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19 October 2011
The Macarthur Palm
Whether you call it the Macarthur Palm, Cluster Palm or Hurricane Palm, it is a perfect fit for the tropical garden. It is everything a tropical plant gardener could want from a Palm: low maintenance and neglect hardy in the tropics. This North Queensland native averages 3-6 metres tall (max 9m) making its modest thin-trunked bunches an accent to the garden and not an overwhelming lurch. Once matured it has multiple slender trunks topped by feather shaped fronds.
The Macarthur Palm is a tropical plant and needs a full-sun to part-shade position in the garden. More light means faster and larger growth whereas a shady position, indoor or out, will produce an overall smaller palm. Like most Palms, a well draining soil is mandatory and watering during drought is necessary. These are usual guidelines for tropical palms and the process is easy: sun, moisture, warmth and drainage.
The Macarthur Palm Grown Indoors
If your garden isn’t in a true tropical area, then the Macarthur Palm has the greatest chance of survival indoors and planted in containers. In the sub tropics you may use the Macarthur Palm on an enclosed patio but the dozen degree difference in temperature outdoors on a seasonal or daily basis could harm or perish the palm.
Growing the Macarthur palm indoors is easy because they require the usual conditions: warmth, light and moisture. When potting this palm, ensure a large enough pot is used to prevent tangled roots, to give space to grow and to allow for proper drainage. The pot needs to be made of strong material able to support the Macarthur Palm. The Macarthur Palm is a good adaptation for indoors because it has a short mature height and it survives as a smaller specimen if grown in a shady position.
Palms are More than a Trend
Palms are more than a trend and the internet is embracing the excitement of Palm access. The World Wide Web is an advancement of the human species and we use this heightened ability of global-reach to obtain biological companions in the form of species that existed hundreds of millions in years before us (in this case, Palms). The concept is far-out but it is definitely the age for humans to spread their proverbial wings and buy exotic plant life online. Although there are restrictions for international shipping of plants and seeds, there is surely a plant nursery within your area propagating and selling the plants you desire.
Each palm variety can be looked at with awe and many people value these plant lives like one may value silver and gold or another cherishes their pets and children.
The Macarthur Palm species is popular because many Australians, and people abroad, find the plant to be versatile and low maintenance. They are in high demand for exterior and interior applications by home gardeners, landscapers, apartment properties, offices, hotels, etc. and the list goes on.
General Palm Advice
Follow the Macarthur Palm’s Care Instructions. This particular species enjoys specific conditions that may not be suitable for other palms. Never assume that the Macarthur Palm can survive in the conditions of others or other Palm species in the same as the Macarthur. Palms are generally best kept in a rich, moist, well-drained soil and most palms desire very warm climates with lots of sun and plenty of water. The Macarthur is no different but access to part-shade doesn’t hurt. Also, tropical plants are adapted to humid environments so water misting in drier climates is a welcome bonding between person and plant.
Buy the Macarthur Palm small and save money. Palm seedlings and small Macarthurs are cheaper than purchasing full grown stock. Many people have a greenhouse, shed, or area in the home used as a plant nursery and Macarthur Palm seedlings are perfect tenants. Watch them grow here then plant them into the garden or pot them in the living spaces. Starting your own Palm nursery for sheltering the Macarthur seedlings would require an area with adequate heat, spacing, soil, moisture and shelter. Like most baby Palms, Macarthur Palm babies need protection from too much sun and heavy winds.
Once you have the small Macarthur Palms in the nursery, the care is not much different than other plants in the nursery and its needs are near identical to the mature Macarthur palm.
An ideal situation for the Macarthur Palm is good climate and a place to call home.
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