Palm species for Thailand

[dover56]

Greetings

Would like any information or comments regarding palms that would be suitable for the following area.

1. Island development around 80 acres.

2. Situated in Thailand.

3. Want "wow" factor immediately so am looking primarily at mature palms intermixed with less mature to fill gaps.

4. Want "deserted on a tropical island" type feel.

Need species that can handle a reasonable amount of salt, can grow in both sand and soil areas, and that will provide fast growth initially with minimal maintenance, disease, insect troubles.

The species we are looking at the moment are Royals, Kings, Foxtails, Coconuts, Beetle-nuts, Oil palms and Yellow palms.

Are there any other palms that are "must haves"??  Due to the fact that it is in Thailand I have been told that most palms are quite "easy" to deal with.

Also the plan is to transplant these palms in the near future from the mainland, then transplant onto the island and move again in around 2 years time after some extra growth and when the infrastructure is complete.  WIll this cause any difficulties and are there any techniques/secrets that I should follow??

Thanks very much for any replies as although quite experienced in other areas of horticulutre I am quite new to the world of palms.

Also are there any other varieties of plants that you would recommend for an island-feel (mangos?? bananas etc??)

Thanks very much

Dover

[rthink]

From what I've seen here on some islands in Thailand, Licuala paludosa and spinosa suit well for the islands in Thailand. It gave the tropical feeling and its round leave would definitely make people like it. Other Copernicia and Caryota species will do well as well.

It shouldn't be difficult to grow palms here. Just avoid the species that hate full sun as the sunlight here will be too strong for them.

[Charles Wychgel]

Dover

A visit to Nong Nooch gardens near Pattya will provide you with some awesome wowfactors

Easily the most impressive palm/cycad gardens in SE Asia, superb landscaping as well.

[sebastian]

Haven't been to Thailand yet..but imagine the climate is very similar to Indonesia were i spend a lot of time.

Some of the palms that are easily available at a good size and look good without much care.(common names)

Very hardy,all transplant well,may have problems with the Bizmarks and maybee the lanterns.

-Bizmarks (a must have, good feature palm)

-Laterns (red,yellow or blue)

-Bottles (good smaller intresting palm)

-Foxtails (good all rounder)

-Royals (good for avenues/drive ways)

-Coconuts

The following are not as hardy out of a full tropical climate,but i have seen hundreds in Indonesia totally abussed in every possible way and still look good.

-Lipstick/sealing wax (very colourful must have)

-Beetlenuts

-Licuala grandis(fan palm must have)

Wouldn't recomend transplanting any of them twice.

In regards to technique or secrets in the end it all comes down to knowledge and experience each palm has it's own limits,id totally recomend getting one person with that experience doing it right the first time could save a lot of money a better result and recovery although the tropics are a lot more forgiving.

[Robert Lee Riffle]

The biggest problem you face is probably the salt factor.  

You don't mention wind but this is often concomitant with being on an island.

One species that can endure, if not relish, both conditions is, of course, the coconut.  Royals are not only somewhat tricky to successfully move if of a large size, but also will never look good under constant or nearly constant wind and salt spray.  Neither will foxtails. kings, or probably betlenuts.  I don't know what a "yellow palm" might be.

Would help to know if the island is separated from the mainland by a bay or the true ocean.

What you need is a good book or website that gives the natural habitats/conditions of all genera/species.  This would tell you a lot about duplicating the conditions under which the palms would thrive.

[Dypsisdean]

Dover,

The answer(s) to your question(s) are at once too lengthy and detailed to be attempted here in written form. The opportunity you have to create an amazing garden in an amazing space is most likely a once in a lifetime occurence, and should be approached with the adequate knowledge you are seeking. As you have realized, palms will play an integral role in creating the ambiance you are seeking.

As mentioned above, visiting Nong Nooch is essential. You will see the "wow" factor of unbelievable palms you never knew existed in a similar climate.

The logistics of your project as they relate to the palms are particularly important. Such as procurring the slow growing (most likely the rarest and most costly) ones as soon as you can, and then if possible growing them in boxes for the two years to avoid the transplant shock of digging for maybe a second time. The large fastest growing ones present an opposite delima. They will suffer if not placed in their final location soon enough. You will gain nothing by buying, transporting, and temporarily housing large specimens of many species of the extra large fast growers . Many will explode in growth in the tropics from healthy medium sized plants, and will soon be larger and healthier than anything you could import and plant as an large established specimen anyway. Especially ones transplanted twice in a short period of time. Will you have water available, and a dependable caretaker? Even the tropics have dry spells, and before they are adequately established your stock will need help during their initial move, and be more susceptible to pests and other diseases.

Also as mentioned above, at the very least you need to "pick the brain" of someone with experience growing palms. Without question, many on this forum, or other long time members of the IPS, have the knowledge to save you much time and money, and I'm sure would enjoy discussing your project with you.

[MattyB]

You should hire Dean as your head gardener, or consultant.   See Dean, you can't retire just yet!