WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF NEW ZEALAND'S NEWEST PRODUCER OF HIGH QUALITY SPECIMEN KENTIA PALMS

OUR PRODUCTS

We have spared no effort to produce the best quality Kentia palms possible for the interior plant hire industry in New Zealand. Our plants are grown in the subtropical climate of Whangarei in the winterless North of New Zealand, without heating. This produces a resilient plant that is capable of withstanding adverse conditions that would stress many other species.

The palms are all grown in a peat and bark mixture and sold in a 25cm pot once they reach 1.5 metres in height. The pots are all quadruple planted to give a full and luxuriant display that can effortlessly fill a corner or, en masse screen an area. A hybrid hydroculture system has been used to feed the palms throughout their lives, and this is responsible for the even shape, good colour and retention of the fronds, right from the base of the plant.

We make regular deliveries to Auckland, with trips further south on demand, subject to a minimum order quantity.

We have now started to sell a much larger grade that has been potted in a 40cm Interworld pot (perfectly suited to the large Cotta Pots with a reservoir). Sizes and quantities may vary throughout the year, so please contact us to discuss your needs when you are intending to use this grade.

We sell these palms when they are between 1.8m and 2.4m, and there will generally be 9-12 individual plants in the pot.

ABOUT US

Kentia.co.nz is run by Thomas Brown who formally lived on the island of Jersey. Thomas was the Head Grower at the prestigious Eric Young Orchid Foundation, and had worked there for nearly 17 years. Thomas has considerable experience in modern growing techniques, and has always focused on quality.

For more information please email me at  Kentia.co.nz service

CARING FOR YOUR KENTIA

Our Kentias are grown using a hydroponic/ fertigation system, where they are potted in a relatively inert peat and bark mix and fed every time they are irrigated. Consequently the plants will need regular feeding with a good general purpose liquid fertiliser to maintain this level of health. Care must be taken to make sure that the palms have sufficient Magnesium in the fertiliser, as this is often not added to commercial mixtures.

Magnesium deficiency will show up as a yellow streaking of the youngest fronds which will spread until the frond is completely yellow. It may be necessary to add extra Magnesium (in the form of Epsom Salts, otherwise known as Magnesium sulphate) to the irrigation water occasionally, about half a teaspoon in 10 litres of water is enough. Take care to not add too much Magnesium supplement or a Potassium deficiency will result. This is seen as a progressive, even yellowing of the tips of the fronds that will eventually kill the leaf.

Kentias do not generally suffer with many diseases, the main one being crown rot. This can be caused by any one of a number of fungi that will rot the plant when water is allowed to collect in the crown, and remain there in damp and cool conditions. The most likely culprits of these infections are Sclerotinia, Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Fusarium. The easiest means of avoiding this is good hygiene and not irrigating the plants overhead on cold, wet days. Unfortunately once the symptoms are seen (noticable dulling of the leaves and the newest leaf rotting at the base), it is usually too late and the affected plant should be removed and discarded. If overhead irrigation in such conditions cannot be avoided then regular spraying or drenching with a broad spectrum fungicide may help to keep the fungal infections to a minimum. This is best done under nursery conditions, and not in an office or residential environment.

Insects and Mites can produce problems in Kentias, the main infestations being mealy bugs, thrips, scale insects and spider mites. If regular use of insecticide soil drenches such as Confidor are used then most problems can be avoided. However at certain times of the year the influx or breeding rate of the pests can be more than a relatively safe but slow acting product such as Confidor can eliminate before foliar damage is done. This then could require the use of a stronger product such as organophosphates, or a blend of synthetic pyrethroid and organophosphate. The situations where these more toxic products can be used is rather more limited due to the risk of inhalation or skin contact, so they are definitely unsuitable for use in domestic or office environments. Mites could be controlled using an acaricide (miticide) application, but as above this is best done in controlled circumstances such as the nursery environment.

HISTORY OF KENTIAS

Kentias were first described scientifically by Ferdinand Mueller in 1870, who was studying material brought back from Lord Howe Island by Charles Moore in 1869. Originating from Lord Howe Island, off the Australian East coast these palms were first classified as Kentia forsteriana, but later renamed Howea forsteriana as the genus grew with further discoveries of related species. Kentia is the capital city of Lord Howe Island. The specific name of forsteriana that Mueller gave this palm was in honour of William Forster, a senator and one time premier of New South Wales.

We at Kentia.co.nz are proud members of the Plants at Work Association
www.pawa.org.nz

-Kentia.co.nz is the trading name of Meadowvale Holdings Ltd, owned and operated by Thomas Brown, RD8, Whangarei, New Zealand. The use of any advice given on this site is at the risk of those choosing to use it, and not of Meadowvale Holdings Ltd. Meadowvale Holdings Ltd cannot bear any responsibility for the advice given on this site, spray use should always be preceded by qualified advice.