Fan Palm Tree Care

They are evergreen, tropical and unique flowering plants. They are the palm trees. They belong to the family of Arecaceae or Palmae. You will find these palm trees mainly in the tropical regions, the warm temperate regions and the subtropical regions. Do you know how many palm tree species are there today in this world? 2500! That's a really big number, right? Have you heard of the fan palm? Have you ever seen pictures in magazines or TV? If yes, then well and good. If not, then do not worry, cause given below is some information about the fan palm and how to care for the fan palm tree. There are many types depending on the area where they are growing. Some of the common types are mentioned below and also the various fan palm tree care tips are given.

Various Types and their Care

California Fan Palm Tree
Also known as the Washingtonia filifera, they grow mainly in sub tropical areas. Their trunks are massive and barrel shaped. They are ringed with the scares of the old leaves. They produce several branching flowers that are white or yellow in color. These plants are not suited for rainy areas. They love well drained soil. If the water is retained, then the roots of the plant will decay away. The seedlings of this tree should be well protected from the winds and any major changes in the temperature. Once the seeds are planted, it will take them at least 15 weeks to germinate. The soil in which you plant the seeds, can be a mixture of sand, loam and peat. Once the saplings start to grow, make sure that as a part of fan palm care, it gets enough sunlight. If you are worried about the tree being infected, nothing to worry about, as no such diseases have been heard of yet.

Chinese Fan Palm Tree
The other name of this tree is Livistonia chinensis. You will find them mainly in China and south of Japan. The leaves of this tree is divided into at least 75 segments that droop down gracefully, making the tree look like a fountain. These palm trees can grow in drought like situations as well. These trees grow best when they are planted outdoors. They need enough sunlight to grow. But you can plant the saplings in partly shaded areas too. Soil condition that is needed is a mixture of clay, sand and loam. These plants can go without water for a few days, but do keep the soil moist all the time as this will only help in the growth of the plant. Unlike the other palm trees, these trees are prone to certain diseases. But these are minor ones which can be treated with fertilizers and certain pesticides.

Mexican Fan Palm Tree
They are also known as Washingtonia robusta. They grow mainly in Mexico, Baja, Southern California and Arizona. The height of this palm tree is usually 40 to 50 feet but some might even grow up to a height of 80 feet. They are straight and single trunk. The old leaves stays on if they are not removed and look like a petticoat! Even they can grow in drought like situations. These trees need alkaline soil to grow on. The seeds can be sown during the spring seasons and it takes them at least 4 weeks to germinate. It's only after the 6th month that the seedling starts growing faster and you will also notice 4 leaves coming out. These type of trees need moist soil, but while planting the seeds, make sure that the surface of the soil is not wet but bit dry. After the first year, start giving fertilizers to the plant and prune it at least once a year for better growth.

European Fan Palm Tree
They are also known as Chamaerops humilis. You will find them mainly in the Mediterranean regions of Europe. They are slow growing trees that grow up to 10 feet tall. They can withstand cold temperatures. They can also be used indoors because of their beautiful hues of color. Like the Mexican plant, these plants also grow in soils which are alkaline in nature. They can grow in clayey or sandy soil. They can grow in partly shady and partly lighted areas. These trees can also tolerate a drought like situation. Although diseases in these trees are not known, sometimes they might be infected by some bacterial or maybe the leaves might turn yellow due to pests. For these, it's best that as a part of tree care, you use fertilizers and also used some pesticides to get rid of any kind of pests. Prune the leaves at least once a year for a better look and to help the new leaves grow better.

Fiji Fan Palm Tree
They are also known as Pritchardia pacifica. They are medium-sized palm trees that grow mainly in the islands of Fiji. If you see the base of this palm tree, you will notice an interesting fiber pattern. You will also find the leaves of this Fiji palm tree interesting. These trees prefer moist soil and a plenty of sunlight. The seeds start germinating after at least a month of planting it. They can tolerate cold up to 30 ºF. Again they are prone to very few disease like yellowing of leaves which can be taken care of with the help of fertilizers.

Caring for palm trees is not very difficult. You can even look up some pictures before finalizing on which one to bring home. So if you are planning to plant one in your garden, make sure that you fulfill all the conditions. Otherwise, if your plants do not get the proper requirements, they may die. So happy gardening!