these difficulties, most indoor palm trees are obtained by sowing seeds.

I got my first palm tree seedling by simply sticking a date seed into a pot of soil. In fact, this was luck, since dates are often heat treated for better storage, after which the seeds in them die. If the embryo is viable, then its swelling should be ensured, that is, the penetration of moisture through the shell of the seed. Therefore, the substrate for germination must be light and moisture-absorbing. A mixture of equal volume parts of sand, peat and black soil (compost) may be optimal. The mixture is moistened and disinfected. It’s easier to do this in a microwave, oven or water bath.

The disinfected substrate is placed on a drainage layer in a pot and covered with a cap made, for example, from a plastic bottle or plastic bag. The seeds are cleared of pulp. Sometimes they even wash it with soap. If there are several seeds, you can try to carefully file the shells of some of them. The “bones” are buried 1.5-2 cm into the ground (the coconut is buried halfway) and the pot is placed in a warm place at a temperature of 22-25.C (some types require higher temperatures). On average, seeds germinate in a month, although in Pritchardia they can germinate in 10 days, and in Hameropsis they do not germinate for several months.

At first, the seedlings grow slowly. Their growth can be slightly accelerated by fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers mixed with stimulants. You shouldn't overuse "pushing". In nature, palm seeds usually germinate in partial shade. Our sun is not as active as in the tropics, but a long sunny day can slow down both seed germination and seedling growth.

When the seedlings reach 10 cm in height, without tearing off the shell, they are transferred with a piece of substrate into new soil. It differs from the seed mixture by adding 15-20% loamy soil. With further replantings, the proportion of loam is increased, and the proportion of peat (except for marsh species) is reduced. Pots are selected according to the size of the root ball so that the volume of the new pot is 10% larger than the volume of the root ball (with normal root development).

Pinnate palms

Areca betel (Areca catechu) is a tree-like plant with a thin single trunk 5-12 cm in diameter, covered with ring scars from fallen leaves. The leaves are bright green, pinnate, 1.2-1.8 m long, arched. Young specimens go on sale, planted several in one pot - which makes them similar to “reed” palms. Over time, young specimens begin to “press” on each other and require transplanting one at a time into separate pots. It tolerates partial shade and shade perfectly, but requires moist, warm air and a constantly moist substrate.

The coconut palm, or coconut (Cocos nucifera), is a tree-like palm that plays a huge role in the lives of people living in their natural habitats. In nature it reaches 20-25 m in height with a trunk diameter of 30 cm, which in the butt can be expanded due to adventitious roots up to 50 cm in diameter. The trunks are smooth, with vertical cracks and rings from fallen leaves. The leaves are pinnate, 2-4 m long, dense, with more or less evenly spaced lobes. The coconut palm grows quickly, and its presence in greenhouses and winter gardens is limited by the height of these structures. Actually, the coconut sprouts that go on sale are more of a fashion statement - sooner or later the plants will die. In order to delay this trouble as much as possible, the acquired coconut seedling should be carefully transplanted, without separating it from the nut, but after first washing it from the peat substrate, into loamy soil. At first after transplantation, the plant is watered well, but as soon as a new leaf begins to form, the watering rate is reduced and the proportion of phosphorus in the fertilizing is increased. Subsequently, the substrate is made up of 2/3 turf loam and 1/3 sand. Actively growing roots are pruned, and to preserve the viability of the leaves, foliar feeding is carried out with complex fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen over phosphorus mixed with a biogenic stimulant. The coconut tree has a tendency to stretch out and lean towards the light, which is undesirable, so it should be given as much light as possible.

Mascarena lagenicaulis is a tree-like bottle palm reaching 3-5 m in height and with long leaves about 1.5-3 m long, with evenly dissected blades. At the age of 5-13 years, the trunk of this palm tree begins to thicken, but this only happens in open ground. These palms are offered extremely rarely in stores in this form. One-year-old seedlings can be found much more often. Mascarena loves fertile soil with a lot of sand. When young, the leaves are tender and require periodic spraying. The intensity of trunk expansion depends on the quality of the foliage and the amount of nutrients it supplies. Therefore, the seedlings of this palm tree should be kept in bright, indirect light. When replanting, you should select wide pots, but do not bury the plant itself. Content temperature +22 ...24.C.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera) - palmate date - a plant with well-known edible fruits in the tropics reaches a height of 20-30 m. Presumably, this palm was formed not without human influence. There are many varieties known, differing both in size and quality of the fruit. Thanks to their rapid germination and simple culture, young date palms can often be found in greenhouses, winter gardens, and on window sills. Today you can buy two types of ornamental date palms: the Canary date (Phoenix canarensis) and the Robelen date (Phoenix roebelenii). The first grows on rocky soils, in a harsh hot climate, reaching 15 m in height and having leaves up to 5 m long. The leaf blades move away from each other as the leaf shaft grows. The blades are sharp, the petioles have sharp spines, all the leaves are hard and covered with a bluish waxy coating. This is an ascetic plant: it can do without spraying, it grows on a light substrate, and winter temperatures can be around +18.C. In contrast, the Robelena date is a sissy date that grows in tropical rainforests. This low palm has short (up to 1 m) leaves with soft, dissected blades. Young leaves are covered with a white powdery coating, like powder. The plant requires fertile loamy soil, regular watering and spraying.

