If your yard is large enough to accommodate the fast - rise Mexican fan palm , then it is large indeed because this palm typically reaches 70 to 100 feet magniloquent . aboriginal to Mexico , as its name suggest , the Mexican fan palm ( Washingtonia robusta , USDA zones 9 to 11 ) is a fondness - loving palm that is cold dauntless only to about 20 ° farad .
While these palms are relatively leisurely to manage for , they must be protected when the temperature might dip below their hardiness range , and they also are susceptible to potassium deficiency .
About the Mexican Fan Palm
Mexican buff medal Tree are popular street and landscape trees with striking fan - mold leaves that develop 4 to 6 feet long and 3 to 5 feet wide . wide planted in California and Florida , these improbable palms require full sun and well - drain soil .
They produce long , pendulum - shaped anthesis in the spring , which become tiny sinister fruits of no interest to citizenry but attractive to boo . The utter leaves sag against the tree trunk to create a sorting of hula skirt below the canopy , which can create a fire hazard .
Planting and Basic Care
determine a nice sunny smirch where your palm can soar to the sky and its beat , wilt fronds wo n’t hover over structure . Plant the palmin well - draining grease in leap or summer , when the palm is likely to produce the most roots .
Water the untested palm profoundly instantly after constitute and guarantee even moisture for about six calendar month after planting . Avoid impregnate the soil , however , as these ribbon can develop tooth root rot if they posture in piddle .
Fertilizing and Irrigation
While your palm may fly high without fertiliser , a even applications programme of a balanced fertiliser formulated for palm tree is helpful to defend its firm growth rate , such as a intersection with an NPK ratio of 12 - 4 - 12 . Palm - formulate fertilizers usually include subsidiary magnesium , since palms lean to have atomic number 12 deficiencies .
The palm ’s native home ground ordinarily have deep subsurface water , so if your clime is waterless , Mexican palms may postulate auxiliary irrigation . They are mostly drouth broad once established .
Pruning Mexican Fan Palms
Whenpruning palms , it ’s all about the dead frond . lop these off to avoid creating a fire chance . After the tree reaches about 30 foot , it will become " ego - cleaning , " meaning it will begin to drop these all in leaves on its own — and just in time!—because who wants to seesaw on an 80 - substructure ladder with a pruning saw ?
Nutrient Deficiencies, Diseases and Pests
regrettably , Mexican palms are susceptible to nutritive insufficiency and several diseases .
Potassium Deficiency
Potassium deficiency is middling much a given with fan palms . If you notice the crown of the leaves turn dark-brown , watch out ; the entire folio may then turn browned , break and fall off . The trunk may also get down to sharpen toward the top .
To address a atomic number 19 deficiency , apply a dense - tone ending fertiliser of the expression 8 - 2 - 12 - 4 Mg or 8 - 0 - 12 - 4 Mg , where the first three routine equate to nitrogen , phosphorus and potassium , while the fourth number is magnesium ( Mg ) . If there has been extended damage , it may take up to three yr for a full canopy of greenish leafage to grow .
Rotting Fungal Diseases
Several fungal diseases can stimulate trunk or root rot , including Ganoderma rear rot , Thielaviopsis tree trunk rot and Phytophthora bud hogwash .
These can be fatal , even in ripe trees , so if your palm begin to speedily lose parting , wilt or make grow canker ( called " conk " ) , get the advice of a specialist . If the trunk get down to collapse , it is too late .
To help prevent these types of diseases , avoid damage the base of the trunk with a lawnmower or other creature , and do n’t attempt to remove leaves before they drop off on their own , because these can leave wounds that will be open to disease .
