What kind of soil is best for growing a parlor palm?

The parlor palm is an evergreen small shrub in the genus Chamaedorea of the palm family Arecaceae. Compared with the normal tall coconut palm, the potted height of the parlor palm generally does not exceed 1 m. It is native to northern Mexico and Guatemala in tropical Central America, and today it is already a fairly popular potted plant in northern China. So what kind of soil is best for growing a parlor palm?

1. How to grow a parlor palm

1. For potted parlor palms, a substrate made from leaf mold and peat soil plus 1/4 river sand and a small amount of base fertilizer can generally be used. It is best grown in loam that drains well and is loose and fertile.

2. Water according to the principle of preferring moist over dry; just keep the potting soil constantly moist. In summer and autumn, when the air is dry, spray the plant frequently to raise the ambient air humidity, so the leaves stay dark green and glossy. In winter, reduce the amount of watering appropriately to help the parlor palm get through the winter.

3. The parlor palm has low fertilizer requirements. Generally, apply liquid fertilizer 1-2 times a month during the growing season, and in late autumn and winter apply a little fertilizer or none at all. Repot once every 2-3 years in spring.

4. The suitable temperature for the parlor palm is between 20 and 30 degrees, which is fairly suitable. Because its cold tolerance is poor, it is best to place it indoors in winter. Throughout the winter, the growing temperature for the parlor palm is best kept at around 10 degrees.

5. The parlor palm tolerates a wide range of light, but semi-shade with 50-60% sunlight is best.

6. When growing the parlor palm in a pot, it is best to change the pot once a year and replace the potting soil at the same time, which can be done together with watering and fertilizing.

2. How to propagate the parlor palm

The parlor palm is mainly propagated in two ways: by seed and by division. Seed propagation is generally carried out from spring to summer, and the seeds are best sown as soon as they are collected. They generally germinate in 2-4 months, and after 2-3 rounds of temporary planting and fertilizing they are planted out. For division propagation, use a mixed substrate of peat and perlite, use a plastic flower pot with a diameter of 15 cm to 20 cm, and add ceramsite granules at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer. Take a soil-less potted parlor palm more than one year old, divide it in spring together with repotting, and plant it in a flower pot with the above mixed substrate, with 3 to 4 plants per pot.

The above is the main growing technique for the parlor palm. Friends who are interested can go to the market and buy one to grow themselves.