Pygmy date palm: Know facts, tips to grow and maintain

The Pygmy date palm tree, scientifically known as Phoenix roebelenii, is one of the palms that is often used in landscaping in the United States. Not only is it suitable for usage in the vast outdoors in a variety of situations, but it also has a beautiful appearance when kept in a container. 

This palm has a rather modest growth rate and only reaches a height of 10 feet. Hence, it is an ideal option for gardens that have a restricted amount of room. The majority of people classify it as a dwarf palm. When planted in a group of three to five plants, it takes on a very elegant appearance. Phoenix roebelenii can survive temperatures as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Source: Pinterest

 

Pygmy date palm: Key facts

Botanical name	Phoenix roebelenii
Family	Aceraceae
Origin	Southern China
Growth Rate	Slow to Moderate
Maintenance	Easy
Soil pH	7 or less
Maximum Height	10 ft
Temperature	Above 15 °F
Plant Shape	The majority of the time, the trunks will arch gently away from the core of the cluster.

 

Pygmy date palm: Features 

• The Phoenix roebelenii tree can reach heights of 2–7 metres (6.6–23.0 feet) in its lifetime. 
• It is a small to medium-sized, slow-growing, thin tree. 
• The leaves range in length from 24 to 47 inches, are pinnate, and have around 100 leaflets that are organised on a single plane. 
• Each leaflet has a length of 15–25 centimetres (about 6–10 inches), a width of 1 centimetre, a gray-green hue, and a scurfy pubescence on the underside. 
• The blooms have a yellowish hue and are produced on an inflorescence that is 45 centimetres (18 inches) long.
• The fruit is a drupe about one centimetre in length and resembles a little date with a thin layer of flesh. 
• This palm will develop thorns around a length of 2-4 inches that are sharp and spiky. The size of the thorns is proportional to the amount of time the tree has been around.
• These thorns are situated on the palm leaf stem near the truck, and their length can range anywhere from 6 to 12 inches “from the main body. Thorns are very pointed, allowing them to readily puncture the flesh. 
• They are toxic and have the potential to cause inflammation, skin infection, bruising, and even more serious effects. 

 

Pygmy date palm fruits 

Although the pygmy date palm is closely related to the bigger edible date palm, this species is not truly farmed for its fruit; rather than being something that might be picked and consumed, the fruit of the pygmy date palm is more like a pit that is surrounded by a thin edible skin. As a result of their relatively sluggish development rate, it is possible that the palms will not blossom or produce fruit until at least five years after they have been planted.

 

Pygmy date palm flower

The blossoms are long clusters of cream-coloured blooms that emerge from the centre of the canopy each spring. This is followed by fruit that is initially reddish in colour but matures into a dark brown tint.

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How to grow date palms in India?

Pygmy dates palms can be grown by the below mentioned procedure.

• Warm soil is essential for the survival of pygmy date palms during the planting procedure, as is the case with all other kinds of pygmy palm trees.
• When planting pygmy date palms, the soil should not be altered in any way, nor should it be broken up. 
• It is important that dwarf date palm trees not be planted any deeper or shallower than they were in the container in which they were grown. A planting hole should be dug that is exactly the same depth as the tree’s container but should be two to three times as broad.
• Take the palm out of its container, and then place it in the exact middle of the planting hole. 
• Pygmy date palms grow best when their roots are contained inside a small space, so when you plant the tree, take care not to break up or otherwise disrupt the roots in any way. 
• While you are filling up the space surrounding the tree’s roots with dirt, have a helper keep the tree upright. 
• After planting, make sure to thoroughly water the ground to help it settle, and if it does not settle enough, add extra dirt around the plant’s roots. 
• When the roots are first becoming established, the University of Florida IFAS Extension suggests constructing a shallow berm in the shape of a circle that is two feet around the root ball. This will assist in directing the water into the roots.

How fast do date palms grow? 

Pygmy date palm is a slow to medium growing tree. This tree reaches its mature height of seven feet in around 7 years.

How to make date palms grow faster?

Once the climate is warm, add fertilizers to the Pygmy data palm so that the plant gets enough nutrients helping it grow faster.

Why date palm is called the wonder tree?

Date palm is called the wonder tree because all parts of the tree can be used. Similarly, Pygmy date palm can be used for various purposes. Although fruit of the pygmy date palm is not as tasty as the dates, but they are still preferred.

Pygmy date palm: Maintenance tips

• Although pygmy date palms require relatively little attention after they have become established in the garden, special attention should be paid to them for the first year or two that they are there.
• It is highly recommended that you water your plants once per day for the first two weeks after planting, particularly if the temperature is high.
• Pour water into the berm that surrounds the palm, then wait for it to seep in.
• After the first two weeks, water the soil to a depth of two feet once a week during the summer months or anytime the soil feels dry below the surface. This should be done regardless of whether it is raining or not.
• A layer of mulch that is two to three inches deep can assist the soil in retaining moisture while also protecting the young roots that are growing.
• After planting, one of the most essential things you can do for your pygmy date palm plants is to provide them with fertiliser.
• Use a slow-release fertiliser that is high in nitrogen for the first six to twelve months after planting. Spread the fertiliser within the planting mound at the rate that is advised by the manufacturer.
• After applying fertiliser, water the soil to a depth of two feet so that the nutrients may be driven deeper into the ground.
• When you are fertilising the tree, be sure that the fertiliser does not come into touch with the trunk.

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Pygmy date palm: Uses

When you think of palm trees, you probably think about the warm sun, sandy beaches, time spent on vacation, and a more relaxed way of life. You are guaranteed to find yourself encircled by stunning palm palms no matter where you look. The majority of the time, they are planted in verdant settings, such as new housing developments, indoor/outdoor malls, surrounding swimming facilities, and all along roadways, shorelines, and hotel grounds.

• It requires very little trimming in order to develop into a sturdy structure, it is resistant to pests, it is tolerant to variations in soil, and it can tolerate modest amounts of dryness. The optimal planting location for the plant is determined by the local climate and can range from partial shade to full sun. 
• The Royal Horticultural Society has bestowed its Award of Garden Merit upon this particular plant. 
• The NASA Clean Air Study came to the conclusion that this particular plant was successful in removing typical air pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene from the environment.

 

FAQs

Is it possible for a pygmy date palm to endure freezing temperatures?

The pygmy date palm does not tolerate cold as well as other species.

Do pygmy date palms need trimming?

Pygmy date palms do not have the ability to clean themselves; thus, they need to be pruned on a regular basis to get rid of their dead fronds and enhance their overall look.

What’s the growth rate of pygmy date palms?

They have a growth rate of 3-4 inches per year.

 

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you.Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com