Hemp palms adorn not only the living room. Given the right conditions, they can also thrive in the garden.
Lie on a sun lounger under palm trees and hear the sound of the sea - that makes you feel like you're on vacation, doesn't it? But you can also experience the holiday feeling in your own garden. Admittedly, the sound of the sea might not be that easy, but the palm trees make up for it.
The hemp palm, which originated in Asia, has now become a popular ornament in domestic gardens. However, they do not only thrive in rooms or pots. You can also plant larger specimens in the garden. Although the palm tree is very hardy, it needs certain conditions in order to grow and thrive particularly well.
Location and soil for the hemp palm in the garden
For he althy growth, the hemp palm needs several hours of direct sunlight a day. So make sure you choose a sunny and sheltered location. A planting site in front of a house wall is also good. However, make sure you keep a sufficiently large distance, because the palm tree can become quite large and sprawling.
Tip: If the place is too dark, the palm tree will only grow very slowly. The fan-shaped leaves also only grow less when the sun is not enough.
Young hemp palms do well in slightly acidic soil. A mixture of regular garden soil, peat and compost is ideal. Prepare the planting hole generously, think of enough space in depth and width so that the root ball is not squeezed. If the soil mixture is too loose, mix in additional loamy garden soil. Normal garden soil is sufficient for older hemp palms.
Moving from the tub to the open air
Hemp palms are always repotted or planted out in spring. At a later point in time, the palm tree would no longer grow sufficiently.
Location and soil fit? Then let's get started! Take the palm tree out of the bucket and water the root ball thoroughly. Then insert the plant and loosely fill the planting hole with the excavated soil.
Water and Fertilizer: The Food of the Hemp Palm Tree
In the first few weeks after being planted in the garden, the palm is in an adjustment phase. All she needs now is rest and water, fertilizer is not necessary. In contrast to many other palm species, you can water it abundantly in spring, summer and autumn - the hemp palm tolerates a lot of lime-free water, but not waterlogging.
When the top layer of soil has dried out, it's time for a watering. When kept outdoors, the hemp palm gets everything it needs with rainwater. In the winter months, the palm tree outdoors is usually not watered. However, if the temperature is very mild, which is becoming more and more common, you can water occasionally even in winter.
Fertiliser is only used when new leaf shoots appear. Then fertilize every two to four weeks. A nitrogen-rich fertilizer (e.g. available here) is optimal. If the hemp palms are well established, you can also spread a long-term fertilizer in April and June.
The right winter protection
So that your hemp palm is not damaged in winter, it must be protected from the icy temperatures. To do this, place an insulating mulch around the planting site and cover the lower area of the trunk with straw and jute or bubble wrap.