Palms are visually very different from any fruit or tree, and this also applies to their root system. So it’s good to know how to plant a palm tree anywhere in our garden, with some practical advice so that it adapts to the ground as quickly as possible.
Its globular roots and the spherical shape of the root system imply small changes when we make the planting hole, the ridged earth and the first stand irrigations.
In this article, we briefly explain the main tips for planting a palm tree in your garden
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Transplant a palm tree in the garden
Most of the palms that can be found in nurseries, of all the types that exist, they come in pots with substrate.
However, one can also find, especially the larger ones, with bagged bare rootsdirectly to transplant in the garden.
It’s usual decorative use in the gardenespecially in coastal areas or around swimming pools, as they do not shed their leaves and they generally do not dirty the waterexcept those that emit flowers and fruits, such as date palms.
Here are the following tips for planting a palm tree:
Planting hole: you must dig a fairly deep hole, at least 40 cm, leaving at least 30 cm over the entire width of the root ball. Very carefully support its roots directly at the base of the soil, always with a little loose soil at the bottom of the hole.
Organic material: It is recommended to apply 4 or 5 kg of organic matter or vegetable compost in the planting hole, mixing it well with the soil until an even substrate is created. In this way we will help the palm to form new roots.
Hydration: immediately after planting, provide 10 liters of water for small specimens (50 cm high) and 20 liters of water for large specimens. Let the water penetrate the entire root surface to promote its installation and avoid any type of stress.
Growth Guide: As the trunk forms, especially in thin-trunked palm species, note that it develops vertical growth. Otherwise, use a guide based on a wooden stick and tie your palm to correct the deviation.
When is the best time to transplant a palm tree?
To plant a palm tree, the best time of year is when there is sap movement. They are very resistant species and as soon as they detect a little moisture in their roots, they begin to emit new leaves quickly.
The best time of year is in early spring and during summeravoiding very hot temperatures.
Additional tips for planting a palm tree
What kind of soil does a palm tree need?
Palms do not need high soil moisture conditions, so any well-drained, loose, porous soil is welcome.
To plant palm trees in clay soils, look for mixtures with sand and organic matter to improve the oxygenation of the medium. Otherwise, poor drainage can cause root rot.
read more: 8 types of indoor palm trees for your home
How often is a palm tree watered?
The risks of palm trees are very moderate. In the hottest seasons (end of spring and summer), they are watered once or twice a week maximum.
Large palms are usually watered with drip irrigationplacing one dripper per plant (4 to 8 L/h) and irrigations of about 1 hour.
In autumn and winter, it will be enough to water once every 15-20 days.
Initial payment after planting the palm tree
To facilitate the transplantation of a palm tree, we can apply fertilizers and stimulants that generate new roots.
Recommendation to stimulate the formation of new roots in palm trees:
- Humic acids: apply 3-5 ml/L of water of any mixture of humic and fulvic acids and apply directly to the root environment. We will improve the soil structure and stimulate the emergence of new roots with fulvic acids.
- Amino acids: mix 3ml/L of any amino acid source to promote new root formation.
Several weeks after planting the palm tree, one can resort to any liquid palm fertilizerhigh in nitrogen, such as an NPK 8-3-5 blend with micronutrients.
The dose of use is 1 ml/L of irrigation water, applied in 1 irrigation every 2 weeks from March to September.