A palm tree that can withstand heat up to 50 degrees. Aren't you afraid of frost? How a Krasnodar resident grows palm trees in the open air. Choosing locals
This article is just my humble and subjective opinion, a generalization of my own and others’ experience. You decide for yourself how to cover a palm tree and which palm tree is better. I'll just write what I know about palm trees.
Palm tree own garden- not in a film, not in a TV series, not in a computer game, not in a picture, but in my own flowerbed, this is my No. 1 dream to the core and bones. Of all the plants, I love palm trees the most. Any. But what fascinates me most are those species that are hardy and therefore can winter in open ground temperate climate. Personally, I saw with my own eyes individual palm trees in Krasnodar, Stavropol, Mineralnye Vody, Rostov-on-Don (We don’t take Crimea and the coast of the Krasnodar Territory - they are subtropical). I devoted a lot of time to searching for types and variations frost-resistant palms, features of their growth and development.
So, first, let's decide on a list of frost-resistant palm trees.
No. 1 Sabal Maly (-23)
No. 2 Trachycarpus Fortune (-15)
No. 3 Hamerops Squat (-13 -15)
No. 4 Washingtonia Filamentous (-12)
No. 5 Butia capitate (-10)
No. 6 Date Canary and Palmate (-8 -10)
This is a group of the most common palm trees that can be easily purchased as seeds or seedlings. The most affordable of them, which can be bought almost everywhere (at least from us) are Trachycarpus fortunea and Washingtonia filamentous. After them, in terms of availability, comes the Finger Date - its fruits (dried dates) are sold in markets and stores, and the seeds sprout very easily and amicably. There is also a group of rare palm trees that are quite difficult to find. Personally, I live in Krasnodar region and so far I have never found any of them, even when I was in Sochi.
Porcupine Palm (-27)- this palm tree is a champion not only in frost resistance - it is impossible to find on sale
Jubea Chilean (-20)
Sabal Palmetto (-18)
Trachycarpus Wagner (-18)
Erythea (-12)
Brachea (-12)
Nanorops Ritchie (-12)
Livistona Chinese (-5)
Palm trees such as Nanorops, Brachea, Erythea naturally live in deep deserts and therefore they need zero dryness all the time - both in summer and winter. In humid and damp climates they have little chance. Trachycarpus Wagner is considered by some to be Fortune. Personally, I have never seen it for sale - i.e. This is some kind of mythical palm tree, it seems to exist, but I haven’t seen it anywhere nearby. If Trachycarpus Fortune is palm No. 1 in Sochi, then Trachycarpus Wagner should grow all the way to Novorossiysk, if we take increased frost resistance. To my taste and color there is no difference between Fortune and Wagner, and the name Wagner with increased frost resistance is nothing more than a marketing ploy. I repeat, if this palm tree were so hardy, it would have been growing confidently a long time ago, self-sowing along the entire coast. Whoever thinks otherwise, write, argue, I will be interested in reading.
The numbers -27, -23 should not mislead you. I’ll explain a bit below, now let’s talk about the conditions for successful wintering of palm trees.
Not a single palm tree that grows in open ground will survive the winter without being covered! In winter, the palm tree is affected not only by frost, but also by high humidity, excess cold precipitation in the form of snow and rain, which also accumulates in the most important and delicate area - at the point of growth of the palm tree, as well as wind. Remember yourself - you feel colder when the humidity is high and the wind is blowing. When it's dry, frost is more easily experienced. It’s the same with a palm tree; for successful wintering it needs to be protected from wind and moisture. This is the basis through which you increase her endurance. Also, most palm trees (except Trachycarpus) do not really like long-term light frosts, when warming does not occur to at least +1. All palm trees tolerate frost well in the “swing” mode - i.e. when at night we allow -5-8, and during the day there is defrosting to at least +1 and above, i.e. During wintering, it is advisable to provide them with temperature changes - what they see in nature. But still, the main rule is that there is no wind or moisture in the palm tree’s shelter.
This was the first point - the absence of wind and moisture.
Second point - I recommend heating the palm tree with a New Year's garland. Economical, guarantees the wintering of the palm tree, ease of operation, plus it looks beautiful in a New Year's way. Instead of a garland, you can use wires from underfloor heating systems and anti-icing cables for pipelines.
Without heating, it is possible to grow only the Lesser Sabal, Porcupine Palm and Trachycarpus Fortune and only in the southern regions, and still you will be oh so nervous because of unexpected frosts. Everyone north of Rostov needs heating. It’s better to even have a garland hanging on Trachycarpus for insurance so that it turns on several times during the winter. My region has a very relaxed winter, but this unpredictability is deceptive - once or twice it can drop to -20 at night. And this is the most offensive thing - when some measly 2 winter nights can decide the fate of half the garden. It is for such a case that a garland will come in handy, which you simply turn on and, shining, it will also warm the palm tree, and the agrospan shelter will keep it warm.
Palm trees such as Washingtonia filamentous, Butia capitate, Chamerops squat, Dates (especially Dates) are grown only with heating, even in the southern regions.
