Dates house plant. Spring protection of garden plants from pests and diseases
Note! In the process of growth, the lower leaves of the date palm sometimes darken and die, which often causes alarm for the grower. But if it does not acquire a mass character, then this is a common, natural phenomenon.
Top dressing
For a date palm, liquid organic fertilizer is best suited. I advise novice gardeners to experiment with cooking, but to buy ready-made fertilizer. During the period of active development, the plant is thrice a month. Additional monthly supplementation with a solution of potassium nitrate (one gram per liter of water) also gives a good result. In winter, fertilizing does not stop, but is reduced to once a month.
Transfer
As I have already noted, the date grows very slowly, therefore it is considered young for quite a long time, approximately until the age of 5. He transplants to achieve this age annually. After, the palm tree is transplanted only when the need arises. Most often this is necessary when the plant pot becomes small. For very large plants, only the replacement of the upper layer of the earth is practiced. Moreover, if the roots protrude excessively onto the surface of the earth, they are also cut off (layer from 5 to 10 centimeters). If you do not want to use the purchase of land, you can make it yourself by mixing in equal parts turf soil, humus, compost and sand. Ensure good drainage to avoid stagnant water.
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Looking at the oblong bones inside the favorite kids and adult dates, many indoor plant lovers wondered: “How does a real date palm grow out of such crumbs, and what will happen if you plant a seed at home?”
Sweet dates sold in stores are fruits of the genus Phoenix dactylifera. In nature, a powerful tree grows to gigantic sizes, giving huge brushes of fruits famous all over the world.
For indoor cultivation offered more miniature, adapted to the content in the room types. These palms can be seen and purchased at flower shops. If you wish to independently engage in the cultivation of date palm from the stone, the probability of success is high. 
Of course, it’s impossible to wait until the tree reaches its true height of 30 meters and gives the first harvest of dates. But to observe the growth and development of an unusual plant will appeal to both parents and children.
How to grow a date palm out of a bone?
For planting, seeds just taken from ripe fruit will be required. Quite fit bones from store dates. The main thing is that they are healthy, not damaged by insects or mold and do not have time to dry, otherwise the probability of getting shoots decreases sharply:
Before the bones are immersed in the soil, sometimes they are advised to be carefully scratched to facilitate germination. It is much healthier and safer to germinate them in moist vermiculite. The seed container is placed in heat and it is observed that the substrate does not turn out to be completely dry. In this case, in 10–14 days, as soon as the florist notices the first roots, the bones are transferred to the soil and the pots are put into heat in a well-lit place.
If in time the sprout did not appear, do not despair. Perhaps the bone has dried up before planting and it will take more time to “revive” it. Sometimes date palm sprouts were found even half a year after planting seeds in the ground.
The date palm that appeared from the bone is afraid of damaging the roots, so it is important to carry out all the manipulations on transplantation very carefully and carefully. Otherwise, a small sapling is extremely acclimatized for a very long time, or it can even die.
How to take care of the palm tree at home? Unlike ordinary houseplants for date palms, even the first pot is needed in a very impressive size. A sapling with a single, still closed “children's” sheet is transferred into containers of 0.3–0.5 liters. The next transplant is carried out until the moment when the long taproot of the plant penetrates the drainage hole.
Saplings need a bright place where the plant will not be in the dark, but it will not be disturbed by the noonday sun. for date palm from seed and after germination should be stingy. Waterlogging threatens the development of rot and death of a fragile plant, but it is not worth overdrying an earthen ball.
How to care for a palm tree at home?
Date palm, like other woody cultures, does not show rapid growth. But on the discomfort and lack of care for a palm tree at home, the plant responds immediately. This is especially true for young individuals.
What conditions are needed for a palm tree to make the plant feel “at home” and respond well to care?
Whether it is a home grown date palm from a stone or a plant brought from a flower shop, culture needs to find a place with suitable lighting. In nature, large trees easily tolerate the scorching sun, but it is better not to expose light-loving indoor palm trees to such trials. The optimal location is in the back of the room facing the south, as well as on the east or west windows.
