PLANTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR TROPICAL LANDSCAPE

Once you have a layout for your tropical landscape and chosen your upper story palms you need to consider the soil type in your project and what steps you need to take to make it ideal.

Soil Considerations

Most palms require a well-drained soil which can be enriched with organic mulches. If you have a clay based soil consider turning it with a rotary hoe and overlying with a freely draining mix based on washed river sand. By planting in a mound above the existing ground level ensures good drainage and less chance of root rot. If you are planting individual palms, break the surrounding clay and form a shallow hole. Plant the palm by mounding so emerging roots can grow into the surrounding friable mix. If you dig a hole in existing poorly draining soil and plant the palm into it, the hole may fill with water during rain and the roots will likely rot. Palms so planted by mounding usually require 3 stake stays and a hessian support to hold them firm against strong winds until roots take some hold.

An organic mulch should be applied after your palms are planted. This will help to naturally enrich the soil and conserve moisture.

Plant Adaptation

Although your planted palms will provide an instant landscape effect, typically palms may take up to 12 months to acclimatise. During the first 5 – 6 months the palm is growing new roots and adapting to the temperature, humidity and soil in its new environment. This occurs in all cases – even with sun hardened stock but the effect is more profound when shade house palms are planted in the garden. Palms that have originated from tropical landscape environments and planted into our local Hunter region will set back even further depending on the time of year that you plant them out. Berkie Palms supply locally grown stock that will minimise these changes.

Commonly seen during this process is yellowing of some existing leaves as water and nutrients are sub-optimal to support these older leaves. New emergent leaves should be healthy and green and these further rob nutrients from the older leaves which should be removed. This is a normal adaption process and the effects should be minimised if correct soil type and drainage as well as watering techniques are applied.

Strong hot winds soon after planting will magnify these effects. This can also be seen where palms are planted close to the coast, prone to the effects of an afternoon sea breeze. If such winds are likely a shade cloth or hessian screen should be erected to provide a wind break and reduce stress on the newly planted palm. By taking these steps the adaptation stress on your palm will be greatly reduced and it will acclimatise more rapidly to its new environment.

Watering Frequency & Technique

Fertilizer & Nutrient Requirements