How to Protect Areca Palm Trees From the Cold
The Areca Palm, primarily grown as an indoor plant, is also referred to as Golden Feather or Golden Cane for its light golden green fronds. A tropical or semi-tropical plant that doesn't do well in cool weather, it can only tolerate brief exposure to 32 degree Fahrenheit temperatures. In the ground, it can reach 20 feet tall but as an interior tree, it stays between 5 and 7 feet tall. The tree must remain wet and cannot tolerate salt or excess minerals. In proper climates, it is an easy to care for plant with few pests and disease problems. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Twine
- Scissors
- Chicken wire
- Wire snips
- Straw
- Burlap
- Pot
- Pot dolly
- Compost
- Potting soil
- Bubble wrap
Instructions
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In the Ground
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1
Tie the top fronds of the tree loosely together over the crown of the palm. This will create an insulating layer for the plant and help protect the top of the tree from cold.
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2
Cut two identical layers of chicken wire that are long enough to wrap around the tree and with a 1-foot gap between the trunk and the wire. Set the bottom one around the tree trunk and tie it closed with twine. Tie the other wire cage on top of the first one to make an enclosure big enough for the palm with extra room around the inside.
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3
Stuff the interior of the chicken wire cage with straw. Tuck the fronds in among the straw as you go. Cover the plant at night with a large piece of burlap. Remove it during the day so the palm can get sunshine.
In Containers
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4
Plant your palm in a large pot with a half and half mixture of potting soil and compost. Put the pot on a pot dolly before you fill it, so it will be easy to move when the weather turns cool.
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5
Wrap the pot with bubble wrap if there are brief spells at night where the temperature is around 35 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll it in close to the house or into a sheltered area.
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6
Move the pot indoors completely when temperatures are consistently cold. Store the pot in an enclosed area where temperatures do not dip to freezing. The garage or a shed will be fine as long as there is a window to allow sunlight indoors.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