Chamaedorea seifrizii is a shrubby “reed” palm with numerous thin, straight, bamboo-like trunks 1-2 m in height and up to 3 cm in diameter, constantly growing from an above-ground rhizome. Each trunk can have up to 7 long arched leaves 30-100 cm long. Young leaves are whole, but the blade is rolled into a tube. As it grows, the plate unfolds and divides into soft, sometimes curly leaf blades. This palm blooms at the age of 5-7 years. It is completely undemanding in terms of lighting and tolerates diffused light well in partial shade and shade. It does not have any special requirements for humidity, but it can rot if overwatered. Loves fresh air, ventilation, but not cold. Watering is increased only during active growth. The intensive growth of chamedorea confronts the grower with the need to create a more fertile substrate and use fertilizers.

Howea Forsteriana (Howea forsteriana) is a tall, single-trunked, thin palm with a completely straight trunk, 5-8-10 cm in diameter. It goes on sale in the form of multi-trunk group planting of seedlings, so replanting will be required over time. The leaves of adult plants are straight, 2-2.5 m long, with the lower leaves directed horizontally, which indicates their maturity. The leaf blades are approximately 1.5-2 cm apart from each other, green, with small yellow or black dots on the bottom, similar to lesions of pathogenic fungi (which can frighten an inexperienced gardener). Khoveya is not particularly whimsical. Tolerates relative dry indoor air and, despite the fact that it prefers strong diffused light, grows well in partial shade for a long time. This palm tree does not suffer when the temperature drops to +12.C, but the owner should remember that as the temperature drops, watering and spraying should be reduced. For intensive growth, howea requires a fertile substrate and periodic fertilizing, including in winter, if the temperature does not fall below +20.C.

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens is a “reed” palm with several trunks, each of which can reach 7-9 m in height and 10-12 cm in diameter. Young trunks and leaf petioles are yellow or yellowish-green with black spots, which should not be considered a disease. The leaves are long, flexible, arched, up to 2 m long, petiole 50-60 cm long, leaf blade up to 90 cm wide, dissected into paired lobes. In indoor conditions, this palm tree grows best in a place that is maximally illuminated (but not in direct sunlight). Large specimens can withstand strong sun and high humidity. He loves watering, spraying, and "baths" very much. In nature, it grows on acidic flooded soils, therefore, when kept in a pot culture, it requires an acidic peat-containing substrate and a constant presence of water in the pan. In winter, watering is reduced, but spraying becomes more frequent and intensified. Long temperatures below +20.C can be detrimental to this palm tree.

Fan palms

Washingtonia robusta (Washingtonia robusta) and V. hairy (Washingtonia filifera). Washingtonias are tree-like palms with trunks up to 20-25 m high and up to 90 cm in diameter, in the upper part covered with dried petioles of leaves, which below turn into felt and fall even lower. The leaves are half or more divided into lobes, which are more or less dissected at the apexes, so that strings of veins form between them (especially in V. filamentosa). At a young age, Washingtonias are very decorative. And with age, their beauty is not lost - the trunks, like tiles, are covered with chocolate-colored petioles. The plants are easy to cultivate and undemanding to the soil; they are only afraid of overwatering. They love light and fresh air. Winter temperatures within 8-10.C contribute to the ripening of tissues and the formation of buds.

Caryota urens is a tree-like single-stem plant up to 9-15 m tall and 30-45 cm in diameter in the butt part, with a dense crown. The leaves are fan-shaped, divided into two lobes, which makes them similar to fish tails (for which these palms are called “fishtail”); blades are 5-6 cm long and up to 4 cm wide, light green. Young specimens require a warm and bright place to be kept (but not in direct sunlight), high humidity, and daily spraying. Karyote grows quite quickly and requires transplantation into a new substrate every 2 years.

