So, today’s blog is on palm trees, and this is a subject I don’t know too much about. However, I think my Readers will enjoy it thinking of warm thoughts and tropical settings on a cold January day. Recently, while at one of my favorite garden centers, I came across a couple of tropical palm trees in their greenhouse.
Wow, seeing these high/medium light palm trees joggled my memory some to a windmill palm tree back in California. Actually, windmill palms look a little different from this palm tree which reminds me more of a coconut tree. In fact, from the labeling near the tree one of the names is coconut. Other palm names include Adondia, Areca, Cataractum, Chinese Fan, Coconut, Fish Tail, Foxtail, Majesty, Phoenix, Roebelenii, Spindle, Triangle, and Washingtonian.
More Information on High/Medium Light Palms
As you probably guessed, palm trees need bright light with direct sunlight. They need to be kept moderately moist at all times. Graceful and beautiful palm trees bring a tropical vibe to your home.
Next, I took a closeup photograph of the roots of this palm tree. Interestingly, they look like fingers holding the palm in place.
The Windmill Palm
Now, back to the windmill palm tree growing out in California. It’s a fact, my mother loved plants, So, growing up she instilled in me a love for the environment and plants. One day she planted a very small windmill palm tree next to our house.
Well, she watered that plant and took good care of it. Before long, it began to grow. I remember seeing photographs of it when it was very small. Before we left our home, it had grown by at least five feet tall with a large round base. She continually trimmed the lower palm branches to keep things tidy. The large palm frond had a row of thorns on each side of the stem. If you wanted to play with one as a fan or braid the large leaf, you had to be careful of the thorns or cut them off.
Ending Notes of Palm Trees
I guess with this winter storm coming in, I’m thinking tropical thoughts and sunny beaches.
In conclusion, online research reveals Windmill Palms can live up to 50 years under the right conditions. However, some places give them more time or up to 100 years.
So, I’m wondering if that California palm tree is still around spreading its tropical splendor for all to see.
A Big Thank You to Merrifield Garden Center for allowing me to blog and take photographs at their store. I love seeing the variety of plants your store carries.
Research Sites: Google IA.