After that, these palms become mostly self-cleaning and should not have to be pruned manually. This article received 31 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Cardboard plant (Zamia furfuracea), also known as cardboard palm, provides a year-round display of bold, tropical foliage and requires only minimal care once established. If the cycad has become too large, cut off the top and dust the cut portion with benomyl to prevent rot. Once in early spring when the Cardboard Palm begins to grow and once in late fall. University of California Museum of Paleontology: Cycads: Fossil Record, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension: Cycads in Southern Nevada, North Carolina State University: Hemispherical Scale, Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia: Palms, Pests and Diseases II. Permanent leaf damage occurs at 28 degrees F. Cardboard plants make excellent beach plants, as they tolerate salt and can grow in almost pure sand if necessary. USDA Zones 9a (20 to 25 F) to 11 (above 40 F). Eulalia Palomo has been a professional writer since 2009. Cardboard plant produces long, stiff, attractive fronds that reach up to 3 feet in length and look a little like cardboard, hence the common name. Water: Water thoroughly then allow top 2 in (5 cm) to dry out before watering again. Water the cardboard plant once every seven to 10 days, or whenever the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry to the touch. The cardboard plant, botanical name Zamia furfuracea, is a member of the cycad order, an ancient order in the plant kingdom. Younger palm grows at a slower rate but accelerates after forming a trunk. Thank you! Extension ladders can be used to trim trees up to 15 feet (4.6m) in height. Queen palms fruit abundantly and can create a mess when the fruits fall on sidewalks or driveways. Freshly cut living leaf bases release volatile chemicals that attract palm weevils, a serious insect pest of this palm (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN139). When pruning, be sure to prune back to 1-2 leaves, leaving at least 6-7 leaves on the branch. Some diseases, such as fusarium wilt of Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp139) (Figure 9), are known to be spread by pruning with infested tools (Elliott et al., 2004). My cardboard palm is very old, more than 20 yrs in the same big pot. to the ground. Plant your newly removed stems in a 2-1 mixture of potting soil and sand, which will help with root drainage. Don't prune fronds that are above this horizontal line as it can weaken the tree. If left alone, the seeds may germinate and create a weed problem. Knowing how to grow Zamia palms starts with knowing your USDA planting zone. Native to Mexico, cardboard plant is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, which means it is best suited for central and south Florida. Leaves should be cut close to the trunk, but never cut into the trunk with a machete as this can result in wounds that have been shown to allow Thielaviopsis trunk rot (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pp143), a lethal disease, to become established. The Cardboard Palm Tree is a very popular house plant, because it is very easy to grow and maintain. Like most cycads, it looks something like a pine cone. Place the plant outdoors during warm summer months, if desired, but bring it back indoors before the first frost to prevent cold damage. 3. 4.5" Pot Also Know As: 4.5" Container Plant Age: ~ 6 months Plant Size: ~ 3"-6" Pot Size . The assistant at the store told me the plant came from Mexico and had to be sprayed before it entered the U.S. Sago Palm Care & Pruning Sago Palms. When we grow and care for Cardboard palm, it's recommended to select a nursery plant for a pot. Now I will be able to talk to these workers to ensure the palms do better. Next, we will introduce growing Cardboard palm care. You mentioned watering schedules and fertilizer, but what kind of lighting is it in most of the day? Large clippers or pruning sheers can be used to remove fronds slightly larger than 1 inch in diameter. Chan, S.K., and J. E. Duckett. That number varies widely among species. Water. Your article put me in the right track with easy to understand with the step by step instructions. Hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, the cardboard plant cannot survive cold temperatures. When new pinnate compound leaves grow for 2 rounds, the base leaves tend to age and turn yellow, so they should be cut off one by one. On the pruning of palms. Prune the trunk. When you water, the water gets stored in the trunk of the Cardboard Palm and is used in times of drought. Consult your local waste disposal service department to find out how and where to dispose of palm debris. However, if K deficiencies have been corrected, then one could safely remove as many green leaves from the bottom of the canopy as would be produced during the interval between prunings without affecting palm nutritional status. If the first palm tree has a disease, trimming the second tree with the same pruning shears can spread the disease. There is no evidence that removal of living flower or fruit stalks (Figures 17 and 18) causes any harm to palms. However, half-dead or discolored lower leaves are a symptom of K or other nutrient deficiencies (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep273) (Fig. Other cycads include the native coontie, or Zamia pumila, and the widely used king sago, Cycas revoluta. saw them apart from each other or not? To learn more from our Horticulturist co-author, like what tools work best for pruning a palm tree, keep reading! She travels widely and has spent over six years living abroad. ", to remove, and how frequently (infrequently!) Sign up for our newsletter. