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But I
Still Want a Palm
Garden!
If,
after reading this newspaper’s feature article last month, as well my
column, you would still like to grow palms, then I can offer the following
advice:
-
If you want true palms then try to keep to the two types that
are known to be resistant to the palm weevil. These are the Mexican fan
palm (Washingtonia robusta) - height up to 30 metres, and the clump
forming, European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis) - height up to four
metres.
-
Whichever palm you choose, enquire from the provider: a) they do
not have the weevil where they are; b) their palms have undergone a
regime of treatment to keep them pest free. At least this way you may be
able to obtain 'clean' plants.
-
Please do not buy plants from an infected area and move them
into a pest-free zone.
-
Try to buy smallish plants that you can grow. These will be
easier for you to spray with insecticide.
-
Because of the requirement to spray the plants with
insecticides, please do not locate them in sensitive areas.
Fan
Palm
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Not all plants that look like palms…are palms
Many
of the plants that we regard as palms are not really palms at all. Although
the red palm weevil has been found on a wide range of plants it is,
undoubtedly, the true palms that it prefers.
Why not create that
luxurious effect by using:
-
Sago palm
(Cycas revoluta). Not a palm, but a cycad. Although the weevil
has been known to attack this plant (the larvae also go by the name of
sago worm), it remains relatively small, to about three meters, so is
easy to spray.
-
Sword palms. These
include the Yuccas (Yucca aloifolia, Y. elephantipes etc.), and cabbage
palms (Cordyline australis) which are commonly seen as garden
subjects, and a couple of plants most often seen as house plants, the
dragon tree (Dracaena sp.) and the pony tail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata).
Obviously, too many individual types to describe in this short column,
but, suffice to say, a wide variety of form, size, leaf colour and even
flower to choose from. Ask at your local garden shop what they
recommend.
Sago
Palm
Other plants that you may wish to consider to achieve that exotic feel are
the Indian shot plant (Canna indica), the bird of paradise plant (Strelizia
reginae) and what about the bannana (Musa Sp.)?
A
word of warning - You may have read elsewhere that pheromone traps are a
good control for palm weevils. Please do not be tempted to try them. They
are used in controlling populations in infested palm plantations, but, if
they are placed where there is little or no problem, they encourage the
spread of the pests.
Unfortunately, as of going to press, we have not had a response to the
query set last month by Sheila Hollins. Don't be shy, send any advice,
queries or suggestions to me (the e-mail address is at the top of the
column), or leave a comment on my blogsite:
www.quality-gardens-crete.blogspot.com
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