Already in May, when the average daily temperature exceeds 12 ° C, the date palm is not in danger. Therefore, plants safely transferred to the open air under the protection of larger crops, on the loggia or on the balcony.
If the grower does not have the opportunity to take the palm tree to the air, the plant develops well at normal room temperature. But in the winter time, it will be optimal to keep it in cooler air, heated to just 16–18 ° C. Cooling to 12 ° C is considered critical for date palm trees. In this case, the growth stops, the palm tree stops feeding and may suffer from rotting of the roots, if the watering is not stopped in time.
There are no special requirements for ambient air humidity. But in the hot season, as well as in winter, when the heating is working indoors, regular home care for the palm tree includes spraying the crown and wiping the foliage with a damp cloth.
The plant does not tolerate stagnant water. Therefore, when caring at home, the date palm is watered so that the soil does not dry out, but it is not constantly wet. In the summer, watering is carried out more often, in winter, the intervals between treatments increase and are oriented to drying 2-3 cm of the surface layer of the substrate. If irrigation water penetrates from the pot into the pan, it is immediately removed, and the bottom of the container is wiped. Do not forget about the powerful drainage layer. The larger the date palm and the pot intended for it, the thicker the layer of expanded clay or brick chips at the bottom.
Date palm readily perceives spring-summer fertilizing, for which they use liquid for large decorative leafy crops. If a palm tree is brought to the garden for the summer, the plant can be fed with bird droppings at intervals of 7–10 days using a granulated form or infusion.
The frequency of transplantation of the date palm depicted in the photo at home care depends on the age and size of the plant. Young seedlings are transferred to a larger pot about once a year, and adult specimens are trying not to bother. If transshipment is necessary, it is carried out by first spilling the earthen ball well and trying not to damage the sensitive roots of the plant. Date palm transplantation is carried out in the ready ground offered by specialized shops.
For the arrangement of drainage, you can take a brick crumb or expanded clay on the size of the drainage holes. If the roots of the date palm are still visible on the bottom of the pot, in the spring you can get by replacing the top layer of soil. The old substrate is carefully removed, and in its place fresh nutritious soil is poured. Then the palm is watered.
The experience of cultivating dates at home - video
A bright representative of the Arekov family. His homeland is considered to be India and Africa. Exotic culture as a decorative culture became popular in the early 19th century. It is quite unpretentious and perfectly decorates any room. Leaves are pinnate, of large size, which densely cover hard leaves, with small notches along the edges.
Palma prefers bright and long-lasting illumination, but preferably without direct sunlight on the foliage. Watering should be moderate, it differs depending on the time of the year, it is better to replace the spraying by wiping the foliage with a damp cloth.
A sturdy tree with a powerful trunk is a long-lived and can be pleased with its beauty for more than one generation.. Inflorescence paniculata, located in the axils of the foliage. The flowers are small, yellow color. Edible fruits. Often used in traditional medicine.
Growing and caring for plants
Lighting and temperature
Under natural conditions, this representative of the flora feels great under the scorching sun. But the pot culture is not adapted for such extreme conditions. She needs space near windows facing south, east or west. Direct sunlight is best avoided.otherwise the leaves will burn severely. They constantly reach for the rays. Therefore, the pot is regularly turned around its axis. So the crown will grow correctly and evenly. In the winter period can not do without additional lighting. Fluorescent lamps can be used. Otherwise, the lack of ultraviolet will make foliage fragile and lethargic.
Optimal thermometer performance - 21-22. Acceptable and +30, with proper humidity levels. You can arrange and "summer vacation". If the air warms up to +15, then the loggia, terrace or sun-protected part of the garden will be an ideal place for date palm trees. But begins the "move" with the gradually increasing "walks" in the fresh air. They are brought into the room with the onset of cool nights, when the temperature drops below 17 degrees. In winter, the room is ventilated daily, beingware of drafts. At the same time, peace comes. The temperature should decrease to +15.
