TRAVELERS PALM TREE 10 Seeds
Ravenala madagascariensis
Known best by the common name Traveler’s Palm, this fan-shaped broadleaf evergreen isn’t actually a true palm, but a member of the Strelitziaceae family aka Great White Bird of Paradise.
Travelers palm or Ravenala madagascariensis is not a true palm, but is closely related to banana tree family and bird-of-paradise family. This monocotyledonous flowering plant is from Madagascar and has a beautiful display of leaves. The leaves are paddle shaped or banana leaf shaped and grows on east-west line. This acts as a compass for the travelers and this is the reason for the name travelers palm. The leaves are produced on long petioles and are 4m long. Leaves arise at 45 degrees from the trunk. The white flowers are similar to the flowers of bird-of-paradise. The travelers palm does not have any branches and the leaves first appear as a green stick and after attaining the full size, it unfurls. If you are growing the plant you will find it doesn’t bear any fruits, they are grown for their attractive leaf pattern. These plants are great addition to landscapes and are fast growing. The travelers palm can grow to a height of 25-35 feet and 20 feet wide. It produces multi trunks, if the suckers are not trimmed. The stem of the fronds is able to hold water so that the plant can survive the dry spells in tropical regions. It is believed that the early travelers use to cut the stems of this plant and drink its juice to quench their thirst. Travelers Palm does best in Zones 10 & 11, but can survive 9 if they are protected from frost. If you live in a colder zone Growing as a container plant will help limit the tree’s size.
Traveler’s Palm Germination:
1) Scarify the seeds by rubbing the shell with medium grit sandpaper.
2) Soak the seeds in warm water for 2-3 days. Use a thermos to keep the water between 80-86 degrees F, and be sure to change the water every 12-14 hours. Then you must remove any loose blue skin around the seed.
3) Use a Heated Propagator & place the seeds 1/2″ deep in moist peat moss & seed starting mix. Maintain a temperature of 80 degrees F. and keep under a bright grow light.
4) Cover with plastic to make sure the humidity is high & the soil stays moist. (Not wet) Cut a few small holes in the plastic so it can still breath. Also periodically check seeds for mold or fungus. If any is found, clean the seeds with a copper based fungicide, and rinse them well. Place them back in a new and sterile potting mix.
5) Patience is need as with any tropical as germination rates are very erratic. Germination can take place within 1-3 months for some seeds, while most others will take all the way up to 6 months, so toss seeds that don’t sprout early, as they are still good and need a bit more time.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.