For years I have wondered why palms are not present in all homes where houseplants are enjoyed. Price and a general misunderstanding about these wonderful plants are probably the main reasons. A fully developed palm tree can be quite expensive. Even the smallest palm in a five gallon container can cost around twenty-five to fifty bucks. A mature tree palm delivered to your home can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
A misconception about palms is that they will only grow in the tropics and deserts. While it is true that many of the over three thousand species of palms do thrive in these hot humid areas, it is also true that some are quite cold hardy and with some degree of protection can be raised in areas where it freezes. And it is very true that almost every palm makes a good houseplant although some of the tree types will eventually out grow their limited surroundings.
Another unknown about palms it that they can be easily raised from seed at a cost of less than a dollar each. They require little maintenance and add beauty and value to your home.
Here is a selection of my favorite palms. I hope you will try a few.
P16 QUEEN PALM. COCOS. Syagrus romanzoffiana. An excellent palm from Brazil. It withstands a wide range of climates and can be raised outside in northern areas if protection is given. The first simple leaves of this palm can be up to 3 ft. long. It will grow up to 60 ft. outside. The trunk is long and slender and will bear distinctive old leaf scars that accents its tropical look. The leaves are long and curving. Can be raised as a houseplant inside. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P18 TRAVELLER'S PALM. Ravenala madagascariensis. A very large plant with large leathery leaves that reach 60 ft. tall or more when mature. Rather easy to raise inside or out. 5 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P20 PONYTAIL PALM. Beaucarnia stricta. One of the most widely raised palms in the world. Very easy from seeds. Has the familiar swollen trunk and grass like leaves. The perfect houseplant. 5 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P24 BUTTERFLY PALM. (GOLDEN CANE PALM). Areca lutescens. This is probably the most widely sold palm in the world. It is sold as a potted plant throughout the world. It is a fast growing clumping palm with pale green feather shaped leaves and slender trunks. It is best suited as a house palm and the seeds should be planted together to form a clump. Seeds germinate quickly. Plant needs plenty of sunlight. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P28 CANARY ISLAND DATE PALM. PALMERA DE DATIL DE LAS CANARIAS, PALMA FENIX. Phoenix canariensis. From the Canary Islands off the Coast of Africa, this palm is widely grown as an ornamental tree. It is tolerant of cold and drought and can be easily raised from seeds if given heat. Outside, it will grow up to 60 ft. with a 3 ft. diameter trunk. Inside, its growth can be regulated by the size of container it is raised in. It has a distinctive spiky, architectural appearance that is a must for any home. It bears 2 in. long fruit that is orange when ripe. The old leaf scars on the trunk form diamond shaped patterns. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P35 EDIBLE DATE PALM. Phoenix dactylifera. This palm is grown commercially throughout the Middle East for its delicious and abundant fruit. It can be easily grown indoors. Outside, it will grow to a height of 80 ft. with a 12" trunk that is coverer with attractive leaf scars. The leaves are feather shaped with a beautiful gray-green coloration. It is a fast grower. Everyone should have one of these plants. 10 seeds $2.25
P38 TEXAS PALMETTO. Sabal mexicana. This Sabal Palmetto is native to Texas and Mexico where it grows in abundance along the Rio Grande. It is a vigorous palmetto growing to more than 60 ft. It has a full crown of dense fan-shaped leaves. This palm is a good selection for dry landscapes and will require little maintenance. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P41 SABAL PALMETTO. Sabal palmetto. The Florida state tree. This is an attractive palm whose use is mostly outside as lawn decoration. It grows to 80 ft. tall with stiff, green costapalmate leaves. Has a smooth trunk that will reach 18" in diameter. Very easy to grow from seeds. It can be raised inside, but it will require much bright light. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P49 KING PALM, ALEXANDER PALM. ALEJANDRA. REINA ALEJANDRA. Archontophoenix alexandrae. A common sight in the tropics and subtropics. This is a majestic palm with huge silvery-green leaves and a light gray trunk, often swollen at the base. Bears cream colored flowers and can be raised inside if given high heat and humidity. Seeds germinate within a few weeks. Outside, the tree will reach a height of 60 ft. Zones 10-11. 10 seeds $2.25
P52 JELLY PALM. Butia capitata. A small palm with a short, stout trunk and bluish grey leaves. The orange fruits are edible and widely used to make a delicious jelly, thus the name. Zones 8-10 5 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P55 PYGMY DATE PALM. PALMA ROBELENI. Phoenix roebelenii. This is a palm that truly everyone should have. It makes a great houseplant or lawn ornament. It only grows to 10 ft. ( smaller in containers ) and forms a perfect miniature palm. It has a slim, solitary trunk with soft feathery green leaves. The seeds germinate easily ( usually within six to eight weeks ) and the plant requires little maintenance or attention. Tolerates low light and abuse. This palm is a must for any deck. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P60 MEXICAN CYCAD. Dioon edule. Not a true palm, but a cycad much like the "Sago Palm" in appearance. An extremely attractive specimen for the home or greenhouse. Seeds are quite hard to come by. 3 seeds $3.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P63 PANAMA HAT PALM. Carludovica palmata. Again, not a true palm although you wouldn't know by its appearance. It has handsome pleated fan shaped leaves that appear in tiers in a spiral arrangement. Leaves are used in hat production. A very special plant. 5 seeds $2.50
