Cultivation methods and precautions of Areca palm

1. Soil

The culture soil must be well-drained, and it is best to use soil with a high organic matter content. For potted plants, the culture soil can be prepared by adding humus or peat soil, 1/3 river sand or perlite, and a small amount of base fertilizer.

2. Fertilization

When planting, bury the seeds a little deeper to help the new shoots absorb fertilizer. During the period of vigorous growth in May and June, apply fertilizer and water once every 1-2 weeks. It is better to use slow-release compound fertilizer; stop fertilizing after late autumn. For potted plants of Areca palm, in addition to adding organic fertilizer when potting, proper fertilizer and water management should also be carried out during daily maintenance.

3. Watering

When watering, you should follow the principle of "dry through, wet through". Pay attention to watering in time during the growing season to keep the soil moist. Water twice a day during vigorous growth in summer; control watering after late autumn and on rainy days. Areca palm prefers a humid climate environment and requires the relative air temperature in the growing environment to be between 70 and 80%. If the relative air humidity is too low, the leaf tips will dry out.

4. Air humidity

The air humidity around the plant needs to be maintained at a high level at all times. In summer, you should often spray water on the leaves and the ground to increase the air humidity. The leaves should be kept clean in winter. You can spray water on them or scrub them frequently.

5. Temperature and light

The suitable temperature for the growth of Areca palm is 25-35℃. It has weak cold resistance and is very sensitive to low temperatures. The wintering temperature should be above 10℃. If it is lower than 5℃, the plant will definitely be harmed. The main reason for the death of northern Areca palm in winter and spring is low temperature. In the summer, 50% of the sunlight should be blocked, and direct sunlight should be avoided as even a short period of exposure will cause the leaves to turn yellow and become difficult to recover. It should be placed in a bright place indoors. Too much darkness is not good for the growth of Areca palm. In winter, it can be placed in a well-lit place.

6. Notes

(1) Pruning. Winter pruning: When the plants enter a dormant or semi-dormant period in winter, the weak, diseased, insect-infested, dead, or overcrowded branches should be cut off.

(2) Repotting. Repot the plants every 2-3 years in early spring, and old plants can be repotted every 3-4 years. After repotting, it should be placed in a semi-shaded area with high air humidity, and the dead and yellow branches and leaves should be cut off in time.

(3) Nitrogen deficiency. The leaf color fades from a uniform dark green to yellow, and the plant's growth rate slows down. The prevention and control method is to increase the application of nitrogen fertilizer. Depending on the situation, apply 0.4% urea 2-3 times through root application or foliar spraying.

(4) Potassium deficiency. The old leaves fade from green to bronze or orange, and may even curl, but the petioles continue to grow normally. As the potassium deficiency worsens, the entire crown fades, and the plant's growth is stunted or even dies. The prevention and control method is to apply potassium sulfate to the soil at a dosage of 1.5-3.6 kg per plant, applied 4 times in a year, and add 0.5-1.8 kg of magnesium sulfate to achieve balanced fertilization and prevent the occurrence of magnesium deficiency.

(5) Disease and pest control. When spring comes, due to poor ventilation, there may be whiteflies infestation. You can use 200 times diluted Caltex Dichlorvos spray to control it, spraying both the leaves and roots. If good ventilation is maintained at all times, Areca palm will not be prone to whiteflies. If the environment is dry and poorly ventilated, red spider mites may occur. You can use 3000-5000 times diluted solution of 20% wettable powder of cypermethrin to spray for prevention and control.