Potting Up Palms
There is always so much work to do on my Bedford, New York farm.
During the warm season, all my potted tropical plants are displayed outdoors in various locations. This year, I decided to display four large potted specimens in front of my Hay Barn - two Bismarckia palms, Bismarckia nobilis, and two pygmy date palms, Phoenix roebenenii. These attractive, slow-growing plants are thriving and will do very well in the custom square fiberglass planters painted my signature color, "Bedford gray."
Here are some photos.
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- These are the wide silver green leaves of the Bismarck palm, Bismarckia nobilis. It is among my favorite palms and I have several in my collection.
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- I knew two of my bigger Bismarck palms would look great in the square planters from ePlanters. They come in a dark cement gray color, but I painted them Bedford gray to match the exterior of my houses.
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- The Bismarck palm is a native of Madagascar that grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet with a spread of 12 to 16 feet. This is the base of the plant. The leaf base is split, creating an attractive pattern on the 15–18-inch-diameter trunk.
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- Phurba measures the length of the root ball to determine how deep it should sit in the pot.
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- Shards are placed in the bottom of the container. This is so soil does not fall through the holes or block any drainage.
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- Non-woven landscape cloth is also placed at the bottom of the container for proper filtration, allowing water to pass through while keeping fine soil particles out.
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- Phurba also measures the depth of the pot as soil is added to make sure it is filled with the right amount.
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- Scotts Miracle-Gro Shake ‘n Feed Palm Plant Food is added to the soil scooped into the container. This fertilizer continuously nourishes tropical plants for up to three months. It contains magnesium, iron, and manganese to reduce the risk of yellowing or curling fronds.
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- Phurba and Pasang gently lift the potted palm up and into the container with the nicest leaves facing out.
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- Hauling all the needed soil is our Kubota M4-071 tractor – a vehicle that is used every day here at the farm to do a multitude of tasks.
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- Once the plant is in its pot, Pasang fills the surrounding areas with soil to secure the plant.
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- Phurba spreads the soil evenly across the pot and adds more fertilizer.
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- And then Pasang gives the Bismarck palm a good drink.
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- I also decided to transplant two giant pygmy date palms which had outgrown their urns and needed new homes. Pasang carefully went around the root ball with a hori-hori knife to loosen it from the pot.
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- This plant definitely needed some attention – the root mass has grown quite a bit. Pasang scarifies the root ball, or slices through the roots, in several areas to encourage root growth. It may seem harsh, but the plant will send out new feeder roots and should recover quickly.
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- Pasang and Phurba carefully transport the pygmy date palm to its new pot in front of the Hay Barn. Phoenix roebelenii is a species of date palm native to southeastern Asia, from southwestern China, northern Laos and northern Vietnam.
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- Pasang and Phurba position the plant in the pot, and like the others, add soil and fertilizer.
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- The leaves of a pygmy date palm are deep green, feathery fronds that can grow up to four feet long. These fronds form a dense canopy that can have 30 to 50 leaves. The leaves are graceful and arching, and can look piney when the wind blows.
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- What makes the Pygmy Date Palm so attractive are the brown, textured trunks. These trunks can grow straight or crooked, depending on how the palm is placed as they tend to curve toward the light.
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- This is the base of the trunk which gives the appearance of a pineapple as old leaf debris is removed.
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- Two of each plant are now potted up and flank the sliding doors of the Hay Barn. They will remain here until the fall when all the tropical plants are returned to their designated hoop houses for winter storage.
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- Displaying plants outdoors is an easy way to add color, texture, and nature to any space. They’re definitely a good thing.
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