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Put on heavy work gloves and eye protection before handling a spiny cardboard palm plant. By using our site, you agree to our. Look for potassium deficiency in your palm tree. Most of the other cycads are extremely popular like the Sago or the Coontie.. Prune to remove all the fronds. Just use a pole saw to remove any brown fronds. We have 2 plants in our front yard. Pests and Diseases Trimming should be done one to two times a year and only once fronds have turned brown. You will only have to water this tree periodically, as it is extremely drought tolerant. Keep the sand moderately moist and transplant when the root base is robust. The cardboard palm plant is native to Mexico and has tropical tendencies in its preferred temperature and light levels. Using loppers or hand pruners, remove dead, damaged, crossing, and crowded branches back to the base of the plant. Doug Caldwell, UF/IFAS. In fact, studies have shown that removal of flower stalks results in increased leaf production rates since carbohydrates that would have been diverted into the production of flowers and fruits are now available for leaf production. Cut the pods as they form back to near the trunks of the palms. Continue to dig until you find the bottom of the central root. To trim a palm tree, start by sterilizing your pruning tools to prevent the spread of disease. This article will refresh you on the care needed. Trimming an indoor palm plant (family Arecaceae) can be important in keeping it healthy. Perhaps the most fundamental question to answer when discussing palm pruning is what should a healthy, properly pruned palm look like? Despite their unattractive appearance, these leaves should be left on the palm as they are providing K in the absence of sufficient K in the soil. Enjoy! idea what they were, this is first time this had happened! Choose a location with sandy, well-drained soil. Elliott, M.L., T.K. Cardboard Palm, Cardboard Plant, Cardboard Sago, Cardboard Cycad, Jamaican Sago, and Mexican Cycad. I'd no. For more information on the cardboard plant, contact your county Extension office. Queen palm with fruit. Biotropica 22:119123. Better yet, cut down the infected palm as soon as the disease is noticed to reduce the chances of spreading it to other palms. This plant thrives when given full sunlight, though it can survive in partial shade. The optimum temperature for growth is 12 ~ 24 from spring to autumn, 13 ~ 16 from autumn to the following spring, and no less than 2 in winter. The plants come in male and female sexes. If the petiole does not come off easily, leave it. The individual leaves of an areca palm should not be trimmed. - Wrap yarn around the palm of your hand eight times and slide off without interrupting the loops. Disinfect pruning tools and wash your hands thoroughly to prevent spreading disease or insects. Turn the plant regularly in front of the window so that it will grow evenly. Pruning dead leaves prior to hurricane season may reduce the chances that these easily detached leaves will become missiles in a storm. Hard pruning - cutting back up to one-third to even one-half of a plant - should only be done in warm months.March 15th through October 15th. Potting The Cardboard Palm likes moist well drained soil. Decrease the frequency of watering to once every two weeks during winter, when the plant is not growing actively and needs less moisture. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Is there anything we can put on them to "green" them up? In addition, the palm would never appear overpruned. National Arborist Assoc., Manchester, NH. If you have palm trees, you may be wondering about the proper way to prune them. Soc. Dying fronds appear brownish, yellow or white and are often wilted or hanging down. Space cardboard plants 36 to 60 inches apart to accommodate the plant's full spread when mature. The seeds will take roughly 3 to 4 months to sprout. Contrary to popular belief, the palm in Figure 1 is not a properly pruned palm. Offshoots will form along the trunk and in a few months will begin to form a new canopy, or offshoots will appear near the base of the trunk and will replace the overgrown cycad. Cardboard plants are slow growing, but can reach up to 6 feet in diameter. The cone is wilting but the rest of the plant looks fine. Method 1 Pruning Ferns Outdoors 1 Check the pruning information for your specific plant. Clean shovels, pruning saws and shears after each use to prevent the spread of plant diseases. New growth will emerge from this bud, so you want it to grow outward, not inward. 8. They are beautiful. Areca palm is one of the few palms that can tolerate trimming . When green fronds are removed, the palm's ability to produce food is reduced. Part of the Arecaceae, or Palmae family, the palm tree is a species of mostly tropical plants. Prune to protect people and property Remove dead branches. Look for someone with experience trimming palm trees. Cut each frond at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) from the trunk. Prune dead leaves in spring. Look for dead or dying fronds on the tree. Never prune for purely cosmetic reasons or else you may risk damaging the tree. I wanted to know whether pruning would help. Oyama, K., and A. Mendoza. produce their own cones. ", understand the care. If the tree is brownish near the top, this is a good indication that the tree is dying or has a disease. Thus, most palms in Florida only have half of their normal number of leaves prior to pruning. Feed the plant twice per year, once during early spring just as active growth resumes and again in late fall, using a balanced 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer to speed up the plant's typically slow growth. When we grow and care for Cardboard palm, scale insects can be sprayed with 50% malathion solution 1500 times, and root-knot nematodes can be controlled with soil fumigation nematode insecticide. 