Date Robelini: variety description, planting and care, palm breeding methods

In its natural environment, a miniature date called Robelini is found in the humid forests of India, Laos, China and Burma. It was under such conditions that a German botanist first saw him, after whom the plant got its name.

Description and characteristics of date Robelini

Dwarf date palm in nature will grow up to a maximum of 3 meters. The cultivated species of the plant is even more miniature in size, which rarely exceed 1.5 meters in height.

The trunk of a palm tree is even and thin. The tree trunk acquired its unusual appearance thanks to the dead leaves of the plant, which left marks on it.The leaves are thin, pinnate and elongated, arcuate in shape. Young leaves have a powdery whitish coating. In an adult culture, the color of the foliage depends on the lighting.

When the date is in the open sun, the leaves acquire a silvery hue, indoors they are dark green. Mature date palms bear fruit after flowering, and the elongated fruits are eaten.

Important! The dwarf palm begins to bloom in the 10th year of growth. And for a plant to bear fruit, it needs cross-pollination.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

The main advantage of Robelin date is its decorative properties. After all, a fabulous guest from the tropics will decorate any room or garden with her presence. But the lack of culture can be considered an unusual trunk, which, as it grows, is cleared of old leaves and becomes less exotic.

Features of growing dates

Robelin date, although it is a decoration of any interior, it has many features during its growth.

A miniature tree is grown outdoors only in tropical or subtropical climates. The root system of dates is sensitive to the slightest frost. But in the summer, an exotic tree will become the center of a garden composition.

And to get the fruit of dates, the palm tree needs pollination, for which several plants are grown at once.

Rules of care

Robelin's date palm is a beautiful but difficult tree to care for. In order for the plant to become an ornament of a winter garden, greenhouse or plot, it is necessary to fulfill some conditions for the maintenance and care of a tropical tree.

Lighting

The miniature date needs a lot of light, but does not tolerate direct sunlight well. In the summer, the tree feels good outdoors. But the winter existence of the plant must be brightened up with additional lighting. For this, fluorescent lamps are suitable, which purposefully illuminate the palm tree for at least 12 hours a day.

Important! If the leaves began to turn yellow on the plant, then this is the first sign of a lack of light.

Temperature

During the summer months, the dwarf palm will thrive with average daily temperatures between 20 and 28 degrees. But in winter, the temperature of the content should be much lower and be no more than +20 degrees. In this way, the activity of the metabolic processes of the tropical guest decreases. If the palm tree remains at high temperatures in winter, then the lack of natural daylight will lead to complete exhaustion and death.

How to water

The date is watered neatly and balanced. An excess of moisture and a shortage will lead to serious consequences and even death of the tree. Too frequent and abundant watering causes the spread of fungal diseases. And after a drought, the palm tree does not recover and dies.

The miniature tropical guest is watered with settled, heated water. Irrigation procedures are carried out as needed. As soon as the soil around the plant dries up, then it's time to water.

Humidity

In its natural environment, the palm tree grows in tropical rainforests. Therefore, air humidity indicators must be observed. To do this, water tanks are placed next to the plant. A diffuser or humidifier is also used. Be sure to moisten the plant from a sprayer once a week. To avoid waterlogging, the soil is covered with a waterproof film during the procedure.

Cutting

It is not necessary to carry out the procedure for trimming a palm tree. But it is necessary to cut off dry or damaged leaves and twigs.

Important! The base of the petiole of the tree has a sharp, long spike, the presence of which must be taken into account when working with the plant.

Soilmix

The soil for palm trees is purchased in specialized stores. But if this is not possible, then you can do it yourself. To do this, you need turf, peat and humus soil with a small content of clay rocks. Sand and manure are added to the soil mixture.

Fertilizer

A small palm tree requires care and feeding in the form of fertilizers. Such work is carried out from spring to October. At least 2 times a month, the tree is fertilized with organic or mineral top dressing. In winter, the plant does not require additional fertilizers.Palm fertilizers are sold in specialized stores, which replace other products and preparations.

Features of transplant

Date Robelini painfully endures the invasion of his life. Therefore, a transplant for a plant is stressful, although this is a mandatory procedure in the first years of a palm tree's life. The main thing when working is not to damage the delicate roots of the date.

The tree is transplanted by transferring from one pot to another, of a larger diameter. For a painless procedure, the plant is first watered abundantly, and only then is it thrown out of the pot. If the tree comes out of the pot with difficulty, then the pot is broken or cut.

Important! Plant transplantation should not be carried out in the autumn months. It was then that the palm tree gains strength and accumulates nutrients for a comfortable winter.

Treatment from diseases and pests

The date palm, like other plants, is susceptible to diseases and pests.

As soon as the tree has lost its appearance, and the leaves and twigs dry up, then the plant is sick or exposed to pests.

First of all, the following activities are carried out:

1. Wipe the twigs and leaves of the tree with an alcohol solution.
2. Spray a palm tree with a solution made from laundry soap.
3. Treat the palm tree with a tincture of garlic and water.

If such measures to save the plant have not yielded results, then special chemicals are bought to help cope with diseases or pests.

Breeding Methods

Robelin dates are bred in several ways.

Propagation by seeds is a long way to grow a new plant. From the planted seeds, the first sprouts appear after 3-5 years. For breeding, daughter shoots are separated from the palm tree, which, after overexposure in greenhouse conditions, can be safely planted in the soil.

Possible problems

If the tree has stopped growing or has lost its he althy appearance, then you may have encountered the following problems:

1. Brown palm leaves indicate severe sunburn.
2. If a tree has stopped growing, it means a lack of nutrients, low air temperature or high acidity in the soil.
3. Leaf fall causes drafts.
4. Yellow leaves on the plant indicate insufficient moisture or the palm reacts to water hardness.
5. Lower leaves signal low air humidity.

Spending a little time caring for the date palm and providing it with the necessary growth conditions, you will get a beautiful and unusual decoration for your garden or greenhouse.

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