Areca Plam How to Care and Fertilizer and Production

ARECA PALM :

DESCRIPTION: Clustered non branching stems with fronds that are subdivided and arching

FOLIAGE COLORS: Green

CONTAINER: Large container.

LIGHT: Medium to high. Does well near an east, west, or south window, filtered light, or location receiving 1000 footcandles or more.

WATER: Frequent. Water thoroughly, keep soil evenly moist to touch (not saturated). Don't let sit in water.

TEMPERATURE: Medium. 61 - 70 (degrees F) days, 56 - 65 nights.

HUMIDITY LEVEL : Average

FERTILIZER: Every 4 months

SOIL MIX: 1 part sterilized garden loam, 1 part clean coarse sand or Perlite, and 1/2 to 1 part sphagnum peat moss.

PROPOGATION: By Division.

Chrysalidocarpus lutescens (Areca lutescens) is regularly referred to as Areca palm, but has as well be call golden palm, butterfly palm, yellow butterfly palm, cane palm and golden feather palm. Stems are many clustered, slender, and sometimes branching. Areca palms may reach thirty feet tall. Leaves are uphill, curved at the peak with sheaths and petioles yellow or orange tinged. This palm originate in Madagascar and is widely grown outdoors in the tropics. In pleasant zone they are accepted as specimen plants for indoor use because they can bear relatively low light conditions.

Areca palm seedling plants are currently available as 2 1/4 to 3-inch liners established in small pots or opening trays, or as 10 or 14-inch seedlings having bare roots or rooted in community trays. Seedlings should be transplanted at an early developmental stage (spike or 1st leaf stage). Finished plants can be obtained in a wide range of sizes growing in 6 to 52-inch size pots.

ARECA PALM PRODUCTION:

Arecas are propagated from seed with just about 50 seeds to an ounce. Viable seeds, soaked for 10 minutes in a key of hot sulfuric acid, can be expected to germinate in about 6 weeks. Fresh seed, yellow to ripe, should be plant with the peak of the seed barely visible and germination temperature maintained between 80 and 85°F. Lower temperatures will increase germination time 100-200%. Seed storage at low humidity and low temperature is detrimental to germination. Cleaning seed is not essential if they are planted immediately. If seeds are to be stored, clean the yellow to fully ripened red seeds, air-dry them at 80-90%, treat with a seed protectant, and store at 75°F.

Best production light level for about 50% shade. Plants should get a fertilization regime of 3.5 lb nitrogen per 1,000 ft2 a month from a 3-1- 2 ratio fertilizer. A stage teaspoon of Osmocote 19-6-12 fertilizer (about 5 g) applied to a 6 inch pot every 3 months, or 200 ppm nitrogen from a 9-3-6 fertilizer applied weekly will supply the required fertilizer. Arecas respond equally well to liquid or slow release fertilizers when nitrogen levels are equivalent. Arecas need supplemental micronutrients to prevent chlorosis. incorporate micronutrients (1.5 lb Micromax/yd3) to the soil is preferable to foliar sprays which can cause phytotoxicity. Phosphorus should be supplied only from fertilizers such as the 19-6-12 or 9-3-6 mentioned earlier.

First-class quality Areca palms include 1.5-2.5% dry weight of nitrogen, 0.1-0.3% phosphorus, 0.7-2.0% potassium, 1.0-1.5% calcium, 0.3-0.6% magnesium, 10-60 parts per million (ppm) copper, 50-300 ppm manganese and iron and 25-200 ppm zinc. Plants are tolerant of both atmospheric fluoride (F) and F in the medium if pH is maintained above 6.0. Tissue F levels of 16 ppm were found in leaves with no necrosis, while leaves with necrosis had only 21 ppm. Areca palms appear to be more tolerant to ethylene than most foliage plants.

The pH of the potting medium should be maintained near 6.0 with the addition of dolomite to keep fluoride unavailable to the plant. Mixes that have produced good quality palms contain viable mixes and peat:sand (3:1 by volume) and peat:pine bark:sand ( 6:3:1 by volume ).

Areca palms can tolerate low soil moisture, but best growth is obtained if plants are not subjected to drought conditions. Arecas are hardier than most foliage plants and tolerate short durations of 32°F, but some necrosis might occur. Long durations of 32°F or lower will severely damage or kill the plants. For best growth, roots should be kept at 70-80°F with air temperatures up to 95°F. Plants can be shipped satisfactorily for 2 weeks at 55-65°F.

If spray or water residue causes the Areca to be unattractive, plant shines are a possible method of removal. Nine plant shines were used on Chamaedorea elegans with satisfactory results. Additionally, a 5% oxalic acid solution followed by rinsing cleansed Chamaedorea seifrizii of mineral salts.