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Tropical plant provide some of the most interesting conversation piece due to their vivacious colors and unique shapes .
The Travelers Palm , akaRavenala madagascariensis(ra - VEN - ah - la mad - uh - accelerator pedal - KAR - ee - EN - sis ) is a perfect example of both .
Travelers Palm | qklatan-DepositPhotos
Known best by the common name traveler ’s palm , this fan - shaped broadleaf evergreen plant is n’t really a unfeigned palm but a phallus of theStrelitziaceaefamily , akaWhite Bird of Paradise .
Other vulgar name are traveler ’s tree and east - west palm ( in the US , the common name may have the alternate spelling of traveler ’s palm tree or traveler ’s Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ) .
The name refer to its use by travelers as a source of fresh water , who pile up rain from the leafage bases and bracts .
As its scientific name suggests , this tree hail from the rainforests of Madagascar . There are four subspecies , which are generally mention to in botanic circles by their local figure .
Travelers Palm Quick Care Tips
Travelers Palm Care
Traveler Palm Size and Growth
Horonorona , the chance variable most usually cultivated , achieves an medium adult tallness of 30 to 50 ’ feet improbable . By comparison , its largest kin , Bemavo , may achieve a height of 100 ’ feet .
The central trunk of this species can assess up to 12 ” inch in diameter and lack branches .
The fan comprises of a unmarried , vertical planing machine of leafstalk terminate in 20 to 30 banana - similar leaves . The leaves measure 5′ to 10 ’ feet prospicient and 2′ to 3 ’ feet wide , with the leafstalk matching or exceeding the leaf distance .
Because of the huge width and stature balance , this is one of those South Florida “ palms ” that work well in more grand landscapes and with bigger homes .
The cupped base of each leaf stalk can keep back as much as a full quart of piddle , produce a seed of drinking water for passers - by .
While young , the trunk is subterraneous , leave the fan at ground tier . When it finally emerges , it sheds the gloomy leaf , resulting in leafage cicatrice rings .
These plants grow to be enormous , with Brobdingnagian folio germinate from retentive stems in a flat , devotee - shaped pattern like a Inachis io ’s tail .
At the root of the trunk , new shoot seem , with the leaves tightly curled up indoors . legion suckers will stock at different time from around the tree trunk ’s base .
Being wearisome to develop , a traveler ’s palm wo n’t flower until it ’s ten yr old . Once flowering start , it will bloom mainly in summertime but may produce prime throughout the class .
The result seeds are comestible , yield this plant quite a few virtual uses .
The growth charge per unit is flying until a trunk start to develop . Then the plant life settles into a skillful , moderate pace .
Flowering and Fragrance
traveler - tree is ideal for creating an alien , tropic result with its very large , banana tree - like folio , each up to ten pes foresightful and held in sports fan - shaped geological formation , and the unusual , pocket-sized , creamy white flowers held erect in boat - shaped bracts .
During the summer months , the traveler ’s medallion produces continual blank or chartreuse efflorescence , the nocturnal inflorescence opening every 2 to 3 days .
The precise number of open rosiness will vary , with the three - petaled flowers emerging from boat - shaped spathes , giving them a exchangeable appearance to the famous razz - of - paradise .
The leaves always grow in an east - west counseling so a lost traveler can find his way . One that is – well , you decide : Stand in front and make a want in good spirit – and the compliments will come rightful .
This Bird of Paradise relation produces large amounts of ambrosia , which not only attract pollinator but is an important food source for aboriginal lemurs .
Once fertilized , the flowers give elbow room to 3 ½ ” edge wooden capsules filled with seeded player handle in bright blue arils .
Light and Temperature
This tree loves a sunny stain , faring best when exhibit to full sun . It can stick out partial shade and do good when young in an domain where the floor stays somewhat shaded . Eventually , it will arise to a full sunshine altitude .
East - west palm has a narrow temperature tolerance and should only be grown in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11 .
