Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to talk to us about any plants we stock or garden requirements.
Do you do gift vouchers?
Yes, give us an email and we can sort one out for you. Let us know if you want a special message on it.
How do I request a courier quote?
Simply add what you want to purchase to your cart, click check out, enter your address, then click ‘request a quote.’ Then we will be in touch within 24–48 hours via email. (We aim to keep postage to a minimum, hence why we manually work it out for each individual). Don’t click ‘place order’ unless you have received your shipping quote.
Are you open to the public?
Yes, check out our opening hours.
Do you have a free loan trailer I can use?
Yes.
When is the best time to plant?
In the Autumn or Spring when the ground is moist from rain and so the plant will have longer to establish before the plant’s first summer. However, palms can be planted anytime but they will need to be regularly watered if in Summer or when it’s dry.
Should I mulch?
Yes, but not right up against the trunk. Mulching helps hold the moisture in the soil and suppresses weeds.
How often should I water?
In ground: When you first plant them, give them a good soaking if the soil is dry.
If planting in Autumn or Spring, mulch them well, then you shouldn’t need to water them too often.
In summer, twice a week until they get established (it really depends on the weather).
How often should I fertilize?
Palms: At least once a year. It’s best to fertilize in September or October when it’s starting to warm up in the Spring or Summer.
Cycads: At least twice a year.
What type of fertilizer should I use?
We use a general fertilizer combined with an 8–9 month slow release.
Australian Grass Trees – Please note they require NO phosphate in any fertilizers. Give a mix of potash and nitrogen, and be mindful of fertilizing plants around them as it may leach down and will kill these beautiful plants.
What plants will tolerate wind?
Palms: Queens, Pitt Island Nikau, Tracycarpus Fortunei. Kentias when a bit bigger.
Cycads: Lepidozamia peroffskyana, Sago Revoluta.
Which plants handle frost?
Most palms that we sell can handle light frosts.
Which is your most salt-tolerant palm?
Pitt Island Nikau.
Which is the best soil type for my palm?
They will grow in any soil type but drainage is what’s important.
Will my plant survive in a pot?
Yes, but it will grow slower and you will need to fertilize it twice a year. You’ll need to water it often (we recommend twice a week, especially in summer). Use a drip tray and we also recommend taking it outside 3 times a year and watering it until the water really drenches the soil.
Which palms can be grown indoors?
Kentia, Dypsis baronii, Chamaedorea hooperiana.
Can we buy seed from you?
No.
Are you still selling landscape supplies?
Yes (garden mix, forest floor, woodchips, post peeling, peat soil).
Do you deliver plants?
In the Central Auckland region yes. Please note we combine deliveries to lower the cost. Depending on your order, generally we charge around $100 per order and deliver at least once every 10 business days. Request a quote via email today.
Do you courier plants?
Small plants yes. If you provide your name, postal address, phone number, email and plant order we can do a courier quote for you. (We have a 25kg limit per box and a height of 75cm per box).
Clivia: Depending on the plant size we can fit 2–3 in a box (75 x 38 x 19cm).
Pitt Island Nikau (Small grade only): We can fit 2 in a box (75 x 38 x 19cm).
Do you freight to other parts of New Zealand?
Yes, to some areas – we can organise freight via a specialist plant transport company. Contact us to find out more: matakanapalms@gmail.com
What fertiliser does Matakana Palms use?
We use a 50/50 mixture of two products: instant – Ballance Yara Mila Complex and Agroblen 8–9 month slow release.
