Growing Palms in your Wildlife Habitat Backyard!Tall palms swaying in the breeze, creates a tropical feeling that is hard to beat. However, the important thing to remember about palms is where they grow in nature. They grow along creek banks, where they are sheltered, receive plenty of light, but not too much sun, and have lots of water. Most native palms do not like wind.
Some native palms are not suited to a suburban garden, and grow far too big. Before planting think about what the palm will look like in a few years time. Most palms grow thick at the trunk, before they grow upwards, so your palm may not increase in height for some years, then may shoot up and crowd out everything else. There are some small native palms available, and they are good in gardens near the house, or even indoors. Its worth remembering that if growing palms indoors, a good rule of thumb is one month inside and 4 weeks outside.
Some native palms are multi-stemmed, and the suckers can be cut off and replanted elsewhere. There are several different leaf types as well. Most common and most popular is the fan type leaf.
Flowers and fruit do not look like flowers and fruit at all, but nevertheless often look very attractive!
 Some palms are bisexual, some are not, and some have both male and female flowers separately on the plant, but at the same time. In todays houses, with bright and airy décor, native palms make fantastic indoor, patio, and balcony decorations. You must consider the light, shade, and some humidity for them. Think about where they grow in Nature, and you can ensure that their needs are met. When you buy your plant, the usual precautions apply. Ensure the palm isn’t carrying any pests or diseases. When you get it home, inspect it carefully. Sponge down the leaves with water, to remove any dust or insects. If you will need to repot it, do it now. Soak the soil, and check the undersides of the leaves carefully for mites and scale. If in doubt, wash the leaves with mild soapy water. Put your native palm in a shady halfway house position on the patio or balcony, until it becomes acclimatised. Leave it there for a couple of weeks, misting the leaves with water daily, before putting in it’s final place inside. They do like good soil, and lots of mulch. They also like good drainage. When planting, dig a large hole, and put a good compost in the bottom before planting. Keep wet for at least a month, to give the new roots a chance to get going. native palms do not like frost, but will tolerate light frosts. Some can stand cold weather, but not frosts. A few can stand very cold temperatures. Some of the rare tropical palms are highly prized by collectors, but they need a warm greenhouse in cold climates. There are some small palms available that can fit easily into a small garden, patio, or balcony, but if your back yard is not very big, the larger palms may not be for you.
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