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Palms are group of the plants which have great ornamental value and are planted in the garden for special effects as most of the species have un-branched single stem. Tufted leaves at the end of stem create most picturesque effect.
These are mostly planted as specimen or group planting or as avenue plantation in big palaces. It is common sight to find certain palms like chamaedorea elegans, Chrysalido carpus lutescens, Liuistonia chinensis, Caryota urens, etc. in pots being grown for home landscape or for beautifying the office buildings.
Many of the palms are native of tropics and comprises of about 212 genera and 2780 species and belonging to family Palmae. It is common saying that feet of palms should in the water and head should be in the fire. The palms widely vary in form, size and habit of growth. All palms are endogenes, do not increase in thickness and do not show any distinction into bark, wood and pith.
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Palm like Attalea cohune has very short stem and leaves originate directly form ground whereas palms are as tall as 15-20 meter. These palms are divided into two main categories according to shape of leaves i.e. feather shape and fan shape.
In feather shaped palm (date palm, coconut palm) main vein runs out of the side of long mid rib, the leaf being divided into long and narrow segments whereas in fan shaped leaves (Chinese palm) main veins radiate outsides in all directions resulting into semi-circular to circular leaves.
Flowers are produced on spikes which hang down gracefully in many species. Palm inflorescences are highly diverse, from large panicles with many orders of many branching (calamus) to simply spike. The flowers may be bisexual or unisexual borne either on the same plant (monoecious) or on separate plants (dioecious) whereas some species have bisexual and unisexual flowers on the same plant (polygamous).
Palms produce seeds in abundance and germinate slowly and make slow growth which makes many years to become plant of desirable shape and size. Seeds are covered with thick fiber in many species which makes germination slow. They can be sown at any time but spring is the best time for sowing. Seeds should be sown in well drained fine soil and covered sufficiently.
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Seedlings are potted separately in pots enough big to accommodate to root. As the palm plants throw long roots and suffer much if they are not removed early and repotted in bigger pots. Many palms throw away root suckers and palms are increased by dividing these suckers, though separation is a tough job. After separation suckers should be planted in ground or pots as desired.
Growing of palms in pots does not require frequent repotting and prefers to be in the pot bound and thrive in under sized pots. Repotting is done to its next size and intact roots system is placed in the pot with fresh soil and farm yard manure mixture. Top dressing once or twice a year with oil cake or with fertilizer should be done. To keep plants healthy regular watering specially over-head watering, syringing the leaves is highly beneficial.
Certain palms have high economic value and are being cultivated commercially in the world like coconut (cocos nucifera), Areca nut (Areca catechu), toddy palm (Borassus flabelliformis), sugar palm (Arenga saccharifera) and date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) etc. Oil is also extracted from the oil palm (Elaeis guinensis) and species of orbigyna. Palms also produce a variety of fibers which include coir which comes from the husk of the coconut.
There are very few diseases and pests which attack the palms. Scales are sometimes seen. To control these, stem, and leaves should be kept clean by washing with the water. Sometimes beetles (Rhinoceros) attack young shoots and best killed by harpooning them with a thick wire through into holes or by putting malathion (0.1%) in hole and plugging it with mud.
