How to germinate a date seed
The date palm is grown from the seed. There is no need to look for seeds - you can buy dates at any fruit and vegetable store. There is no point in planting date palm seeds right away. They just won't come up. And if they germinate, it will be after a very long time.
What needs to be done to germinate dates:
- buy dates and select pits from them;
- inspect them: there should be no damage, mold, insects;
- Soak in clean water for a day so that the pulp comes off easily. The water needs to be changed several times, as the pulp inhibits seed germination;
- rinse the seeds;
- “awaken” the seed for two days in a thermos, into which pour warm melt water and add a few grains of humate;
- place in a container with damp, loose material: hydrogel, crushed sphagnum moss. Everything should be in a plastic bag;
- put in a warm place. The temperature should be about 35;
- germinate for 2-3 months, controlling humidity and removing condensation from the film.
A little biology
According to various sources, the date genus of the palm family contains from 14 to 17 species. But the real date palm, which produces tasty and healthy fruits, is the palmate date. This plant is not found in the wild, which cannot be said about its relatives - 12 species grow in the tropical and subtropical zones of Pakistan and Africa. Over more than 6,000 years of cultivation, the palmate date has been domesticated. By selecting seedlings obtained from sprouted seeds, and then by breeding, about 5,000 varieties have been created. Biological features:
- tall tree - grows up to 30 m with an average trunk diameter of 80 cm;
- the plant is dioecious, the pollen remains viable for a very long time, and is pollinated by the wind;
- the crown of the palm tree has up to 60 feathery leaves up to 6 m long, they are resistant to dust and wind;
- the harsh conditions of deserts and semi-deserts have created endurance - the tree can tolerate both high and fairly low temperatures, the limit is minus 14 degrees;
- lack of moisture has made the date palm drought-resistant; a very deep root system helps the tree to feed on moisture from the lower horizons of the soil;
- it has adapted to the heat: since in direct sunlight the cells responsible for the growth of all organs do not divide, the palm tree grows at night;
- the tree is accustomed to dry air; excess moisture at the time of flowering and fruiting reduces the yield;
- The palm tree is a long-liver; there are cases of trees bearing fruit even at 200 years of age.
When grown in a room, plants are given their usual conditions. A tree of this size, of course, will not grow in an apartment. It most likely will not bloom, and if this happens, there will be no fruit, since a male pollinator tree is required. But even without fruits, the palm tree is surprisingly decorative. But first you need to sow the seeds. They show best germination in the spring.
Date planting instructions
It is necessary to constantly ensure that the soil is loose and well-permeable to air and water. It is best to purchase flower soil at a flower shop. But you can also prepare a combined mixture at home.
For this you will need:
- turf soil - 1 part;
- leaves – 1 part;
- humus – 1 part;
- fine sand - 1 part.
Mix everything well and place in containers. The bottom of the container must have holes for removing excess moisture and ventilation, and a drainage layer of 1 cm.
Most flower growers believe that the seed should be inserted vertically into the ground so that a layer of soil covers it by 1 cm. Some advise placing the seeds in pots horizontally with the seam down and covering them with 2 cm of soil. Dates sprout well, so it is better to plant them three in two pot using different methods. They will germinate in about 5 months.
All this time, the pot should be covered with a plastic bag, which can be removed for ventilation. You need to ensure that the ground always remains moist and the air warm 20-30. No need for light yet.
Possible problems
Possible problems that arise when growing palm trees include:
- growth cessation depends on the temperature of the soil. At a temperature of +16...+17°C, the root growth of the plant slows down;
- edge burn of leaves - burnt edges of leaves are difficult not to notice, which is a signal for a complete or partial change of soil;
- Magnesium deficiency - the first signs are visible on old leaves. With this problem, wide yellow stripes form on them along the edge of the plate. The middle of the leaf is green;
- copper toxicity - ellipse-shaped spots on the leaf blade that resemble signs of fungal spot (a disease of palm leaves). In such a situation, it is necessary to avoid the use of drugs containing copper.
Tree transplant
It is better to start replanting palm trees in April. Young plants should be replanted every year. After 5 years - once every 3 years, and after 10 years - change only the top layer of the substrate. When roots appear from the holes in the bottom of the container, the pot needs to be changed.
The roots of the palm tree are thick and fragile. They must not be damaged. And you need to replant it with great care, without shaking the ground.
The container should be high, and the diameter should be increased by 3-4 cm with each transplant. There should always be drainage at the bottom. Prepare the soil the same as for young plants.
The date palm is replanted without exposing the roots. If this could not be prevented, you will have to cut off some of the leaves to maintain balance between the underground and above-ground parts. The top layer of soil needs to be updated from time to time. This way the palm tree will eat better. This procedure is carried out 2 times a year.
Choosing a pot
The peculiarities of the date palm are such that in the first stages the root grows at an accelerated pace . The date has a tap root system, that is, one root is the main root, the rest are subordinate.
For such a plant, try to choose a pot that is deep and narrow so that the date feels comfortable.
Initially, all seeds can be planted in one deep box.
Dates cannot tolerate stagnant moisture, so be sure to add a layer of drainage , which can be expanded clay, broken brick, pebbles or charcoal.
Care and transplantation
Having an exotic plant at home is prestigious, because it is not cheap in the store. Growing a palm tree from a seed is an excellent solution for those who cannot afford such an expensive purchase.
Why does the plant look different from the photo on the Internet? The main reason for the lack of splendor of the plant is the lack of timely information on caring for the plant.
Date palm care instructions:
- The air temperature should not be lower than 16-20C. It is not advisable to place the plant near heating devices; it may die. In summer you can leave it outdoors, but without drafts.
- Humidity should not exceed 50%. You can spray the leaves several times a day.
- The lighting must be good. Can be left in direct sunlight. Then the pot needs to be rotated to form a uniform crown.
- Water generously in summer. In winter - to a minimum. The soil should not be over-dried, but it should not be over-moistened either.
- Spray and wipe the leaves. Then the plant will be well-groomed. You can have a shower once a week.
- Apply fertilizers weekly from March to September, and once a month in winter.
A date palm can decorate an apartment, or it can destroy its comfort. During illness, it looks ugly - the leaves are yellow, the trunks are soft, and the smell of rot appears. The plant can become sick due to improper care or the presence of pests.
Planting and caring for a date palm tree is not a complicated process. A little patience, and in a few months a luxurious plant grown with your own hands will be a delight to the eye.
Date palm pests
Growing dates from pits will be effective if you properly control parasites. More often, a houseplant suffers from:
- scale insects;
- mealybugs;
- ticks.
The safest way to control pests for palm trees is their mechanical removal. To do this, wipe the leaves with a solution of soap and vodka (for 1 liter of water - a teaspoon of grated laundry soap and 2 tablespoons of vodka). If there is no effect, the treatment should be done another week.
If the plant is heavily infected, it is permissible to treat it with Actellik or another insecticide.
Palm trees can be affected by the following diseases:
- spotting affecting leaf blades;
- pink rot (can affect not only leaves, but also stems).
Weak plants are susceptible to diseases. If you care for the palm tree correctly, then it is not afraid of any diseases. When the disease cannot be avoided, it is recommended to treat it with a fungicidal mixture.
Photos of dates from pits
Reproduction
Having a date palm in a pot at home, you will not be able to propagate it yourself. Neither the cutting method nor attempts to obtain daughter trees using layering usually produce results.
You can only try to propagate the robelena date by cuttings, but this is unlikely to be successful. Therefore, the easiest and most reliable way to grow a home palm tree is to plant a seed.
