Large leaves of curved shape, odd-pinnate. The leaves are located evenly or in a bundle. They are rigid, folded, pointed, at the base (sometimes along the entire length) are entire, have a linear-lanceolate shape. A short petiole is flat-convex, at the base of the leaf has strong spines instead of lobes. The inflorescence is located in the axils of the leaves.
Finik is cultivated as a fruit tree, for example, a date palmate, and as an ornamental plant. Palm leaves are used for medical purposes for the treatment of burns, infectious and skin diseases. Shredded leaves are used to prepare compresses for mastopathy.
Small forms of dates, such as Robelen and Canary, are grown in halls, offices and living quarters. Remember that the appearance of finger dates quickly grows and the room becomes cramped for him. Such plants are well placed in a conservatory or conservatory.
Care instructions
Lighting. Indoor plants date palm - photophilous plants, well tolerate direct sunlight. Do not require shading, except midday hours in a strong summer heat.
Location. It is recommended to place these indoor plants on the windows of the southern and south-eastern orientation. In order for the crown to develop evenly, periodically turn the date to the light with different sides. In summer, always ventilate the room where there is a date palm. If there were not enough bright days in the cold season, then in the spring you should gradually accustom the date to intensive illumination by direct sunlight.
This will help avoid sunburn on the leaves of the plant. It is recommended to carry out the same adaptation procedure with the plants purchased in the store. In winter it is desirable to install additional lighting with fluorescent lights.
Temperature regime. In summer and spring, when the date palm is in the period of active growth, the optimum temperature for it is 20-25 ° C. Plants prefer high temperature, but since in rooms there is often very dry air, at 25-28 ° С the dates wither leaves. In winter, the plant has a rest period at which the temperature is recommended to be 15-18 ° C. For F. Robelen's species, the lower limit of temperature is 14 ° C, but the optimal temperature is 16-18 ° C. Some species, for example Kanar dates, can carry the temperature of 8- 10 ° С. Date palms are afraid of air stagnation, so always ventilate the room during all periods of the year. Remember that a draft, especially in winter, can ruin your plant.
Watering. In spring and summer - abundant, in autumn and in winter - moderate. Between watering the top layer of soil should dry up. In winter, water once 1-2 days after the surface of the substrate dries. Leave some liquid in the pan after watering, but no more than 2-3 hours. Do not overdry or wet the substrate. Use only soft stagnant water with a low concentration of calcium.
Air humidity. The date loves high humidity, therefore it is recommended to spray it year-round, using filtered or stand-off water. Put the plant in a place with the greatest humidity of air, especially it is important for the date Robelen. To increase the humidity, use a pallet with wet claydite or moss, the pot should not touch the water with its bottom. Regularly wash the leaves of the date (at least once in 2 weeks).
Top dressing. Top dressing should be done every 10 days from April to the end of August. Use organic fertilizers for this purpose, alternating them with potassium nitrate, diluted in a proportion of 10 grams per 10 liters of water. In winter, feed not more than once a month.
Transfer. Young plants date palm should be transplanted frequently, large - rarely. Be careful, because the damage to the main root during transplantation kills the entire plant.
In no case can not replant dates in the fall. At this time, the plants lose their leaves and may die. For adults of large plants in the spring, make transshipment with a frequency of every 4 years, for young people - once a year. Very rapid growth of the palm is limited if it is transplanted only when the roots begin to not fit into the pot. Replace the top layer of the soil (3-4 cm) with a new, nutritious layer every year.
The earth mixture for the date palm can be neutral or slightly acidic. Use a mixture of turf, compost, humus and sand in equal parts. It is recommended to add superphosphate to the ground at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 3 liters of the mixture. Suitable commercial mixture for palm trees. For overgrown dates, you can use a heavier mixture, where the amount of sod land is increased. Plant date palms in deep pots, good drainage is mandatory.
The plant can be grown hydroponically.
Propagation by seeds. The date bone should be kept for 2-3 days in water heated to 30-35 ° C, then planted in a peat-sand substrate and create a temperature of 22 ° C. Some use a substrate divided into layers: bottom is a drainage layer, then a sod up to 1/2 pot, above - sand with chopped moss.
Substrate should be moistened, put the seeds in it, cover it with crushed moss or sand. Sprouts appear after 20-25 days. For successful germination, create the following conditions: regular watering, high temperature in the range of 20-25 ° C. For germination use fresh fruits, as during the storage period the germination of seeds falls, sprouts singly, unfavorably throughout the year. Then the seedlings are gently and gently transplanted into an earth mixture of the following composition: 2 parts of light turf, 1 part of leaf, 1 part of humus earth and 1 part of sand. Water the plants abundantly, using only warm water, install them in a bright place, shade from direct sunlight. At the time of seedling transplantation, it is necessary to remove the small, weak seedlings with scissors.
Difficulty of care
- Purchase a palm tree in the spring and summer, as the plant bought in winter in the room conditions is sick and loses leaves.
- If plants lower the leaves down, then watering is inadequate.
- If the tips of the leaves dry, it means that the air in the room is too dry.
- If the leaves of the date begin to darken and fade, then the plant suffers from drafts and a very low temperature.
- Pests: scutes, spider mite, mealybug.