How to care for palm trees during the winter? Effective lighting for palm trees.
How to care for palm trees in the winter?
In winter, we need to change the way we care for our palm. We should pay attention to watering, lighting and protection from frost. Lower temperatures cause the growth rate and activity of palm roots to decrease. For this reason, the plant needs less water. In addition to overwatering the palm, by watering too much, we also risk frostbite of the roots. Such damage may be too severe for the palm to survive. In the event of a sudden drop in temperature, we should cover palms growing outside. We can cover the plants with agrotextile or bamboo mats. We recommend Kingfisher agrotextile for this. Root protection is also important - for this we can use mulch in the form of cones or bark. When the temperature rises, we should remove the cover and mulch. Like all plants, palms need light to grow. In the colder months, when the days are short and dark, Verticana lamps will allow you to provide your palm with perfect conditions. The lighting system provides the wavelengths of light that are needed for photosynthesis. Lighting will make your palm tree look as good in winter as it does in summer.
Light requirements for palm trees
Palm trees like bright, indirect light the most, although they can survive with relatively little light - this makes them good houseplants. Survival is not everything, however; in order for your palm to grow and look its best, it will need help in the form of a lamp. Additional lighting will simulate the natural living conditions of the palm, quite different from the capricious Polish weather.
Lighting palm trees - what light to use to light a palm tree?
A popular choice is CFL, or fluorescent, lights, but they have two big problems. One is the light spectrum, which is very selective. CFLs emit a lot of red and blue light - both have a good effect on plant growth, but other wavelengths, which also have a positive effect on the plant, are omitted. The second disadvantage is energy saving. Fluorescent lights produce heat; heat means wasted energy and higher electricity bills. LED lights that emit the full spectrum of light are a much better choice. Verticana lamps produce more red and blue light for the best growth, but do not ignore the rest of the spectrum. LED lighting is also very energy-efficient and does not emit additional heat.
How long should palm trees be lit for?
Potted palms usually come from species that grow in the shade of larger trees, so they do not need a lot of light, but it is good to provide them with as much light as possible. It is best to simulate the natural length of day - we should light for at least 12 hours. However, it should be remembered to give the plant time to rest, at least four hours. This will limit the potential for the plant to go wild. Lighting should be dosed at first - a plant standing in a dark place cannot receive a full dose of light immediately. Over the course of a month, we should gradually increase the dose until we reach the default light duration.
