FAQ’s
The leaves on my Sago Palm (Cycad Revoluta) are going yellow...Why?
This is due to a mineral deficiency, either iron or magnesium usually. If you apply Epsom Salts in a diluted solution (as per packet instructions) around the base of the plant this can sometimes correct the problem. Quite often a feed of a quality slow release fertiliser will help immensely as well.
The leaves on my Sago Palm (Cycad Revoluta) are going brown in large patches...Why?
This could be a drainage problem and the plant is showing the stress caused, by browning off or dying leaves. The soil surrounding the plant either has very poor drainage or could be a dense, non-porous clay. The plants root system needs to be carefully examined for any signs of root rot. This involves turning the plant out, if in a pot or digging the plant carefully out of the ground with minimal root disturbance. The rotted roots will show themselves as collapsed/hollow or dark brown in colour as opposed to a healthy, whitish light brown. The plant needs to have all rotted material cut off with a sharp knife then the exposed area needs to be dusted with a fungal powder. The poor drainage needs to be addressed prior to the cycad being re-potted or planted again.
Do I need to feed my Palms and Cycads?
Yes, most definitely. A regular fertilizing regime is key to healthy, robust palm and cycad growth. A good, high in nitrogen 5-6 month slow release fertiliser is excellent for all year round nourishment. Apply this at the beginning of spring and then again late February as a top dressing for boosting the strength and immunity of the plant to winter cold. We have an excellent slow release fertiliser, available for sale at the nursery which has been specifically formulated for palm and cycad growing.
What about feeding my indoor Palms?
Yes, again, most definitely. Smaller rates of fertiliser are required for your indoor palms than your outdoor palms. Since the watering of indoor palms is much more controlled than a palm outside in nature, the build up of salts in the fertilised soil surrounding your indoor palm can cause it to burn. Indoor palms have more sensitive root systems and need a gentler food regime.
How much moisture should I provide my indoor Palm?
Depending on where in the house it is your palm will require regular watering. Do not let it dry out, especially with artificial heating in winter months. You can pull back on the watering during the colder months but a general rule of thumb is to thoroughly water twice a week during summer pulling back to once every 8-10 days during winter. Keep your indoor palms well away from heaters, open fires and dehumidifiers during winter.
What are the oval shaped, white, furry little insects I can see on my Palms/Cycads?
These are mealy bug. One of few insects, thankfully, that actually feed on palms and cycads. They feed by sucking out the plant juices from the plant. Like the aphid, mealy bugs excrete a honeydew substance over plant surfaces. Sometimes a secondary fungus called black sooty mould grows on the honeydew causing the plant foliage to look like it is covered with chimney soot. If you have a mild infestation you can use isopropyl alcohol to control them. Dab this undiluted directly onto the insect using a cotton ball. Re-apply at 6 day intervals. If you have a severe infestation you may need to spray the plant with a chemical insecticide like Confidor.
What are the round brown dome looking insects I can see on the underside and mid-rib of my Palms/Cycads?
These are scale. Another sucking insect attracted to Palms and Cycads. These insects can be controlled by using a horticultural oil as a spray such as Sunoil. A gentler, organic alternative would be a canola or soya oil. The oil works by suffocating the scale insect.
Does Coast Palms & Cycads want to buy my Palm tree?
We grow most of our palm trees here at our nursery in bags or in ground, but occasionally get approached by members of the public wanting to on sell a palm tree/trees that they do not want anymore. We are interested only in purchasing these species - NZ Nikau, Kentia Palms, mature Butia Palms, mature, trunking Queen Palms and occasionally mature Chinese Windmill Palms. If you believe you have something very different and exotic we would be interested in hearing from you as well. Access, health, condition and location of the palm/palms are factors that we have to consider as well. If you do not know the species of your palm tree and believe it could be one of the 5 species above, please send two digital photos showing a clear view of the trunk and leaf structure to sales@coastpalms.co.nz
There is a popular misconception that your palm tree could be worth a large amount of money. There are costs associated with the removal and transportation of your palm that we as palm tree specialists know about, but you as the seller may have not have even considered. So be very realistic with your asking price. Please, do not ask for a retail price, as that is not what you are selling.
We are not interested in purchasing Phoenix Palms of any type, Washingtonia Palms or Bangalow and King Palms. We have plenty of these in a mature form already.
I wonder if I could save a lot of money by buying my Palm Tree or Cycad privately?
Not necessarily true. The very worst case scenario is that you could end up paying thousands of dollars in damages to a private seller if you or they inadvertently cause damage to a house or land that the tree was planted close by or on. Another scenario is uprooting buried Telecom cabling or underground piping when excavating the tree, if you do not know exactly what you are doing.
At Coast Palms & Cycads we offer a professional service that involves years of experience in growing and caring for our product. We give free advice on planting, appropriate fertilising and nutritional care advice and sound knowledge about choosing the correct palm, cycad or sub tropical plant for your individual site. We have a range of mature landscape palm trees available here which have all been removed from the ground/field with expert care and consideration. They are then left to recover from potential excavation shock for up to 18 months before we put them out for sale. This depth of knowledge is not available from a private seller and there is no surety that your palm tree will survive on transplanting. An uneducated private purchase could prove a costly mistake, which in turn could create an unwarranted disillusionment toward palms as the fantastic landscape feature they are.
