Harangue

Palm trees of the genus Harangue They are not very well known outside the tropical and subtropical regions, and it is a shame, because there are several species that can also be grown in gardens that enjoy a more temperate climate.

Whether in groups or as solitary specimens, these plants are not difficult to keep healthy. In addition, they are beautiful, as you can see in the header image and in the ones you will find in this article 😉. Discover more.

Origin and characteristics of the Arenga

Our protagonist is a genus made up of some 24 species of palm trees native to the tropical regions of South and Southwest Asia. They can reach heights of between 2 and 20 meters, with one or more more or less thin trunks with a maximum thickness of 30 centimeters.

The leaves are pinnate, often very long up to 4 meters, greenish in color. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences between the leaves, and the fruit is oval, about 2cm, containing a single seed.

Main species

The most common are:

English harangue

It is undoubtedly the best known. It is a multicaule (multi-trunked) palm native to the rainforests of Taiwan that can reach a height of 4 meterswith trunks up to 20cm thick. The leaves are pinnate, composed of 38-41 pinnae or linear leaflets, green in color. The inflorescences or groups of flowers measure 60 centimeters, and can be female or male, the female flowers being smaller (about 3mm) than the male ones (8-14mm). The fruit is globe, measures 1,5cm in diameter and is orange or red when ripe.

It resists frosts down to -4ºC.

feathered harangue

Known as the sugar palm tree, it is a native palm from eastern India to eastern Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Reaches a height of 20 metersbeing one of the highest of the genus, and has a single trunk that is usually covered by old leaves. These leaves are pinnate, 6 to 12 meters long, with pinnae or leaflets 40-70cm long by 5cm wide. The inflorescences are 70cm long, and the fruit is subglobe, 7cm tall and black when ripe.

It is rare in its range, but is not threatened (at the moment). In Asia its sap is used, either to produce a sugar known in India as Guror to ferment it in vinegar and wine. The fruits, once prepared (the juice and pulp are caustic), can become a main fuel resource.

It resists very weak frosts, down to -2ºC as long as they are punctual and of short duration.

Hare wightii

It is a multicaule (multi-stemmed) palm native to India that reaches a height of up to 6 meters. The leaves are pinnate, with a length of 3,5 to 8 meters, and with leaflets or pinnae 30 to 100 cm long by 2-2,5 cm wide, dark green on the upper side and glaucous on the underside. The inflorescences can be up to 1 meter long, and can be female or male.

It is in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat. It does not resist frost.

What are the care they require?

If you dare to have a copy, we recommend you take care of it as follows:

Location

The Arenga are palm trees that they must always live protected from direct sun. If they are directly exposed to the sun, their leaves burn right away. Therefore, the ideal is that they are under the shade of trees and large plants, or in similar situations.

In the case that they are kept indoors, they must be in bright rooms, but not right in front of the windows, if not near them.

Earth

• the garden: they grow in soils rich in organic matter, slightly acidic (pH between 5 and 6), with good drainage.
• Flower pot: mix substrate for acidic plants (on sale here!) with 30% perlite (for sale here!).

Irrigation

It is necessary to ensure that the substrate or soil remains moist, but not flooded. During the summer you should water an average of 3-4 times a week, and the rest of the year 1-2 times a week.

Use rainwater or lime-free, and do not wet the leaves (unless you have it outside and during the summer you want to give it a soak if the environment is very dry, but do it at dusk).

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer must be paid with specific fertilizers for palm trees (for sale here!).

Planting or transplanting time

In spring. If you have it in a pot, transplant every two years, always into a pot with drainage holes.

Plagues and diseases

They are very hardy in general, but in hot and dry environments they can have mealybugs (in particular the most common is the san jose louse). Other common pests are Red weevil and he is the archonboth are very dangerous and potentially fatal.

Multiplication

The Arenga multiply by seeds in springfollowing this step by step:

1. First, they are placed in a glass of water for 24 hours.
2. After that time, fill a pot with a mixture of substrate for acid plants mixed with 30% perlite, and water.
3. Then, sow the seeds making sure they are as far apart from each other.
4. Finally, water and put the seedbed near a heat source.

The seeds will germinate in about 2 months.

Where to buy?

The seeds and seedlings of Arenga sold in nurseries and specialized stores. You can find on eBay and Amazon, like these.

What do you think?