Pygmy date palms are among fruiting palm trees that you can grow.
As the name suggests, these are slow-growing dwarf plants that are ideal for ornamental purposes, hence the reason why they’re widely used in many homes across America.
This article will be discussing these palm trees as well as the fruits they produce.
At maximum height, the pygmy palm tree grows an average of 10 feet. This makes it an ideal ornamental plant to have around your home and garden, thus serving your ornamental and fruit needs.
In terms of its origins, the pygmy date palm is native to Southern China.
Reproductive Systems
Because fruits are part of the focus of our discussion, it’s necessary to take a look at the reproductive systems of the pygmy date palm.
The male and female reproductive systems of the dwarf date palm occur on separate plants, hence its classification as a dioecious plant.
The reproductive systems in this case are the flowers. The male and female flowers that emerge give rise to small dates. The dates produced are known as the fruits.
It’s necessary to provide information on how these fruits look like while growing on the dwarf date palm.
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Fruits of the Pygmy Date Palm
Fruits begin to emerge from flowers between September and October. These fruits are usually in long clusters that form or hang below the leaves. About 10 to 13 long fruit clusters form on each tree.
To easily identify them, look for elliptical dark purple to red-brown fruits of about ½ inch long.
These fruits usually have a thin fleshy layer while most of them consist of seeds. The general growth and development of the tree and fruits are gradual.
Pygmy date palms aren’t primarily planted for their fruits. Rather, they’re mostly grown for their aesthetic value.
Dwarf Date Palm Appearance
The appearance of pygmy date palms is one of the primary reasons why they’re grown. At the young stage of development, these plants have the appearance of a fine-textured shrub.
In its natural habitat, you’re likely to find dwarf date palms with single trunks.
However, those which are cultivated in clumps of 3 to 5 plants. This enhances the appearance of the plants as they develop. The beauty is seen as each trunk begins to curve away from the clump.
Its bright-green leaves are the in form of spines that could be injurious to kids.
This calls for extra caution when pruning such leaves. As the pygmy date palm grows, it sheds off leaves that have to be manually removed.
The scars of previous leaves can still be observed long after they’re removed. The feather-like leaves of dwarf date palms grow to about 4 ft. in length.
Growing the Pygmy Date Palm
What does it take to grow the pygmy date palm?
To be successful in this regard, several things have to be looked at. These include understanding things like the germination stage, tolerance to cold, as well as rate of growth.
Other crucial aspects of its propagation include maintenance as well as moisture requirements. How much light is required for the proper growth of this plant?
With an understanding of these points, you’re able to grow your dwarf date palms successfully. Let’s have a look at the points mentioned for a better understanding of the process.
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Germination Stage
Knowledge of the germination stage of the pygmy date palm helps increase the success of your efforts. After planting, it takes approximately 3 to 4 months for seeds to germinate.
Before planting the seeds, it’s important to go for soils that are moist and warm. What more? Shaded areas are preferred to places with direct sunlight.
Seed germination is better enhanced when grown in areas with partial sunlight. Beyond this stage, the plants can be more tolerant to direct sunlight.
So, consider providing some form of shade to make the germination stage successful
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Tolerance to Cold
How tolerant is the pygmy date palm to cold? It’s necessary to understand how such affects the plant as it could impact its fruiting and general development.
Dwarf date palms will easily thrive even in cold areas. This explains the popularity of the tree as it’s found to grow in both tropical and temperate climates.
However, its tolerance level to cold is only guaranteed at full maturity. In other words, young pygmy date palms or those in the nursery are unlikely to thrive in low temperatures.
So, it’s important when growing seedlings to do so in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse. Some expert opinion will be of great benefit.
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Rate of Growth
We’ve earlier stated that pygmy date palms typically have a slow to the moderate growth rate. The name alone tells a lot about the development of this plant. At full maturity, these palm trees are likely to grow to a height of 10 feet.
The average growth range is between 7 and 10 feet.
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Maintenance
Maintenance is a crucial part of the cultivation process. Here, having the understanding that you’ll need to intervene in cleaning the truck ensures the tree stays healthy.
Old and dead leaves attached to the trunk will have to be pulled out. Not only is the tree’s condition improved, but also its general appearance.
What more? Depending on your soil conditions, fertilization may be necessary. You may wish to seek professional help when not fully sure about what to do. Plus, not all fertilizer types will be ideal for application.
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Moisture Requirements
Pygmy date palms don’t have a need a significant amount of moisture. They’re drought tolerant palm tree species that can also thrive in areas with adequate moisture supply.
However, areas with adequate moisture supply must have well-drained soils.
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How Much Light is Necessary
Pygmy date palms are also grown in indoor spaces.
This makes them thrive in both areas of partial and full sunlight. When grown indoors, you should have them potted to allow for periodic movement to outdoor areas for some sunlight.
The pygmy date palm fruit has been discussed including ideal conditions for its growth. With the information supplied here, you get to an appreciable level of understanding of what it takes to cultivate this fruiting plant.