Palm trees evoke memories of relaxing holidays, secluded tropical beaches and cool, moist rainforests. The good news is that you can instantly create a restful oasis in your own garden: just buy a mature palm, dig a hole and drop it in. Even better news, palms are great value for money so the makeover won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Palm prices

Don looked at the prices of different sized bangalow palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) as an example of the fantastic value palms represent. They ranged from $13 for a 200mm or 8" pot, through to plants over 2m tall in 250mm (10") pots for $20 each. 300mm (12") pots cost $35.75. Large bangalow palms with trunks starting to develop were selling for $87. Although paying $100 or more for a palm may sound expensive, it's not when you consider that you could wait ten years or more for a small plant to grow to the same size. So in a way, you are buying time.

(Tip: large plants need a little extra care while they are becoming established. To boost growth and development Don recommended spraying a 50:50 mixture of Nitrosol and Seasol applied using a hose-end applicator.)

Palms for cool climates

In our segment Don looked at bangalow and kentia palms (Howea forsteriana), which grow in the warmer areas of Australia. In a colder climate similar effects could be achieved using more cold tolerant palms such as Chinese windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei), the European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis), Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) or the palm-like giant strelitzia (Strelitzia nicolai).

Further information

Our segment was filmed at:
Impact Plants
Poole Close
Empire Bay, 2257
Phone: (02) 4369 1422

Retail prices for palms may vary from state to state and according to availability.

Nitrosol and Seasol are available at nurseries, hardware stores and some supermarkets and both come in 2 litre hose-on applicators for around $9-$12 each. To mix the two products, empty half of one product from its applicator into a storage container then top up the applicator with the second product.

Copyright CTC Productions 2001