Livistona rotundifolia, or patching, is a tree-like palm with a single trunk up to 10-14 m in height and 15-17 cm in diameter, covered with the remains of petioles from fallen leaves. The leaves are glossy, green, evenly dissected by 2/3 into folded lobes, the petiole is up to 1.5 m long, with numerous spines. Requires a sandy, but fertile and moisture-intensive substrate, which is achieved by adding 20% ​​peat. The substrate should not dry out. This palm tree grows quite slowly and produces 3-4 leaves per year. Loves diffused lighting, spraying and "bath". In winter, watering is reduced, but sprayed constantly. It has been noticed that lowering the temperature in winter to +16-18.C has a good effect on the future growth of this palm tree in summer. Licuala grandis is a magnificent bush-like palm tree, a relative newcomer among indoor plants. It has a straight trunk up to 2 m high and 5-7 cm in diameter and amazing all-fan ribbed leaves that burst apart at the time of aging. In general, this palm looks like a bunch of 5-10 fans 60-80 cm in diameter, raised on thin petioles, up to 90 cm long. This is a plant of tropical rainforests, so it loves moisture and diffused light. The substrate must contain a sufficient amount of nutrients. Rapis exelsa is a “reed” palm with bamboo-like trunks covered with fibers. Individual trunks are up to 3 m high and 3-4 cm in diameter. The leaves are fan-shaped, with serrated edges, dissected almost to the base into 5-10 lobes. The petiole is thin, up to 40 cm long. Rapis grows on moist soils, so when cultivated it requires a moisture-intensive substrate with the addition of up to 20% peat and constant watering, spraying and a “bath”. With good care, this palm tree actively sprouts and grows in width, which forces the gardener to provide it with wide pots. Despite its moisture-loving nature, rapis tolerates short-term frosts down to -7.C. In general, a decrease in temperature in winter to +7...10.C has a beneficial effect on future summer growth. Location - from light to partial shade.

Trachycarpus fortunei is a tree-like palm with a thick single trunk up to 12 m high and up to 25 cm in diameter, covered with dried leaf petioles. The leaves are dark green, hard, deeply dissected, petioles up to 1 m long, with sharp serrated projections. In Burma, China and Japan, where this palm grows, strong ropes are made from its leaf fibers. In culture, Trachycarpus grows beautifully in pots and even blooms. Requires a well-lit place, in summer - fresh air, abundant watering, and fertilizing. In winter, it can withstand temperatures dropping to 0.C and even short-term frosts!

Chamaerops humilis is a tree-like palm with a trunk 1-2-5 m in height and up to 50 cm in diameter, covered with the remains of petioles and reddish-brown fibers. The leaves are round, 50-80 cm long and wide, divided into narrow lobes almost to the base; petiole up to 90 cm long with claw-shaped spines. Young, unexpanded leaves have been used for food since ancient times, as a result of which this palm was literally almost completely eaten in the Mediterranean. In addition, people used this palm both as a cultivated plant and for decorative purposes - so we have several varieties at our disposal that differ in leaf size (up to 1.5 m in diameter) and petiole length (up to 3 m in length). Chamerops can tolerate minor frosts and is successfully cultivated in open ground up to the southern regions of the temperate zone. In potted culture, this palm tree is also very popular due to its relatively small growth. Undemanding to watering and air humidity, does not like overflow. With age, it prefers heavy loamy, but fairly fertile soil. It tolerates partial shade well and requires cool winter maintenance at a temperature of +10-15.C. Note: such popular plants as cycas, dracaena, cordyline, pandanus, banana, pineapple, papyrus, cyperus are NOT PALM TREES!

If your young palm tree has just arrived from the store, pay attention to the peat substrate in which it grows. In nurseries it is saturated with a nutrient solution, but at home its nutritional value is rapidly lost. Therefore, it is worth transplanting the purchased plants into a new fertile substrate. However, it should be remembered that dormant palms do not tolerate transplantation. Therefore, the palm tree should be replanted and replanted in the spring.

The plants are carefully removed from the shipping containers (the so-called pots in which the palm trees were purchased) and placed in a large container, such as a basin or bucket, into which water is poured generously. The temperature of this water, as well as water for watering palm trees in general, should be slightly higher than the temperature of a person’s hand, that is, you should feel some warmth. It would be useful to add 0.5 g of potassium permanganate (per 10 liters) to the water for soaking. When the peat substrate swells and softens, it can be easily separated without damaging the roots. The exposed root system is examined and black (rotten) roots are removed; the wounds are sprinkled with ground charcoal, ash or aluminum powder. It is advisable (although not necessary) before planting to dip the roots into a thick mixture of soaked loam - the clay will stick to the roots and they will not be injured when replanting and compacting the soil in the pot.