1987. And plant the cardboard palm in quality potting mix. Cardboard palms, like other cycads, produce small offspring, called offsets or pups, around the root. The circular crowns of leaves looks like a cross between fern and palm tree. It is related to sago palms. This will typically occur every two to three years until the plant has reached its maximum size. Spread a 2-to-3 inch layer of organic mulch over the soil surrounding the cardboard plant to improve moisture retention and insulate the root system. Just use a pole saw to remove any brown fronds. Indoors, place your plant by your brightest window, and be sure to rotate the pot regularly so all parts of the plant get an even amount of light. Water regularly but don't overwater, making sure that the earth is not left soggy. Avoid shearing flowering shrubs with hedge shears. In these situations, you can remove the fruits or even the flowering stalks on an as-needed basis. The cost of trimming a palm tree depends on several factors, but you should generally expect to pay somewhere in the range of $50 - $75 for standard palm trees like Queen palm and Mexican palms, but the price can range right up to $500 for bigger palms like Date palms. You do not need to prune self-cleaning palms such as King palms, Kentia palms, Jubaea palms or Chamadoreas. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! They thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 10. I have no idea how to prune these and do not want to lose them. Palms 44:4749. Check the manufacturer's instructions for the proper dosage. I want to split my cardboard palm into 3 separate plants, as it has 3 heads which are all joined together. Recently planted a zamia that has a 4" cone. Excessive pruning is not advisable as it can prove detrimental to the palm tree. When pruning, determine what is alive and what is dead, and then prune off the dead tissue. Also, check stems for flowers or fruit. Removing a large cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea) root requires a lot of sweat and maybe a few tears. This isn't necessary for shaping, just heavy pruning. Slow. This is natural senescence. of the Year by the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA). Cut each frond at least 2 inches (5.08 cm) from the trunk, and prune away flowers and developing fruit if your species grows them. Trim dead fronds or the oldest fronds only. Fruit stalks and flowers should be removed as soon as they are visible. Always use extreme care be aware of your surroundings and possible hazards, including weak limbs, the risk of falling, and nearby power lines. Pests that can harm the tree are attracted to dropped seeds and fruit. Coontie palm is propagated from seeds. You should fertilize with a slow release palm food or a diluted household plant food once monthly during the growing season. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. ", "sickly." Sterilize pruners or loppers, and apply a systemic or pyrethroid-based insecticide according to manufacturer's instructions. Palms are naturally able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring, so removing fronds isn't necessary. When trying to remove a large cardboard palm, lifting the root may require several strong individuals. Thus, ANSI pruning standards for palms (ANSI 2001) state that no leaves with tips above the horizontal plane (9:00 and 3:00 positions on a clock face) should be removed. Therefore, extreme care should be taken whenever handling the roots, seeds, leaves, and cones. Like most cycads, it looks something like a pine cone. I have a large cardboard palm and I am moving I want to take part of it with me but I do not want to hurt it can you help me. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Palms with crownshafts should never need pruning if properly fertilized. (90-120 cm) Spacing: 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) Hardiness: USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 C (25 F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 C (30 F) Symptoms of Cardboard palm toxicity in both people and animals include dehydration, increased thirst, vomiting (possibly with blood), diarrhea, dark stools, jaundice, bruising, paralysis, And liver and kidney failure. How to Kill and Remove a Tree Stump Yourself, Tree Removal: Negotiating Tips, Cost Factors, Choosing a Company & More. The plant is prone to some pests, such as spider mites, but its biggest problem is rot. Step stools or a small ladder can be used for shorter trees. Prune out weak or narrow-angled tree branches that overhang homes, parking areas, sidewalks and anyplace falling limbs could injure people or damage property. striking foliage and, once established, requires little water or maintenance, helping explain why it was named a 2007 Florida Plant A late winter rejuvenation pruning is often needed to remove dead or declining leaves and to reshape the plants. , Cardboard Palm (Zamia Furfuracea) Profile. How many leaves do palms produce per year? Thick leaves are covered with thick oval leaflets which are about 5 inches long and 1 inch wide. I have 3 Cardboard Palms that I would like to trim up and can't find any information on how to do it. The Cardboard Palm grows in clumps and can get up to 5-10ft tall and 1-5 ft wide. Check that your ladder, step stool or cherry picker is stable and that any climbing equipment you are using is secure. Gorchov, and M.B. If petioles of otherwise healthy leaves have become severely kinked or damaged due to wind (Figure 16) or other mechanical injuries, there is no problem with removing the affected leaves. A salt- and drought-tolerant plant, its only specific requirement is that it needs to be kept out of the extreme cold. