TRAVELERS PALM TREE SEEDS
(Ravenala madagascariensis)
Best Known 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…the Bird of Paradise.
Traveler’s Palm or (Ravenala madagascariensis) is Not a True Palm, but is Closely Related to Banana Tree & Bird of Paradise Family. This Monocotyledonous Flowering Plant is from Madagascar and has a Beautiful Display of Fanning Banana Leaves. The Leaves are Paddle Shaped or Banana Leaf Shaped and Grow on East to West Line. This Acts as a Compass for the Travelers and this is the Reason for the Name Traveler’s Palm. The Leaves are Produced on Long Petioles and are Appx 14 Feet Long when Fully Mature. Leaves Arise at 45 Degrees from the Trunk which Gives it the Fan Shape. The White Flowers are Similar to the Flowers of Giant Bird of Paradise. The Traveler’s 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 that it Doesn’t Bear any Fruits. They are Grown Exclusively for their Attractive Leaf Pattern. These Plants are a Great Addition to Create a Tropical Landscape and are Very Fast Growing. The Traveler’s Palm can Grow to a Height of 25-35 Feet and 20 Feet Wide Outdoors. If Growing Indoors as a Container Plant, they Will Not get as Large as a Container Will Help Keep the Plant’s Size Limited. 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 that may occur in Tropical Regions. It is Believed that the Early Travelers Use to Cut the Stems of this Plant and Drink it’s Juice to Quench their Thirst. Traveler’s Palm does Best Outdoors in Zones 10 & 11, but Can Survive 9 if they are Protected from being Exposed to Frost. If You Live in a Colder Zone Growing them as Container Plants 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 will take place within 1-3 months for most seeds. However, some can take all the way up to 6 months, so don’t toss seeds that don’t sprout early, as they are still good and need a bit more time.
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