A new substrate is prepared from a mixture of equal parts of sand, loam (serozem) and chernozem (or compost). Non-swamp palm species do not need peat. If you purchased a “specialized” substrate for palm trees based on peat, then you should add an equal volume of sand and loam to it, as well as 20 g/l of chalk, slaked lime or potassium sulfate or 1 glass of ash per 10 liters of substrate to deoxidize. In any case, the new substrate must be disinfected.

The pot is selected according to the volume of the root ball. It must have a sufficiently large drainage hole. Drainage is laid at the bottom in a layer of at least 5 cm: broken red brick, broken shards or large destroyed expanded clay. Small expanded clay, like undestroyed clay, should not be used: it alkalizes the substrate too much. In addition, inside the large expanded clay, the black layer contains aluminum salts, which have a detrimental effect on pathogenic fungal microflora.

The disinfected substrate is poured in a heap onto a layer of drainage material. The roots are straightened so that they are evenly distributed in the pot and covered with a substrate that is compacted moderately. The distance from the edge of the pot to the substrate should provide the possibility of abundant watering, that is, be within 3-5 cm. The root collar should be at surface level - if it is too deep, the butt part of the stem may rot. If the plant “wobbles” at first, it should be secured with support sticks, a trellis or guy wires. As the roots grow, the palm will become fixed in the substrate and the supports can be removed.

There is no need to decorate the surface of the soil in a pot with expanded clay or marble chips. You should also not use pine nut shells, conifer bark or wood chips as decorative mulching material. However, leaving a large space of open ground around the stem is also harmful - this leads to acidification of the soil and the proliferation of harmful insects. This issue can be resolved in two ways.

1 - the surface of the substrate is covered with a cut circle of geotextile, onto which, for example, granite or basalt chips, pebbles, smalt (decorative glass) are poured;

2 - the free part of the substrate is sown with seeds of slowly growing lawn grasses (which will have to be cut periodically) or ground cover plants are planted there, for example dwarf ficus, solar ivy, etc.

Large tree palms can also be planted with small “reed” palms, such as chamedorea. Ferns, phytonias, terrestrial bromeliads, and ornamental grasses coexist well in one pot with palm trees. Naturally, over time, intensively growing plants will have to be thinned out and trimmed.

In nature, palm trees are very actively growing plants, not only in the aboveground part, but also in the underground part. In culture, the roots of palm trees are contained within the pot and, undoubtedly, cannot fully develop. In order for them to ensure successful growth of the stem and leaves, the grower will have to artificially increase the fertility of the substrate by introducing organic and mineral fertilizers. This should be done at the time of active growth of palm trees, that is, in spring and summer. If the visible growth of the palm tree does not stop in autumn and even in winter (this can also happen), the plants are also fed, although in a smaller volume. Feeding during stagnation (sleep) is not only meaningless, but can also harm the plant.

There are several opinions about watering palm trees. They all boil down to the fact that plants should not dry out, but they should not be flooded (except for marsh species) either. However, it must be remembered that settled tap water does not lose its hardness and after some time calcium will begin to be deposited on the walls of the pot and the surface of the substrate. For watering palm trees, boiled water or at least settled water from a “hot” tap is better suited.

Let me remind you that palm leaves actively attract dust, that is, those particles that should get into our lungs. If possible and if the weight of the pot with the plant allows, the palm tree is given a shower once a month. The water should be warm and plentiful to wash away the dust, and it should be poured obliquely so as not to wash away the substrate. If the pot is extremely heavy, the dust is removed with a damp sponge without pressure (however, not all specimens can tolerate wiping the leaves), and the plants are often (at least once a week) sprayed.

Not all palm trees tolerate the beginning of the heating season equally well, when indoor air humidity quickly decreases. Withered leaf tips indicate poor water conditions, in this case, insufficiently comfortable air humidity. Therefore, the intensity of spraying palm foliage should be increased.

As palm trees grow, they lose old leaves. In general, the intensity of formation of young leaves in different species ranges from 3-4 to 10-15 per year. Each leaf stays on the plant for up to 2 years. The old leaf turns yellow and falls off in two stages: first the blade, then the petiole. In culture, the prevalence of leaf formation over leaf wilting is important. Otherwise, the florist risks being left with a palm tree without leaves.