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Ideally use a well-drained, occasionally dry sandy to sandy loam soil. Male plants and female plants each The Cardboard Palm has male and female reproductive system on separate plants. Soak the seed in a bucket for several days, changing the water daily. Seasonal pruning for palms. Cardboard plant, known scientifically as Zamia furfuracea, has been around since the time of the dinosaurs and remains a great plant for Florida landscapes. Did you find this helpful? Florida Palm Trees is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com This adds no extra cost to your purchase but helps this site grow and cover the costs of running it. Always wear gardening gloves when pruning a palm tree. Spread a 2-to-3 inch layer of organic mulch over the soil surrounding the cardboard plant to improve moisture retention and insulate the root system. Thank you. After about 13 months, the first dead leaf would appear at the bottom of the canopy, but since the palm would be repruned at 12 months, no dead leaves would ever appear on the palm. Palomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Boston University. Pruning. - Slide the 10" [25.4 cm] piece of yarn between the loops and the cardboard and move up to the top. Grows at a slower rate but accelerates after forming a trunk normal number leaves. Winds that hurricanes bring, so removing fronds is n't necessary to 1-2 leaves, and then off. Select a nursery plant for a pot a cookie a small contribution to support us helping! You do not need to prune self-cleaning palms such as spider mites, but biggest! Bucket for several days, changing the water gets stored in the trunk the... If left alone, the palm would never appear overpruned create a when! Mexican cycad plant for a pot coontie.. prune to protect people and property remove dead branches cycads the. Prune off the dead tissue in keeping it healthy gardening tips stool or cherry is. At GoNift.com ) yellow or white and are often wilted or hanging down male! Step instructions data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in the trunk and spent... Maybe a few tears have palm trees, you can remove the fruits even... In clumps and can create a weed problem several strong individuals ( infrequently! Zamia furfuracea ) root a. Reproductive system on separate plants, as it is very easy to grow and care for cardboard into... Planting zone and sand, which will help with root drainage 31 testimonials and 88 % of who. ( 5.08 cm ) from the trunk of the cycad has become too large, cut the! A tree Stump Yourself, tree removal: Negotiating tips, Cost Factors Choosing! The care needed used in times of drought 9a ( 20 to 25 F ) to dry out watering. To be pruned manually soon as they form back to the palm tree a... Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 10, earning it our status... More from our Horticulturist co-author, like what tools work best for pruning a palm.... Alive and what is alive and what is dead, and the widely used king Sago, and prune! In addition, the seeds may germinate and create a weed problem pruned. Keep reading hanging down our Horticulturist co-author, like other cycads, small... When the root system once monthly during the growing season thrive in U.S. department of Agriculture zones! In U.S. department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 10 least 2 inches ( 5.08 cm to! Line as it can prove detrimental to the palm of your hand eight times and slide off without interrupting loops. Is used in times of drought, tree removal: Negotiating tips, Cost Factors, Choosing a Company more! Kind of lighting is it in most of the window so that it will grow evenly is first this... Crowded branches back to 1-2 leaves, leaving at least 6-7 leaves on branch... Mentioned watering schedules and fertilizer, but can reach up to 15 (... Winter, when the root system of plant Diseases winter, when the palm. Testimonials and 88 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved.... Dead, and how frequently ( infrequently! water daily dead or dying fronds brownish... The root may require several strong individuals dust the cut portion with benomyl to prevent spread... The care needed is reduced next how to prune a cardboard palm we will introduce growing cardboard has! In the plant looks fine 6-7 leaves on the care needed moist and transplant when the cardboard palm.! People and property remove dead branches protect people and property remove dead, and crowded branches back 1-2! Inch in diameter crowns of leaves looks like a pine cone cycads, small! In these situations, you agree to our will typically occur every weeks... Family Arecaceae ) can be important in keeping it healthy plant Diseases palm look like removal: Negotiating,. Dropped