HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PALM TREE

Palm Tree Care

Palm trees are becoming popular additions to gardens. They bring a flavor of the tropics and warmth. But there are some measures you need to take to keep it at its finest and ensure you have a healthy Palm tree standing in your garden for years to come.

FEEDING AND WATERING YOUR PALM

Depending on the species and size, the volume of fertilizer required will vary. There are products on the market which measure the nutrient levels in the soil and, if you are keeping your Palm in a pot, I would recommend investing in one.

Once planted, give the Palm two to four weeks before you attempt to apply fertilizer. After it has acclimatized you will need to fertilize the plant around four times a year, using a fertilizer made up of one part phosphorous, two parts nitrogen, three parts potassium and one part magnesium.

Palm trees only develop leaves once their roots have developed sufficiently. Mulching the Palm with organic matter like lawn clippings or wood chips, evenly spaced, across a wide area around the roots should encourage them to grow and develop well. If the roots are healthy, the trunk and leaves will flourish and grow.

Plenty of water will also help promote root growth. If you are growing it from a seed, making a dam around the root ball to funnel the water to the roots will help promote root growth. If you are replanting a Palm, you will initially need to water it more than usual. Replanted trees have their roots cut and need extra water before the roots have fully grown back.

Watering the plant three or four times a week is sufficient. If you have just planted your Palm and it was field grown, you may need to water it twice a day for the first two or three weeks. After that you can gradually reduce the water until it is on a normal watering schedule.

PROTECTING PALM TREES IN THE WINTER

Palm trees are sensitive to cold and it is important to protect them intelligently. Before you buy a Palm, check the freezing patterns in your area and make sure you buy a species that can handle the temperature ranges.

If you have a plant which is sensitive to cold, try and keep it behind a wall in a courtyard, or other structure that will offer a wind break. If there are colder days forecast, you can drape a blanket over the palm to trap the air and keep it warmer than the outside air temperature. However, this blanket must be breathable, if you use plastic or bubble wrap the plant will suffocate and rot.

The trunk can also be wrapped in bamboo wraps to protect it from the cold and the roots can be covered in mulch. As soon as the cold snap lifts, remove the protection as too much protection will also damage the plant.

PRUNING AND WEEDING

Palm trees can be sensitive to herbicides, so it is best to pull out any weeds by hand. Pruning dead leaves should also be done by hand, or with a pruner or pruning saw. Wait until the dead leaves are completely brown before attempting to remove them. When they are ready to be removed, cut them as close to the trunk as possible. If the leaf is not ready to be removed you can damage the trunk so ensure the leaf is entirely brown before pruning. Eventually the tree will shed its old leaves, but they can be if you don?t want to wait.

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