We present to you the Cuban royal palm, an ideal plant for your garden

It is a pity that, with the number of different species of palm trees that there are, we tend to see only four or five as part of the »urban flora». On this occasion I am going to introduce you to one that in communities in the south of the Iberian Peninsula and on the coasts of the Canary Islands can serve to decorate the place in a very original and, above all, very successful way: royal cuban palm tree.

Do you want to learn more about her?

Origin and characteristics of Roystonea regia

The Cuban royal palm, whose scientific name is Roystonea regiais a species of unicaule palm, that is, with a single trunk, native to Cuba. Rather fast growing, especially if the weather is good, can reach the extraordinary height of 25 metersrarely 40 meters; although in cultivation it does not usually exceed 10m.

It has a very beautiful trunk, light brown, almost glaucous, which widens at the base -up to 50 or 60cm in diameter- and it narrows as it grows taller. The stipe, that is, the union of the trunk with the crown of leaves, is green, and it also usually thickens towards the center of it.

Its leaves… What to say about its leaves? They are pinnate in shape, slightly feathery in appearance, and they measure around three-four meters. They are perennial, like those of all palm trees, and have a dark green color.

The flowers are grouped in spadix inflorescencesthat is, in a group of flowers branched two by three times, which are protected by a spathe (modified leaf) with a length similar to them. These flowers are lanceolate, and are composed of 5 tepals on the outside and 5 on the inside. They can be female or male, the latter having 6 to 9 stamens.

The fruit is an elongated berry about 10mm long by 9mm widepurplish, and contains a single brown seed of a slightly smaller size.

It is popularly known as the Cuban royal palm, imperial palm, palm kernel, Cuban chaguaramo, or royal palm.

What are the cares?

In order to thrive, you basically need two things: a mild, frost-free climate and moderate watering. But like all plants, it has its own needs that it is convenient to know. In this way, you will grow healthier:

Location

• Outdoor: as a youngster it likes semi-shade, but as an adult it will need direct sun. Of course, you have to get used to it little by little and gradually, as this will prevent its leaves from burning.
• Interior: this is a palm tree that likes humidity, but always in a location protected from frost. Indoors it can live for a few years, in a very bright room, but due to the height it can reach, it is not recommended to have it at home, except if you have an interior patio with a high ceiling.

Irrigation of the imperial palm tree

Irrigation must be frequent, but avoiding excesses. As a general rule, it is recommended to water 3-4 times a week during the summer, and 1-2 weekly the rest of the year.. Anyway, if in doubt you can check the humidity of the soil, for example by inserting a thin wooden stick: if when you remove it you see that it comes out practically clean, it is because the soil is dry and, therefore, it can be watered.

Likewise, it is necessary to avoid wetting its leaves during watering, especially if the sun hits them at that time or if the palm tree is indoors, since otherwise they will rot. For this reason, it should NOT be planted in pots without holes, or placed inside any pot.

The plate under the bowl is useful, but only if it is outside.

Earth

• Flower pot: fill with mulch or universal substrate mixed with 30% perlite.
• the garden: grows in soils rich in organic matter, loose and well drained.

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Fertilize your Roystonea throughout the growing season -from spring to autumn- with a specific fertilizer for palm trees (on sale here!), and you’ll see how pretty it will look on you!

Multiplication

The Cuban royal palm multiplies by seeds in spring-summerfollowing this step by step:

1. First, they are placed in a glass of water for 24 hours.
2. The next day, those that have remained floating are discarded, since most likely they will not germinate.
3. Then a zip-lock clear plastic bag is filled with pre-moistened vermiculite.
4. Finally, the seeds are introduced, burying them a little, and the bag is placed near a heat source.

Keeping the substrate moist, if everything goes well they will germinate in about 15 days, although it may take two to three months.

Pruning

Don’t need it. If so, you can remove the dry leaves in late winter or fall.

Plagues and diseases

In his youth he is vulnerable to mealybugs, but you have to control the waterings a lot throughout their life so that the fungi do not rot their roots. Nor should it be ruled out that Red weevil and / or the he is the archon can cause you serious problems.

Rusticity

It is very sensitive to cold, and more to frost. You need protection if the temperature drops below 0 degrees.

What uses does the Cuban royal palm have?

The Roystonea regia has several uses, such as:

Ornamental

As an isolated specimen, in groups or in alignmentsit is a palm tree that looks great in any garden -medium / large-. It is used a lot to delimit roads, or even parcels.

Food

On one hand, the tender bud is consumed in Cuba as a vegetable; and on the other, the fruits are used to feed livestockespecially pigs. And that is not to mention that the flowers are very attractive to bees, which do not hesitate to visit them to feed on their pollen.

Medicinal

In Cuba the cooked root is used as a diuretic and for diabetes.

National emblem

This is a palm tree that It is considered as the national tree of Cuba. Although it must be said that palm trees are not trees at all, but giant grasses (here! you have more information about it).

Other uses

In its country of origin it has been used, and is still used today, in the construction of houses. For example, boards are made from the trunk, and the leaves serve as a roof.

Another interesting use is as non woven baskets. These are made with floral spathes.

What did you think of this palm tree?