If you live in the southeastern United States, with more moderate summer and winter temperatures, you might have an easier time when you plant a new pygmy date palm tree. Politique d'Utilisation des Cookies de Houzz. Black & Honey Locust Tree Thorns: Are They Poisonous? No, the pygmy date palm tree is not toxic. Pygmy date palms can grow as tall as 12 feet or even taller depending upon how much light they receive. If you have a palm tree planted in your home, knowing how to maintain palm tree roots is important. 2. I went into the Lowes garden center, and sought help from one of the associates. Exposed roots are not a problem, but they may cause ill health to the tree if theyre infected. Should I remove the lava rocks that surround the base and pour nutrients into that soil or add palm garden soil to the base? Slow to grow, it can take up to 5 years from planting for this tree to bear fruit. This is a summary of the mistakes when I planted my pygmy date palm trees and how I fixed them. Hopefully that helps, Joan. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; The fronds are mostly all dry-feeling and brown, the lower ones are bent down to the lava rocks, and the plant is on the front of my house facing west in Sacramento. After reading your article, I have questions that I would love answers to, since it sounds like you learned a lot from your mistakes. Then Ill have 9+ palms next to each other, right? Palm roots emerge from the base of the trunk in an area called the root initiation zone. Maybe that heat is really stressing this palm tree too much, especially if it hasnt had enough time to develop a good root system. Placing your plants outside to dry or near an open window is preferable to using artificial airflow produced by air conditioning systems or fans which can reduce humidity and dont supply the carbon dioxide your plant needs in sufficient quantities. Adonia Christmas Palm 16ft. All the best, Vic, and thanks for reading! I think theyre all going to make it, thanks to the soil amendment. Since the root system is fibrous, they regenerate regularly and remain thin. The roots look exposed, and I suspect we initially planted it too close to the surface. My second big mistake was giving my new palm trees too much water. All rights reserved. When I checked the top soil this morning, it was still moist. However, you should give them space so they can grow without issues. The plant is now probably about 6 inches out of the soil and it seems to grow even further out of the soil each winter. Pigmy date palms roots grow about 3-4 feet deep. They are just the right size, have a trim and tidy growth habit, and an inviting appearance. ", My first mistake was not amending my caliche soil. In its natural habitat, these will spread and the plant will become bushy. Another mistake that really hurt my first planting was separating the trees and disturbing the roots. Then, I should water deeply so all the roots benefit from the moisture. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; }, For this reason, avoid placing them in areas where adults, children, or pets may accidentally make contact with it. The old brown leaves are no longer necessary and are unsightly." Some roots may be exposed and visible above ground. They had looked so good when I planted them, but now they looked so barren and dry. Pygmy date palm ( Phoenix roebelenii ) is a small palm with feathery leaves and a single trunk.This slow-growing plant, which rarely exceeds mature heights of 6 to 10 feet, is a perennial only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. Small yellow-hued flowers appear in summer which gives way to the sweet purple fruits. Each has 3 to 4 potted together. This is because if you plan too close to any structure or building, the plant will not be able to grow freely. They are known as Phoenix roebelenii scientifically. The Phoenix palm family can be found in many parts of the world, and numerous palm species are members of this family. And while there are older green fronds still hanging onto life, they will likely dry out in the next couple of months. It has one trunk which is decorated with protuberances that appear where fronds once grew but have fallen off as the tree grows. For potassium, you can add potash or any fertilizer with a high K rating, but an organic compost produced from food waste will do just as well. They can also resume growth if theres enough moisture. How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Plants 5 Proven Ways. The Pygmy Date Palm is quintessentially tropical. If you don't want a larger pot, it won't hurt, much, to let the palm stay in its current pot. Ensure that you give the tree an adequate supply of water during its growth process and reduce the water gradually as it matures. Thats why the only things I can grow in pots are cacti and agaves. As part of your regular maintenance routine, you should rinse and spray the leaves of your Pygmy Date Palm on a regular basis. Mars Hydro VG80 Seedling LED Grow Light Review, 11 Worst Signs of Anthurium Root Rot Fix Anthurium Root Rot. I guess I missed the part of your article that says to use garden soil. They also require three to 6 feet of space and good drainage. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; If youre looking for a plant that is easy to care for and will last for a long time, the Pygmy Date Palm is a great addition and if you want to, you can enjoy the sweet fruits it produces too. They are also known as the pigmy palm tree, miniature date palm, robeleni date palm, etc. Plain and simple.The pot is way to small for this palm.Need much larger pot.Maybe like half of a 55 gallon drum.Roots need room to grow.This is most likely the reason the other 2 trunks died.If I understand you,the growth on this palm looks good.I would not tranplant now.I would wait til about March.When you do transplant, the palm will probably go through some form of shock.Make sure to water well everyday for about 2 weeks.Fertilize with manganese while watering.Follow directions on fertilizer.Also make sure your pot has drainage holes.. Do pygmy's usually have large root systems? But their roots only develop in the top 36 inches of topsoil. As they are miniature, they dont have invasive roots. They can live for a hundred years and grow up to 200 feet tall. This article will explain all the information about pigmy date palms and if they become invasive. (Quick Answers), Why Is My Garlic Green Inside? Besides not amending my soil, my second biggest mistake was watering my dwarf date palms too much. Their growth rate is relatively slow, and they grow their adult size in 6-7 years. