Roystonea dunlapiana - S

About the Roystonea dunlapiana - S

Roystonea dunlapiana is an evergreen tropical pinnate palm with a solitary, upright growth habit. Mature specimens develop a smooth, grey-white columnar trunk, a long green crownshaft and a crown of large, gracefully arching green pinnate leaves. In size S, this palm is offered for container cultivation in a warm, very bright position. The commercial size S does not in itself provide information about exact age, trunk development or flowering maturity.

Characteristics

Origin: Roystonea dunlapiana is native to south-eastern Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua. The species grows in a wet tropical climate and is known from estuaries and coastal swamps.

Family: Arecaceae, the palm family.

Position: A warm, very bright and sheltered position in a heated conservatory, greenhouse or another frost-free space. During warm, frost-free periods, the palm can be placed outdoors, provided it is gradually acclimatised to the conditions.

Height: In open ground under tropical conditions, the species can reach about 20 metres. Growth remains considerably more limited in a container.

Flowering period: Mature specimens may flower under suitable warm, tropical conditions. No fixed flowering period can be given for container cultivation in the Netherlands; size S does not demonstrate flowering maturity.

Flower colour: The described male flowers of mature specimens are white and have purple anthers. No reliable colour description is available for the female flowers. These characteristics of mature specimens do not guarantee flowering in the offered specimen.

Hardiness: Not hardy. Protect the palm from frost and prolonged cold and overwinter it in a warm, frost-free place in the Netherlands.

Soil type: An airy, moderately fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained substrate. The substrate should retain even moisture without allowing water to stagnate around the roots.

Care

Light: Place the palm in very bright light to full sun. Acclimatise it gradually to direct sun to prevent leaf damage from a sudden change.

Water: Keep the substrate evenly moist during active growth and allow excess water to drain freely. Do not let the root ball dry out completely and avoid standing water in the decorative pot or saucer.

Fertiliser: During active growth, apply a suitable palm fertiliser according to the instructions on the packaging. Reduce feeding when growth slows.

Pruning: Remove only completely dried or damaged leaves. Do not cut into the central growing point.

Repotting: Repot when the roots have largely filled the available container space or when the plant becomes unstable. Choose a sturdy container that is only slightly larger and has drainage holes.

Humidity: Preferably maintain moderate to high humidity while also providing sufficient air circulation around the foliage.

Special features: The long green crownshaft and smooth, almost columnar grey-white trunk belong to the mature species profile and may not yet be visible in size S. Allow for the substantial dimensions of a mature specimen when choosing its eventual position.