The Canary Island date palm gives the living room, winter garden or terrace a tropical flair and is easy to care for. Therefore, it is also wonderfully suitable for beginners and anyone who does not have a green thumb. Despite its undemanding nature, the culture of the Phoenix canariensis has to pay attention to a few points.
Above all, it is important that it receives sufficient light. A dark corner of the room is therefore extremely unsuitable. Areas in the immediate vicinity of the window or the winter garden are better. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Phoenix canariensis can reach considerable sizes - and that in a relatively short time. There should also be enough free space at the location.
Tip: To avoid waterlogging, a drainage layer should be placed in the planter. Pottery shards, expanded clay or coarse gravel are ideal for this. Here, too, mixtures of the individual components are possible.
Since the Canary Island date palm is not frost hardy, it should be cultivated in a bucket. Important when choosing the right planter are:
Ideal for watering are:
From spring on, the Canary Island date palm is fertilized every two weeks. As a fertilizer, palm fertilizer has proven to be ideal. It should be noted, however, that the Phoenix canariensis is sensitive to salt. Therefore, only a small dose of fertilizer should be given. It is also important that the palm is abundantly watered after fertilization. This distributes the nutrients evenly and prevents excessive concentrations of nutrients from causing chemical burns on the roots. In winter, the interval between the nutrients is increased. It is then sufficient to fertilize every six weeks.
The following guide can help:
The Canary Island date palm does not need a cut. The only exception is the fronds. Over time, the lower palm fronds die off and dry up. Once they are completely dry, they can be cut off close to the plant. A sharp knife or secateurs is recommended for this. Sometimes greater forces have to be used to remove the dried up leaves. Robust cutting tools should therefore be used.
Tip: In order for the flowers to produce fruits at all, they have to be fertilized. Therefore, during the flowering period between February and May, they should be outdoors on warm days or be fertilized with a brush.
Somewhat more natural and, as experience has shown, better for the resistance of the Canary Island date palm is a cooler winter. The plant should stand in a bright room at temperatures of 10 to 15 ° C. For example, the hallway, a greenhouse with optional heating or a winter garden are suitable. Here, too, should continue to be poured. As mentioned, a light fertilization with very small amounts can be done every six weeks in combination with watering.
Tip: If you don't have space in your own home to overwinter the Canary Island date palm, you can also have it wintered professionally in nurseries with a corresponding offer.
The Phoenix canariensis has an annual growth of about 50 centimeters if care and location are optimal. That may not sound like much at first, but it means a potential growth of 1.5 meters in three years. Over time, a tribe also develops, which, however, usually remains very short with the culture inside. The growth mainly relates to the length of the palm fronds and thus to the girth of the plant.
Callous disease
The disease is manifested by black dots on the leaves. A risk factor is a location with too little light and at the same time too high temperatures.
Leaf spot disease
This widespread fungal infection manifests itself in the form of almost circular, light to dark brown spots on the leaves or fronds. Cold and very hard water can increase the risk of infection.
Spider mites
The pests are noticeable through the fine weave between the leaves and occur primarily in winter, when dry and warm heating air is a problem for the plant. A cool winter and spraying or showering the Canary Island date palm can help.
Scale insects
The parasites can be recognized by their brownish, raised structures, which are mainly to be found on the roots and undersides of the leaves. These 0.6 to 0.8 millimeter structures are the scale insects themselves. They also occur mainly in dry, warm room air.
Mealybug
The pests are light to white and have woolly, greasy hairs. They typically spread in winter when the crop is too warm and too dry. If the Phoenix canariensis is attacked by pests or diseases, on the one hand the culture conditions should be checked and on the other hand appropriate means of control should be used. A coordinated culture as well as spraying, showering or damp wiping the palm fronds have a preventive effect.
Location
The Canary Island date palm comes from tropical regions and therefore needs a warm and sunny location. It tolerates room temperatures all year round, but can also be outside from spring to late summer.Above all, it is important that it receives sufficient light. A dark corner of the room is therefore extremely unsuitable. Areas in the immediate vicinity of the window or the winter garden are better. Furthermore, it should be noted that the Phoenix canariensis can reach considerable sizes - and that in a relatively short time. There should also be enough free space at the location.
Substrate
The Canary Island date palm needs a nutrient-rich, well-drained and slightly acidic substrate. The soil should also have moderate moisture-retaining properties. A mixture of:- well-rotted compost
- Potting soil
- sand
- Palm soil
Tip: To avoid waterlogging, a drainage layer should be placed in the planter. Pottery shards, expanded clay or coarse gravel are ideal for this. Here, too, mixtures of the individual components are possible.
