Palms of the genus Livistona have a very high ornamental value. They are plants that often develop a trunk that is not as thin as that of the date palm, but also not as thick as that of the phoenix canariensis. In addition, they tolerate sun just as well as partial shade, and some varieties can even be grown in regions where frost occurs.
Perhaps the only drawback is that they grow slow, which is why it is often chosen to plant Washingtonia in public gardens, which are much faster. But in this article we are going to tell you about them, the Livistona, some palm trees that will beautify your garden like very few can.
Origin and characteristics of Livistona
Livistona are palm trees native to both Africa and Japan and Australia. They develop a single trunk which measures between 20 and 50 centimeters thick, depending on the variety.. Its leaves are palmate, with about half of the folioles hanging, and green.
Its inflorescences, that is, the flower clusters, arise from between the leaves, and once they are pollinated, they produce fruits of about one centimeter in length which contain a seed of similar size.
Main species
The genus is made up of about 34 species, although very few are cultivated. Let’s see what they are:
Livistona chinensis
The Livistona chinensis It is what is known as the Chinese fan palm. It is the most cultivated, since it resists the cold well. In addition, it has a trunk of about 30 centimeters in diameter, and grows up to 6-7 meters tallso it takes up little space. Its leaves are between 1 and 1,5 meters long, and have a long petiole of up to 1,5 meters. It resists up to -7ºC once adult.
Deceiving Livistona
The Deceiving Livistonanow call Livistona decorates, it is a palm tree that grows up to 10-12 meters high. Its trunk is straight, about 30 centimeters thick, being wider at its base. The leaves are large, measuring up to 1 meter long. Of the most popular, it is one of the fastest growing, around 40 centimeters / year. It resists weak frosts, down to -4ºC.
Mary of Livistona
The Mary of Livistona it is a palm tree that grows up to 8-9 meters talland develops a thin trunk about 20-30 centimeters thick. The leaves are about 1 meter long, and although they are green, when the plant is young it tends to produce new red leaves that turn green over time. It resists drought very well, and frosts down to -4ºC.
livistona rotundifolia
The livistona rotundifolia It is usually grown as a houseplant, since it is very sensitive to cold. Still, you have to know that can reach 10 meters in heightwith large leaves 1 meter long. It needs a lot of light to grow, which is why it sometimes has problems indoors.
livistona saree
The livistona saree it is a very, very large palm tree. It can reach 40 meters in heightbut despite this, its trunk remains about 60 centimeters in diameter. The leaves are equally large, as they can measure up to 2 meters. However, its cultivation is very interesting since it lives in tropical climates but also in temperate ones. Supports up to -4ºC.
What is the care for Livistone?
These palm trees are not very complicated to maintain. As long as they are kept in a place with light and watered from time to time, it will be possible to enjoy them with health. Anyway, if you have doubts, don’t worry. We are going to explain in detail everything you need to know so that your plants are perfect:
Location
The Livistona is a large palm tree, so the ideal would be to have it outside whenever possible. It does not have invasive roots, but it is advisable to move it about five meters away from where we have installed a drainage system, pipes or even soft paved floors.
If you want to have it near a wall, it will not be a problem, but put it at a distance of at least 2 meters from it so that the trunk grows straight, otherwise it will tend to curve a little.
Earth
Grows in well-drained soilsthat is, in those capable of absorbing water as soon as they receive it. If it is very compact, the pores will be so close that they will not be able to filter it. For this reason, it is important that you make sure that the land you have is adequate; Otherwise, you will have to improve it by installing a drainage system, or by making a planting hole and pouring a good layer of gravel, in addition to substrates such as universal mixed with perlite.
If you are going to grow it in a pot, you have to find one that is large enough so that it can grow well. Theirs is that it is about 5 centimeters taller and wider than the previous one. Then, you have to fill it with plant substrate, such as a mulch mixture (for sale No products found.) with 30% perlite.
Irrigation
Livistona are plants that they have to be watered from time to time. During their youth, and especially when they are kept in a pot, they must be watered in moderation, more or less every 4 days during the summer season. In winter the waterings have to be spread more widely.
Once they are in the ground and have been planted in it for a couple of years, we will water them occasionally. If it rains regularly, later on we can even suspend watering.
Subscriber
The subscriber It will be done while they are growing, that is, in spring, summer and fall. Specific fertilizers for these plants can be used (such as this), although we recommend prioritizing the use of organic fertilizers, such as mulch or worm castings (for sale here!), to also protect the fauna that may be in the garden.
But yes, if you have them in a pot, use those that are liquid, since they are better absorbed and do not worsen the absorption capacity of the substrate.
Transplant
They have to be planted in the garden in springwhen it has settled. In case of having them in a pot, it is necessary to transplant them to a larger one more or less every 3 or 4 years, depending on how fast they grow.
Multiplication
These palm trees multiply by seedswhich can be stocked in resealable plastic bags filled with vermiculite or coconut fiber (for sale here!) previously moistened. Then they are put near a heat source.
If the temperature is kept at around 20-25 degrees Celsius they will germinate in about two months.
Rusticity
Most of the Livistona species that are cultivated withstand the coldas well as weak frosts down to -4ºC. But there are exceptions, such as L. rotundifolia, which suffers damage as soon as the temperature drops below 0 degrees, or L. chinensis, which is capable of supporting up to -7ºC once it reaches adulthood.
What do you think of these palm trees?