How to Grow Royal Palm Trees
Royal palm trees, known for their grace, beauty and towering height, are not difficult to grow, but can only be grown in areas where the temperature does not regularly drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit. They need plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil and regular watering. As long as you give them the right start at first planting, however, they are very easy to grow. Choosing the right location and providing enough water in the first few weeks are the biggest challenges in growing royal palm trees. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Search for a sunny location for your palm tree. The site should receive direct sunlight during most of the day. Royal palm trees will not grow well in shady areas.
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2
Check the area above your selected site for any obstacles such as power lines or other trees. Royal palm trees can reach a height of up to 100 feet, and need a clear path for growing upward.
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3
Find the depth that your palm tree was planted at in the nursery by looking for the dirt mark or water line on the bark. This is how deep you will want to dig the hole for your tree.
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4
Measure the width of the root ball on your palm tree at the widest point and double the measurement to determine the width of the hole you will dig for your tree.
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5
Dig a hole using the width and depth you determined in Steps 3 and 4.
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6
Mix a slow-release palm tree fertilizer into the dirt you removed from the hole. Do not use a quick-release fertilizer or you could damage your royal palm tree.
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7
Mix sand into the soil and fertilizer mixture, using about the same amount of sand as soil. This is to improve drainage. If the location where you are planting your royal palm tree is sandy, or the soil is well-drained, you can skip this step.
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8
Place about one inch of the soil, sand and fertilizer mixture in the hole.
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9
Plant the royal palm tree in the center of the hole, filling the hole with the soil, sand and fertilizer mixture, and packing it down well.
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10
Place wood braces on three sides of the tree, using a metal hose band to secure the boards. Do not nail the braces to the tree.
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11
Water your royal palm tree once a day for the first four to six weeks, and every two weeks after that during hot weather. It can be watered once a month during cool weather once it is well established.
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12
Fertilize your royal palm tree every three months using a slow-release palm tree fertilizer. It is better to under-fertilize your palm tree than to over-fertilize it.
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13
Remove the braces after six to eight months so they do not damage the tree and it does not become dependent on the braces for strength.
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Tips & Warnings
Create a watering ring around your palm tree to make watering easier by building up a small barrier a few feet around the tree using bricks, stones, gravel or other garden items.
Don't fertilize more often than recommended by the fertilizer manufacturer. Over-fertilization is a common killer of royal palm trees.
References
- Photo Credit Luiz Silveira
