It awakens holiday feelings and looks fantastically tropical with its wide fronds. However, in order to remain he althy and strong for a long time, the dwarf palm attaches importance to proper care.
How do I properly care for a dwarf palm tree?
Proper care of a dwarf palm includes even watering, regular fertilization from April to September, avoiding pruning of the top, overwintering at 5 °C or normal room temperatures and protection from pests through sufficient moisture.
What is crucial when watering the dwarf palm?
The soil around the dwarf palm should be kept evenly moist, right down to the bottom of the planter, because it is a taproot. As soon as the soil has dried out, water thoroughly again.
In summer you may have to water up to 3 times a week in hot weather. Of course, watering is less frequent in winter. This is especially true if the dwarf palm is kept cool over the winter.
What role does fertilization play and which fertilizer is suitable?
You should pay attention to this when fertilizing your dwarf palm:
- fertilize from April to September
- Use complete fertilizer
- Fertilizers in liquid form (€18.00 on Amazon), powder form or stick form are ideal
- Fertilizer can be added to the irrigation water
- Fertilization frequency: once every 2 to 4 weeks
- don’t fertilize anymore from September
Can the dwarf palm tolerate pruning?
A dwarf palm tree does not need pruning due to its slow growth in this country. It is fundamentally important never to cut off the top of this palm tree. Otherwise it will stop growing. You can only cut off leaves that have turned brown if they have dried out. Cut it so that a piece of the stem about 3 cm short remains attached to the trunk.
How hardy is it and does it need to be overwintered?
Dwarf palms are winter hardy down to -10 °C. They can be overwintered both outside and inside at 5 °C or normal living room temperatures. Specimens that are overwintered outside should be wrapped in bubble wrap in the root area around the pot. Then they are placed on a wooden or Styrofoam block.
Which pests can harm her?
Especially if the soil is too dry or the humidity is too low (heating air in winter), the dwarf palm becomes weak and susceptible to pests. This is prevented by regular watering and spraying. The following pests like to attack them:
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Scale insects
Tip
After overwintering, you should slowly get your dwarf palm used to the sun again. Otherwise, she may suffer burns from the sudden intense sunlight.