Palm Soil
Palm is not very demanding. It develops well, both in neutral and in weakly acid. It is better to pick loose, soft and nourishing. It should pass water and air perfectly. You can buy it in a specialty store - soil for palm trees.
If you want to cook it yourself, you need:
- sand;
- humus;
- turf soil in equal parts.
Superphosphate is added in small amounts. Everything is thoroughly mixed.
Pot selection
The pot is preferred narrow and rather long
Experienced gardeners prefer high and deep, to easily accommodate a very long root system. It is preferable to choose ceramics or clay. There are cases when a palm tree becomes so large and heavy that it is almost impossible to remove it from a vessel. In this case, the pot is broken.
Watering and moisturizing as it should be
From mid-spring to early autumn, watering requires frequent and abundant. The water that drains into the pan is drained only after 2-3 hours. During this time, the roots will absorb enough liquid. The moisture schedule changes from September to March. It is significantly reduced and occurs only after the top layer of soil dries out. Temperature effect also has its influence: the lower it is, the less often water is required and vice versa.
Over-wetting is just as harmful as over-drying. Water is required separated or purified at room temperature. Every day is sprayed. In the summer - twice a day. To ensure that the humidity was stable, a pallet with expanded clay is used. They put a vessel on it and pour water there. This protects the plant from rotting and saturates with a sufficient amount of moisture.
Purification of dust occurs every 3 days using a wet wipe.
Pruning plants
Cut only need dry branches and leaves.
It is necessary to take the process with all seriousness and learn in advance all the rules and features. If improperly molded, the pet may die. Only dead, dried and dead branches are removed. To maintain a decorative look pruned side shoots.
Normal growth and development guarantees only one central trunk. It is impossible to remove just yellowed leaves (exotic beauty sucks the necessary elements from them). You should not get rid of more twigs than appeared on the plant for the year.
Fertilizers - what, when and how much
Organic matter is required at the peak of active growth and development - from April to September. They are made every week. Once a month there is alternation with another element - potassium nitrate. It is enough 10 grams per bucket of water. With the onset of cold time, top dressing is applied 3 times per quarter.
Transplant - the nuances of work
This is a great stress for the pet, during which the root system is most often damaged. Therefore, changing the pot is solely for good reason. Spring is the best season. Used method of transshipment.
Young specimens have to be replanted every year, they grow very quickly. Adult representatives need to change their “place of residence” as needed (approximately every 3 years). The new capacity is slightly different from the previous one in size. At the bottom of the mandatory poured a layer of drainage (7-8 cm). Pebbles, brick fragments, expanded clay or charcoal with sand are used.
For adult plants, soil is renewed once a year. The upper layer (3-5 cm) carefully remove and fall asleep fresh ground.
Pests and Diseases - Treatment and Prevention
Change in appearance
The softening of the trunk, brown spots on the foliage and the appearance of an unpleasant smell are signs of waterlogging. Help the plant can be a complete cessation of watering. Once the ground is dry enough, the problem will disappear. But, if the situation has not changed, then an examination of the roots is required. Too soft indicate the death of exotic. If there are live fragments, then you can try to transplant them. Yellow foliage - lack of nutrients or too hard water.
It feeds on palm tree sap. Signs of an unexpected guest - brown spots on the surface of green mass. If you do not respond in time, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
It appears if the regime of moisture and watering is systematically violated. This insect is a dangerous and insidious enemy of the date. The first target of his attacks is the stem. This can be understood by the characteristic spots of gray or yellow.
Palm reproduction
Planting a date palm bone
Breeding is very simple, if the bone is not subjected to heat treatment. You can use not only planting material from a flower shop, but also ordinary dates from the supermarket. The most favorable time is the end of February or the beginning of March.
Pre-soaked bone to avoid mold. When the remnants of the fruit pulp are cleaned, it is placed in a separate bowl with a loose substrate. After abundantly water and place in a room with good lighting.
When the sprout appears is unknown. Be sure to air and moisten. If the growth of a young pet has reached 12 cm, then it is moved to a permanent pot.