An important point: not a single palm tree will survive a frosty winter if it is in juvenile (“childhood”) age - i.e. seedling.
The most important and at the same time vulnerable part of the palm tree is the growing point - the place from where the leaves grow. The most important thing in the covering process is to ensure that no moisture of any kind gets into it. The worst thing is if water or snow gets in there and freezes there. Palm trees usually have one growth point (except for bush palms) and if it dies, then the whole palm dies.
The trunk is the most stable part, because The very point of growth is hidden inside; the thicker it is, the more it will protect from severe frosts. Although it is written everywhere that only mature plants can withstand frost, I recommend that you plant seedlings 60-100 cm in size (their trunk begins to form) - in this case, the palm tree has already passed its juvenile stage of growth, but at the same time it is still relatively small , which will subsequently have a positive effect on its adaptation and habit to the climate in which it was planted (it will produce harder leaves, form a thicker trunk - in order to better hide the growing point, its roots will go deeper into the ground, where frost will not reach them ). This will not work with an adult palm tree. When the palm tree is large, the trunk can be insulated a little less and save on this.
The roots are a medium-resistant part of palm trees, with the exception of Dates - their roots are very capricious and do not like cold, especially in combination with dampness. The palm tree will eventually grow roots deeper from the surface after it realizes where it was planted. So you don’t have to think for it and specifically deepen it yourself when planting - on the contrary, it will aggravate the situation when moisture accumulates in this depression, which will stagnate and contribute to rotting.
Always replant palm trees very carefully, because... their roots are very delicate and capricious and do not tolerate interference, so if you grow a palm tree in open ground, then on an ongoing basis, because More than one palm tree does not like frequent transplants.
Palm leaves are sensitive to cold wind. Therefore, in the off-season, when it is too early to cover, but cold winds are strong, I recommend tying the leaves into a bundle - this will prevent their possible fraying. When covering, it is important that the leaves touch the walls of the shelter as little as possible, which come into contact with snow, ice, water and winds from the street. The shelter must be multi-layered.
Palm trees adapt well to new conditions; with each subsequent winter, the palm tree becomes a little more hardy (in terms of leaf rigidity, growth rate, root depth, trunk thickness).
Also keep in mind that bush-like palms, when frozen, can recover from dormant shoots, forming new growth points, but stem palms cannot do this, with rare exceptions. So bush palms have a slight advantage.
Now let's go through the groups of palm trees:
American palms from the humid southeastern United States. These are the Small Sabal, the Porcupine Palm, and the Palmetto Sabal. The first 2 grow as bushes no higher than 2 meters. Both are very frost-resistant, you will agree that the numbers -23 -25 -27 are impressive. But there is one BUT... They can withstand these temperatures provided they are short-lived, i.e. If such frost hits a covered palm tree for a couple of days, then nothing terrible will happen. If such frosts last for more than a week, then the palm tree has no chance. Another important factor to ensure such frost resistance is that these palms need long, hot and very humid summers, like in the southeastern United States. That is why they lose to Trachycarpus Fortune, which does not care what the temperature is in the summer. Together, these 3 factors provide palm trees with such frost resistance. Also, these palms can recover from freezing, albeit very slowly, growing from dormant shoots. They grow better in partial shade, because... naturally grow in tropical forests.
Sabal Small. This looks like a Porcupine Palm. photo from the resource forum.homecitrus.ru
American palms from the dry southwestern United States. Here I will only talk about Washingtonia filamentous. This also includes Washingtonia powerful, Erythea, Brachea, but they are less frost-resistant and more rare. So, Washingtonia filamentous. Second easiest to purchase after Trachycarpus Fortune. It has a high growth rate and is drought-resistant. If it freezes, it can quickly restore the crown. It does not really like high humidity in winter - after all, it naturally grows in the dry climate of California and Arizona. It tolerates frosts better in the “swing” mode, i.e. when the temperatures are negative at night and positive during the day (defrosting) - it loves temperature changes, like other desert plants such as Agave, Yucca and cacti. Ideal conditions for such plants are -5 +5 at night, +15 +20 during the day, completely dry. Washingtonia filamentosa also very effectively forms a skirt of old dead leaves that are in no hurry to fall off.
Washingtonia filamentous photo from the resource florainhouse.ru
South American palms. These are the cirrus palms Butia capitatum, Jubaea Chilean. Butia is a more common palm tree; it is abundant in the city of Sochi, so I’ll tell you about it. Grows in Argentina, Uruguay. The growth rate is good, and the mature palm will not be gigantic. The height of an adult palm tree is 3-4 meters. At the same time, this palm is ideal if you want to have a feathery palm. In terms of temperature, it does not need excessively hot summers. Tolerates frosts from prerequisite daytime defrosting. Drought resistance is average.
Jubaea Chilean grows very slowly and is gigantic in size. If it theoretically grows to its size, then you will no longer be able to cover it. In addition, Yubei is difficult to find.
