Areca palm trees

Palm trees of the genus Areca they are tropical plants of singular beauty. They are so beautiful that it is not surprising that they are grown in all gardens that enjoy a frost-free climate; even indoors they get to see each other from time to time.

But what are its characteristics? And the most important, What do we have to do to make them perfect all year round?

Origin and characteristics

'Areca' is the botanical genus name of a series of palm trees found in the humid tropical forests from Malaysia to the Solomon Islands. They reach a height of up to 30 meters, with one or more long, slender trunks up to 20-30cm in diameter.. The leaves are pinnate, petiolate, and with a recurved rachis. The leaflets are wide, 2-3cm long, and up to 60cm long.

The flowers, which are grouped in inflorescences, are female or male. The latter are solitary, have 6 stamens, and are located just above the female. Both are greenish, and appear under the leaves. The fruit is an ovoid drupe, yellow, orange or red in color.

Main species

The genus is made up of 50 species, the following being the most popular:

areca catchu

Known as the betel palm, reaches a height of 30 meters. It is the one that generates the most commercial interest, since the nuts are chewed together with the betel leaf (piper betel) in their places of origin.

areca guppiana

Known as holy palm, it is endemic to the Solomon Islands which it has a thin trunk, about 3-4cm, with aerial roots. It has short, arched, and partially divided leaves.

areca triandra

Known as wild areca, It is a multi-stemmed palm tree -of several trunks-, which reach a height of between 1,5 and 7 meters in height. Its leaves are between 1 and 1,8 meters long, making it a good option to have in small-medium gardens.

What are their cares?

If you want to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Climate

Before acquiring a plant, it is important to know in what climate or climates it can live, since otherwise we could end up wasting money. In the case of the Areca, can only live well in warm climates without frost, although it can also be kept indoors.

Location

• Body exterior:: semi-shadow. In direct sun it burns.
• Interior: it must be in a room in which a lot of natural light enters, but it must not be placed right in front of the window since otherwise the sun's rays, when passing through the glass, would burn its leaves. In addition, it should be away from drafts, and have a humidifier next to it or glasses with water around it so that the ambient humidity is high.

Earth

• Garden: fertile, with good drainage.
• Flower pot: universal growing medium (you can get it here) mixed with 30% perlite.

Irrigation

Frequent in summer, moderate the rest of the year. Thus, generally, we will water 3-4 times a week during the warmer months, and every 4 days the rest. In case of having it in a pot, you can put a plate under it, but 30 minutes after watering it, you must remove the excess water.

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From early spring to late summer It has to be paid with organic fertilizers such as guano, compostIn others. If it is potted, use liquid or granulated fertilizers, such as those specifically for palm trees that are sold ready-to-use (like this one from here).

Planting or transplanting time

In spring. If it is potted, it should be transplant every 2-3 years.

Pests

The Areca is a fairly resistant palm tree; However, if the growing conditions are not adequate, or if we have neglected irrigation and / or fertilization a bit, it could be affected by the following pests:

• Red spider: it is a red mite that measures about 0,5cm that feeds on the cells of the leaves, causing the appearance of red spots. It also weaves webs, like spiders. It is fought with acaricide.
• Mealybugs: they can be cottony or limpet-like. They settle on the leaves, especially on the most tender ones. If they are few, they can be removed by hand or with a brush soaked in pharmacy alcohol; otherwise I recommend using diatomaceous earth (you can get it here) or an anti-mealybug insecticide.
• paysandisia archon: The larvae of this moth burrow galleries in the trunk, causing the central leaf to deviate. If you live in a risk area, you have to do preventive / curative treatments with chlorpyrifos and imidacloprid during all warm months, using one month one and the next month the other, otherwise it could cause death.
• Weevil: it is a weevil -a kind of beetle, but thinner- whose larvae feed mainly on the "bud" of the palm tree. It can also kill you if it is not treated. Therefore, it must be treated with any of the remedies that we indicate in this article.

Management

If we over-water the Areca, fungi could appear. If so, the possible symptoms would be:

• Appearance of a white or grayish powder on leaves and / or trunk.
• Appearance of a pink powder at the base of the trunk, which extends upwards.
• Apex rot, which is the newest leaf. If you pull it gently, it comes out easily.
• Root rot.
• No growth.
• The leaves turn brown (dry) quickly.

The treatment consists of spacing the irrigations and treating with fungicides.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds in spring. The step by step to follow is very simple, because you just have to fill a bag with a hermetic seal with vermiculite previously watered, insert the seeds and leave them so that they remain buried, close the bag and place it near a heat source.

Thus, always keeping the vermiculite moist, they will germinate in about 30 days at a temperature of 25ºC.

Rusticity

Can't stand cold or frost. The ideal minimum temperature should always be above 15ºC. If it drops to 5ºC, nothing serious will happen to it, but it should not be exposed to such a low temperature.

And with this we are done. What did you think of the Areca?