Bismarckia

( biz - MARK- ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly referred to as Bismarck Palm, this tree is native to Madagascar and needs full sun and little to moderate water. The species Bismarckia nobilis is the sole species in the genus, which is a member of the plant family Arecaceae. These palms reach 30-40 feet tall and come in blue- and green-foliaged varieties. Fan-shaped palm fronds form a 25 foot wide crown at maturity The blue form is more cold-tolerant, while the green form is better along coastlines. Bismarck Palm grows best in zones 19-24 (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map) and is great along driveways or when used as an accent plant in a lawn area.

Bark on these trees is smooth and greyish-brown, marked with the scars of previously discarded leaves. They put on growth at a rate of 2-3 feet per year on average. The species produces separate male and female trees that both form small brown to copper-colored flowers on panicles in summertime. Inflorescences on male trees are longer than those on female trees, but do not produce fruit. Flowers will appear only on trees that are 12 years or older, and remain on the tree for a few weeks' time. Take care when planting these trees in your landscape, as the leaves have very sharp points to them that can poke and scratch children and pets. Plant parts are not considered toxic, however if enough material is ingested, stomach issues can arise in humans and pets.

Caring for Bismarckia

Planting a Bismarck Palm is best done during the spring or summertime, when the palm is actively growing. They do not like to have their roots disturbed, so take care when removing the plant from its nursery pot and when untangling roots. Plant your palm in an area of the landscape that receives full sun. These trees can tolerate partial shade, but really will perform better and have more attractive color in full sun. These palms can grow to be quite large, so ensure that you have ample space to accommodate a spread of up to 20 feet across. Make sure that soil in the planting area is well-draining. Sandy soils are ideal substrates for these trees, but they can also adapt to loamy soils. A good soil mixture for these trees is a equal combination of peat moss and coarse sand with perlite added in to improve drainage. Heavy clay soils that retain a lot of water are not recommended. Bismarck Palms prefer a soil pH of around 6.3 (slightly acidic to neutral). To maintain this pH balance, peat moss can be added to soil. Water young or newly installed trees regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Deep waterings will encourage strong root growth. When trees are mature, they are drought-tolerant and will require less frequent watering. During extended dry periods, provide deep waterings to keep the soil from becoming completely dry. Mulch around the base of the tree with a 2-3 inch layer of organic material, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot or other fungal diseases from taking hold.

Fertilize these trees in spring and summertime if they seem to be struggling with a balanced, slow-release palm fertilizer that also includes micronutrients (especially magnesium). Avoid over-fertilizing these trees, as doing so can cause damage. Pruning these trees is relatively straightforward, simply remove dead or damaged fronds by cutting them back to their attachment to the trunk. These palms will not 'self-clean'; and doing this will improve the tree's appearance as well as health. The best time to prune Bismarck Palms is in late winter or early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. Avoid excessive prunings. These trees are hardy down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and will need winter protection in areas that drop below freezing. Simply cover with a frost cloth or blanket during cold snaps. Smaller palms in containers can be moved to a sheltered location over winter. Bismarck palms do not do well when grown in containers for long periods of time, however. They do not like having their roots disturbed (which will happen every 1-4 years when they need to be potted up), and they should really be planted in the ground as soon as possible after purchasing.

Propagation

Bismarckia can be propagated either by offsets or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the offset division method. To propagate your Palm, follow the instructions below.

Propagating Bismarckia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. In addition, the species produces male and female flowers on separate plants, so there will need to be a male and female tree within 50-100 feet of each other for the female tree to produce fruits with viable seeds. Trees also need to be of a certain age to produce viable seeds; if seeds are not the size of a small lime yet, the tree is probably not mature enough yet to reproduce. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The fruits will fall from the plant when they are ready to be dispersed, so wait until this happens before harvesting. Ripe fruits will be dark blue to black color, and seeds should be planted as soon as possible after fruits are ripe for the best results.
Water your prepared pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot so that the top of the seed is exposed. Water in your seeds. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a sunny spot inside a window will do as well. Keep the soil moist. Seeds germinate best in temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so the assistance of a heating pad may be required. Germination usually takes between 4 and 12 months from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout their first leaves and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual pots. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, as the tree develops. Keep your new palm in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When the palm has developed a few leaves, they should be planted in the ground.

Propagation of Bismarckia By Offset Division
The easiest way to propagate Bismarckia palms is by removing offsets and replanting them. Offsets are best propagated after they've had adequate time to grow alongside their mother plant. The larger the offset, the more likely it will be able to make it on its own. To propagate your plant by offset division, grab a clean blade, trowel and a pot filled with soil half amended with gritty sand. Once you've gathered your materials, follow these steps:

Loosen the soil around the bottom of your plant where the pup has formed and locate the root that is connecting it to the parent plant. Cut the attachment with a sharp trowel. Take care to not cut off any of the other roots that are coming out of your offset.
Gently dig up the offset, keeping as many roots attached as possible. Plant in a pot filled with potting mix and lightly moisten the soil, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the container in an area that receives bright light and stays relatively warm.
Water every time the top inch or two of soil dry out, but don't saturate the soil. After a few weeks of this watering schedule, the offset should be ready to be planted outside in its permanent home. Then, follow the regular care instructions.