As a rule, it takes from 3 to 6 months.
Leaves can appear only after 3-4, and sometimes 5 years. In no case do not need to cut it, because the growth point is located at the very top. That the krone was formed correctly, and evenly the pot is twisted around its axis every month.
Inspection before buying in the store - choose a healthy plant
Date palm is able to decorate any interior. But, if there is no desire to grow a pet out of a stone for years, then you can buy it in the flower market. But it is important to choose the right plant in the store. You should not do this in non-designated places (metro, roadside, ad on the street or on the Internet).
Certified nurseries - the key to a healthy beauty. Before buying conduct a thorough inspection of the entire representative of the flora. It should be free from stains, yellowing, damage or signs of insects. Wilted, lowered stems or soft central trunk - signs of disease or improper care. You should not give preference to such an instance.
Types and varieties
The most popular and decorative date palms:
- Canarian. Its fruits are poisonous, on branches long sharp thorns;
- Finger. The most famous worldwide view. The fruits of this tree are exactly those dried fruits that we buy in regular stores;
- Robelena. It has 2 central trunk. Crohn thick and lush. Bones black color. View refers to shade-tolerant representatives.
Dates like many. But many have tried them only as dried fruits, and not everyone has seen and tasted this exotic fruit fresh. The date tree can be grown in the garden or in the apartment. True, the fruit of it can not wait, but the plant is very decorative.
Dates in the natural environment
The area of natural distribution of date palm - the deserts of Asia and North Africa. The deep root system of these plants is capable of extracting water from a great depth. In its natural environment, the palm has a height of up to 20 m and is capable of bearing fruit for about 100 years.
Date palm is also called phoenix. Its name is consonant with the name of the legendary mythological bird, which was able to burn itself, and then be reborn from the ashes.
Palm landings today are an important means of combating desertification
Date palm is a sacred tree for peoples inhabiting the territories of deserts. Its fruits are called bread of the desert, as they are the most important food for the local population. Dates have an oblong shape with a hard seed inside. Since ancient times, they have been dried and Egyptian and Phoenician merchants took with them on a long journey. Dried dates contain a huge supply of nutrients, they are able not to deteriorate and preserve the taste even in the strongest heat.
It is believed that a person can live for several years, eating only dates and water
Popular date varieties
In a temperate climate, the date palm is grown as an ornamental plant. It is not capable of fruiting. In the open ground, the date will not survive the winter. Even a good heated shelter will not save the situation. At a temperature of about 0 ° C, the plant needs low humidity, otherwise its root system will match. As a houseplant, date palm is very popular, as it has a number of positive characteristics:
- decorative, suitable for any interior;
- differs in unpretentiousness to conditions of cultivation;
- shows the greatest resistance to pests and diseases.
From the beginning of the XIX century, palm trees began to grow in greenhouses, as well as indoor plants.
From the existing set of species of date palms for growing at home, 3 types are most often chosen:
In the people, dates are sometimes called some other plants and their fruits. For example, Zizyfikus real, belonging to the family krushinovyh, often referred to as Chinese dates. But this is wrong from a botanical point of view.
Growing conditions
Inside the fruit of the date palm is a large and hard oblong bone. She is very germinating. Even seeds of dried dates can be used as seed material.
When breeding dates, stones can not talk about the preservation of varietal characteristics of the plant.
Bones of dried or dried dates are ideal and affordable seed material.
Preparing dates for planting
For germination fit stones dates that have not undergone heat treatment. They can simply be stuck in the ground, in most cases shoots appear, but sometimes it takes 5-6 months to wait. To speed up this process can be as follows:
Even if you plan to grow only one palm tree, take several seeds for germination. This will insure you against the death of seedlings due to illness or unsuccessful experiments during plant transplantation.
Date palm soil
For planting stones suitable universal floral soil or ready-mixed soil for palm trees, which are sold in specialized stores.
