Chamaereops

The genus Chamaereops belongs to only one European representative of palm trees-chamaereops squat, or European fan palm (Chamaereops humilis), it is also called the palm of St. Peter, or dwarf palm. It is the only wild palm tree in Europe, which in culture reaches a height of 2 m. In nature, it can grow even up to 7-8 m. This palm tree is of various types: there are Chamaereops that grow up to 1-2 m, forming several trunks; others form single-stemmed specimens, up to 5 m high (C. h. var. arborescens). For Chamaereops typical fan-shaped, deeply dissected leaves. The long petioles are convex on the upper side and densely covered with whitish spines. Tufts of leaves are formed on the tops of trunks. Flowers are collected in axillary branched erect greenish-yellow inflorescences-cobs (sessile flowers on the central axis-rod, wrapped in the covering leaf of the bract). They bloom in May and June. Fig-like fruits are elliptical brownish or yellow drupes. The following varieties are common: squat palm-fruited Chamaereops (C. h. var. dactylocarpa) - usually higher than the others; squat large-fruited Chamaereops (C. h. var. macrocarpa) has the largest fruits; squat Chamaereops (C. h. var. arborescens) has a single lignified stem.

The genus Chamaereops belongs to only one European representative of palm trees-chamaereops squat, or European fan palm (Chamaereops humilis), it is also called the palm of St. Peter, or dwarf palm. It is the only wild palm tree in Europe, which in culture reaches a height of 2 m. In nature, it can grow even up to 7-8 m. This palm tree is of various types: there are Chamaereops that grow up to 1-2 m, forming several trunks; others form single-stemmed specimens, up to 5 m high (C. h. var. arborescens). For Chamaereops typical fan-shaped, deeply dissected leaves. The long petioles are convex on the upper side and densely covered with whitish spines. Tufts of leaves are formed on the tops of trunks. Flowers are collected in axillary branched erect greenish-yellow inflorescences-cobs (sessile flowers on the central axis-rod, wrapped in the covering leaf of the bract). They bloom in May and June. Fig-like fruits are elliptical brownish or yellow drupes.

The following varieties are common: squat palm-fruited Chamaereops (C. h. var. dactylocarpa) - usually higher than the others; squat large-fruited Chamaereops (C. h. var. macrocarpa) has the largest fruits; squat Chamaereops (C. h. var. arborescens) has a single lignified stem.

Cultivation

Even a low shape cannot decorate the windowsill for a long time. The ideal place for Chamaereops is a cool ventilated winter garden; it is convenient to cultivate it in a tub-in summer in the fresh air, and in winter in a bright frost-free room. It is planted in the spring. It has no special requirements for the soil, as long as it is well drained and fed with organic fertilizers at the rate of 3-4 kg per plant. When growing in pots, use a substrate consisting of 2/3 of the fertile land and 1/3 of the soil. from peat, with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. From spring to autumn, flower fertilizer is applied weekly. In winter, when the light content is fed 1 time in 4-6 weeks.

Even a low shape cannot decorate the windowsill for a long time. The ideal place for Chamaereops is a cool ventilated winter garden; it is convenient to cultivate it in a tub-in summer in the fresh air, and in winter in a bright frost-free room. It is planted in the spring. It has no special requirements for the soil, as long as it is well drained and fed with organic fertilizers at the rate of 3-4 kg per plant. When growing in pots, use a substrate consisting of 2/3 of the fertile land and 1/3 of the soil. from peat, with the addition of 30 g of complex fertilizer per bucket of soil. From spring to autumn, flower fertilizer is applied weekly. In winter, when the light content is fed 1 time in 4-6 weeks.

Location

They are placed in a sunny place, in winter a bright place is ideal, but Chamaereops can withstand less light.

Temperature

In winter, the temperature is about 5 °C, if possible no higher than 10 °C, although the palm tree can withstand a one-time temperature drop to 0 °C.

Watering

From spring to autumn, maintain constant soil moisture, but without stagnation of water. In summer, the need for irrigation is high, in winter it is watered as the soil dries up.

Transplant

Transplanted in the spring, adult specimens once every few years, it is enough to remove the surface layer of the earth, replacing it with a new one. Young seedlings are transplanted regularly.

Care

Remove dry and damaged leaves by cutting them off at the base of the petioles.

Reproduction

Growing in the form of a bush, adult specimens form offspring, which are separated during transplantation, very carefully handling the roots. Seeds are propagated in March. Seedlings are finally planted in the ground in 2-3 years.

Diseases

Failure to observe the optimal lighting conditions, temperature and humidity levels, cold drafts cause browning of the leaves of this palm tree. To avoid this, you must carefully follow the rules of cultivation. From pests, troubles are brought by different types of mealybugs, which contribute to the development of blueberries and suck out nutrients, which leads to yellowing of leaves and general wilting. Palm trees are treated with anticoccidal drugs. The spider mite causes yellow, dark specks and stripes to appear on the leaves, causing the leaves to soon become transparent. Recommended treatment with acaricides and maintaining a high level of humidity around the plant (regularly spraying the crown with water in the morning).

Acquisition

Plants of the genus Chamaereops are quite easy to find in horticultural centers and nurseries, especially in those specializing in palm trees. Buy young, small plants that are easier to handle when planting or transplanting. Check that the foliage is in a healthy state.

Very similar genus The genus Chamaereops often includes another palm - Chamaereops excelsa, which in today's plant classification is listed under the name Trachycarpus fortune (Trachycarpus fortunei). It comes from China, it is the only cultivated species in this genus, and there are 8 of them in total. It reaches a height of 12 m; it has large paw-shaped fan-shaped leaves consisting of folded linear segments, petioles with slightly toothed ribs, small yellowish flowers are collected in inflorescences-cobs, they bloom in May-June. The fruits are spherical, blackish-blue. It is more stable than Chamaereops squat.

Very similar genus

The genus Chamaereops often includes another palm - Chamaereops excelsa, which in today's plant classification is listed under the name Trachycarpus fortune (Trachycarpus fortunei). It comes from China, it is the only cultivated species in this genus, and there are 8 of them in total. It reaches a height of 12 m; it has large paw-shaped fan-shaped leaves consisting of folded linear segments, petioles with slightly toothed ribs, small yellowish flowers are collected in inflorescences-cobs, they bloom in May-June. The fruits are spherical, blackish-blue. It is more stable than Chamaereops squat.