Butia Capitata. photo from the resource lvgira.narod.ru
African Arabian palms. I will include Date Canary and Date Palmate among them. Both grow quickly, but their disadvantage is the gigantic size of mature trees, which are difficult to cover for the winter. Both tolerate temperatures down to -10, but for this palm tree, complete, absolute dryness during wintering is very important, because in nature they grow in deserts. Even if on your site groundwater do not lie very deep, then Dates have no chance, because... their roots cannot remain in cold water for months. At the same time, dates have enormous drought resistance due to the fact that the roots can penetrate very deeply in search of water.
Note: To maintain a moderate palm height in Arab countries, dates are planted in a very deep hole (it is also easier for young seedlings to find water when buried), and as the palm tree grows, the trunk is sprinkled with sand. But in our case this option is very dangerous for the tree, because... In winter, moisture will accumulate in the recess and if it is lowered, then the Date can reach groundwater with its roots.
Date Canary. Palmate is not much different. photo from the resource 1landscape.ru
European palms. There is one species here - Hamerops Squatty. Also drought-resistant, tolerates frosts down to -13-15. The advantage of this palm is its beautiful bush-like shape. It will not grow higher than 3 meters. The advantage of Hamerops is the presence of several growth points - if the tree freezes to the roots, it can grow from dormant buds. Slender tall palm trees cannot boast of such an ability; in most cases they have only one growth point, and if it dies, then the whole palm dies. Very very rarely, in exceptional cases, palm trees such as Dates and Washingtonia can form new shoots. In winter, the shelter is also completely dry.
Chamerops Squat. photo from the resource www.pinterest.com
Asian palms. I will consider only 1 type, but what one! Trachycarpus Fortune is a versatile palm. Withstands up to -15 frosts. At the same time, she absolutely does not care what the temperature will be in the summer. Unlike palms from the southeastern United States, it does not need hot and humid summers to build up strength against frost. It will grow well in both cool (+17 +20) and hot conditions (+30 +35). In addition, this palm tree grows to an adequate size (3-6) meters. Its main winter advantage over all other palm trees is that it is not afraid of condensation, winter humidity and dampness. Of course, it is advisable to ensure dryness, but it won’t be a big deal if moisture does sneak in. The growth rate in open ground is good. Also, this species tolerates long-term light frosts well, while other palm trees require daytime defrosting, and for others it is completely obligatory (Dates). This ability is very useful in Russian winter conditions. In general, you should try to kill this palm tree; with complete care in winter and summer there will be no problems.
Trachycarpus fortunea. photo from the resource forum.gardener.ru
All of the listed palm trees need cold wintering, ideally from +1 to +8 degrees. This is the temperature of winter in the subtropics. Palm trees tolerate frosts because... grow in the subtropics, which border on the temperate zone, from which Santa Claus sometimes looks into the subtropics. Palm trees tolerate short-term frosts well - within 24 hours. How to provide them with such conditions in a frosty winter? More on this below.
Now about the numbers. Let's say Trachycarpus can withstand -15, but again the impact of such a temperature should be as small as possible. And this figure means the limit at which the palm tree will simply survive, i.e. will shed leaves, etc. Such numbers should not lead to premature joy; they will help you when the palm tree is already covered. Without shelter, I repeat, there is no chance of keeping the palm tree in good condition. Even in the conditions of Krasnodar, Trachycarpus, if it does not take shelter, then overwinters completely losing its crown, if it overwinters... And then all summer it grows back quite slowly.
So, how to cover palm trees?
Here people are divided into two groups - the first builds bulky polystyrene boxes, and the second decorates them with New Year's garlands. For me it all started with the construction of a box, but then I realized that it was very difficult, cumbersome, very ugly when half the yard is in gray boxes, costly, and most importantly - what to do and what to do when the palm tree grows? The box is suitable either for small palm trees or for palm trees that grow as a bush. Plus, near the box you will have constant dances with a tambourine, because... Whether the palm tree will survive or not depends on the severity of the winter.
As a result, I joined the second group of palm growers.
This method guarantees successful wintering of the palm tree, but requires electricity. I warm the palm trees with ordinary garlands - the ones that decorate the Christmas tree. New Year, but for heating you need a garland only with incandescent bulbs , LEDs do not emit heat. I rarely turn on the heating (garland), only when the temperature drops below 10 degrees, we usually have such temperatures at night, so in general, during the winter my garland is on for 2 weeks (I repeat - in total, because... winter is not stable). It burns mainly at night. For shelter and heat preservation, ordinary white agrospan-60 is used.
You will say that this method requires uninterrupted electricity. So it is, but keep in mind that the heat that the garland creates is retained by the agrospan, and the shelter cools down for quite a long time, and when it cools down completely, then the frost resistance of palm trees comes in handy - in a dry shelter, a palm tree will easily survive one evening/morning/day /night without heating, because in the agrospan shelter it is dry and windless, which is already a significant plus. Even if the electricity is turned off, it won’t be for long; if they turn it off for a week, then there must be very good reasons, and then there will be no time for palm trees. 1 time my power was turned off during frosts. But the palm trees didn't notice, which confirms my theory.
With heating from a garland, you can grow anything - olives, oleanders, citrus fruits and the list goes on. A garland is needed for those plants whose frost resistance is in the region of -5 -10 -15 degrees.