Plants and planter
Since the Canary Island date palm is not frost hardy, it should be cultivated in a bucket. Important when choosing the right planter are: - a high level of stability
- as large a scope as possible
- a plant trolley as a mobile base
to water
When watering the Phoenix canariensis, only two factors are decisive: frequent and low in lime. The Canary Island date palm thrives best in an always moist substrate. However, it should neither be exposed to waterlogging nor poured with hard tap water.Ideal for watering are:
- stale tap water
- untreated pond or aquarium water
- filtered water
- Rainwater
Fertilize
From spring on, the Canary Island date palm is fertilized every two weeks. As a fertilizer, palm fertilizer has proven to be ideal. It should be noted, however, that the Phoenix canariensis is sensitive to salt. Therefore, only a small dose of fertilizer should be given. It is also important that the palm is abundantly watered after fertilization. This distributes the nutrients evenly and prevents excessive concentrations of nutrients from causing chemical burns on the roots. In winter, the interval between the nutrients is increased. It is then sufficient to fertilize every six weeks. Clean
The spreading leaves or fronds of the Canary Island date palm gather dust over time, become dull and appear gray. Apart from the visual impairment, these coverings also prevent the unhindered release of excess moisture via the leaves. It is therefore advisable to clean the leaves as soon as necessary. These can be wiped off with a damp cloth or showered off. The palm fronds should then be wiped off with a dry, lint-free cloth so that the water does not immediately form new deposits due to the lime content.Repot
The Canary Island date palm should always be repotted when the substrate is used up or the bucket has become too small for the plant. The latter can be noticeable in that the stability deteriorates. This happens when the Phoenix canariensis becomes too top-heavy, i.e. the center of gravity shifts too far upwards. Two other indications are visible roots on the bottom of the pot and declining growth. Such signs should be taken seriously and prompt to repot as soon as possible.The following guide can help:
1. Larger Canary Island date palms should have at least two people repotting. Due to the large size and weight, the measure can hardly be carried out alone.
2. The old substrate must be removed as completely as possible. In order to gently remove the residues and not damage the roots, it is advisable to soak the root ball and then rinse it off with little water pressure.
3. In turn, a drainage layer is placed in the bucket so that the roots do not stand directly in the water.
4. There is so much soil on the drainage layer that the date palm is at the right height to the top edge of the pot after it has been set. Finally, the bucket is filled with soil that is as dry as possible, as this can be better distributed. The substrate is lightly pressed down and poured immediately, as this may lower the soil again and can be refilled accordingly.
As a rule, repotting should be carried out about every three years.Waste
The Canary Island date palm does not need a cut. The only exception is the fronds. Over time, the lower palm fronds die off and dry up. Once they are completely dry, they can be cut off close to the plant. A sharp knife or secateurs is recommended for this. Sometimes greater forces have to be used to remove the dried up leaves. Robust cutting tools should therefore be used. Multiplication
The Canary Island date palms are propagated from seeds that develop in spring after flowering. It is ideal to sow the seeds as quickly as possible. The procedure is as follows:1. The seeds are freed from the pulp and cleaned.
2. The seeds are then soaked in lukewarm water for a few days and should be kept warm during this time.
3. When placed in potting soil, the seeds of the Phoenix canariensis are kept moist and warm. Temperatures should be between 20 and 25 ° C at the location.
4. Germination begins after two to three months. If the potting soil is rooted, the young plants can be repotted in the substrate described above.
At first, the young plants are more reminiscent of grass. The characteristic frond shape only shows when the plants are two to three years old.Tip: In order for the flowers to produce fruits at all, they have to be fertilized. Therefore, during the flowering period between February and May, they should be outdoors on warm days or be fertilized with a brush.
wintering
The Phoenix canariensis is not frost hardy and must therefore be overwintered accordingly. There are two ways to do this. On the one hand, the Canary Island date palm can still be cultivated at room temperature, i.e. it can be left in the living room. It is poured as usual. The intervals between fertilization can, however, be extended to up to six weeks.Somewhat more natural and, as experience has shown, better for the resistance of the Canary Island date palm is a cooler winter. The plant should stand in a bright room at temperatures of 10 to 15 ° C. For example, the hallway, a greenhouse with optional heating or a winter garden are suitable. Here, too, should continue to be poured. As mentioned, a light fertilization with very small amounts can be done every six weeks in combination with watering.
Tip: If you don't have space in your own home to overwinter the Canary Island date palm, you can also have it wintered professionally in nurseries with a corresponding offer.
Growth per year
The Phoenix canariensis has an annual growth of about 50 centimeters if care and location are optimal. That may not sound like much at first, but it means a potential growth of 1.5 meters in three years. Over time, a tribe also develops, which, however, usually remains very short with the culture inside. The growth mainly relates to the length of the palm fronds and thus to the girth of the plant. Typical diseases, pests and care mistakes
Diseases and pests usually only attack the Canary Island date palm if it is weakened by a mistake in care and therefore more susceptible. Typical in these cases are:Callous disease
The disease is manifested by black dots on the leaves. A risk factor is a location with too little light and at the same time too high temperatures.
Leaf spot disease
This widespread fungal infection manifests itself in the form of almost circular, light to dark brown spots on the leaves or fronds. Cold and very hard water can increase the risk of infection.
Spider mites
The pests are noticeable through the fine weave between the leaves and occur primarily in winter, when dry and warm heating air is a problem for the plant. A cool winter and spraying or showering the Canary Island date palm can help.
Scale insects
The parasites can be recognized by their brownish, raised structures, which are mainly to be found on the roots and undersides of the leaves. These 0.6 to 0.8 millimeter structures are the scale insects themselves. They also occur mainly in dry, warm room air.
Mealybug
The pests are light to white and have woolly, greasy hairs. They typically spread in winter when the crop is too warm and too dry. If the Phoenix canariensis is attacked by pests or diseases, on the one hand the culture conditions should be checked and on the other hand appropriate means of control should be used. A coordinated culture as well as spraying, showering or damp wiping the palm fronds have a preventive effect.