Propagating a imperial palm tree can be a challenge . These trees grow only from seed , but their seeds can sulkiness rather than germinate . To help sprouting , yield attention to what the experts say , and do n’t assume that all palm trees divvy up the same traits regarding sprouting — because they do n’t . The majestic palm has some quirks of its own .
The purple palm ( Roystonea regia , USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11 ) is native to South Florida , Cuba and Mexico and has cultivate in the U.S. in Hawaii .
If you have access to aroyal palm tree , you’re able to collect the seeds yourself ; otherwise , purchase them from a commercial agriculturalist .
A Snapshot of the Royal Palm
Are you certain you want to propagate this tree ? Just contain , because this mintage of palm is huge . It typically reaches 50 to 70 feet but can grow 125 grandiloquent with a spread of more than 25 feet . democratic in urban center parks or metropolis streets , it ’s a uncommon backyard that can accommodate the royal thenar .
One thing to be aware of with this huge Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree : its leave drop when they are spent , and they are punishing ( about 50 pound . when fresh ) , so they can damage a structure , nearby botany or a person . A royal palm drops about one leaf per calendar month , and if that foliage is growing 100 feet up , the speed and the weight make it come down with a big thud .
The royal ribbon is cold stout only down to about 28 ° F , which might voice cold , but it equates to zone 10a , its coldest zone . In colder climates , you’re able to not grow this tree ; it does n’t lend itself to container planting as a houseplant due to its size .
Germinating Palm Tree Seeds
Almost all palm tree diagram are grown only from seed , and this is true of the royal palm , but palms are infamous for spotty , extremely tedious germination rates . TheUniversity of Floridareports that * * a poop of all laurel wreath species necessitate more than 100 days to germinate , and only about 20 per centum of laurel wreath Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree seeds ever sprout . * *
However , expert growers have develop some strategy to better or speed up germination .
Tip
Royal palms take longer than many other palms to germinate , because their seed contain unripe embryos when the laurel wreath fruit descend . The sprouting fourth dimension is in general from five to eight months .
When to Harvest Seed
Whether to reap seeded player from a right or unripe fruit is a come-on - and - switch situation for regal thenar : Half - good or green fruit produce come that sprout more quickly than seed harvest from ripe fruits , but a smaller part of these terminate up germinating .
Perhaps it ’s good to reap the seeds from ripe fruit , even if you have to wait a long time for germination , than to run a risk a too - modest percentage of germ in reality bourgeon .
Warning
Royal palms have an thorn in their yield pulp ( calcium oxalate crystallization ) , so wear rubber gloves when cleaning the fresh seeds .
Presoak and Scarify
clean house off the seed pulp and then presoak seed for one to seven twenty-four hours . This recommendation is for most palms . Some researchers did n’t discover a benefit for purple palm tree tree , but many expert still recommend it . It ca n’t hurt . Change the water day by day .
Some growers commend scarifying the seed coat before germinating , as well , although this recommendation is not universal . It refers to scratching off the hard surface of the seed .
Potting Medium and Location
Use pot rather than flat tire to leave more elbow room for palm stem development and ensure good drainage . Use a high - quality , well - draining potting soil or a 1:1 mixture of perlite to peat moss .
verify to maintain even moisture , because changes from moisture to dry out can bottle up palm source germination .
Keep the semen in a quick or hot location from 70 up to 100 ° F and in full sun during the sprouting period . This can enhance root emergence and seed exploitation . Take forethought , however , never to let the seminal fluid dry out .
Storing Royal Palm Seeds
While it ’s proficient to establish palm germ as soon as potential after clean them , if you have to store them , assure they are completely ironical , dust them with thiram or captan and varnish the seeded player in a fictile bag . Place them in a localization that maintains 65 to 75 ° atomic number 9 for a maximum of nine calendar month .
Growing Palm Trees From Seed
Transplant seedling after one or two leaves have develop . Avoid disturb the roots and judge to constitute before they begin to circle the pot .
Ideally , devise to transfer laurel wreath seedlings multiple times into increasingly larger pots before rank them into the landscape . You want to ensure a solid root system while they are young and you could insure their grow environment .
The point is to allow enough elbow room in the pot to support the acquire root system while avoiding the overwatering and potential ancestor rot that might occur if you move them immediately from the sprouting pot to a much larger spate .
Never dress the root while transplanting , because this can not only slow growth but could also kill the seedling . bump a pot that can fully accommodate the root .
Avoid planting the seedling too deeply . The arena on the stem where the root system appears to formulate should be even with the soil control surface .
Transplanting Into the Landscape
After each transplant , place the pots in light shade for a few weeks until you see new growth . When the palms are 2 feet or more in height and their root system is robust , you could embed them in the landscape .
In well - draining grease in full sun or partial shade , moil a golf hole about twice the size of the container . set the palm so the top of the rootball is about 1 inch below the soil aerofoil . essay to avoid damage or pruning the roots .
fertilise with a in high spirits - nitrogen , slow - release fertilizer .