Regarding savings, I’ll say - how much does 1 Christmas tree garland consume? No, because everyone hangs them on Christmas trees piles of 5 garlands and no one thinks about receipts. Personally, I have no difference in receipts. However, it gives off a lot of heat in a limited space; its heat output can be compared with a heater (which consumes electricity in “buckets”).
Regarding the beauty and lightness of the structure - you can easily cover a palm tree in this way alone, materials for covering are cheap - agrospan costs about 50-60 rubles per meter (you need 4-5 meters and this is with a reserve), and a garland costs 200- 400 rubles. Plus, you preserve the beauty of your yard. It’s one thing when there are bulky gray lifeless boxes in the yard, and quite another when slender luminous columns stick out, which also help create a New Year’s mood in your yard. After all, many decorate the walls of houses, fences, awnings, and ordinary trees with garlands. Isn't it better to hang garlands on unusual trees? I think it's worth a try.
P.S. At the moment, I have 2 palm trees overwintering in the open ground - Washingtonia filamentous and Trachycarpus fortunea. Both have a garland. Both almost disappeared, not because of the frost, but because of my mistakes in shelter, which I corrected in time. When I open it in the spring I will post more detailed instructions on covering palm trees, with a photo report, I will describe my mistakes, because... There are also many subtleties so that you don’t do something similar, and for some reason most palmaholics don’t really like to reveal their secrets. As they say, it is better to learn from other people's mistakes. While we wait for spring
Create favorable conditions wintering palm trees is not so easy. These tropical plants put forward special requirements for winter apartments, which certainly must be light. Often there is not enough daylight, so additional lighting must be used. Another problem for palm trees in winter is dry air in our houses and apartments. Therefore, it is not always possible to find a suitable room for wintering.
Opportunities for overwintering palm trees
The best place for wintering indoor and tub palms is certainly an insulated winter garden - a heated room with natural light and automatic regulation of temperature and air humidity levels. This is the ideal winter garden. However, few palm lovers have such a room at their disposal. As alternative option you can use a heated greenhouse, in which it is easy to create such conditions.
But as for the wintering of tub palms, there is a problem of a different nature. Whether it is a winter garden or a greenhouse, we are often faced with some restrictions relating, first of all, to the height of the ceilings. Fortunately, today there are a sufficient number of different protective options so that more hardy varieties of palm trees can winter in the open air. Latest technologies offer reliable protection against frost, good lighting and warmth. Such solutions are not cheap, but quite acceptable for lovers of majestic palm trees. Everything is possible - from protective covers for XXL format potted plants, thermal bags for potted plants, to all-season heated tents.
Tub and potted palms in any garden create a Mediterranean atmosphere. However, in winter period A number of measures must be taken to protect tropical plants from frost.
Wintering options for palm trees:
Potted Palms:
- In a warm room
- In a cool room
Pot palms:
- In the house
- In a garage, cold greenhouse and similar premises
- Open air
Palm trees growing in open ground:
- In the garden
Advantages and disadvantages of wintering premises for potted and tub palm trees:
Palm trees in the “winter apartment”
Overwintering potted palms
Different types of potted palm trees are distinguished by their winter hardiness and, accordingly, have different requirements for care in winter:
Yellow Dipsis (Dypsis lutescens):
- the palm tree, popularly called the "areca palm" or "areca palm", is native to the tropics and subtropics;
- needs a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight;
- the temperature should be maintained moderately warm, within +18°C - +20°C;
- air humidity should be constantly high;
- Watering should be done less frequently than during the growing season.
Decorative chamedorea (Chamaedorea):
- it is called the “mountain palm”;
- prefers a bright and sunny or semi-shaded room, without direct sunlight, with an air temperature of +13°C - +15°C.
- can get by with very little light;
- requires more water than other types of palm trees, but stagnation of moisture must be avoided. The cooler the room, the less often watering occurs.
Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) – often suggested as houseplant, however, is not entirely suitable for these purposes:
- requires a lot of heat, light and high humidity;
- needs constantly moist soil;
- necessary in winter additional source Sveta;
- At home, it can be grown for a maximum of two years; it lives longer in winter gardens or greenhouses with appropriate temperature and light conditions.
African or oil palm (Elaeis guineensis):
- reaches large sizes, therefore, it can be cultivated at home for only a few years;
- needs a lot of warmth and light;
- great value for palm trees there is high air humidity.
Howea forsteriana:
- The palm tree is easy to grow and tolerates winter well;
- it can be kept in semi-shaded areas at a temperature of +18°C - +20°C, although the plant tolerates lower temperatures (up to +12°C);
- In the fall, watering should be reduced, but the earthen clod should not be allowed to dry out completely.
Jubaea chilensis:
- the slow-growing jubea is also called the “honey palm”;
- she prefers a bright room without direct sunlight;
- adult specimens are able to withstand light frosts;
- In winter, a cool room is recommended.
Licuala grandis
- For the good health of decorative flowers throughout the year, it is necessary to provide warm conditions content. In winter, the air temperature should not fall below +16°C;
- the plant requires a lot bright light, however straight sun rays can damage its beautiful leaves;
- Palm trees love high humidity. In winter they provide her moderate watering and spray with warm water;
- An ideal plant for bathrooms.