By the way, inexperienced flower growers often unwittingly make one serious mistake that encourages palm trees to shed leaves - they remove yellow leaves. It should be noted here that the plant transfers substances it does not need into the fading, yellowing leaf. In nature, “waste” is also excreted through the roots, but in a potted culture, the activity of the roots is reduced and the function of the “buds” is redistributed to the leaves. When a yellow leaf is cut, the plant sends the waste to the next leaf, which encourages yellowing. If this leaf is removed, then the next one comes, and this can continue until the palm tree becomes completely bald. Therefore, it is categorically impossible to cut off yellow leaves, and in order to ensure that the decorative effect of the palm tree is not lost, they are camouflaged by bending into the crown. Sections of the leaf are cut off only when they are completely dry, and even then along dry fabric at a distance of 1.5-2 cm from the fabric that has not yet dried.

Palm trees, especially young ones, tolerate partial shade indoors well. However, they should also be given a “vacation” for some time a year, moving them to a more illuminated place. It should be remembered that a sharp transition from partial shade to abundant sun is undesirable and can even lead to burns.

Any “palm lover” should be aware that palm trees, especially tree-like ones, will eventually hit the ceiling after some time. In botanical gardens, workers have to either add caps to greenhouses or part with overgrown specimens. But in the room you can try to somewhat slow down the growth of palm trees by reducing soil fertility, watering intensity and the application of phosphorus fertilizers.

Palm trees are considered the most ancient plants that originally reproduced by seeds and pollen. Under natural conditions, they can reach up to 9 meters in height if growth is not artificially restrained. The size of a palm tree at home depends on care. The tallest palm tree in the world is the Wax Palm; its height can reach up to 50 meters. This tree is the main plant symbol of Colombia.

The name comes from the Latin word “palma”, which means “palm”. And this is not surprising, because the leaves of the plant really resemble splayed fingers on the palm of a person.

ON A NOTE! In Greece, an athlete who won a competition was awarded a palm branch. It was at this moment that the catchphrase “palm of championship” was born.

The flowering of an indoor palm tree is similar to the flowering of a calla lily. For example, yucca has large white flowers that look like bells. Basically, the palm tree blooms with small yellow or white flowers on a small cluster.

I would like to remind you that it was not nature that created indoor plants for us, but we are trying to grow them in the hope that they will take root at home. Palma is no exception. There are several types that will feel great at home:

1. Howey Forster.
2. Hamedorea.
3. Rapisa.

Appearance of the plant

On average, a palm tree lives about 150-200 years. For example, a coconut tree takes about 100 years to grow and produces about 450 nuts each year.

ON A NOTE! A coconut can travel thousands of kilometers through water, wash ashore, and germinate there.

There are 2 types of palm trees:

• With fan leaves. They diverge radially from the base. A prominent representative is the date palm.
• Cirrus. The leaves spread parallel to the sides from the vein in the center. A prominent representative is the bamboo palm.

Palms are perennial trees, less often shrubs, most of which have a non-branching trunk, at the top of which a crown grows. They can also grow as vines with thin stems. In tropical and subtropical areas there are up to 1500.

Peculiarities

1. The trunk of a palm tree usually does not branch (an exception is the genus of doom palms). Its thickness is about a meter, and during life it does not thicken. Among the palm trees there are climbing vines, the stems of which are about 2-3 centimeters thick and up to 300 meters long.
2. The inflorescence of a palm tree is a spadix that is of impressive size and branches. Flowers are located on the branches, sometimes they are immersed in its tissue. All inflorescences are surrounded by a veil.
3. What fruits grow on a palm tree? They can be in the form of a nut or a bone or a berry. Ornamental palms produce fruits in the form of small round berries.

Exotic varieties

Let's talk about the types of exotic palm trees and how they bloom.

Decorative palm trees at home look very exotic.

The most common include:

• Brachea. Loves light, but grows best in partial shade. Can't do without spraying. Watering is moderate.
• Boothia. A palm tree whose leaves resemble feathers. Blooms in late spring.
• Washingtonia. Fan palm, pleasing the eye with white blossoms. Can reach a height of up to 18 meters.
• Giophorba. The young representative resembles a vase in appearance. It blooms with small flowers and smells pleasant.
• Hamedorea. It is considered the most unpretentious species and tolerates shade well. Blooms almost all year round.
• Kariota. The leaves of the plant look like a fish tail. It blooms once a year for 5-6 years.
• Liviston. The leaves look like an open fan and reach a height of up to 2 meters. Ideal for rooms.
• Rapis. It grows as a shrub. Very whimsical.
• Chamerops. Massive palm tree with a dense crown. Blooms from April to June.
• Yucca. A tree-like plant whose leaves are collected in bunches. The white flowers look like bells.
• Govea. An elegant plant reaching a height of up to 2.5 meters. Requires careful care.
• Date palm. The most common species, grows as a lush shrub.
• Sabal. A plant with fan-shaped leaves. The types of palm trees growing in the rooms are absolutely different from each other.
• Trachycarpus. It reaches a height of up to 2.5 meters and grows very slowly. Suitable for apartments.

