Introduction
At East Coast Palms, we specialise in transplanting established palms, offering our customers a chance to bring mature beauty to their landscapes. Our expertise ensures that your palms are handled with care and set up for success in their new environment. Proper preparation and ongoing care are key to helping these stunning, iconic palms thrive.
Cabbage palms (Livistona australis), also known as Cabbage Tree Palms, are iconic native palms with beautiful fan-shaped fronds that can transform any garden or landscape. This guide will walk you through the essential care needed to ensure your cabbage palms establish successfully in their new home.
Preparation Before Transplanting
Why it matters: Proper preparation minimises stress on the palm and sets the stage for a smooth transition.
Hole Size: Our palms are dug with a rootball approximately 1200mm wide x 1200mm long x 1000mm deep. To facilitate easy placement, we recommend digging a hole slightly larger—1500mm x 1500mm x 1000mm deep. This extra space allows cranes to position the palm securely and ensures the sides can be tightly backfilled.Drainage Test: Before planting, fill the hole with water to check drainage. If the water drains away quickly, the soil is free-draining, and no further preparation is needed. If it does not, you’ll need to address drainage issues before planting to avoid waterlogging.
Planting Depth: Ensure the palm’s roots are planted level with or slightly above the surrounding ground to prevent water from pooling around the base.
Soil Preparation: Use a sandy loam mix (20% sand, 80% soil) to encourage healthy root growth and good drainage.
Planting The Palm
Why it matters: Careful handling during transplanting supports successful establishment.
Placement: Using cranes or machinery, the palm is carefully lowered into the prepared hole. This step requires precision to avoid stress on the root system.Backfilling: Gradually fill the hole with your prepared soil, ensuring no air pockets remain. Watering during backfilling helps settle the soil and improve root contact.
Mulching: Apply mulch around the base of the palm to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature, aiding the palm’s recovery.
Aftercare and Maintenance
Why it matters: Post-planting care is critical for the palm to thrive.
Watering: Newly transplanted palms require consistent watering, particularly during dry periods, to support root establishment.
Seasol Application: Use Seasol after planting to reduce transplant shock and promote root growth. Avoid fertilising straight away, as the palm needs time to settle.
Frond Management: Keep the fronds tied up for the first six weeks. This conserves water, protects against wind damage, and allows the palm to focus on establishing its roots. Fronds can be untied after this period.
Seasol Application: Use Seasol after planting to reduce transplant shock and promote root growth. Avoid fertilising straight away, as the palm needs time to settle.
Frond Management: Keep the fronds tied up for the first six weeks. This conserves water, protects against wind damage, and allows the palm to focus on establishing its roots. Fronds can be untied after this period.
Long-Term Care
Why it matters: Continued care helps the palm thrive and maintain its stunning appearance.
Regular Monitoring: Observe your palm’s health, adjusting watering and care routines as needed.
Pruning: Remove dead fronds as they appear to keep your palm healthy and aesthetically pleasing.
Protection: In extreme weather conditions, take additional steps to protect your palm and minimise stress.
Pruning: Remove dead fronds as they appear to keep your palm healthy and aesthetically pleasing.
Protection: In extreme weather conditions, take additional steps to protect your palm and minimise stress.
Weight and Handling
Why it matters: Understanding the weight of your palms ensures safe and efficient transplanting.
A cabbage palm with a 3–4 metre trunk weighs approximately 1.2 tonnes.
A larger palm with a 8–12 metre trunk weighs about 3.2 tonnes.
These weights highlight the importance of professional equipment and expertise during the transplanting process.
A larger palm with a 8–12 metre trunk weighs about 3.2 tonnes.
These weights highlight the importance of professional equipment and expertise during the transplanting process.
Conclusion
Transplanting mature cabbage palms is an investment in instant beauty and character for your landscape. At East Coast Palms, we’re committed to making the process seamless and successful. With the proper preparation and ongoing care outlined in this guide, your palms will thrive and stand tall as a striking feature for years to come.