Date palm (Phoenix)
- In winter, it is recommended to keep the palm tree in a bright room without direct sunlight;
- Warm or cool content is recommended (the air temperature in the room should not fall below +10°C);
- palm tree loves humid air and frequent spraying, as well as moderate watering.
Rapis
- the palm tree prefers not too lit places;
- tolerates dry air from heating well;
- the plant is quite resistant to low temperatures, can withstand down to -8°C, but +12°C is considered the most optimal.
Wintering of tub palms
Most palms grown in tubs overwinter indoors. If for short specimens it is easy enough to choose suitable place, then choosing a location for large-sized varieties poses certain difficulties. Quite large palm trees are forced to remain in the open air. Often a protected “housing” is created for them in the garden or on the terrace.
As a general rule, palm trees should be left outdoors for as long as possible. The main thing is that the roots are not crowded in the tub. The earth clod must not be allowed to freeze. In addition, the substrate in the tub should not be wet.
- Potted palms should be kept outdoors as long as possible. They are transferred to winter quarters when daytime temperatures do not rise above 0°C.
- The tubs and the plant itself must be wrapped in reliable covering material.
- Air bubble film has proven itself well.
- Special covers that protect plants from frost and cold winds, while allowing light and water to pass through, are ideal for covering tub plants. Special protective mats made of non-woven fabric or air bubble film, protect plant trunks from frost. European manufacturers offer special breathable coats for tall palm trees up to 1.50 m long.
- Protective covers for plant pots usually come in lengths of up to 3.60 m and diameters of up to 2.50 m.
The palm trunk is wrapped in a protective mat made of sack fabric.
You cannot immediately move the palm tree to a warm place. A sharp temperature change will not give strength to the plant: the water balance will be disrupted. The leaves will immediately begin to evaporate moisture, and the roots will not be able to provide the plant with water. The substrate in the tub will be too cold and it will take some time for it to warm up. During this period, the plant may dry out.
- Some gardeners have a bad habit, pot plants depending on weather conditions, either bring it into winter apartments, or put it back into open air. This cannot be done, as the plants receive a double shock.
- It is recommended to move the potted palms to a bright but cool room. For many of them, these are ideal conditions for wintering.
- After this, you should water the plant with slightly warmed water. This will help warm the substrate and prevent the plant from drying out.
- In winter, watering is reduced. The cooler the room where the tub palm is kept, the less frequent watering should be.
- Excess water and constantly wet substrate weaken the palm, leaving it vulnerable to disease and pests.
A cover made of air bubble film is put on the tub.
Palm trees that prefer cool wintering:
- Washingtonia - can remain outdoors until the air temperature drops to -3°C. However, the tub should be wrapped in time with protective material. For the winter, the palm tree should be moved to a bright room with an air temperature no higher than +10°C. It is not recommended to place the plant on a cold floor; it is necessary to place it on a portable stand or place a thick piece of polystyrene under the pot. Provide moderate watering to keep the soil in the pot slightly moist. Spray the leaves regularly with warm water.
- Trachycarpus is a fairly cold-resistant palm that can withstand temperatures of 0°C and below for a short time. The plant requires a cold winter at a temperature of +12 - +16°C.
- The porcupine palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) is the most frost-resistant palm species in the world. Due to its resistance to cold and frost down to -15°C, this species is suitable for outdoor cultivation. Provide a palm tree cultivated in a tub with light and cool conditions in winter. During this period, watering is reduced; between waterings, the substrate should dry out by 2/3.
- Jelly palm (Butia capitata) – can withstand temperatures down to -5°C for short periods of time. This palm prefers a bright and cool location; in winter it must be kept at a temperature no higher than about +12- +14°C, but not lower than +10°C. It is imperative to ensure a flow of fresh air by regularly ventilating the room. In winter, watering is reduced, but drying out the earthen clod is not permissible, since dried leaves are not restored. To increase air humidity, regularly spray palm leaves.
Wintering tubs of palm trees in the open air
This method of wintering is effective only if not only the tubs, but also the plants themselves are securely wrapped and protected from frost. For this purpose, special devices for winter plant protection are used:
- covers for protecting the ground parts of tub plants;
- mats for tying trunks;
- microfiber bags with an insulating base for insulating tubs;
- additionally use self-regulating heating cables;
- the wrapped plants are additionally covered with snow. Do not overdo it with the quantity so that the crown does not break under the weight of the snow.
Ideal protection of the trachycarpus tub from frost: the tub is wrapped in coconut matting, the substrate is covered with leaves and spruce branches, after which the tub with the plant is placed on a styrofoam board. The branches (fronds) should be carefully tied up, straw should be placed inside and the crown should be wrapped in non-woven fiber.
