The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) is a palm in the family Arecaceae grown for its edible fruit. Although its place of origin is unknown because of long cultivation, it probably originated from lands around the Persian Gulf. It is a medium-sized tree, growing to 20 m tall, with a single trunk and pinnate (feather-like) leaves. The leaves are 2.5-3 m long, with about 150 leaflets. The full span of the crown ranges from 6–10 m.
Benefits:
-The tree is drought-tolerant, and can survive in conditions with little rainfall and high temperatures.
-The tree has deep roots that can reach up to 20 m, which help to anchor the tree and prevent it from being uprooted by strong winds.
-The leaves of the date palm are used for thatching roofs, making baskets and mats, and as fodder for livestock.
-The fruit of the date palm is edible and is often used in cooking. The tree’s wood can be used for making furniture and other wood products.
How to care:Â Â
-The tree does not require much care, and can tolerate long periods of drought.
-The tree should be watered deeply and infrequently, to encourage deep rooting.
-The tree should be fertilized with a high-nitrogen fertilizer in the spring.
-The tree should be pruned regularly to remove dead leaves and branches.
Water requirement:
The Date Palm is a drought tolerant tree and does not require much water once it is established. It should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage deep rooting.
Fertilizer:
A high-nitrogen fertilizer should be used in the spring.
Pruning:
The tree should be pruned regularly to remove dead leaves and branches.
Type of Soil:
The tree prefers sandy, well-drained soils, but can tolerate a range of soil types.
Plantation Time:
The best time to plant a Date Palm is in the spring.
Propagation:Â
Propagation is usually done by seed, but palms can also be propagated by air layering or by rooting cuttings.Propagation of date palm is done with help of suckers as propagation with seeds is impractical. Select Suckers or offshoots from mother plant. Suckers are obtained from 4 or 5th year after planting. Ideal weight of suckers should be of 15-20kg. Mould mixture of well decomposed cowdung, sand and sawdust around suckers, six month or year before its separation. At time of separation, remove older leaves and take single cut.