Amazing Palms

We have about thirty types of palm trees on our property and two of them are quite amazing. Doris bought a Sago Palm four years ago when it was just a tiny plant in a one gallon pot. The Sago grows in a special way. At he center of the plant is a bulb like structure which is covered in thorn like picks. For four or five months it is also covered with a yellow spongy material. It appears dormant until it becomes active and in a matter of six days it pours out of its foamy material and comes to a perfect cone.

The cone on close inspection is made up of about 25 tiny branches which appear impossible to be a leafy branch of the Sago. Overnight the dome explodes and out pop these perfectly formed ferny branches which reach out about three feet in a few days. These palms are slow growing but strong against frost, disease and bugs. As each new row appears the bottom row becomes dormant and eventually drops off. Most people trim them but it is best to let nature do its own job.

The other favourite palm is a spike palm. It grows quickly and if you are fortunate you will be blessed with a huge mass of flowering seeds at the top of the spike. These spike palms will grow indoors as well but will not flower unless they are in a large pot. Ours flowered this year and will remain beautiful for about a month. The flowers become tiny seeds and birds love them. While in flower they are covered with bees and insects.

I shall print a picture when the Sago is in full bloom. Nature sure is fun.