Where is your homeland?

The plant has become widespread in many regions of the globe. They are more often found on the shores of tropical seas, high in the mountains and in humid forests. A huge number of species grow in Colombia and Madagascar. The fan palm is more common in Spain. The feathery representative can be seen more often in Greece.

Also, some species grow in the territory of the former Soviet Union, for example, on the southern coast of Crimea.

Photo

You can see what a flower in the form of an indoor palm tree looks like in the photo here.
Howea Forster

Hamedorea


Rapis


Brachea


Washingtonia


Giophorba


Kariota


Liviston


Hamerops


Yucca

Date palm


Sabal


Trachycarpus

Family

Most palm trees belong to the Palmaceae or Arecaceae family.

What kind of care does it require?

Growing an exotic plant at home is not so easy. It needs proper care:

1. It is recommended to place the pot with the plant on the south side of the house.
2. In summer, the temperature should range from 16 to 20 degrees Celsius.
3. In summer, be sure to moisturize the crown.
4. From early spring until late autumn, a palm tree blooming at home needs abundant watering. Drying out the soil is unacceptable.
5. Green beauties love light very much, but they cannot be exposed to direct sunlight.
6. The plant is afraid of drafts.
7. The soil for growing should be light and flat.
8. Palm trees need regular feeding and fertilizer.

Reproduction

Hard enough.

Certain species can only be propagated by seed.

There are also plants whose reproduction is allowed by dividing the rhizome or by daughter shoots.

Seed propagation requires careful attention. Seedlings should grow with lower heating, the temperature being about 35 degrees. How long do they grow? The first shoots can be observed after a couple of months. The lifespan of a plant grown in this way is quite long.

Scientific name

The scientific name of the palm is AREGAGEAE.

Diseases and pests

A palm tree at home can encounter the following diseases:

• Root rot.
• Stem rot.
• Penicillosis.
• Spotting.

All problems that may occur with the foliage (brown tips, brown lower leaves, spotting) are associated with improper care.

Pests:

1. Shield.
2. Spider mite.
3. Mealybugs.

Most often, insecticides are used to control pests and diseases, or they try to use traditional methods.

INTERESTING TO KNOW! The palm tree is considered a legendary tree. The people of many countries still worship this plant.

Everyone loves such a magnificent tree as a palm tree. But growing it at home is quite difficult. So isn’t it better to go to warm beaches and admire the plant while relaxing?

I finally decided to write an article about my palm trees.
I have two of them.
But in this article I will tell you how I managed to grow date palm.
Of course, she is still young - three years old.
But I still want to brag.
A little history, origins, so to speak:

The ancient Greeks sent messengers with a palm branch to announce a victory. In ancient Egypt, they served as the first calendars: within a month, one old leaf of a palm tree dies and a new one appears. In India, sacred books were written on palm leaves by scratching letters with an iron needle. The date palm was the emblem of ancient India.

Her image was minted on medals and coins, cities were named after her: Jericho - the city of palm trees. The name of the date palm in Latin is dactylifera, literally: finger-bearing. The fingers are dates.

The word "phoenix" apparently goes back to the legendary bird with a woman's head that lived in ancient Egypt. Feeling the approach of death, she burned herself, but was reborn from the ashes even younger and more beautiful. So is the palm tree. A slender beauty rises from the dead, hot desert sand. It lives for 150-200 years, then dries up, but new palm trees rise from its seeds and roots.


I’ll make a reservation right away - I’m writing on such a topic for the first time - don’t judge strictly.

What a beauty I have now. However, instead of a pot, I still have a thirty-liter bucket of Persil powder. I didn’t have time to decorate it beautifully, but that’s not important!

Its story began very simply.

We ate delicious dates and planted the grains in a pot, not counting on anything.

It was in February. But already in the spring the first shoot appeared. So touching and bright green. Then I gave him his first transplant - in May. Because the pot was too small for the palm roots. The second time I transplanted it, it looked something like this:

She is very unpretentious with us. I want to tell you a little more about caring for such beauties.

