Introduction
At Seahaven Palms, we grow our palms locally on the Mornington Peninsula in Southern Victoria, where the weather can vary from mild to extremely hot days in summer and cool to icy cold days in winter. Our palms are acclimatized to these conditions therefore reducing the stress factor when planting our palms in these cooler climates.
Many palms will thrive in cooler climates, and some are frost hardy, but it is preferable to protect them from icy cold winds and bitter frost, as they are still tropical plants. Typically, palm trees should be planted in full sunlight, however you should always check for specific requirements relating to the particular palm species.
Use care when transporting and handling palms. Damage to the bark, crown or root ball can leave palms vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Planting Palms
Choose a location with well-draining, organically rich soil. Organic compost such as manure or blood meal can be added to the soil as a conditioner a month before planting. The best time to plant is in the warmer months when the soil temperature is approximately 18 degrees Celsius. Plant your palm soon after purchase and in the meantime, ensure that the root ball is kept moist but not soaking.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and as deep as the pot in which it was grown. After the tree is placed into the hole, backfill with the freshly dug soil, ensuring that the entire root ball is covered, and lightly tamp the area to secure the soil in place.
Build a soil barrier around the outer edge of the hole to form a dam that will hold water. Cover with a layer of organic mulch about 3 – 4 inches deep. The mulch will help to keep the soil moist in summer and warm in winter.
Watering
Water in well with a seaweed solution to prompt healthy root growth. Frequent watering is crucial for newly-planted palm trees. Water regularly to keep soil moist but do not overwater during your palm's first summer. It is important not to allow the soil to dry out as this will severely weaken your new palm.
Slowly watering the palm with a drip system or soaker hose allows the water to penetrate down to the roots.
Fertilizers
Do not fertilize newly planted palm trees until new growth appears, approximately 6 – 8 weeks after planting. Add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil around the palm tree three times a year during the growing season.
HINT: If your palm shows a light green or yellow colour feed it with a few spoons full of Epson salt.
Pruning
Palm trees are relatively low-maintenance but they occasionally require some pruning. Pruning of dead fronds varies with palms, check the plant tag for special requirements. As they grow, the older fronds will turn brown, die and eventually fall off. You may wish to speed the process along by pruning off the dead fronds. Prune only the dead fronds and do not cut too close to the trunk.
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