Wintering palm trees in open ground
For planting in open ground, only very hardy species and varieties of palm trees are used. These include some varieties of trachycarpus, in particular Trachycarpus fortunei, and you can also experiment with porcupine palm or Sabal minor. When young, none of these plants will survive winter outdoors. Palm trees aged 4 years and older are suitable for wintering in open ground. In addition, in order to avoid the death of palm trees, it is very important to harden them. This process is that palm trees grown in rooms and greenhouses with further transplantation into the ground are gradually exposed to lower temperatures close to the conditions environment. It is also important to choose the right location, which should be protected from the scorching sun and winds.
Despite the fact that the roots of palm trees planted in open ground are better protected from frost than the roots of plants growing in tubs (with the exception of heated tubs), it is still recommended to take some measures to protect plants from frost:
- The ground around the palm tree trunk must be covered with straw, leaves, pine needles, and the trunk itself must be wrapped in air bubble film, non-woven fiber, or a protective mat.
- For the crown and trunk of the palm tree, you should use a special fiber coat, or wrap each part of the plant separately, using protective covers.
- In severe frosts, it is recommended to additionally wrap the barrel heating cable. An alternative option is to use LED strings, like the ones we use at Christmas.
- Palm leaves or fronds are less sensitive to frost than the trunk and roots. With reliable shelter, cold wind and minus temperature they won't be harmed.
After winter, palm trees must gradually get used to the sun. The sun is still low and yet there is a danger that the plants may get sunburn. This is not a problem for potted palms: first they are placed in a shady corner of the balcony or garden in the morning and evening, gradually increasing the time spent on fresh air. However, you cannot do this with palm trees planted in open ground. In this case, cover is removed from the plants in the morning and evening. After an hour or two, they are covered again, gradually increasing the time the palms remain without shelter until they get used to the sun.
Translation: Lesya V.
"Your garden"
What types of palm trees are there? What types of palm trees grow on our Black Sea coast? Can you grow them at home? Which of them can you grow yourself from seeds? We will try to answer these questions. First, some general information.
The leaves of palm trees are characterized by a feathery and fan-shaped type. The leaves are arranged spirally on the petioles. Flowers are unisexual or bisexual. The fruit is a drupe or nut.
Palm trees grown at home from seed long time are in a rosette state, and only after the rosette reaches the required diameter does the stem begin to grow in height. This feature makes it possible to keep young palm trees grown from seed in room conditions. Most suitable for this the following types palm trees: Canary date, Butia capitata, Sabal palmetto, Camerops low (squat), Washingtonia filamentous, Trachycarpus Fortune.
Date canarian
Latin name: Phoenix canariensis Chahand. This plant is dioecious, evergreen. It develops like a tree, but more like a large wide bush 10-20 m tall, with a massive, unbranched false trunk covered with the bases of old leaves.
In open ground on the Black Sea coast, the palm tree reaches a height of 12-15 m. The leaves are large, up to 4 m. There are sharp needle-like spines along the edges of the leaf petiole.
This palm tree blooms in summer and autumn. Male inflorescences are up to 2 m long, female inflorescences are shorter. The fruit is ovoid, yellowish-brown, 2.5 cm long, with coarse pulp, inedible. Propagated by seeds.
Edible date
The Canarian date should not be confused with the edible palmate date (Phoenix dactylifera). Unfortunately, seeds extracted from the fruits of edible dates germinate poorly - after all, before the dates reach the consumer, they significantly lose their germination capacity. In addition, the temperature necessary for germination, 20-25°C, can only be maintained in greenhouses and conservatories.
The city of Basra in southern Iraq is considered the edible date capital of the world. 420 varieties of this species are concentrated here. Arabic wisdom says that “the palm tree’s base should stand in the water, and its top should be buried in the hot rays of the sun.”
The palmate date is a dioecious plant. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks hung several male panicles inside the crowns, releasing pollen, since without artificial insemination, female specimens are left without fruits.
Butia capitata
Latin name: Butia capitata. This type of palm tree is native to Brazil. It grows in mountainous areas on sandy soils. The butia trunk has a characteristic capitate thickening at the base, gradually tapering upward.
The appearance of new leaves begins in April and continues until the end of September. During the growing season, from 4 to 9 leaves are formed, and each one lives up to 7 years.
The palm tree is beautiful with its openwork crown, lush inflorescences and fruits.
In the open ground of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, butia begins to flower and bear fruit from the age of 10-12 years. Rarely blooms indoors.
In Butia, the seed is rounded, oblong, pointed at the ends, up to 20 mm long and 10 mm wide, with three distinct sutures. In the lower part there are three round pores, closed with loose suberized tissue - this is the place where the embryo emerges.
Seeds contain about 60% liquid coconut oil. Butia fruits are used for food in raw form and for making jams and liqueurs.
Before germinating butia seeds, it is recommended to carry out their long-term stratification in damp sand or peat. Mechanical stratification is possible - sawing off the seed shells or carefully destroying the suberized tissue with a sharp metal object.
Freshly collected seeds germinate after stratification within 35-45 days. IN in some cases the process can take up to 24 months.
Butia capitata is frost-resistant - it can withstand temperatures down to -10°C. Drought resistant. Grows well in sandy soils.
In indoor conditions, butia requires regular watering, and in summer the plant must be fed with flower fertilizers once every two weeks. For this you should use soil mixture for palm trees, sold in stores.
