Palmtrees palm trees Phoenix Roebelenii   Pygmy Date Palm

The Phoenix Roebelenii (Pigmy Date Palm) is one of the more graceful and delicate looking of all palm varieties, but actually very hardy, drought tolerant, and very long lived if planted in the correct environment. The Phoenix can adapt to the worst soil conditions from very heavy clay to a sandy soil low in nutrients. It can tolerate soggy soil or standing water like the river banks in South East Asia where it originates from,  providing a few cultural steps are taken to help the adaptation to the changed environment.  

                                                       The largest palm growing in ground at the farm.

They are often acquired with three or more palms planted together to appear fuller when immature, but when fully grown may appear unnatural grown from this state.  The fully mature single trunk plant takes on the natural classic form of the palm family with a clean trunk that leads to a head with graceful fronds in its smaller size.  If multiple trunks are desired a more natural form can be created by planting the trunks with adequate spacing with different maturities for variances in height.  Separating small triples may seem feasible but actually very difficult to bring all three to fruition.  The roots of palms are stiff and brittle and break easily, when a break occurs the complete root can die leaving a entry point for disease as well.  There are those who know this is one of the most critical steps is the plants survival and even plant the whole pot to avoid any kind of root damage. Ref. Pot Planting

Palm farm pictures from 2004

root system

Since the Phoenix is a extremely slow growing palm tree it is best to keep the nutrients and moisture constant for the maximum growth rate. Increase Roebelenii Growth Rate Palms planted in ground provide ample space for the root system and uniform temperature that a container can not.  Extreme heat or cold can burn fronds and retard the plants growth.  Field grown sun hardened plants are often a better choice.  Containered plants are often set back a season or two when placed in a environment of full sun or drying winds.  Palm fronds do not adapt to change well, discolored fronds never re-grow or re-green. 

temperature

The temperature is a factor in all plant survival and the Phoenix is no exception. The southern California coast, parts of Arizona, the lower half of Florida and the Texas coast are the generally accepted outdoor growing areas in the USA, but there are micro climates throughout that can provide adequate growing conditions.

transplanting

    This species can easily die with transplantation from one area of the garden to another,  because it is slow to adapt to any adverse conditions, but once established is quite hardy and drought tolerant.  Keep the root ball as large as possible. On large specimens root pruning can be done mounts in advance to prevent the shock of loosing most of the root system at once. It will show a decline in growth and appearance that may last for more than a season.  With the proper care they can be successfully transplanted without obvious trunk deformity.

feeding

    The main cultural consideration is proper fertilization. For a healthy specimen supply palm fertilizer which has magnesium and manganese as well. The existing yellow fronds will never recover. After proper feeding the new growth will be green and stay green.

seeds

    This thin trunked 35 year old trio is the source of our 2004 pollen.  The seeds from this coupling will not  be ready until early 2005. Pygmy date palm seeds germinate easily under the proper conditions.  One might notice that they rarely volunteer under the parent trees although thousands of viable seeds drop in the immediate vicinity.  The ideal conditions for germination are in a continuously warm moist potting soil under shade cloth, because the young tender seedlings can burn easily if exposed to direct sunlight, and once the growth is arrested rarely recover.

Sago Palm (new page)

    This space is reserved for Mr Sago the authority on sago palms...He is currently in the possession of the finest breeding pair of sago palms in that we are aware of in the area....We have asked him to submit pups and seeds from his top pair so those with interests in cycads would have access to the traits that his sago palms exhibit. 

Abe-test

Abe-test

Abe-test

Big guard dog on duty...There have been attempts to rustle palms from the front of this property so moving palms behind chain link was necessary.

new Music test

Bananas

A practical way for a homeowner to raise bananas in your garden.  How to remove suckers.  How to harvest bananas a hand at a time. How and when to cut the banana spike.  How to gas your own bananas.       Bananas