Phoenix canariensis

I brought a 2ft Canary Island Date plant for when I'm ready to plant my little jungle on the back garden.

When I brought it I placed it in a sheltered spot in my side garden although I thought it would be better to bring it inside the other week when we had that very cold snap.

It seems quite happy in our room but the question I wish to ask is should I leave it where it is or put it back outside once more?

Is is okay where it is or will the central heating do it more harm than good? How often should I water it or should I let it just be damp?
Sorry for all the questions guys but I know that you all know far more than little old me! :D Hel.xxx.

 

Morning Helen. I have 4 out in the garden and although we are possibly a little warmer than you in winter (and a little cooler in summer) apart from those 3 nasty nights a couple of weeks ago when I fleeced the 2 little ones they have been fine.

However having said that, I have one that was a house plant for 5 or 6 years. When we decided it was getting too big and should be planted out I did just that - in April. It took very badly to the early move and died right back from 5 or 6 feet. However it recovered over the summer and put out new fronds which have (so far) survived the winter.

I would be inclined to keep it in the house until late May and then plant it out so it can acclimatise next Autumn to the cooler weather. If it does die back then don't abandon it. It should come again if the roots are OK.

The short time it is indoors I would just keep it damp and give it a light feed for the next 3 months. although if it does dry out for a short time it won't hurt. better that than over-watering.

 

The leaves on mine are probably 3-4ft (the lower ones certainly worry my husband when he walks past it!). Apart from the end of January, when we were told it would be horrible icy weather (when I put it, the Washingtonia, the Magnolia and the Dicksonia indoors while we were away), the Phoenix has been fine. But I'm further south than you and have a sheltered sunny garden.

The only thing I'd add to that is to occasionally bring yours out for a few hours to sit in the shade when you're out there gardening anyway. I do that with my Wollemia (admittedly it's not a palm) on mild days so it's not a total shock to its system when it gets unceremoniously dumped outside again in April-May!

 

Thanks guys for your advice I didn't want to lose the little guy as the boys brought it for their old mum and I would be so shame faced if I lost it so much so that I would have to go out and by another...just like I had to do when one of their fishes died when they were young and still at little school. :eek: Hel.xxx.