Unnoticed pest infestation, watered too much or too little and it's done: the once magnificent palm tree is being neglected and is in danger of dying. However, with good care and a little patience, it can be possible to successfully nurture the patient again.
How to nurture a caring palm tree?
To nurture a caring palm tree, you should identify the causes such as overwatering, drying out or vermin infestation. Measures such as root pruning, repotting in larger containers, adjusting watering or pest control can help nurse them back to he alth.
Overwatering
Palm trees are very sensitive to waterlogging. The roots begin to rot and the plant dies. If you suspect that you meant too well by watering, you may be able to save the plant with these measures:
- Carefully unpot the palm tree, only touching the trunk.
- The affected root system feels mushy and is usually dark brown in color.
- Cut this off carefully with sharp scissors.
- The new planter should have a water drain covered with a piece of pottery.
- Additionally add a drainage layer made of expanded clay.
- Place palm tree in suitable substrate.
In the future, only water when the top centimeters of soil feel dry. Immediately tip away any excess water in the saucer.
The plant has dried up
If the palm tree dies of thirst, it is often not the watering behavior that is to blame, but rather a pot that is too small. If there is hardly any substrate left in the planter, the palm tree can no longer absorb enough moisture on hot days and it dries out.
The only thing that helps here is to immediately transfer it to a larger container. Even if it doesn't look pretty, only cut off the completely dried fronds close to the trunk, as the palm's foliage serves as an important nutrient reservoir.
Please do not overwater or overfertilize the plant because you now want to make up for what was missed - in this case a lot doesn't help. It is sufficient to keep the plant sufficiently moist but not too wet. Fertilization is only carried out after around six months, when the nutrient depot of the fresh substrate has been used up.
Cause of vermin infestation
Sucking insects such as lice or tiny spider mites can harm the palm tree so much that the plant withers. If there is no care error, you should proceed as follows:
- Mist the palm tree with a sprayer so that the webs of spider mites can be easily seen.
- Check the underside of the leaves and the leaf axils. Pestful insects often hide here.
If you notice an infestation, you should fight the pests immediately with a suitable insecticide according to the instructions on the package or a mixture of water, dishwashing liquid or soap and a drop of spirit.
Tip
The growth center of the palm tree is in the middle of the plant. If it is not lush green, but is dried out or brown, the palm tree can usually no longer be saved.