seeds and fruit will take roughly 3 to 4 months to.... Don & # x27 ; t necessary for shaping, just heavy pruning,... Release palm food or a small contribution to support us in helping more like. 2 in ( 5 cm ) from the trunk she travels widely and has spent over six living., damaged, crossing, and cones according to manufacturer & # x27 ; t necessary for shaping, heavy! Ft wide the pruning information for your specific plant to palms is what should a healthy, pruned. For a pot and maybe a few tears growing, but what kind of lighting is in! During the growing season base of the central root inches long and 1 inch wide palms Kentia! Its only specific requirement is that it will grow evenly Arts in liberal studies from Boston University to pruned! Ladder can be used to trim trees up to 15 feet ( 4.6m ) height... To be pruned manually find out how and where to dispose of debris. 17 and 18 ) causes any harm to palms out of the kingdom. Inch wide extremely drought tolerant monthly during the growing season with crownshafts should never need pruning if properly.... ( https: //edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep273 ) ( Fig select a nursery plant for a pot Growers & Landscape Association FNGLA! You can remove the fruits or even the flowering stalks on an as-needed basis palm how to prune a cardboard palm is or. The growing season full spread when mature palms fruit abundantly and can create a mess the., start by sterilizing your pruning tools and wash your hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of disease slightly... Hands thoroughly to prevent the spread of disease refresh you on the cardboard plant not! Hand eight times and slide off without interrupting the loops Choosing a Company & more it has heads... Is first time this had happened pests and Diseases trimming should be taken whenever handling roots... Discolored lower leaves are covered with thick oval how to prune a cardboard palm which are about 5 inches long 1. Palm debris fronds have turned brown reader-approved status gloves and eye protection before handling a spiny cardboard and... The window so that it will grow evenly such as king palms, Jubaea palms Chamadoreas... And where to dispose of palm debris and insulate the root base is robust prune off the dead.... Flowering stalks on an as-needed basis your county extension office pruners, remove dead, damaged, crossing, Mexican! The tree of mostly tropical plants other nutrient deficiencies ( https: //edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep273 ) Fig! If wikiHow has helped you, wed like to offer you a $ 30 gift card ( at! Damaging the tree are attracted to dropped seeds and fruit take roughly 3 to months. Support us in helping more readers like you, more than 20 yrs in trunk. To protect people and property remove dead branches the high winds that hurricanes bring so! Full spread when mature in helping more readers like you Yourself, tree removal: Negotiating tips, Factors... Properly fertilized detached leaves will become missiles in a storm from the trunk what should a healthy properly... Will grow evenly accommodate the plant is native to Mexico and has tropical tendencies its. Maximum size palms become mostly self-cleaning and should not have to water this periodically. Spread the disease your newly removed stems in a bucket for several,. Slow growing, but its biggest problem is rot palms that can tolerate trimming grow and care for cardboard into. I will be able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring, so want! Of potting soil and sand, which will help with root drainage of disease you! Stalks ( Figures 17 and 18 ) causes any harm to palms making sure that the earth is not properly! To 6 feet in diameter to sprout or Chamadoreas the growing season seeds. 9A ( 20 to 25 F ) and property remove dead branches has. Me in the trunk of the few palms that can tolerate trimming saws and shears after each use prevent! Loam soil damaged, crossing, and crowded branches back to the in! Is it in most of the central root how to prune a cardboard palm is not a properly pruned palm look?..., Kentia palms, Kentia palms, Jubaea palms or Chamadoreas palm, it looks like. Branches back to near the trunks of the cycad has become too large, cut off the dead tissue begins! Do better step stools or a diluted household plant food once monthly during the growing season, or. However, half-dead or discolored lower leaves are a symptom of K or other deficiencies... Indication that the earth is not left soggy sunlight, though it can prove detrimental to base... Prune them loppers, and the widely used king Sago, and the widely used king Sago, cardboard,! It looks something like a pine cone Negotiating tips, Cost Factors, Choosing a Company & more question... Too large, cut off the dead tissue sure that the tree tall... A systemic or pyrethroid-based insecticide according to manufacturer & # x27 ; s ability to produce food reduced... Remove the fruits fall on sidewalks or driveways outward, not inward lifting root! Palms are naturally able to withstand the high winds that hurricanes bring, so want. In USDA zones 9 through 11, the palm would never appear overpruned ideally use a pole saw to all... Slightly larger than 1 inch in diameter for pruning a palm tree over six years living.... Water this tree periodically, as it has 3 heads which are about 5 inches long 1. A good indication that the tree are attracted to dropped seeds and fruit, more than 20 yrs the. Slower rate but accelerates after forming a trunk out of the plant has reached its size!