Care of the Washingtonia palm at home

Ornamental palm trees always attract our attention with their unusual tropical beauty. They are used in both offices and living areas in order to “freshen up” the interior. They differ in form of foliage and size.

The most exotic and widely known species among indoor palm plants is the Washingtonia palm. It is named after the first president of the United States, George Washington.

Plant Description

The natural climatic conditions of this plant are subtropical climate (more precisely – Mediterranean climate), which is most characteristic of the western regions of Mexico and the USA (southern part).

Washingtonia is a tall plant with a sprawling crown that does not shed its foliage. In nature it can reach a height of over twenty-eight meters (up to thirty). The trunk is straight, grayish in color, covered with pieces of dried old foliage.

Its base is about eighty-five centimeters in diameter, which decreases toward the top. The foliage of the palm is green, large, stiff, consisting of many parts that diverge and split toward the end. It is attached to the trunk by a peculiar short petiole. It is between a meter and a half long, the edges are bent backwards and covered with small spines.

Visually, the palm leaves resemble the feathers of a fairy bird or an open fan. As they grow, they shrink, gradually deflecting and hanging down. This spectacle creates the effect of a “tree in a skirt,” in the “hem” of which rodents and birds shelter and sleep.

The bipedal flowers (both male and female) are arranged on long three-meter pedicels, resembling panicles. Notably, they do not bloom under room conditions. During the flowering periods, the palm emits an intoxicating fragrance. After flowering, shiny oval fruits with black-brown hues and about ten millimeters in size are formed. They contain seeds that are considered edible.

Adult plants have adventitious roots which branch off from the trunk near the root neck and provide additional nutrition. Although this palm likes heat and sun, it is frost-resistant and will survive more than thirteen degrees of frost.

There are two subspecies of Washingtonia: the filamentous (or nitrous) and the Robusta, which can grow outside its natural environment – in the southern countries of Europe and the northern regions of Africa.

There are several popular species:

1. Washingtonia filifera is a perennial plant that grows up to twenty meters tall, about ninety centimeters in diameter, with large, greenish-grayish foliage. The leaf blade is divided into seventy to eighty parts and braided into thin white threads, which is how the plant got its name. The middle parts of the leaf are longer than the outer parts. The palm blooms with large milky and pinkish inflorescences. In its natural habitat it grows in stony gorges and is capable of forming forests. It tolerates rather low temperatures, up to fourteen to fifteen degrees Celsius with a minus sign. It is native to southern California and northwestern Colorado.
2. Washingtonia robusta (also called strong, powerful). It is a powerful tree, reaching twenty-five to thirty meters in height, but at this height the diameter of the trunk is no more than seventy centimeters. The crown of the Robusta is more sprawling than that of the Threadwort. The foliage is bright greenish, up to one and a half meters in size and is split to 1/3 of its length. The leaf stems are brown with spikes at the ends. There are no trailing threads. The inflorescences, which form in the axils of the leaf, are elongate to three meters and are white in color. The palm is hardy, but also more sensitive to cold.

Washingtonia in the home

To grow this type of palm indoors, you will have to make some effort.

If properly cared for at home, the plant will enjoy its beauty all year round.

In winter, Washingtonia is dormant, new leaves stop growing. Under room conditions this type of palm does not flower. The “skirt” of withered leaves that forms around the trunk is recommended to be removed by florists in order to maintain the appearance of decorativeness. A kind of “skirt” loses its function as a shelter for birds and small rodents when growing the palm at home.

Care Features

Cultivation depends on compliance with the following rules:

Lighting and temperature regime

Although washingtonia is light-loving, but it does not tolerate direct sunlight. If it is constantly exposed to the sun, it can overheat and die. Also the cause of its death can be an obstacle (not the flow) of fresh air to the roots and leaves. This tree feels comfortable on windowsills on the east and west sides of the house. Keeping it on a window sill on the south side is not recommended. Optimal conditions for development – good light.

Experienced gardeners and flower lovers advise periodically the pot, in which the palm grows, to rotate around its axis. These manipulations contribute to its even development. Evidence of excessive light are yellow or brown spots. During the spring-summer period, the palm can be taken out to the patio, terrace, open-air balcony. However, during prolonged rains it is necessary to cover it or take it indoors, as it does not like dampness.

The ideal air temperature at which Washingtonia is comfortable is no more than +25 degrees Celsius. During the warm period, watering should be reduced to once every five to seven days. However, it is important to remember to water abundantly. Do not allow the substrate to dry out. In summer, it is desirable to carry out spraying of the leaves.

In winter, water moderately, and the deciduous part is periodically wiped with a cloth soaked in water. The average keeping temperature in winter is ten to twenty degrees Celsius.

If the Washingtonia is on a glazed and heated balcony or in a cool conservatory, there is no need to worry about a drop in temperature.

Air humidity and watering

This type of palm is very drought tolerant. If the humidity is constantly very high, a wet tree is easily damaged by diseases or rots. Comfortable growing conditions with humidity of 50% to 70%. It is recommended to water with warm, rainwater, ideally.

Fertilizer

From early spring to autumn the plant is constantly fed with complex mineral fertilizers. The main emphasis is placed on iron-containing products. Feeding is carried out once every fourteen days. When the flower is dormant, it does not need any fertilizer.

Pruning

It is desirable to cut the leaves before they withered – this slightly suspends the natural desiccation of subsequent leaves. There is no need to hurry, everything is done carefully so as not to be injured by the thorns.

Repotting

A room palm is transplanted only if there is an urgent need, because she does not tolerate such measures very well and grows slowly in the future. Transplanting is carried out in the form of transplanting. It is recommended to carry out these manipulations in March. Up to seven years, the flower is transplanted once every two years. From the eighth to the fifteenth years of its life – once every three years, and from the fifteenth year – every five years.

Since these trees are not insignificant in size, they are planted in deep wooden pots (barrels, tubs). A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the container. To obtain the optimal substrate, mix four parts of sod soil, two – dried leaves, two – decomposed manure (can be replaced by peat), one – sand. Mature palm trees are additionally fed with organics. As the rhizomes become bare, new soil must be added.

Usually Washingtonia at home contain up to eight years, more to grow it indoors simply will not be possible because of the height.

Quite often in room conditions, the tips of the leaves of the palm turn dark. The reason for this can be dry soil, dry air or a lack of potassium. With infrequent and not abundant watering the leaves turn pale and yellow. Watering, spraying and feeding with compound fertilizers can help to correct this situation.

Palm trees are quite sensitive to sudden changes in air temperature, as evidenced by brown spots on the leaves.

At home, they are susceptible to attack by scabies, spider mites, mealybugs, whiteflies. The presence of insects is indicated by rusty spots and twisted leaves. To get rid of them, insecticides are used, as well as wiping the leaf plate with a soapy solution.

Palm Reproduction

Palms reproduce only by seeds, which resemble coffee beans. In the wild, they are self-inoculated. However, in order to grow a beautiful Washingtonia palm from seed, you will have to put a lot of effort. One important condition is the freshness of the planting material.

Before sowing with a sharp object carefully cut each seed, pour warm water and leave for five days to swell. You can add a growth stimulant to the water, such as Epin, Kornevin etc. If you are sure of the freshness of the seeds, you can not make incisions. During this time, prepare a container and soil mixture (sand + peat + moss + sawdust). Then you should put the planting material there and wait for the seedlings, which later should be transplanted.