Phoenix dactylifera, is popularly known as the date palm. Although commonly referred to as a "palm tree", they are actually a true palm not a tree, and all palms, including the date palm, belong to a group of plants that are known as monocotyledons which include grasses, bamboos, palms, lilies, daffodils, irises, hostas, and orchids.

There are many other palms that produce edible drupes or dates, however their "dates" are almost all seed with very little flesh and most are quite small. Only phoenix dactylifera - the true "date palm" produces the large edible dates that are cultivated and sold today. The female phoenix dactylifera palm produces dates from 1 to 3 inches long with varying degrees of sweetness. There are hundreds of named varieties of phoenix dactylifera date palms, and one of the most famous is the large soft "Medjool" date, while the most widely grown date is the semi-dry "Deglet Noor".

Phoenix dactylifera date palms have been cultivated by man for at least six thousand years! Date palms are mentioned in the bible, and their leaves were carried as symbols of victory by kings in ancient times. Date palm leaves were also used to hail Jesus during His entry into Jerusalem. Today Christian's have Palm Sunday, and Muslims break their Ramadan fast each night by eating a date. Islam regards the date palm tree as the tree of life.

The date palm is not as well known in the USA, but it is very important in the Middle East and Northern Africa because the date palm grows well in the dry desert heat of these areas. In the past, dates had a very important role in these desert regions as the staple food crop. It was comparable to rice, wheat, and potatoes in other cultures! For commercial date production, the top date producing regions are the Middle East and North Africa. Iraq was the largest producer of the dates, although today Iran is thought to be the largest producer. Saudi Arabia is another major producer of dates and their national symbol has date palms. Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria produce large commercial quantities of dates, and these countries also have date palms on their stamps and currency.

In the USA, dates are being grown in Southern California, Southwestern Arizona, and around Las Vegas, Nevada. Dates are also grown in some areas of Mexico and in South America, as well as in Australia, Western China, Western India, and in Southern Pakistan. According to the World Food and Agricultural Organization, there are an estimated 100 million date palm trees worldwide. An estimated 60% of all date palms are grown in the Middle East and North Africa.

In recent years, date palms have become extremely popular as landscape specimens in subtropical areas across the globe. Date palms are more expensive than most other palms, however they are very desirable. People like them because of their striking appearance & natural beauty, their ancient history, and also for their easy maintenance. Date palms look great as single specimens and also in group plantings. The date palm can live to the age of about 200 years, and they can reach heights of 80-100 feet tall.

Date palms grow well throughout Southern California where they are used mostly in landscaping. Date palms like full sun and plenty of water, although they are very drought hardy and can survive extended periods without watering once they are established. Newly planted palms require frequent watering until they are well established. Mature date palms can withstand temperatures several degrees below freezing.

Male date palms are popular for landscaping as they flower briefly in the spring without the yearly crop of dates that female date palms have which can attract unwanted insects, rodents, etc.

For commercial date production, date palms require summertime heat and air with little moisture as is found in the Southern California deserts, and they require lots of water!

In its early years, the date palm produces off-shoots which can be removed and planted. Female date palm off-shoots will begin to produce fruit in 4-5 five years. Date palms can also be grown from seed, however the quality of the dates can vary in seedling date palms and only about half the palms grown from seed will be females. Female date palms grown from seed also take about twice as long to produce dates, usually 10 years or more. Date palms do pollinate naturally, but date production from open polination is usually low. Artificial pollination increases production substantially.

The date fruit takes about six months to ripen. In the middle east, there are four named stages of date ripening; kimri, khalal, rutab, and tamar. The kimri stage is while the dates are green. The khalal stage is when the dates have grown to their maximum size and turn yellowish or reddish depending on the specific date variety. In the rutab stage, the dates begin to soften and lose their bright colors. The fruit is ripe at the tamar stage.

Dates are classified as soft, semi-dry, and dry. The dry dates are commonly used in the middle east for everyday consumption. The sweeter dates are used as a dessert in the Middle East as well as the United States. Among the sweeter dates is the Medjool Date which is considered by many to be the "king of dates" and was once reserved only for royalty! The medjool is known for its unusually large size and its delicious flavor. It can grow to about three inches long and even though it is classified as a soft date it is firmer and more resilient than most other soft dates and it handles much better as well. The Medjool date was brought to the United States through the United States Department of Agriculture. There was a disease in Morocco that was spreading quickly among the Medjool date palms and a Moroccan official offered some shoots to a representative from the USDA which in turn were taken and planted in California. The medjool is now thriving in California as one of the top varieties of dates.

Mature female date palms yield an average of 100-200 pounds of dates per palm each year. One of the most important factors in date yield is the amount of irrigation water they receive. The cultivation of dates is very labor intensive and dangerous. While the dates are maturing on the palm, the dates are preyed upon by small mammals, birds, and insects. Farmers place a protective bag around each date cluster to prevent access to the dates and also for rain protection. Some date varieties are much more vulnerable to moisture. Soft dates are much more difficult to cultivate and require extensive care and handling.

how to germinate

Soak the seeds in water for 24-48 hours. Drain and wrap seeds in a damp paper towel. Put in a ziplock bag in a warm place till sprouts appear. Plant in pots just below the surface, water lightly, and keep warm.

The fruits of this tree are very good fleshy and giant. The tree is very ornamental for any garden or yard.

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A pit of Israeli Phoenix Dactylifera germinated after 2,000 years in Israel..

After 2,000 years: the core of the Great Revolt became a tree Pit of a rare palm tree, was thrown down by one of the fighters against the Romans and found at Masada, planted nearly 2,000 years after Kibbutz Ketura. The researchers estimate: unique tree will be a source of drugs
Alex Doron 25/11/2011 10:40 Tags: planting, trees, Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava region there are many palm trees, but one has recently aroused much attention. A tree was planted at Kibbutz Ketura very rare species was discovered at Masada sprouted pit a few years ago. In a comprehensive study revealed that the core is a remnant from the Great Revolt, ie 1900 years old.

Tree, which grew to such a pot for about seven years, he was the height of 2.5 meters. According to research findings, Tamar is the core of fanatical warriors that served food of Eleazar Ben - Yair, barricaded in the Masada revolt, and according to myth known, collectively committed suicide to avoid capture by the Romans. Dates, it appears, were a key part of their menu.

The archaeological excavations conducted at Masada Herod's palace in 1960 were still a few date pits. Yigal Yadin, conducted archaeological excavations on the site, gave his findings to his colleague, Prof. Mordechai Kislev, head of the Laboratory of Botany, University Briln archaeologist, so he would check them. Kislev, who worked with the researcher, Dr. Orit Simhoni, asserting that the dormant core preserved in vitality and great living. In addition the researchers determined that this is a unique species completely disappeared from the landscape.

Another study, conducted over the years at the University of Zurich, researchers determined definitively that the source of the rare stone during the revolt 73-66 (AD).