Image - Davesgarden.com
The Archontophoenix genus of palm trees is characterized by having a very thin trunk, barely 30-35cm thick and very tall, crowned with a few long pinnate leaves of a beautiful green color. But if we talk about the Archontophoenix maxima, the older sister, can reach 25 meters in height.
Despite its adult size, it is one of the most recommended to have in all small and large gardens that enjoy a mild and warm climate throughout the year.
What is the Archontophoenix maxima like?
Our protagonist is a palm tree whose species, Archontophoenix maxima, belongs to the botanical family Arecaceae (formerly Palmaceae). It is known by the common name "Walsh River Palm" which means "Walsh River Palm", which is where it grows naturally, in Queensland (Australia), at an altitude between 800 and 1200 meters above the level of the river. sea.
Its leaves are pinnate, slightly arched, green in color and up to 4 meters long. The flowers, which are white in color, are grouped in highly branched inflorescences, up to 1,5 meters long. The fruit is red when ripe and measures between 13 and 15mm in length.
How do you take care of yourself?
Image - Junglemusic.net
This is a palm tree that has always caught my attention. And since I have one more. I had the feeling that it was very delicate, that it could not bear the Mediterranean summer, but the truth is that it is when it grows the most ... as long as it has plenty of water at its disposal. Let's see what care you need:
- Location: whenever possible, it must be outside, in semi-shade. It should not be in direct sunlight.
- Soil or substrate: rich in organic matter, with good drainage, especially if it is grown in a pot.
- Irrigation: every 1-2 days in summer, and every 4-6 days the rest of the year. You have to check the humidity of the soil before watering.
- Subscriber: in spring and summer it must be paid with a specific fertilizer for palm trees or, even better, alternate: one month fertilize with this product and the following month use organic fertilizer in liquid form.
- Planting or transplanting time: in spring. It needs a pot change every 2 years.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring or summer. Sow in a clear plastic zip-top bag filled with vermiculite. If it is placed near a heat source (around 25ºC) they will germinate in two months.
- Rusticity: supports frosts down to -4ºC.
What do you think of the Archontophoenix maxima?