This palm tree is native to southeastern North America and attracts wildlife .
Palmetto , or palmetto medal , is a vulgar name used for several different decoration that are commonly used inhome landscapes . They belong to theSabalgenus , which comprises 17 subtropical and tropical laurel wreath species . The plant life are aboriginal to southeastern North America , the Caribbean , and Mexico . In palmetto palms , all of the frond acquire from the top of the plant . The fronds are twist and fan - shaped , with blades that can make 3 to 4 groundwork in length . The individual trunks are tan - gray .
As nativepalm treesor shrub - like palms , palmetto palms are modest - upkeep and have gamey wildlife note value . They bring home the bacon shelter and nesting material for bats , birds , small mammals , Snake , and insects . Native Americans considered the sabal medallion a “ Tree of Life . ”
Where to Plant Palmetto
Palmetto does best whenplanted in full sun . The land needs to have excellent drainage and the pH should be neutral to slightly alkaline .
Most palm tree in theSabalgenus do n’t bring on a large canopy , making them worthful as focal points that do n’t block the sun . When strategically plant , they can shadow roofs and building to assist keep structures nerveless in summer ; however , they grow slowly so you wo n’t be able to reckon on this for a good number of class . When selecting a planting spot , keep in mind that old fronds fail off and when they sink off a tall tree diagram , they can create a hazard .
The palm makes a beautiful backdrop for motley borders . Smaller , moreshrub - like speciescan also be engraft in a quarrel as a concealment hedge or innovation planting . Palmetto does not like to be act once it is established so pick out its placement carefully .
How and When to Plant Palmetto
Althoughpalm treescan be planted at any fourth dimension of the yr , the best time is between May and August .
Dig a hole that is at least twice the diam of the root ball and the same depth . Be extra careful when you move the laurel wreath out of the nursery container to forbid cracking of the centre of the palm , which will stunt the palm ’s growth or even lead to plant death . Place the palm in the pickle and backfill with enough of the original soil so that the top is flush with the soil airfoil .
After planting , the palm needs funding for at least the first year after planting because it is top - wakeless and can easy get knocked over by the tip . The pocket-size root ball of palm tree diagram does not sufficiently anchor the plant life in the grime until it ’s established . The favorite method of reinforcement is bracing :
First , protect the automobile trunk by wrapping it with two layers of burlap about one - fourth of the way up the trunk .
Vertically place 4 pieces of 2×4 Mrs. Henry Wood , about 12 inches in distance , on the outside of the gunny layer , securing the pieces with heavy - tariff string or conducting wire ties . Do not nail them into the trunk .
motor four stakes , either 2x4 wooden stakes or metallic element T - stake , around the torso , at least 2 feet deep into the earth . Space them evenly at about a distance of 4 feet from the bole .
Rest the top of each couple against its corresponding slat and nab the brace to the slats .
If you desire to make a hedge with dwarf palmetto palm , space them 4 feet aside . specimen should be placed at least 12 feet apart .
Palmetto Care Tips
Light
In social club to thrive , the palm should get full sunshine , at least 6 hours of unmediated Sunday day by day . It can tolerate fond shade , but it will slow down down its already dim growth pace .
Soil and Water
Palmetto palms necessitate soil that is moist and rich in organic matter . Excellent drain is fundamental . The pH should be between neutral ( 6.6 and 7.3 ) to slenderly alkaline ( 7.9 to 8.4 ) .
During its establishment period , palmetto should be watered on a regular basis to keep the soil evenly moist . After that , is it fairly drought - large-minded .
Temperature and Humidity
Palmetto is atropical palmthat call for mild winter to survive . Their hardiness varies by species , with some being intrepid as far northward as North Carolina .
If you ’re grow one of these Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree at the northern end of its hardiness cooking stove , it help to plant it in a protected situation , such as near a south - facing paries , to help give it superfluous wintertime trade protection . Some nurseryman wrap the palms in burlap , then fill it with farewell to provide additional protection during wintertime . It is tolerant of gamey temperatures and humidness .
Fertilizer
In average soil , these palms usually do n’t require fertilization , but in nutrient - poor or especially flaxen soil , they can profit from a spring app of fertiliser formulated for use on palms . Be sure to come the recording label educational activity .
Pruning
Palmetto does notrequire pruningother than removing dead fronds for esthetic use . As the palm mature taller , you might not be able to reach the top part any longer . The senior frond die off and omit off on their own while the fundament remain attached to the trunk .
Potting and Repotting
Dwarf palmetto thenar can be grown in pot , but you demand a very large heavy container with large drainage hole . Fill it with potting mixing and keep in mind that potted thenar tree need to be irrigate and fertilized more frequently than in - ground medal Tree .
Repotting might be required every two to three years , or when the root word fill the mint . The right time for repotting is in the spring or early summer . Just like when planting a palmetto palm , handle it with excess care when repotting it , as the rootage system can be easily damaged .
Pests and Problems
Palmettopalms can be affect by several diseases , include bacterial and fungal diseases such as fusarium wilt , laurel wreath putrefaction , bronze disease , bacterial blight , and root rot . The most vulgar pestilence is the palmetto weevil , which is aboriginal to Florida and the largest weevil in North America .
How to Propagate Palmetto
While it is possible to grow a palmetto palm from seed , it is a very lengthy process . sprouting of the ejaculate occurs within about a month , but the seedling grows so slowly that it acquire 15 to 30 years to raise a trunk . With that in thinker , you are much better off purchasing a palmetto from a baby’s room .
Types of Palmetto
Belize Thatch Palm
One of the fastest - growing palms in theSabalgenus , this medallion is native to Central and South America and features big frond . In frost - liberal areas , it can pass on 60 feet improbable . zone 9 - 10
Cabbage Palm
This is Florida ’s state tree diagram . Cabbage palm is also called swampland palm . It can make 80 metrical foot in altitude in idealistic conditions , but in most house landscapes , it top out around 20 feet magniloquent . zona 9 - 10
Dwarf Palmetto Palm
The little palmetto case is also the hardiest . This shrubby ribbon reaches 10 feet tall and has fronds up to 5 feet long . zone 7 - 10
Puerto Rico Hat Palm
This imperial species can reach 60 foot marvelous and has a fluid trunk that sets it apart from most otherSabalgenus . geographical zone 9 - 10
Frequently Asked Questions
The little blackberry bush - comparable yield is edible but not very toothsome to human . The fruit contains very little flesh and it ’s rather seedy . It serve as a food source for raccoons and other wildlife .
Because it is aboriginal to the southeastern United States , it is not considered an trespassing plant . However , in sealed home ground , it exhibits encroaching leaning at the disbursement of other aboriginal plant .
Updated by Nadia Hassani
" Sabal Palmetto " . University of Florida Extension .