Soil for palm trees is produced on the basis of mid-peat and biohumus with the addition of sapropel, sand and vermiculite
Soil mixture can be prepared independently. The optimal composition will be:
- light loam (2 parts);
- sheet compost (2 parts);
- peat (1 part);
- rotted mullein (1 part);
- sand (1 part);
- some charcoal.
At the bottom of the planting tank, a drainage layer of expanded clay or river pebbles should be placed. It will prevent stagnation of water, harmful to the roots of the plant.
Planting a date
Planting a date bone is a simple process and consists of the following steps:
To maintain humidity and preserve heat, the seating capacity can be covered with food film, but it should be slightly opened every day for airing.
Care for date seedlings
Most problems with cultivating dates are associated with improper care. Restore health and beautiful appearance of the plant can be difficult.
How to transplant date
Date palm does not like transplants. But it is impossible to do without them, because for a young plant you should choose a small planting capacity corresponding to the size of the root system. When planting in a large pot it is difficult not to allow waterlogging, and this leads to diseases of palm trees. The plant quickly takes nutrients from the soil, depletes it. Roots fill the free space. If you do not make a transplant, the palm tree will stop its growth.
Non-transplanted date palms do not push well and grow for a long time in one narrow leaf.
Transplanting date palm is best in April. This is the beginning of the activity of the plant, so fresh soil and the availability of free space for the growth of roots will contribute to the rapid development of the date. The first 4 years the plant requires an annual transplant, then it can be carried out once every 2-3 years.
When transplanting palm trees, a transhipment method is preferable, in which the plant is removed from an old pot along with a clod of earth, transferred to another pot (it should be a few centimeters wider than the previous one). After this, all voids are filled with new soil mixture.
Handling of palm trees is carried out carefully, trying not to damage the sensitive roots of the plant.
Optimum lighting and temperature modes
It is preferable to place the palm tree on a well-lit place, but in the hottest time it is recommended to plant the plant for a short time to prevent sunburn.
In order for the date palm to evenly form the leaves, it is periodically turned, directing the apical part of the plant inside the room.
The optimum temperature during the period of active growth (spring and summer months) is 20–25 ° C. During the rest period (autumn and winter months), the recommended temperature is 15–18 ° C. At this time, the date palm will easily tolerate a short decrease in temperature (to 8 o C), much worse it reacts to drafts.
When placing the pot, keep in mind that a cold marble floor or window sill can adversely affect the sensitive root system of the palm tree. In this case, it is recommended to use a variety of supports, which not only protect the roots of the plant, but also organically fit into the interior of the room.
Watering and feeding
In summer, the date palm should be watered frequently and fairly plentifully. When the soil is completely dry, the leaves can wilt and restore their former position is very difficult. The plant will need garters and supports to avoid leaf injuries and maintain an attractive appearance. In winter, the palm tree is watered much less - high humidity at low temperature is detrimental to the plant.
For irrigation it is recommended to use water at room temperature that does not contain chlorine. Palma does not like calcium-mineralized (hard) water. The leaves will have a well-groomed appearance, if they are wiped weekly with a damp sponge. The plant responds well to spraying. In the summer they are held daily, and once a week a shower is recommended to the palm tree. When spraying and shower procedures earthen room should be reliably protected from excess moisture.
In the spring and summer, daily spraying of the crown of a palm tree with warm separated water is carried out.
For date fertilizer, it is recommended to use special preparations for palm trees or deciduous ornamental plants. During the period of active growth, palm dressing is carried out every 2 weeks. In winter - 2 times less. Fertilizers should be applied in liquid form in pre-watered soil.
Flower growers offer valuable tips that will help you grow a beautiful exotic plant in a few years:
- placing a date palm near central heating appliances can trigger the death of a plant;
- in summer, a palm tree tub is recommended to be taken out on the balcony or in the garden. Be sure to ensure that the new place was not harmful to the plant drafts;
- direct sunlight is good for normal growth and development of an adult palm only;
- an older plant can tolerate short periods of complete drought;
- palm leaves last for about 1 year. Then they turn yellow, dry up, they must be removed. Pruning is done with a sharp instrument, leaving a few centimeters from the stem;
- date palm - single-stem plant. If it loses its apical part, it will stop growing.
