| Description: |
Smallest of the date palms that are commonly grown, and able to stay indefinitely in a container. The solitary trunk is about four to six inches (10-15cm) in diameter, decorated with diamond-shaped remains of old leaves. The crown of feather leaves is spiny at the base, and up to about four feet (120cm) across in a plant that is starting to develop a trunk. |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Growing Ease: |
Requires a little extra care |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take:
1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime.
Always use a pot with a hole.
|
| Watering: |
Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed weekly during the spring and summer with a water soluble fertilizer. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to spider mites. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds and suckers
in the spring.
It is best to propagate seeds in a mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a while. After removing suckers with roots attached plant them in the palm's regular potting mix.
|
| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Mist occasionally with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water. This plant does not like drafts or sitting in water.
|
| Air Purifier: |
A good remover of formaldehyde and xylene from the surrounding atmosphere. |