P65 CUBAN ROYAL PALM. PALMA REAL. PALMA REAL DE CUBA. Roystonea regia. A very beautiful palm that is grown in many countries. Outside it will grow to 80' with a whitish, bulged trunk and leaves often reaching 3 feet or more. 5 seeds $2.50
P68 CHINESE WINDMILL PALM. PALMA MOLINO DEL VIENTO CHINO. Trachyscarpus fortunei.. A hardy fan palm that can stand cold to 15 degrees and also makes a good container plant inside. Fiber covered trunk and fan shaped leaves reaching to 3 ft. across. Easy to grow from seed. 5 seeds $2.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P70 MEDITERRANEAN FAN PALM. EUROPEAN FAN PALM. Chamaerops humilis. This is the palm shown in the backgrounds of television shows shot in Los Angeles. It is a tall thin palm that grows to great heights very quickly. Outside, it can reach a height of 10 ft. or more. It also makes a great inside plant. Has fan shaped small green leaves and bears dark, glossy red seeds. It is drought tolerant and can be easily moved at any age. 10 seeds $2.25 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
P75 MEXICAN FAN PALM. PALMA WASHINGTONIA. ( SKY DUSTER ) Washingtonia robusta. This is the palm shown in the backgrounds of television shows shot in Los Angeles. It is a tall thin palm that grows to great heights very quickly. Outside, it can reach a height of 100 ft. or more. Remarkably, it also makes a great inside plant. Has fan shaped small green leaves and bears dark, glossy red seeds. It is drought tolerant and can be easily moved at any age. 10 seeds $2.25
2124 COSTA RICAN BAMBOO PALM. Chamaedorea costaricana One of the few palms well suited for a houseplant, grows 10-14 feet tall outside in warm climates, but easily grown inside in tubs. A nice suckering plant for filtered light. Fills in area nicely and is quite tropical appearing. Easy to grow. Can be used as a houseplant. This shade loving palm features pinnate leaves and multiple trunks having reed-like appearance. Package of 10 seeds $2.50
9608 SEALING WAX PALM. PALMA ROJA. Crytostachys lakka. A stunning feather palm with a bright red trunk. It is a tender palm and not easily grown outside of Malaysia. The seeds are very slow germinating and the plant needs constant warmth and light. You may wonder if any plant is worth this much trouble, believe me this one is. Zones 10-11. 5 seeds $3.50 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
9603 MEXICAN BLUE PALM. Brahea armata. A slightly cold hardy palm that is so unusual with its silver blue palmate leaves with arched spadices. Also a good tub plant for growing indoors. Zones 9-11. 3 seeds $3.00 For Picture/Culture Information Click Here
9692 PRINCESS PALM, HURRICANE PALM. Dictospermum albumarmata. Most unusual palm that flowers at an early age. Attractive blackish gray trunk and long arching fronds up to 3 ft. long. Zones 10-11. 5 seeds $2.50
SO212 PEACH PALM. CHONTADURO. CACHIPAY. PEJIBAYE. Bactris gasipaes. A clustering palm with unusual shaped foliage and stems that are slender and jointed bamboo like. This is a very unusual palm that requires warmth. Difficult to germinate and raise, but well worth the effort. Zones 10-11. Packet of 5 seeds $2.50
1A004 AMAZING CLIMBING PALM. Desmoncus schippiiarmata. A fascinating plant indeed. A vigorous climbing type palm that utilizes sharp spiny barbs to allow it to climb to great heights. Can be trimmed to control size. Slow and difficult to germinate, but well worth the effort. Packet of 3 seeds $2.50
Note about seed germination: Most species of seeds have hard casings to protect the seed "embryo". For most of these "hard" seeds, the outer shell must be scarred, scratched or softened in some way. Some species take up to a year to germinate and will need help in the beginning to get the shell softened. Most varieties of slow germinating seeds will turn black and rot if there is not sufficient heat in the soil (75 to 90 degrees F. for most species) or if the soil dries out or is allowed to remain too wet, which will encourage the growth of one or another of the varieties of fungus or mold. It is important to speed up germination and to get the plants growing as soon as possible in order to avoid potential problems. Anyone who has soaked dried beans before cooking is familiar with the process of softening up the shell. When the outer shell is softened it allows the contents to expand. Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) can help in softening up these outer shells. It is available in many drug stores, but for those who have difficulty obtaining a small amount, we offer 1 teaspoon packets for $1.00. Soak the seeds in a solution of one teaspoon of the Saltpeter to one quart of warm water for at least 24 hours. Do not allow the seeds to dry out but sow them immediately using the remaining solution to water the soil or other growing medium. Soak several species of seeds at once in smaller containers of the same solution and have the containers of growing medium or soil ready for planting as soon as the soaking period is complete. SS100 Potassium Nitrate (Saltpeter) one teaspoon packet $1.00
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