Moon Valley Nursery - Arizona Blog

Caring for Palms in the Summer

Written by Felipe Benavides | 6/6/2018

The lush, tropical appearance and majestic silhouette of palms can bring lots of interest, beauty, shade and much more to our Arizona landscape. We can plant some of the best-looking palms in our area, such as the smaller-sized Mediterranean Fan Palm, the elegant Date Palm, and an Arizona favorite, the Piru Queen Palm, to name just a few.

 

To Do List

Since the weather is sweltering in the summer, we are going to water our palms more than usual. Besides watering, feeding them with the proper fertilizer is beneficial, too. And, when it comes to pruning and trimming, you can do this all year. However, for best results, hire a professional.

Watering: When the temperatures reach above 100 degrees, deep water about 4 to 5 times a week. Keep in mind that tight clay soils that don’t drain may require one less time per week. Loose, sandy soils may need a bit more water per week. A great way to check the soil is to scrape the surface at least six inches deep with a little shovel. If the soil feels dry, it is time to water some more. We recommend drip watering or using a soaker hose with a very slow trickle so that the soil can absorb the water. Let the soil dry out thoroughly, then repeat the process.

Fertilizer: Keeping palms healthy-looking can be a breeze with the proper fertilizers. Moon Valley Nurseries has taken the guesswork out with our all-purpose fertilizers with the essential micro and macro-nutrients every palm tree needs to thrive in our desert environment. Our fertilizers are very easy to apply!  

Super Palm Juice: This fantastic liquid has Magnesium, which can keep the palm looking green. Palm trees love Magnesium, and it keeps the palm from being iron deficient. It helps increase moisture, nutrient uptake, stimulates root growth, and helps protect against stress. Apply this Super Palm Juice at least once every three months for spectacular results! This is an easy to apply liquid that can reach the roots fast!

Moon Juice: This concentrated liquid contains the three most essential micro-nutrients that every tree and plant needs – Iron, Manganese, and Zinc. Palm trees love this juice because it can help them prevent and recover from the stresses caused by extreme heat.

Moon Dust: This all-purpose fertilizer can be applied monthly for optimal results. It has the essential micro and macronutrients palms need to thrive in our desert environment.

Pruning and Trimming: Make sure you use sterilized equipment to prevent contamination and spreading disease. We recommend hiring a professional to do the job of trimming and pruning.  

 

 

Palms to Plant in Arizona this Summer

Summertime in Arizona is dry and hot! Humans have adapted to live and thrive in the Phoenix heat. How about our beautiful palm trees? Water is the most crucial ingredient for the well-being of palm trees in the desert. Sure, many of the best palms in our area can handle the extreme temperatures, but when it comes to water, they will need more than what mother nature provides this time of the year.

It’s never too hot to create a tropical paradise with palms. Moon Valley Nurseries is the grower of everything we sell so that they can be planted in our summer temperatures. That’s right. Our palm trees are grown in our local climate, so they have been acclimated to our local environment!

Date Palms (Phoenix dactylifera): These elegant palms are native to the desert environment, so they thrive in Phoenix. If you are looking to add instant appeal and class to your property, you can do no wrong with these big marquee palms. Turn any landscape into a resort-style home! Line them up, and it can create plenty of shade, too. Our palms are certified disease-free and very drought hardy. Newly planted Date Palms should be watered every day for the first three days. After the first three days, allow the area of the trunk to dry completely in between watering applications.

 

 

Piru Queen Palms (Syagarus romansoffiana): These palms are super hardy and can handle the Phoenix heat with ease! Create a spectacular tropical effect by planting in groups of two to five trees in varying heights. We like to plant them around water features, gazebos, and patios where they add to the tropical appeal. And, if you have a pool, they do not have an invasive root system, so feel free to plant near sidewalks and pool decks. We know that the temperatures are going to reach above 100 this summer, so water them about four to five times a week.

 

 

 

Canary Island Palm (Phoenix canariensis): These natural beauties are prized for their elegant appearance. They are also called the Pineapple Palm because its crown resembles a pineapple. We sell Phoenix canariensis with diamond-shaped pattern trunks that add an instant and luxurious look to any landscape. These palms love the warm weather and thrive with full sun exposure. They are clean and very durable, too. As a bonus, they are very low maintenance palms, and we only sell certified disease-free Canary Island Date Palms. Plant them in groups for luxuriant tropical shade!

 

Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis): These are touted as being the hardiest of all palms. Plant them in the front yard as a focal point or poolside; they can create a tropical look to any landscape no matter where you plant them. People love them because they will rarely outgrow their space, and they are very easy to maintain. Trim them up to clear the trunk or let them grow into a shrubby form that can block unwanted views.

 

 

 

 

Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta): These classic resort-style palms have a single trunk that looks spectacular when skinned to give it a “cigar-cut” effect. Line them up along a driveway and create a grand and formal entrance. These are local favorites and one of the easiest palms to grow. They are drought tolerant once established and can adapt to a wide range of soils. These palms are versatile and ideal for planting near the pool or as an accent palm.

 

 

 

 

Moon Valley Nurseries sells certified disease-free palms that are ready to thrive in our local climate. Allow us to help you create your dream landscape with the best-quality palms in the world!

We value engineer our products, so you get the best-quality trees at the best price!