When to water the palm trees?

Palm trees, with few exceptions, are not plants that can resist drought for a long period. And none will if it is growing in a pot. But you have to be careful, because what they won't stand either is having their roots soaked.

For this reason, I am going to explain to you when to water palm trees. In this way, you can ensure that your plants are well hydrated.

How many times a week do you have to water the palm trees?

I would love to be able to give you an answer that was universal, but when it comes to watering plants there are no universal answersBecause the climate in Madrid, for example, is different from that in the Caribbean. Even within the same province, it changes a lot: for example, I am on the island of Majorca and I can tell you that in certain points in the northwest the temperature is about 4 degrees lower than in my area, which is the south, and also It rains more. So of course, if we add the drought to the typical Mediterranean heat, the palm trees will need to be watered frequently.

But things change radically if it rains often where you live, and also if your plant is on the ground or in a pot. Why? Because a palm tree that is planted in the garden will need less water than one that is in a pot, for the simple reason that the soil takes longer to dry out.

So you can't say how many times you should water it, because it will depend a lot, not only on whether it rains or not, but also on whether you have it in a pot or on the ground, indoors or outdoors. What I can tell you is that if in doubt, insert a wooden stick into the ground, very close to the stem of the plant. Then, extract it: if you see that it comes out with adhered soil, that is because it is wet and therefore, it will not be necessary to water yet.

Why is it important to check humidity? Because We can fall into the error of thinking that, because the surface of the substrate is dry, that means that the entire substrate is.. This is not always so.

It is normal for it to dry before, because the surface is the part that is most exposed. But the innermost layers take longer to dry. For this reason, we can find a palm tree that has dry land only on the surface, and the roots that are still damp below.

What irrigation water is the best for palm trees?

Well, The best water for any plant is rainwater.. But assuming you live in an area where it doesn't rain much, or where it can go months without rain, then you'll have to look for alternatives. And here are several options:

• Bottled water.
• Tap water if it is suitable for human consumption.
• Well water provided it is drinkable. It also helps you if the well is closed (that is, if the water comes from a tanker truck).
• Water whose pH is between 5 and 7, and its lime content is low.

How do you have to water them?

There are two ways to water palm trees:

• From above: that is, pouring the water on the earth.
• Under: putting a plate under the pot and fill it up.

Well, the most suitable for watering the palm trees is the first, but there are exceptions, since the seedbeds have to be irrigated from below so that the seeds are not lost. In addition, there are species that, if temperatures exceed 30ºC in summer, appreciate having a plate underneath with a little (a thin layer) of water, such as Archontophoenix.

Now I do not recommend watering from below except on rare occasions due to the high risk of the roots rotting, since we could have the tendency to pour a little water into the dish more and more frequently, without even checking if the earth is dry or not.

But how is it to be watered from above? Well, pouring the water near the stem / trunk. Likewise, the amount that is necessary must be added so that all the earth is moist. Therefore, if it is in a pot, it will be watered until the water comes out of the drainage holes; and in case it is planted in the ground, it will be watered until we see that the earth is already very, very humid.

How to prevent palm trees from suffering from excess water?

Overwatering palm trees is often a life-ending problem. The roots do not tolerate waterlogging, so it is important that preventive measures are taken to ensure that they do not end up with their leaves full of fungi:

• If it is going to be in a pot: this one has to have holes in its base. In addition, you should not put a plate under it, unless it drains after each watering. The substrate must be light, fluffy, like the universal (for sale here) or one for green plants like this.
• If it will be on the ground: the earth must be light, with good drainage. If it is one of those that easily puddles, what will be made will be as large a hole as possible (more or less than 1 x 1 meter), and it will be filled with a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts. It may also be highly recommended to install a system of drainage pipes in the event that the soil takes hours to absorb the water.

Is it possible to recover a palm tree that is drowning?

It will depend on how serious it is. If we gently pull the new sheet out and it comes out easily, then there will be nothing we can do.. But if it is still green and remains strong, then what we will do is stop watering, apply systemic fungicide and, if it has a plate underneath, remove it.

Is there anything I can do to keep it from drying out?

Underwatering is also a serious problem, but not as much as overwatering. In fact, to prevent your palm tree from drying out, all you have to do is:

• If it is going to be in a pot: make sure that the substrate is of good quality. This must be, as I said before, fluffy and light.
• If it will be on the ground: The soil must have good drainage, but it must not be like beach sand that does not retain moisture. It is important that the soil remains moist for a while.

How to recover a dry palm tree?

If one day you see that the leaves of your palm tree begin to dry, starting with the newest ones, and if you notice that the earth is very dry and weighs little, then what you have to do is water it. But if you also have it in a pot, submerge it -not the plant- in a basin with water for about twenty minutes. Thereafter, you have to water more often.

Thus, you will be able to water your palm trees correctly.