Unnoticed pest infestation, too much or too little watering and it's already happened: the once so magnificent palm tree takes care and threatens to die. With good care and a little patience, however, it is quite possible to successfully nurse the patient back to health.
With a little patience and sensitivity, ailing palm trees can be pampered again
overhydration
Palm trees are very sensitive to waterlogging. The root system begins to rot and the plant dies. If you suspect that you have meant too well with the watering, you may be able to save the plant with these measures:
- Carefully unpot the palm tree, only touching the trunk.
- The attacked root system feels muddy and is usually dark brown in color.
- Carefully cut this off with sharp scissors.
- The new planter should have a water drain covered with a potsherd.
- Add a drainage layer of expanded clay (€19.73).
- Plant the palm in a suitable substrate.
In the future, only water when the top inches of soil feel dry. Immediately pour away excess water in the saucer.
The plant has dried up
If the palm tree dies of thirst, the watering behavior is often not to blame, but a pot that is too small. If there is hardly any substrate left in the planter, the palm tree can no longer absorb enough moisture on hot days and it dries up.
The only thing that helps here is immediate transfer to a larger container. Even if it doesn't look pretty: Only cut off the completely dried fronds close to the trunk, as the foliage of the palm tree serves as an important nutrient store.
Please do not over water or over fertilize the plant, because you want to make up for what has been missed - in this case, much does not help much. It is sufficient to keep the plant sufficiently moist but not too wet. It is only fertilized after about six months, when the nutrient depot of the fresh substrate has been used up.
Cause bug infestation
Sucking insects such as lice or the tiny little spider mites can damage the palm tree so much that the plant withers. If there is no maintenance error, you should proceed as follows:
- Mist the palm with a sprayer so that the webs of spider mites can be seen easily.
- Check the underside and axils of the leaves. Harmful insects often hide here.
If you discover an infestation, you should fight the pests immediately with a suitable insecticide according to the instructions on the package or a mixture of water, washing-up liquid or curd soap and a drop of spirit.
tips
The growth center of the palm is in the middle of the plant. If this is not juicy green, but dried up or brown, the palm tree can usually no longer be saved.