Pineapple palms are also called Canary Island Date palms (Phoenix canariensis). These trees grow to 60 feet tall with large crowns of palm leaves that spread up to 25 feet wide. Pineapple palms are slow-growing trees suited to USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Although these palms tolerate planting any time of the year, they get a better start if planted in the spring or early summer. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Plant the Pineapple palms in a location that receives full sun and has well-draining soil. This palm grows in most soils, but does best in moist, fertile soils.
2. Dig holes, using a shovel, as deep as the palms were previously planted. Dig the holes twice as wide as the root balls. Water the holes until moist.
3. Put on heavy gardening gloves. Wear the gloves when working with the trees, as Pineapple palms have sharp spikes at the bases of the leaves.
4. Water the Pineapple palm's root balls until thoroughly soaked. This eliminates air pockets in the roots. Place the trees in the holes.
5. Replace the dirt in the holes, filling in around the root ball and covering the root ball completely. Work in mycorrhizal fungi with the soil, following the manufacturer's recommendations for rate of application. Mycorrhizal fungi, available in gardening centers, help palm trees utilize soil nutrients and moisture.
6. Build soil dams around the perimeter of the holes. Pack the dirt 3 inches higher than the surrounding soil. This helps retain water for the newly planted Pineapple palms. Water the ground in the dams until the soil is soaked.
7. Place a 3-inch-deep layer of organic mulch around the trees. Start the mulch 3 inches away from the trees and extend it to the soil dams. The mulch prevents weeds from growing around the trees, provides nutrients and helps the ground retain moisture.
8. Spray the leaves of the Pineapple palms with a micronutrient foliar spray. A micronutrient foliar spray helps the newly planted trees quickly obtain needed nutrients. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for application rate, and continue to use the spray for the palm's first year.
9. Water the soil as needed for the first two months. Keep the ground around the trees moist, but do not allow it to become soggy.
10. Fertilize the palms after they show new growth. The Pineapple palms should begin putting out new leaves about two months after planting. Use fertilizer specifically made for palm trees, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for application.
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