Sabal palmetto
This type of palm tree (lat. Sabal palmetto) comes from North America. Its single trunk in open ground reaches a height of 20 m. The leaves are fan-shaped.
Inflorescences up to 2 m long. The fruit is a black spherical drupe.
On the Black Sea coast, sabal palmetto blooms and produces viable seeds, which usually germinate within four months.
Stratification at a temperature of 35° (about one month) reduces germination time. Soaking in hot water(approximately 90°C), and especially, removing the cap above the embryo also speeds up seed germination. In their homeland, young, not yet opened, leaves are used as food as vegetables, they are called “palm cabbage!”
Hamerops squat
The botanical name of this palm species is Chamaerops humilis. Came to Europe from Africa. It has been cultivated in greenhouses for over 300 years. This is a bush-like palm with several trunks 2-3 m high, growing from a common base. In the Sochi arboretum of the Research Institute of Gorlesecology there are specimens that have 7-10 or more trunks in a bush.
The palm tree grows slowly. Over the summer it forms up to 7 leaves, which usually live for 7 years. Blooms in May-June. The fruit is a drupe and ripens in November-December.
The palm tree is drought-resistant and undemanding to soil. Propagated by seeds.
Seeds do not germinate in the pulp of the fruit. After removing the pulp, they germinate for 2 months at room temperature. Removing the cap causes accelerated seed germination in 11 days.
Washingtonia filamentous or filamentous
Latin name: Washingtonia filifera. She is native to southwestern North America. This is a very beautiful fan palm. The trunk in its homeland reaches a height of 30 m. The leaves are fan-shaped with openwork thin threads hanging between the leaf segments.
Inflorescences are complex paniculate. The flowers are bisexual and have a strong scent. The fruit is an indehiscent drupe.
On the Black Sea coast it blooms and bears fruit abundantly, the fruits ripen in December. This is one of the fastest growing palm trees.
Easily propagated by seeds. Germination rate 80-90%. At a temperature of 35°C in greenhouse conditions, seedlings appear on the seventh day. Under normal conditions - within a month.
This type of palm tree will look good in spacious rooms - halls, offices, greenhouses. Care is not difficult, but there is one peculiarity - in winter it will feel more comfortable in cool conditions. If you cannot maintain the room temperature no higher than 20°C (preferably 15-18°C), then the container with the plant should be kept in a tray with water and sprayed daily. At high temperature indoors and dry air can shed leaves.
Seeds remain viable for up to 5 years.
Trachycarpus fortunea
This type of palm tree (lat. Trachycarpus fortunei) in its homeland, in China, Burma, Japan, grows up to 10 m. At the top of the trunk it forms a bunch of fan-shaped leaves, the petioles of which reach a length of 0.5 to 1.5 m. The flowers are unisexual, dioecious , collected in large paniculate inflorescences. The fruit is a drupe. Fruits abundantly from the age of 20. It blooms in May, the fruits ripen in December-January.
This is the most frost-resistant of all fan palms.
Undemanding to soil. Easily propagated by seeds. The seeds germinate within a month.
It is recommended to transfer young plants indoors once a year to pots of more than large size. This accelerates their growth and makes it possible to remove rotten and dried parts of the root. All replanting work must be carried out in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season.
Trachycarpus Fortune tolerates transplantation well even in adulthood.
In many places on the Black Sea coast it produces abundant self-seeding and runs wild.
Anatoly Marchenko I became interested in palm trees about seven years ago. He was very impressed by what he saw on the Internet beautiful photo someone's yard filled with these exotic plants. Although that photo was taken in warm climates, the man was inspired by the idea of growing something similar at home in Krasnodar. He was encouraged that by that time palm trees had been successfully growing in the soil at the entrance to one of the city’s shopping and entertainment centers for several years. And the World Wide Web has confirmed that, if they wish, anyone can create the same beauty in their garden, and not only a resident of the south of Russia.
Cold is not a hindrance
“There is a lot of information on this topic on the Internet, especially on English, - says Anatoly Marchenko. - It turned out that even in a cold climate, many types of palm trees can be grown outside. For example, they grow outdoors in the northern American state of Utah and in Stockholm, where it is much colder than Krasnodar. I started reading forums, delving into various nuances and eventually did the same at home.”
He started by planting five subtropical palm trees at his dacha different types. Such a spread was required primarily for the experiment. The goal was to check how each of the plants would perform, because in any business there are difficulties when moving from theory to practice. Anatoly Marchenko does not hide the fact that of those five palm trees, only one has survived to this day, and the rest died for various reasons. But now he knows exactly what and how to do. Now exotic beauties They grow without problems not only at his dacha, but also at work. The man admits that he planted three palm trees near a gas station in Khadyzhensk to attract the attention of motorists.
Anatoly Marchenko heats palm trees in winter using a luminous strip. Photo: From personal archive / Anatoly Marchenko
Choosing locals
Ideally, it is better to take on this matter following the example of Anatoly Marchenko, that is, having previously studied the issue. But for the first steps, the basics that he shared should be enough.
