Bismarckia nobilis is a massive tropical palm that commands attention and inspires awe wherever it is grown. The Bismarck Palm’s stout trunk and symmetry of the huge crown lends a formal note while the startling blue green foliage amplifies the visual impact of this big beauty. It grows a single trunk that is smooth on mature specimens but young individuals retain old leaf bases. This palm may reach an ultimate height of 50-60 ft (15-18 m) with a spread of 20 ft (6 m) or more. Even young specimens that have yet to form a trunk sport full crowns of about 25 leaves with the maximum spread! The huge palmate leaves are bright light blue, waxy and are up to 10 ft (3 m) across. They are supported on 6 ft (1.8 m) stems that can be 10 in (25cm) in diameter. The leaf bases split where they attach to the trunk (like those of Sabal palmetto) and the leaf stems are armed with small sharp teeth. Bismarckia nobilis is native to the island of Madagascar which is off the east coast of Africa.
Growing Instructions
1. Soak the seeds in water for 2 days.
2. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Put the mixture in several pots.
3. Set the Bismarckia seeds on the surface of the soil and lightly press on it until it is inserted 1 inch into the soil.
4. Put the pots in a warm area. The seeds need moist soil and heat to germinate. Bismarckia seeds typically take six to eight weeks to germinate, but it may take longer.
5. When the seedlings have a few leaves, they can be transplanted.