Illumination:

While she was a sprout, she stood on the window in the kitchen, it was on the sunny side - and there was plenty of light for her.
She loves the light, so for two years (as long as her height allowed) I kept her in the window. In the house, for uniform formation of leaves, it must be turned towards the light so that the top of the young leaf is directed towards the depths of the room.
In the summer I took it out into the garden. She brought it into the house at night. It looked something like this picture from the Internet:

Now I’ve moved it to the living room because the beauty has grown tall and curvy - it doesn’t fit in the window.

Watering:

Like all plants. In summer - plentiful, in winter more moderate. I watch as the soil dries. Let me make a reservation right away: watering is very interconnected with palm leaves. Underwatering immediately dries out the leaves, and the leaves are not restored later. Which, you see, is upsetting.

Palma loves wet air and frequent spraying(can be up to two times a day), which is not at all difficult to do.

Transfer:
With this - the main thing is on time and not in a too spacious pot! My palm tree has changed 4 types of pots.
We started very small. The first time I replanted it only when its roots completely obscured the bottom of the pot. It’s not difficult to find out when you need to replant - just use a stick to check the hardness of the soil in the pot near the root (well, at least I did that). When I saw that the fibers were visible at the root (the root became cramped in the pot), I waited for warm weather (I replanted it in the spring, and once in the summer), and replanted it. It comes out of the pot easily and its roots continue to retain the shape of the pot even after you free it. This is a sign that you are on the right track.
Then the pots changed as they grew. And now my beauty lives in a 30-liter bucket. She's not cramped there yet. Replanted it this summer. And immediately the leaves began to grow faster. Up to three years, the palm tree is replanted annually. That's what I did.

The soil.
I paid special attention to the soil. The land must be special. Use specialized Palma soil or make up a mixture yourself (turf, leaf soil, humus and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:1).


Feeding:
You can feed with any purchased fertilizers suitable for palm trees (purchase only in flower shops, as you can consult the seller there). For example, “Ideal” or “Giant” would be suitable. How often to apply? From spring to autumn - every week. Less often in winter.


If you decide to grow such a palm tree, I wish you good luck!
It's a long process, of course, but it's worth it! Only three years - and already what a palm tree!

• Firstly, these trees love rooms with good lighting, but do not tolerate direct sunlight. A tulle curtain or blinds is enough for protection.
• Secondly, palm trees are terribly afraid of drafts. Therefore, try to prevent fresh air from the open window from falling on the sissies.
• Thirdly, the roots of these trees are very sensitive to cold. It is not recommended to place a pot even with a large plant on a cold windowsill or on marble floor tiles.
• Fourthly, all palm trees, even those native to deserts, are moisture-loving, so in summer they need to be watered almost daily, in winter - moderate watering. But despite all their love for water, palm trees cannot tolerate overwatering.
• Fifthly, all arecaceae need to be sprayed regularly, especially in winter in heated rooms. Use warm water and spray the leaves on both sides.
• Sixthly, there is another feature common to all palm trees. The growing point of palm trees is at the top of the stem and if you cut the stem at this point, the palm tree will die.

Reproduction

Palm trees can be propagated by seeds, but this is quite difficult. In addition, the seeds quickly lose their viability, so try to buy fresh seeds. It is better to sow at the end of winter or early spring. Before sowing, large seeds with a hard shell are carefully sawed off (do not damage the seed) and left to soak in warm water at 30-35°C for 2-4 days. For seedlings, choose pots no more than 15 cm in height so that the roots do not grow too long. At the bottom of the pot, place drainage made of shards (brick chips), a mixture of river sand and expanded clay.

Palm trees need rich soil, otherwise the trees will not grow well.. Therefore, when replanting a plant (it is advisable to do this in the spring), take 2 parts of humus-leaf and light clay-turf soil, 1 part of peat, sand and rotted manure, as well as a little charcoal. When replanting, pay attention to the root of the plant. If it has gone deeper, choose a pot of greater height; if it has grown in width, you should take dishes of a larger diameter. When replanting, remove diseased roots, place good drainage at the bottom of the pot, place the plant in the pot, cover with soil and compact it. Do not place the transplanted palm tree in the sun and water it moderately for the first two weeks.. And now more about the secrets of caring for different types of indoor palm trees.

Rapis (lat. Rhapis)

In summer, you should not keep the palm tree in bright sun; it is advisable to take it out into the air. In winter, it requires light and a temperature of at least 7°C. Water abundantly in summer, spray 2 times a day, (you cannot wipe the leaves) in winter - less often and do not let the water stagnate so that the roots do not rot, spray three times a week. To increase humidity, you can place the pot in a tray with wet pebbles. Rapis is replanted annually, after five years - after three to four years.

