How to know if a palm tree is dry?

Palm trees are, for many, the princesses of the garden … and of the home. Their bearing, their elegance and the beauty of their flowers grouped in inflorescences make them one of the most “pampered” plants. It is not surprising that more than one and more than two worry, and a lot, when they see that their precious little palm trees begin to show signs of weakness.

And it may seem illogical to you, but there are those who take care of them as if they were their daughters. It is true, they cannot express themselves, or give affection, or relate to animals, but humans can feel true affection towards them. Therefore, if we want them to always be precious, I’m going to tell you how to know if a palm tree is dry. This way you can take the necessary measures to avoid this situation.

How do I know that my palm is dry?

We will know that our beloved plant is drying out if:

The leaves begin to yellow

And progressively they acquire a brown tone, from the tip towards the inside, quickly. This yellowing will start with the newer leavessince they are the ones that contain a little more water, since they need it to grow and develop. As a consequence, younger palms, especially those with still green trunks, are more vulnerable to drought than older ones.

Note: if the leaves that are drying are the ones below, it is normal. This is because each of them has a limited life expectancy, and after a few months or a few years, they die, leaving room for new ones.

The substrate or soil in the garden has been hard for a long time

Substratum

Let’s talk about substrates first. These, when they are based on peat or mulch that do not contain perlite, vermiculite, coconut fiber or other similar material that facilitates drainage, tend to compact so much that they become “blocks” of earth, unable to absorb water. They can become so dry that the water is not absorbed, but is quickly directed into the space between the root ball and the pot.

To correct it, all you have to do is immerse the pot for 30 minutes or as long as it takes until the substrate is very wet. But the best thing is to prevent, using high-quality substrates, which contain some perlite and compost, like this one they sell. here!.

Garden land

If it is the case that the lack of rain is combined with the lack of irrigation and heat, the land dries up. In extreme cases, it even cracks. Thus, When you have palm trees on the ground, try to prevent the soil from drying out completely, or opt for species that withstand drought well. (We will tell you some below). And it is that if we let the land in which it grows, for example, a Roystonea regia or a Archontophoenix Alexandrae. lose all its moisture, we could lose them, since they are plants that, if it does not rain, must be watered more or less frequently.

So what do we do to fix this problem? Well, Well, we will start by taking a hoe, and chopping carefully at a safe distance from the trunk of the palm tree. Here it is necessary, or at least recommended, to remember how long it has been in the ground and how big the root ball was before planting it so as not to cause damage to its roots. For example, if it was in a 40-centimeter diameter pot and had rooted well, it will pit a bit at a distance of 25-30 centimeters from the trunk.

With great, great caution, you can also break up the topsoil with the help of a hand shovel. Once you are done, do a tree grate high, and add plenty of water to the plant.

The plant does not grow

This is a common symptom. When it does not have water, what the plant is going to do is consume the reserves it may have in its leaves, stem or trunk, and finally roots. It will not flower, and if it does, it may be at the wrong time, in an attempt to pollinate its flowers so that the fruits and seeds can develop. You may think that this is an almost suicidal measure, because for all this you need a lot of water and spend a lot of energy, but plants tend to react like this.

In those situations, the survival of this particular plant is no longer relevant: what counts is the possible new generation. But as I say, this only happens in extreme situations, and only if the plant in question has reached sufficient maturity to be able to flower. The ideal is to avoid reaching that, keeping them watered and paid.

Pests proliferate rapidly

Pests, and microorganisms that cause disease. When a palm tree does not receive the water it needs for a long time, it weakens. In doing so, he is running out of defenses, and that is exactly what attracts his enemieslike mealybugs. You will see them in the leaves, but also in the trunks of young palm trees.

Treatment will depend on the pest or disease in question. For example, if they are insects, specific insecticides will be used, or other ecological ones such as diatomaceous earth or neem oil. In the case of fungi, such as phytophthora or anthracnose, it will be necessary to treat with copper-based fungicides.

(More) tips to recover a dry palm tree

If you suspect that your palm tree is not well, you must do the following:

• Cut the dried leaves.
• Put the pot in a container with water for half an hour or so, so that all the substrate can soak, or if it is in the ground give it a good watering. In the case of a tropical palm (like the coconut tree, for example), the water temperature should be warm or slightly warm.
• Treat it against pests that may be affecting it, such as mealybugs, red spider mites, or thrips, with specific insecticides. (When a palm tree is really weak or sick, it is best to use these types of products as they act faster than home remedies).
• If it is a tropical species, protect it from cold and frost, as well as cold drafts. Keep her in a very bright room, and put glasses of water around her to increase the humidity around her.

Thus, little by little you will see that it improves.

5 drought resistant palm trees

As prevention is better than cure, if you live in an area where it rains little or if you cannot be very aware of irrigation, it is best to choose those species that can live with little water. For example these:

butia capitata

The butia capitataknown as the jelly palm or capitata palm, it is a kind of solitary trunk that reaches a height of about 5-7 meters. The leaves are pinnate, arched, and green in color. It is interesting to mention that the fruit is edible, being rich in vitamin C.

It is a plant that must be put in an area where it is exposed to the sun, although it can live in semi-shade. Once established, it resists a little drought; in fact, if it is planted in the garden you will only have to water it from time to time. Resists up to -7ºC.

Chamaerops humilis

The Chamaerops humilis or palmetto is a species of multicaule palm native to the Mediterranean region. It has fan-shaped leaves, green, bluish, or pubescent (the Vulcano variety), and reaches an approximate height of 3-5 meters.

It requires a sunny exposure, in addition to a substrate or garden soil that drains well. Resists up to -7ºC.

Nannorhops ritcheana

The Nannorhops ritcheana It is a kind of multicaule palm tree that reaches a height of 1 to 3 meters. The leaves are fan-shaped, and can be green or bluish. They have a certain resemblance to Chamaerops humilisbut their growth is slower, and their resistance to drought probably higher, since they live in the arid and semi-arid regions of Asia.

It wants direct sun, and a soil that drains water quickly. But otherwise, it resists up to -12ºC.

Phoenix reclines

The Phoenix reclines It is a palm tree that, I think, I will not tire of recommending. It is also multicaule, and reaches a height of about 12 meters, but each trunk is only 30 centimeters thick. You can cut the suckers and have it with a single stem. The leaves are green and long, up to 4 meters. It looks a lot like the Phoenix dactyliferabut it has more leaves.

It needs sun, and it is interesting for all kinds of gardens. Supports up to -7ºC.

Trachycarpus fortunei

The Trachycarpus fortuneiknown as palmera excelsa or raised palmetto, is a species of palm with a single trunk that reaches 12 meters in height. Its leaves are palmate, green with serrated margins.

It is one of the palm tree species that is most resistant to cold, since it supports up to -15ºC once it is adult and is acclimatized. It can withstand a little drought, but it will appreciate one or two waterings per week in summer if it is on the ground.

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