You need to start with choosing plants. According to the man, for middle zone and southern Russia, most palm trees that grow in the subtropics (not to be confused with the tropics) are suitable. For example, he himself grew such species as Trachycarpus fortunena, Sabalum minor, Hamerops squat, Butia, Washingtonia. Their advantage is the ability to withstand frost for a short time. The record holder for this indicator is the porcupine palm, which can withstand temperatures down to minus 30 degrees. But it’s still better not to take risks, because hypothermia can ruin appearance even a “hardened” palm. In addition, much depends on the condition of the particular plant.
“It’s important where it came from,” explains Anatoly Marchenko. - For example, palm trees from Europe are weaker than those grown in Sochi. We still have a fairly extreme climate for them, so they are more hardened and adapted. I mostly bought local palm trees, although I also have one Italian one that was also suitable. She spent the winter in Sochi and withstood minus 13 degrees. At the same time, it still had normal leaves, while other similar palm trees had all of them burnt. That is, there are many nuances and you always need to look and choose.”
Anatoly Marchenko planted this palm tree near a gas station in Khadyzhensk to attract customers. Photo: From personal archive / Anatoly Marchenko
He also emphasizes that the age of the plant is of great importance. If the palm tree is very young, then you should not expect special frost resistance from it, no matter what species it belongs to. Therefore, taking into account the fact that they do not grow quickly, it is better to take larger and older specimens.
Agrofibre is the key to success
According to Anatoly Marchenko, in Krasnodar, mature palm trees of the most frost-resistant species are able to survive some winters without any protection at all, because severe frosts do not happen often in the city. But with this approach, it is unlikely that these plants will retain the beautiful appearance for a long time, for which they are needed. That is, to make a street palm tree pleasing to the eye, you must always cover it for the winter. To do this, first of all you will need special material, working on the principle of sportswear.
“There is no ready-made recipe in this matter,” continues Anatoly Marchenko. - For example, in one place you need to take into account the wind, in another - rain. But in any case, ninety percent of success is the material. It is necessary to use agrofibre with a density of at least sixty. It removes moisture so that the plant does not rot, and at the same time retains heat. But the use of cellophane is a 100% path to death. Under it, on warm sunny days, the plant moves as if under a magnifying glass. And if frost hits later, everything that has frozen will freeze. Cellophane is definitely not suitable.”
Before wintering, the leaves of the plant need to be tied together and wrapped at least twice with agrofibre. You will also need to make a tent from this material the size of a palm tree, the base of which can be made from boards. Since agrofibre gradually allows water to pass through, the top of the structure must be covered with oilcloth to protect it from rain. For a greater insulating effect, the box is buried underneath with earth, and it is recommended to sprinkle sawdust, straw or leaves higher around it. There are various other little tricks that make it much easier for a plant to overwinter.
For several years, Anatoly Marchenko has been helping to save palm trees from death in the Krasnodar Aurora cinema, which were in danger due to the renovation of the building. Photo: AiF / Alexander Vlasenko
Anatoly Marchenko recommends filling the winter “homes” of palm trees five liter bottles with water. Their number is selected depending on the size of the plant, but in principle, the more, the better. Water helps create a more even microclimate inside the box. When it freezes, it gives off a lot of heat, and when it melts, on the contrary, it takes away its excess. If you paint the container black, the effect will be even stronger. But you don’t need to put everything directly on the ground, so as not to interfere with the heat rising from it. Ideal option- hang the bottles inside the box.
"Stove" from a light bulb
For Krasnodar, the described insulation methods will in most cases be sufficient. But even in the south they may not be enough when the plant is young or if it is not very frost-resistant, like the same date palm. In this situation, you will need to make a heating system. For this purpose, Anatoly Marchenko uses an old-style luminous tape made from ordinary light bulbs. It fits perfectly, only it is no longer produced and so other people will have to look for alternatives.
Before wintering, palm leaves need to be tied together and wrapped several times with agrofibre. Photo: From personal archive / Anatoly Marchenko
“One American, who grows palm trees in an almost arctic climate, uses ordinary hundred-watt light bulbs for heating,” says Anatoly Marchenko. - I think that one lamp per plant is enough. And it needs a regulator to avoid overheating. A thermostat for heated floors is suitable for this, which is set to a temperature of 7-10 degrees. It's not very convenient with light bulbs, but so far I don't see any other alternative, because everything else will overheat. I would like to remind everyone who wants to do such heating about safety measures. In humid conditions you have to be very careful with electricity.”
He himself now grows six palm trees: three flaunt at his dacha and the same number at work. Plus, for several years he has been voluntarily helping to save the palm trees in the Aurora cinema from death, which were in danger due to the renovation of the building. Moreover, the man easily copes with such a number of “wards”. Since everything is already set up (in addition to automatic heating there is also automatic watering), you only need to make efforts twice a year: to cover the plants in winter and to open them in the spring. Anatoly Marchenko hopes that disseminating this information will help make not only people’s yards more beautiful, but also cities. At least, in his opinion, it would be quite possible to plant an entire palm alley in Krasnodar.