Chrysalidocarpus (lat. Chrysalidocarpus)

Areca palm (as it is also called) tolerates both sun and partial shade. The most optimal temperature for it is 18-22°C. It is advisable to water the palm tree three times a week, in winter - once every seven to ten days. Be sure to spray; the leaves are carefully wiped with a damp sponge.

Date (lat. Phoenix)

Young plants need diffused light; full sunlight is not a problem for palms older than four years. With a lack of light, date leaves stretch out and become brittle. In principle, plants love high temperatures (24-28°C), however, due to the dry air in room conditions, the tips of the leaves of dates dry out at this temperature. In winter, plants are in a dormant period. For dates, it is good to maintain winter temperatures between 15-18°C. For Date Robelena in winter the temperature should not be lower than 14°C, optimal 16-18°C. Canarian date palm can overwinter at a temperature of 8-10°C. Air stagnation is very harmful for all dates., therefore, it is necessary to ensure ventilation of the premises at all times. However, do not forget that constant drafts in winter can be detrimental to the plant.

Watering in spring and summer is plentiful, as the top layer of the substrate dries. After watering, the water should be left in the pan for 2-3 hours (but no more). In the autumn-winter period, water moderately, a day or two after the top layer of the substrate has dried. The substrate should not only not be overdried, but also excessively waterlogged. Irrigate with soft, settled water with a low calcium content.

Date prefers high air humidity. Spraying is beneficial for it throughout the year. Spray with well-settled or filtered water. For the plant, it is advisable to choose a place with maximum air humidity. Particularly affected by dry air Robelena date. To increase humidity, the plant can be placed on a tray with damp moss, expanded clay or pebbles. In this case, the bottom of the pot should not touch the water. Date leaves need to be washed periodically. This procedure should be carried out at least once every two weeks.

From April to the end of August, plants need to be fed with organic fertilizer every 10 days., sometimes alternating it with potassium nitrate (10 g per 10 liters of water). In winter, fertilizing is reduced to once a month.

Howea (lat. Howea)

It loves daylight, although it grows well in artificial light and can stay in a dark room for quite a long time. Water it regularly with settled water that does not contain lime. In summer, spray the plant daily with soft warm water or give it a shower, especially at temperatures above 24°C. Once a week, pamper the howea by wiping its leaves with a damp sponge. You can use leaf cleaners based on vegetable oils, or add 6-7 drops of milk to a cup of water.

Hamedorea(lat. Chamaedorea)

An ideal palm for beginners. Relatively dark corners of the apartment, normal room temperature, are suitable for her. Just don’t forget to water it generously (a little less often in winter) and spray it: dry air, especially if the palm tree is standing next to a central heating radiator, causes spider mite damage. The small plant is replanted every two years.

Hamerops (lat. Chamaerops)

This species is a purely tub plant, i.e. In summer it is taken out into the fresh air, and in winter it is kept in a cool room along with fuchsias and geraniums. During the winter, the palm tree needs fresh air, so this plant should not be kept in rooms without windows. In summer and winter, regularly spray the palm tree (in cold rooms around +5°C, the procedure can replace watering). Hamerops, by the way, can also be placed on the south window.

Coconut palm (lat. Cocos nucifera)

One of the most light-loving palm trees. Optimum temperature +20-23°C. If the coconut is left indoors in the summer, then leave the windows open for fresh air. Like warmth, this plant requires high humidity. Spray your palm tree regularly. When watering, make sure that no water gets on the nut from which the tree develops, either during spraying or watering - it may rot.

Liviston(lat. Livistona)

Loves bright, sunny rooms; in summer it is better to take it out into the garden or onto the balcony. In winter, the palm tree is kept at a temperature not lower than + 5°C. Water with warm water. The palm tree is replanted once every few years. Cut off drying leaves if they are 2/3 dry. In spring and summer, feed the plant monthly with flower fertilizer.

Trachycarpus (lat. Trachycarpus)

A very unpretentious plant that is suitable for both bright sun and partial shade. Outdoors, it is not afraid of temperatures dropping to -10°C. Water moderately, but make sure that the soil ball is always slightly moist. In winter, reduce watering. Spray and wash the leaves regularly and rotate the plant from time to time. Trachycarpus should be replanted in July, because In apartment conditions, increased growth of the palm occurs from August to December, and in April the palm enters a dormant period.

Materials used:

• The house will be decorated with palm trees - Special issue of the newspaper “My Favorite Flowers” ​​11. 2009