The Queen of Palms Care Guide
The queen palm is a tropical plant that is native to South America, this beautiful palm loves the warm weather and creates interest by giving that tropical look. The leaves of the queen palm are bright and glossy which looks so graceful making this palm a show stopper that can bring much flavor and style into your landscape and gardens. The queen palm can reach heights of up to 50 ft, this plant can be found in many coastal areas.
It is believed that the queen palm has some of the largest fronds (leaves) which can reach up to over 15 ft. At our international airport, there are a few of them that can be found on the property. The fruits of the queen palm are bright orange which adds to the beauty of this lady. For more on the care of the queen, palm stick around as we take a closer look at growing this show’s beauty.
Planting Location
The planting location should be an area that gets full sunlight and has sufficient space for this lady to show off her beauty.
Soil Type
The soil should be well-drained soil that is acidic.
Water Methods
During the summer months ensure that your palm is well water because even though this palm is a tropical plant and does well in full sunlight it is not a drought-tolerant palm. Ensure that the soil is moist during this time but during the winter months, decrease watering.
Fertilizing Methods
In mid-spring and early summer apply a fertilizer that is formulated for palms. Before applying fertilizers read and follow the manufacturer’s label because the label is the law.
The queen palm suffers most from manganese deficiency, a sign of a lack of this nutrient is that the leaves of this palm will look crinkle or curled which is known as frizzle top. Ensure that your queen palm is getting sufficient manganese.
Garden insect pests of the queen palm
The garden insect pest of the queen palm is.
- Scales
- Palm Leaf Skeletonizer
Scales
Scales are garden insect pest that is tiny and round which appears to have on an armor. These insect pests remain in a fixed position on the fronds or leaves of your palm. Scales have piercing-sucking mouthparts and suck the juice or fluids from your plant. They can cause great damage, especially in great numbers.
To bring these pests under control the use of insecticidal soap or horticultural oils is a must. Repeated application may be needed because these pests can become a real issue and a challenge when seeking to eliminate them. Before applying chemicals read and follow the manufacturer’s direction because the label is the law.
Palm leaf skeletonizer
The insect pest that is responsible for this damage inhabits and feeds on the tissues of the palm’s leaf. When this happens the leaves will take on a sickly appearance with a sawdust-like looking material. If this disease is not taken care of immediately can spread to the entire leaf. What is left after the destruction is the veins and the bare midribs, in other words, the entire leaf will be stripped?
The infected leaves should be removed immediately at the first sign to avoid the spreading of this disease. If this disease is allowed to spread to the healthy leaves will be hard to control weakening the palm. If all of the leaves are infected because of not taking quick action the entire leaves will have to be removed which puts your queen palm in greater danger.
Remove the infected leaves with a hand pruner and apply neem oil or sevin to bring this garden insect pest under control. After use, the pruner should be sterilized with alcohol and water then sprayed with WD 40.
Diseases of the queen palm
- Ganoderma Butt Rot
- Bud Rot
Ganoderma Butt Rot
The Ganoderma butt rot is reported to be a serious threat to the queen palm. This disease enters the palm through a wound and is encouraged by a fungus that inhabits the base of the palm tree moving about 4 ft up the tree trunk. To know if your queen palm has this issue look for signs such as a conk which resembles mushrooms these conks are white and grows from the bark of the tree.
There is no known treatment for this disease. The only safety measure is to avoid injury to your palm tree. Once this conk mushroom appears the only thing that can happen is to remove the tree and dispose of it properly to avoid the spread of this disease.
Bud Rot
Bud rot affects palms by causing the new leaves to drop, also you will discover black lesions on the younger fronds. The mature or older fronds will maintain their green healthy leaves for a while which after death will set in. The cold weather along with extreme moisture encourage this disease.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease except to remove the tree and properly dispose of it. This may be a challenge but monitoring the moister level may offer some help in the control of this disease. If there are other palms in the area applying a fungicide to them may offer some help from the spread of this disease.
Where to install the queen palm
Here are just a few areas on where to install the queen palm.
1. These palms can be installed along driveways.
2. Can be installed as a stand-alone or specimen plant.
3. Looks great planted along garden path walkways.
4. Plant queen palms alongside your house giving a spacing of 8 ft from your home.
5. Can be planted alongside a fenced area
6. Installing them alongside a wall is great.
7. Does great installed alongside office buildings?
The final word
The queen palm will give your garden and landscape that royal touch with her beauty and charm. Join the many homeowners that are taking advantage of this royal beauty which has proven to work wonders.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.