Video: Date Palm Cultivation
Growing problems
Improper care can cause problems. The diseased plant looks unsightly: dark yellowed leaves, soft trunk, the smell of rotting.
Table: Date palm problems, their causes and ways to eliminate
| Problem symptoms | The reasons for their occurrence | Ways to eliminate |
| The tips of the leaves turn yellow |
|
|
| Darkening of the leaves, the softness of the trunk, the appearance of putrid odor | Waterlogging. |
|
| The ends of the leaves have become dark |
|
To systematize the regimes of spraying and watering plants. |
| The leaves of the plant go down | Lack of moisture. | Normalize the mode of watering and spraying, set support for the leaves. |
| Yellowing leaves | Watering hard water. | Use for irrigation and spraying distilled water at room temperature. |
| Pale leaves |
|
Plant shading. |
| Drying of young shoots, rotting of their bases |
|
|
| Palma suspended its growth during the period of activity |
|
|
| Darkening, twisting and dropping leaves, brown spots on the surface of leaf plates | Pest infestation (spider mite, shield, mealy worm). |
|
Darkening of the lower leaves of the plant is a normal age-related phenomenon. Such sheet plates are carefully removed with a sharp instrument.
There are many varieties of palm trees, but date is the most popular in home gardening. The date palm or date (Phoenix) is a tropical tall plant belonging to the Palm family (aka Arecaceae), growing under natural conditions in Africa and Eurasia. But the date can live not only in the tropics - the plant is successfully used for the decoration of residential premises and offices, gardening greenhouses and winter gardens.
In nature, the tree reaches a gigantic size, giving a huge brush of tasty and nutritious fruits.
Different types of date palm trees are represented by tree forms or squat shrubs belonging to the group of feathery palms. In natural conditions, where the palm tree grows, it reaches a height of 12–15 m, and sometimes - gigantic sizes about 30 m. For industrial purposes, dates are grown to produce tasty and nutritious fruits - dates, and its juice is used in sugar production.
Date palm at home grows only up to 2.5 m in height, after which its growth stops. Yellow date flowers are collected in inflorescences - panicles. Flowers and fruits appear in perennial trees with a height of 15 meters, but it is impossible to grow such a tree at home. Home-grown dates do not bear fruit.
In total there are 17 species of date trees, and three of them are especially common in home floriculture. It:
- date ordinary, otherwise palmate (Phoenix dactylifera);
- canary dates (Phoenix canariensis);
- date gobelin (Phoenix roebelenii).
All types of date trees are highly decorative, fit perfectly into any interior space, suitable for home and gardening offices, growing in greenhouses. Date palm is very hardy and unpretentious, and therefore is the most popular among gardeners.
Caring for dates
Growing a date palm requires the creation of certain conditions - temperature, humidity and lighting, timely fertilization.
Lighting
A homemade date tree should grow in a well-lit place. At the same time, direct sunlight is harmful to the plant, and in the hottest dining hours it is better to shade it.
Date palm room loves free space, so it is undesirable to put the plant in a room that is cluttered with furniture.
To the leaves were formed evenly and symmetrically, the plant must be periodically rotated.
Temperature
Caring for a palm tree at home involves maintaining a certain temperature:
- from 20 to 25 ° С - in spring and summer months;
- from 15 to 18 ° C - in the winter.
The plant reacts poorly to drafts. Its root system is also very sensitive to cold, so it’s not recommended to put a date in a pot on marble floors, a cold window sill.
Watering
Houseplant needs to be watered abundantly in summer. Do not allow complete drying of the earth, otherwise the leaves of the date tree will wither and will not return to their original position. In addition, the drying of the soil can lead to yellowing of the leaves.
In winter, watering is reduced, and the frequency of soil moistening is determined by the air temperature in the room. Waterlogging and cold air causes brown spots on the leaves. To avoid problems, each subsequent watering should be carried out only after the soil mixture dries to a depth of 2-3 cm.
