How to Plant a King Palm
The king palm is a tree native to Australia. Despite its common name, it is not one of the largest palm trees. It reaches a height of only about 40 feet. Its trunk can reach a diameter of up to 1.5 feet. The king palm is unlike many other palms, however, because it will tolerate relatively cold temperatures. The king palm can live in temperatures as low as 25 degrees F. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Soak king palm seeds in water for about one day before planting so that the outer shell of the seed is moist when it is planted.
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Lay the soaked seed on its side and press it into the soil of a seed pot with one finger, pressing until the seed is partially under the soil with the top of the seed still viable above the soil. Start with a small seed pot. Young king palms like being root bound, and the small size of the pot will make it easier to monitor the soil.
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Water the seed gently. Watering the seeds too harshly can cause them to be buried too deeply or to wash away. Keep the area moist at all times, never allowing the soil to completely dry out.
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Transplant the 6-month old seedling into a larger pot. A 4-inch pot is the right size for a king palm that is about six to eight months old. It will be able to stay in this pot until it is a year old and can be moved into a 6-inch pot. Many gardeners plant their king palms outdoors once they are about two years old.
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Choose an outdoor area that has excellent drainage when it's time to transplant your king palm. It will not tolerate standing water or slow-draining soil. If your soil doesn't have fast drainage, add some sand to the soil to improve its drainage. Other options include mixing compost or peat moss into the soil before you plant the seed. The area you choose should also have either partial or full sun exposure. The king palm will thrive in either.
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