The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 6 Spring 2013 | Page 9

and they cannot be moved. Transplanting experiments even with young Ilala and Borassus palms have been totally unsuccessful. The same applies to The River Line palm (Phoenix reclinata), although this is quicker to germinate. The huge size of the Raffia palm (Raphia farinifera) prevents it being suitable for the average garden. These palms appear to their greatest advantage in their natural habitat in the lower areas of Zimbabwe, and as a rule, they do not make manageable garden specimens. Palms can be transplanted Many of us will have been frustrated to find that a tree, which we planted years back, is simply in the wrong place. Our options in most cases are limited: live with it or cut it down! Palms are infinitely accommodating, and the majority of them can be successfully moved to a new position in your garden. Success rate of transplanting varies with each variety and professional advice should be taken before the palm is moved. Certain palms like the Golden Bamboo (Dypsis lutescens), the Princess (Dictyosperma album), the Queen (Syagrus romanzoffianun) and both Hyophorbe palms, that is the Bottle and the Spindle, will move without preparation. However, in all cases of transplanting, there must be an adequate soil bole encasing and protecting the roots. As a result, most of the palms you see in our gardens are exotics; mainly from Australia, the Mascarene Islands, Madagascar and India. They are excellent garden features, being fast growing and rewarding. Most gardeners value and appreciate our indigenous flora and fauna, and the palms that are indigenous to Zimbabwe are indeed stunning. The drawback of both the Borassus (Borassus flabillifer / aethiopum) and Ilala palm (Hyphaene petersiana) is that they are extremely slow growing, very slow to germinate, In addition to the practicalities of growing palms, there is the undeniable bonus in terms of word association with palms - beaches, blue seas and the feeling of escape one has in such places. Our gardens provide a sanctuary for us, and palms can add a new dimension to that sanctuary. Call in and see us for all your queries and requests regarding palms. Personal and professional service guaranteed. Alternatively, phone Clare on 0772 294881 or Jenny on 0779948452. MAIN OFFICE: CNR SECOND ST / 7 NATAL RD, BELGRAVIA (Behind FedEx) SECOND BRANCH: CNR BORROWDALE / BALMORAL RD (At Lost Valley Garden Centre) OPEN 08.00 to 17.00 weekdays 09.00 to 13.00 Saturdays. PHONE: [phone] 702406 0772 294 881 0779 948 452 0712 208 568 EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.pleasureinpalms.com 9