Water the plant should be warm (about 20 ° C), soft, not chlorinated water. Suited, melted or rain water is suitable for these purposes. Hard water containing calcium, the room palm affects badly. So that the water in the pot does not stagnate, it is necessary to ensure good drainage.
Phenicia really likes humid air, so care at home for a plant should include spraying the leaves, which is carried out daily. Once a week, you can arrange a date for a warm shower, after covering the ground in a pot with a film. In winter, when the air is too dry due to the operation of heating devices, it is advisable to put a container filled with water near a pot with a tree.
Fertilization
Fertilizer for date palm is applied to the wet soil substrate in a diluted form. For feeding you can apply:
- complex tools for palm trees or indoor decorative deciduous flowers;
- chicken manure diluted with water (mix fertilizer with water in a ratio of 1: 3, insist for 10 days, dilute the obtained agent before feeding with 1:10 in water);
- potassium nitrate (teaspoon diluted in a liter of water).
Potassium growers recommend using potash nitrate to feed palm trees only in summer.
Periodic feedings per month:
- three times in spring and summer;
- twice in the fall;
- once in the winter.
Cultivation from a stone
The date palm grows from the bone of a regular date. How to grow a palm tree from the bone of a date? For growing you can take fresh, candied or dried fruit. The main thing is that dates do not undergo heat treatment.
January or February is the best time to plant a date bone.
In order for the date stone to grow faster, you can scald it with boiling water or rub it with sandpaper. Before planting, the bone for swelling for three days is placed in water (temperature 40 ° С). From time to time the water should be changed, and the seeds should be thoroughly cleaned from the remnants of the fruit pulp. Bones that have fallen to the bottom of the water tank are suitable for germination. After swelling, they are washed under running water, spread on a dry cloth.
In a pot of sand, peat and raw sawdust (taken in equal quantities) the bone is placed vertically, sprinkled with a soil mixture of 1–2 cm. The soil is watered, covered with moist moss or glass. Glass is cleaned daily to air crops, wipe condensate on it. The optimum temperature for planting is from 25 to 30 ° C. Under these conditions, the date from the stone will germinate in about 1.5–2 months. If the fruit has been stored for a long time, germination slows down and sprouts may appear after 3 months or even after half a year.
How to grow a date palm, they know experienced growers. They recommend that the sprouts that appear should immediately be put in place with good access of light, but not under the direct sun. Sprouts regularly sprayed and watered.
To grow a date from the stone, it is important not to overwet the soil. The date tree reacts poorly to excessive moisture, so watering should be done only after the top layer of the soil substrate dries out.
When the seedlings grow to 12–14 cm, they are planted in separate pots with a diameter of not more than 15 cm. At the bottom of the tank a layer of drainage is placed with a thickness of 3 cm. The mixture will fit for planting:
- peat (part 1);
- leaf and sod land (2 parts);
- sand (2 parts);
- humus (4 parts).
When growing a date palm tree from a bone at home, for the first few years only simple belt-like leaves are formed, and the pinnate leaves on the plant will appear only after 3-5 years.
The cultivated date during the first 5 years looks quite modest and unassuming, and only after 5 or 7 years does the date tree acquire true decorative value. Interestingly, date trees grown from identical bones may have a different shape. It may be a small, but fluffy tree or a tall, slender and elegant palm tree.
It is impossible to cut off or break off the top of the tree - this will lead to its death.
Transfer
Grown date transplanting procedure suffers heavily enough, and with the slightest damage to the roots begins to hurt or die. Therefore, palm transplanting is done by transshipment.
Young plants are transplanted (up to 4–5 years) every year; adult trees are moved to a larger pot every 2–3 years. Replant the plant is best in the spring. To update the soil, every 6 months it is recommended to clean the top layer of the earth, to fill the empty space with a fresh soil substrate.
At home, transplanting large palm trees is carried out only when the root system becomes cramped, individual roots begin to go out through the drainage holes. Pot for transplanting need to take 3-4 cm more than the previous one. Pots for palm trees are needed not wide, but high enough and stable, so that the long roots are not cramped, and they fit freely in a container.