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; As you have mentioned my gardener mixed the existing soil with gromulch. Jun 5, 2012. Plants grown directly in the ground in the correct position, or grown outside in containers, will generally get sufficient airflow from their natural surroundings. Pygmy Date Palms are relatively problem-free but can suffer from infestations of mites and insects. If the roots are growing in a tight circle, just let them go. By the way, Joan is a photographer and has some of her work online. I had them on a drip once a week throughout the winter. Then I separated the trunks from each other. It shouldnt be exposed to temperatures that fall below 50F (10C) for long periods of time. Im going to buy garden soil tghb is weekend and try adding that on top to see if that helps. That gave her room for her smaller annual flowers. Im definitely not an expert on pygmy date palms. (Explained), What Size Grow Bag for Potatoes? This can be done using a water meter or simply by pushing your finger into the soil and feeling it. Keep your plant in its new container until the following spring when you can transfer it to its permanent position and follow the normal care procedure. Ganoderma butt rot cannot be eradicated through the use of pesticides and such. Usually, though, a proper watering regime will ensure the plant has sufficient moisture, and it can be positioned near to a tray of pebbles during spells to boost humidity without adding extra water to the leaves. Pygmy Date Plants are one of the easiest houseplants to reproduce, making them the perfect plants for newbie plant parents. If the winter temperatures dip below freezing, cover your tree throughout the night. At least that has been my experience in the past. Thank you! amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "opportunitymu-20"; In this case, a pH test and examination of the roots showed that on one side of the palm, the pH was 3.6 and there was minor root development. But indoors, they do not grow over 5 feet. I planted my pygmy date palms a week and a half ago after reading this article. However, certain palm species such as date palms (Phoenix spp. If exposed to temperatures below 50F (10C) for prolonged periods, Pygmy Date Palms are susceptible to Pestalotiopsis leaf spot. Actually, her pygmy date palms look exactly like mine did before they died. We bought this Palm from a palm tree nursery and are moving it from the pot to the ground. For palm trees planted near drainage pipes, the root ball may disturb drainage if it grows big and pushes against the pipes, causing damage. But pigmy date palm roots are so fibrous and thin that they do not deal any damage. Overall Size: 10" to 14" W 24" to 36" H. This Pygmy Date Palm brings tropical vibes into any space. Those ingredients stimulate strong root growth and will feed your new plant for up to three months. This stationary insect pest inserts a straw-like mouthpart into the palm as removes large amounts of plant sap, resulting in fronds remaining closed, premature leaf aging, or plant death. That gives them the full winter and spring season to grow a nice foundation of new roots before they get hit with the intense summer heat. The seeds can be stored over winter or sown indoors immediately. As you progress and cut off most of the roots, use the remaining part of the tree trunk as leverage for prying out the root ball. When planted outdoors and in favorable conditions, palm tree roots grow fast and extend 3-10 inches in a year. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; , But they can cause damage to thin walkways because they have thicker roots. For best results and to be sure your pygmy date palm survives the first few months of transplanting, do not separate the trees and do not disturb the roots. You want a dwarf variety and plant it further away from the foundation to eliminate future problems. If it is planted in the ground, try replanting it a little deeper. Palm trees roots system are distinct from other tree root systems as they are fibrous. Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii) The Pygmy Date Palm has non-invasive roots and doesn't grow tall, making it ideal for tight spaces, such as decks, patios, and swimming pools. It has fine leaves, an attractive trunk and is suitable for use indoors in cooler climates. The weather is ideal for the palm but not us as it was around 108. The are multiple trees planted together for landscaping. Those parts of the world have humid weather, and the winter season is not very cold. They are one of the most miniature palm trees. Roots Exposed Above Ground. They are pretty hardy and drought torrent. Three weeks after they first appear your seedlings should be large enough to handle. amzn_assoc_search_bar_position = "bottom"; Plantophiles.com is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to affiliates. They indeed grow more roots in the sandy soil, but they also have much freedom to grow roots in different directions. amzn_assoc_default_category = "All"; Ensure you plant your palm tree a safe distance away from your house, such that the canopy of the palm tree does not come into contact with your roofline. Pygmy Date Palm in 6.5-Gallon (s) Pot. In nature, it grows alongside rivers. "@context": "https://schema.org", Thanks for your help! Since palm trees grow in moist, well-drained (mostly sandy) soils, the horizontal spread ensures an increased surface area for absorbing water and nutrients. 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