How to Plant Palm Trees? Latest Technical Method Tutorial
The palm tree is one of the most cold-hardy plants in the palm family (Arecaceae). It is an evergreen tree of the genus Trachycarpus in the palm family, with very high cultivation value. Planted in courtyards, along roadsides and in flowerbeds, it is suitable for viewing in all four seasons. Its wood can be made into utensils, the fan-shaped leaf sheaths contain palm fiber, the leaves can be made into fans, hats and other handicrafts, and the roots can be used as medicine. Now let us take a look at the planting techniques for palm trees!
Cultivation Value of Palm Trees
Palm trees are widely cultivated throughout the south. Mainly the palm bark fiber (leaf sheath fiber) is stripped off and used for rope, woven into straw rain capes, palm bed boards, carpets, made into brushes and used as sofa filling, etc. The tender leaves can be bleached to make fans and straw hats, and the unopened flower buds are edible. The palm bark and leaf stalks (palm boards) calcined into charcoal and used as medicine have a hemostatic effect, and the fruit, leaves, flowers, roots, etc. are also used as medicine. In addition, the palm tree has a graceful shape and is also an excellent tree species for garden landscaping.
Growth Habits of Palm Trees
The palm tree originated in China, and is also found in Japan, India and Myanmar. It is widely distributed in our country, from southern Shaanxi in the north, to Guangxi, Guangdong and Yunnan in the south, reaching the Tibet border in the west, and to Shanghai and Zhejiang in the east. It is most widely distributed along the 500 km broad belt on both banks of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River from the Yangtze River estuary. It is usually seen only cultivated around the four sides [of fields and homes], and is rarely found wild in sparse forests. Its upper altitude limit is about 2000 m. Although it can be cultivated north of the Yangtze River, the stems must be wrapped in grass to protect against cold in winter. It prefers a warm and humid climate and likes light. It is extremely cold-hardy and slightly shade-tolerant. It is suitable for growing in well-drained, moist and fertile neutral, calcareous or slightly acidic soil, is tolerant of light salinity-alkalinity, and also tolerates a certain degree of drought and waterlogging. It has strong resistance to air pollution. It is prone to windthrow and grows slowly.
Planting Techniques for Palm Trees
1. Seed collection and storage: Collect seeds from robust trees 15-40 years old; seeds from young trees and old trees are not suitable for use. Harvest in November-December when the palm seeds are fully mature and grayish-brown in color. After removing the small branch stalks, place the seeds indoors, spread them 12-15 cm thick, and air them for about 15 days, then they can be sown. If waiting for spring sowing, the seeds should be mixed with wet sand, spread indoors, covered with a layer of rice straw, and stored while keeping moist.
2. Nursery land preparation: The land for the nursery should be chosen close to a water source, not easily affected by drought or waterlogging, and relatively fertile sandy loam or clay loam. Generally, for every 7 sq m, apply 8-10 loads of decomposed human manure and urine and 20 kg of superphosphate. After plowing and turning, make beds 1.4 m wide, break up the soil clods on the bed surface, and then sow.
3. Timely sowing: Before sowing, soak the seeds in wood ash water for 48-64 hours, wipe off the fruit skin and the waxy substance on the outside of the seeds, wash them clean and sow. Sow in drills, with a row spacing of 20-25 cm. After sowing, cover the seeds with a mixture of ash manure and finely crushed fertile soil mixed with miscellaneous manure; do not cover too thickly, with 2-2.5 cm as the limit. Then cover with a layer of rice (wheat) straw to prevent the soil from drying out and crusting.
4. Seedling stage management: When more than 80% have emerged, remove the covering grass in the evening and moisten the bed surface with a watering can. During the seedling stage, keep the soil moist and pull out weeds promptly. One month after emergence, apply 2 kg of urea per 7 sq m dissolved in water. After 3-4 months, when the seedlings have grown 3 leaves, carry out temporary planting.
5. Timely temporary planting: The temporary planting soil should be loose and fertile, and for every 667 sq m apply 80-10 loads of decomposed miscellaneous manure. The row and plant spacing for temporary planting is 15 cm × 13 cm. After planting, water every evening until established. One month later, begin loosening the soil and applying topdressing. In the hot season, set up miscanthus stalks between the seedlings for shade. When the seedlings are about 60 cm tall, they can be transplanted.
6. Site selection and transplanting: Choose moist, fertile hillside land at the foot of mountains with good drainage, especially idle land such as field edges, land borders, beside houses, stream banks and roadsides. Low-lying land, heavy clay, dead yellow mud, excessively acidic or alkaline soil, and land with shallow soil layers are all unsuitable for planting. For block planting, in July and August of the year before transplanting, cut down all the weeds and shrubs on the ground, dig the soil about 30 cm deep, and bury the weeds and shrubs in the soil. When transplanting, break up the soil clods, pick out stones, tree roots, etc., and dig holes for afforestation.
7. Mixed planting techniques
① Palm-grain intercropping type: The palm-grain intercropping type is the main management method for developing palm trees in blocks, using short-term crops to support long-term ones, and using cultivation instead of tending to promote palm tree growth and early production. Generally, palm trees are sown in holes or broadcast, with 3000-6000 plants preserved per hectare, and can begin production in about 12 years. After production begins, 750-3000 kg of palm slices can be harvested per hectare. The intercrops include corn, potatoes, tuber crops, beans, etc. With both major and minor spring crops together, 3000-3750 kg of grain can be harvested per hectare. There are also cases of planting in the major spring and leaving the minor spring fallow.
② Mixed forest type: The mixed forest cultivation method mainly appears in the 800-1300 m altitude zone. The mixed tree species at the edge of the basin are mostly alder, cypress, tung oil tree, Chinese toon, long fir, paulownia, etc. The mixed planting effect of palm trees with fast-growing broadleaf trees is relatively good, while the mixed planting effect with coniferous trees is relatively poor. Generally, other tree species are planted first, and after they close their canopy or nearly close it, palm trees are then planted. In this way, the previously planted trees can be used to suppress weeds, improve light, water and nutrient conditions, and create a suitable environment for the growth of young palm trees.
③ Palm-tea intercropping: Palm-tea intercropping is a common cultivation method in tea-producing mountainous areas, and is also one of the methods of using short-term crops to support long-term ones, combining long and short terms, and making full use of land resources. The usual practice is to set palm trees at a row spacing of 2 m and a plant spacing of 1 m, and plant 2 rows of tea between two palm trees. Often tea is planted first for 2-3 years and then palms are planted, or palms and tea are planted at the same time. Tea is harvested after 4-6 years, and palm slices begin to be harvested in about 10 years.
④ Pure palm forest: In areas with relatively little labor, large areas of barren hills, and surface soil mostly containing stones or stone oak, unsuitable for farming, pure palm forests are often cultivated. Generally, they are planted once and then allowed to continuously regenerate naturally, so as to both cultivate subsequent resources and utilize them. The characteristic of this community is “several generations under the same roof”, with high density, and it can generally begin production in about 12 years.
⑤ Four-sides planting: Four-sides planting is the most widespread cultivation method within the distribution area. It is mainly planting at land edges and beside houses, as a four-sides landscaping tree species or for the people's own use. It is mostly scattered and cannot [be used for] five principles commodity.