Temperatures dipping below 60 ° degree Fahrenheit will begin to accent the tree , and anything below 40 ° degrees Fahrenheit can kill it .
Watering and Feeding
The Travelers palm needs land that rest consistently moist due to its rain forest parentage . However , you should be careful not to overwater the plant .
Travelers palm demand regular water system – another rationality to keep the nucleotide in a partly shaded area while it ’s young and getting established .
Although the industrial plant is relatively disease resistant , a well - drained planting site produces the healthiest growth .
While some variants have been known to grow in wretched grunge , adding a atomic number 7 - rich fertilizer during the acquire season will result in a respectable and quicker - growing tree diagram .
Avoid add too much fertilizer , as that can damage plants .
Plant with top grime or organic peat moss contribute to the trap . Fertilize 3 time a class in outflow , summer , and fall using a tone all - function or palm tree fertiliser . Trim off outside leafage offset as call for ( and as long as the plant is reachable ) .
Soil & Transplanting
A fertile , loamy dirt with neutral to mild sour works well for travelers palm plants . The grease should be capable to retain some water without becoming too wet .
Brown leaves are a sign of over - dressing and if the soil does not have good drainage .
You should only repot the industrial plant if you see that the roots are poking through the drainage holes .
green goddess the baby plant in moist , well - aerate stain , and ensure that the female parent works is properly cover back up in the land .
A standard potting mix will do wonderment for your plant . you may also let in things such as compost , which will help increase drain .
Agave Flower Grooming And Maintenance
This tree does n’t ask a lot of maintenance . However , rootage all-day sucker will create clusters of foliage if not take , distorting the trademark shape of the agave flower .
How To Propagate Ravenala Madagascariensis
Traveler ’s tree may be circularise by both seed and division . The quickest method is to settle rooted suckers , which get near the chief fore .
part these at the root of the rainy time of year and plant them to get a head startle on new growth .
The seeds require a little more endeavour . imbed them in moist , arenaceous filth and keep them at around 68 ° degrees Fahrenheit . Germination is a dim process for this works .
Once the seedling have reached two months of age , they may be transplanted into a rich , loamy dirt .
verify they have full sun , and add some moss or other organic matter when transplanting to help ensure their roots stay moist .
Travelers Palm Pest or Disease Problems
Due to the frail nature of the leave , this plant life should be shelter from gamey winds . It also fares poorly in drought conditions .
Some of the diseases include the foliage of the flora turn yellow . This usually happens due to a want of nutrients , or if you end up over - irrigate the plant .
The flora is non - invasive , but has been live to host Colletotrichum gloeosporioides , and is susceptible to various form of folio spot and radical rot . Spider mite may also infest this tree .
While some parts of the Travelers Palm plant are comestible , other role are poisonous if consume . someone with bee allergies should use caution around this plant , which attracts pollinator .
Suggested Uses For The Travelers Palm
Beyond the obvious visual appeal , traveler ’s palm ’s high ambrosia product pull in a broad range of pollinators . This not only admit ambrosia - feed wench and insects , but some coinage of chiropteran .
The burnished blue seeds are edible and have a coarse-grained consistency , while the arils have no flavor . crude distill from the seeds and their arils can be used for cooking and is midway between coconut butter and palm oil in makeup .
Additionally , the plant ’s ability to catch rain makes it a useful reservoir of extra imbibition pee . at long last , the sap may be used to make sugar .
Parts of this industrial plant have had a range of uses beyond the obvious ornamental value . The germ oil is considered antiseptic , while the leave have been used in roofing and as a packing fabric .
The petioles and midrib are also used in construction as wall materials , while the bark makes good floor for traditional huts .
Traveler ’s palm is too large for the average garden but makes great accents for larger landscapes where it may be the central showpiece .
Growing as a container plant will help limit the tree ’s size , but it can not be easy actuate for overwintering .
