Re: Palms
dave-poole@ilsham.demon.co.uk wrote:
>
> Slightly off topic I know, but I would like to get as wide a range of
> opinion as possible so please excuse this.
>
> I have several new palms due to arrive shortly, amongst them Licuala
> grandis, L. spinosa and Roystonea borinquena. Have any members here
> any experience of growing them? I'm particularly interested in
> minimum winter temperatures tolerated together with acceptable minimum
> growing temperatures in summer. I believe that Licuala grandis needs
> warm, humid 'tropical' conditions, but I understand that this may not
> necessarily be so with L. spinosa. As far as the Roystonea is
> concerned, I cannot find any useful information about this particular
> species.
>
> Dave Poole
> TORQUAY UK Zone 9b
Dave, I don't have any personal experience but my book "Popular Palms"
by Jack Krempin (1995)has the following on Roystonea:
"10-12 solitary speciess from the Caribbean islands and the surrounding
mainland and growing in the rich lowland soils ......widely grown
throughout the world.
R. boringueana, Puerto Rican Royal Palm (Puerto Rico). This beautiful
palm is distinguished from the other royal palms by the shiny upper
surface of the leaves, plus the denseness of the flowers in the
inflorescence. The oblong fruits are yellow-brown. (snip)
In the garden: Royal palms require the warmth of the tropics and
subtropics. Given warm protected pockets and sheltered frost-free
positions they can be grown quite successfully in both the warm and cool
subtropics, if placed in a position sheltered by the house or taller
trees from cold or drying winds. Incorporate some compost or potting mix
into the soil before planting. Keep well watered to promote more rapid
growth and fertilise occasionally with a complete plant food. They grow
in rich soils in nature.
Planted in pots: Royal palms are tall growers and not very suitable as
permanent potted palms. If you want potted specimens the pots would have
to be very large, in excess of 1m (3') and the plants would need regular
daily watering.
Ses monoecious. Self pollinating in seed production.
Position indoors: Unsuitable as indoor palms, being too tall and spindly
as juveniles."
This gentleman lives in Queensland and has published several books on
palms and cycads.
Hope this is useful.
Beverly
--
Julius and Beverly Elischer
Perth, Western Australia
Ph. +61 8 9386 5244