Transplanting should be done very carefully so as not to damage the root system, otherwise the plant will hurt or even die.
Land for cultivating dates should be soft, loose, well pass air and moisture. To grow a healthy and beautiful date palm at home, it must be transplanted into the ground from the following components:
- clay-sod substrate (2 parts);
- humus-leaf substrate (2 parts);
- sand (1 part);
- peat ground (part 1);
- rotted manure (part 1);
- small amount of wood ash.
If for some reason it is impossible to independently prepare a soil substrate, you can use special ground for palm trees or universal soil for planting indoor plants. At the bottom of the pot you need to place a good layer of drainage from pebbles or coarse sand.
In nature, dates are propagated by seeds. In the conditions of home reproduction of palm trees is also carried out with the help of bones. Due to the fact that the shell of the bone is very hard, you have to wait long for the sprouts. To speed up this process, the shell is cut or thinned with emery paper, the seeds are soaked in growth stimulants, they create lower heating of the soil during germination.
Growing problems
If a date palm grows at home, care should be taken. Content errors lead to diseases, slower plant development, and other problems.
- Waterlogging. The leaves become a dark brown shade, the trunk becomes loose and soft, a putrid odor emanates from the palm tree. In this case, you need to stop watering. The plant is preferably removed from the pot for inspection of the root system. If the roots are darkened, become watery and soft, date can not be saved. If live roots remain, the plant can be saved. Dead roots need to be removed, sprinkle the cut points with crushed coal.
- Insufficient watering. The leaves of the tree go down, turn yellow.
- Increased acidity of the soil. In acidic soil there is not enough manganese and iron, due to which the growth of the plant stops. The acidity level of the soil for cultivating dates should not exceed 7.
- Dry air and soil, sudden changes in temperature and drafts. These negative factors cause the tips of the leaves of the plant to darken. The leaves die off, so they need to be removed - cut off the dark tips or completely leafy plates.
- Low air temperature. At low temperatures, the development of the root system and the aerial part is suspended, the growth of the tree stops.
- Excess light. In the bright sun the leaves of the plant become pale. A similar situation is observed with the defeat of the plant with a red spider mite.
If brown leaves appear below, this is normal. So, as a rule, age-related changes occurring with the plant.
In case of poor lighting, the leaves of the date palm stretch out and become brittle.
Pests
With illiterate palm care, the risk of attacking a plant pest increases. As a result of the activity of the mealybug, shchitovki or spider mite, the leaves of the plant darken and dry, and dark brown spots appear on them. For pest control you can use:
- a solution of soap (the leaves are washed with a solution);
- garlic extract (the plant is sprayed);
- actellic solution (1–2 ml per 1 l of water) is used for treatment in case of severe damage to the plant.
Diseases
Pink rot and brown spot may attack the date. These are the most frequent fungal diseases that occur due to excessive watering. Spotting affects leafy plates, and with pink rot the whole flower rots. Young and weakened date palms are especially susceptible to diseases, and they are cared for improperly at home. The affected plant must be treated with a fungicide solution. If necessary, carry out the procedure several times with a frequency of once a week.
Where can one buy
Date seeds can be purchased at a specialized seed outlet or online store. But knowing how to grow a date from a stone, you can not buy seeds, but get them from the fruit. The main thing is that dates do not undergo heat treatment and are not affected by rot, otherwise it will not be possible to wait for the seedlings.
Those who do not want to spend a lot of time growing can purchase a plant in a flower shop. The cost of a palm tree will depend on both the variety and the height of the plant. A Canarian date with a height of 50 cm will cost about 1000 rubles, Robelini date - 1600 rubles. The price for adult plants in height from 2 to 2.5 m varies in the range of 24,000–30,000 rubles.
Palma is a magnificent plant that creates a special exotic atmosphere in the interior. But in order to grow a gorgeous plant, it is important to know how to care for the dates and follow all the recommendations for its content.
