Like all plants, the hemp palm needs sufficient nutrients to thrive and develop the characteristic fronds. Nevertheless, be economical when fertilizing, because with too much fertilizer you often achieve the opposite. Tips for fertilizing a hemp palm.

In winter, the hemp palm is not fertilized

How much fertilizer does the hemp palm tree need?

Very few palm trees die because they have not received enough fertilizer. Rather the opposite is the case: palm trees die due to excess nutrients. This also applies to the hemp palm.

So be sparing with fertilizer.

Only fertilize hemp palms during the growing season

Like all palm trees, a hemp palm is only fertilized during the growth phase. It usually lasts from late March to September.

During the winter months, the hemp palm takes a break. During this time it is not fertilized. Even in very dark locations or low temperatures, you should refrain from fertilizing at all.

This fertilizer recommendation applies not only to hemp palms in tubs, but also to palms that are grown outdoors.

Give fertilizer every two to three weeks

You only have to give slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growth phase. For hemp palms that have been growing in the same substrate for a long time, you can apply a second fertilization in July at the latest.

When using fertilizer sticks (€4.48), follow the manufacturer's instructions. Monthly fertilization is usually sufficient here.

Liquid fertilizer is added to the irrigation water for two to three weeks.

Fertilize with liquid fertilizer or sticks?

In the trade, special fertilizers are often offered for the hemp palm. These are quite expensive. They are not necessary. A normal fertilizer for green plants is sufficient to fertilize hemp palms.

Whether you use granules, sticks or liquid fertilizer is not so important. Slow-release fertilizer is only preferable when keeping the hemp palm in the garden.

Never give more fertilizer than stated on the packet. Better yet, reduce the recommended amounts to avoid overfeeding.

Do not fertilize after repotting

If you have repotted a hemp palm tree, you must not administer any fertilizer for several months. Fresh substrate contains so many nutrients that there is a risk of over-fertilization if additional fertilizer is added.

The right substrate for hemp palms

Hemp palms are not very demanding in terms of the plant substrate. It is not necessary to buy special palm soil for potted plants. For older specimens, normal garden soil is completely sufficient for the care of the plants.

For younger hemp palms you can compose the soil yourself:

  • garden soil or compost
  • some gravel
  • sand
  • lava granules

The substrate must be well permeable to water, as hemp palms do not tolerate waterlogging.

tips

A common care mistake is too much or frequent fertilization of the hemp palm. In most cases, there are already enough nutrients in the plant substrate, so you can be economical with the fertilizer.

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Trees