Palms and Cycads - Washingtonia Robusta
Friday, February 6th, 2009Washingtonia Robusta is a very fast growing, architectural fan palm tree with a trunk that is swollen at the base, tapering to the top. It is the tree often seen in Hollywood movies and goes under the common names of Petticoat Palm, Mexican Fan Palm or Skyduster. They have large, green, fan-shaped leaves, which thrive in full sun and can grow as large as six feet long.
The Washington Palm can be planted close to the sea, because of its salt-tolerance, but it is only hardy down to about -5°C with some protection. They will not tolerate being planted in very cold or exposed sites.
The small fleshy flowers are produced in the late spring, followed by black-brown, small fruits. Each fruit contains a single seed with a thin, sweet pulp that tastes like butterscotch or dates. The lower leaves remain on the tree after they die, and create a brown, straggly covering beneath the living green leaves.
There is a hybrid called Washingtonia Fillibusta [Fillifera x Robusta] which has the best qualities of both parents. It has the cold tolerance of Filifera and the wet tolerance of Robusta.
Growing Requirements
Soil
Washingtonia Robusta will grow in most soil types, even in quite poor soils. Grow in full sun, though young plants will tolerate partial shade.
Size
It will ultimately reach 80 to 100ft (24 to 30m) in height and 10 to 15ft (3 to 4.5m) depending on the climate.
Propagation
The Mexican Fan Palm is one of the easiest palms to grow from seed and the seeds can germinate in as little as two weeks, but this would be reliant on a high germination temperature, maybe as high as 40°C. Decent germination is achievable at 25°C to 35°C. Soak the dry seeds for 2 to 3 days in warm water before sowing.
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Coryphoideae
Genus: Washingtonia
All orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family comprising around 25,000 species and more than 70,000 hybrids. Most orchid species come from tropical rainforests and often have fleshy, aerial roots. The most popular come from Asia, though there are many wild orchids in South America. The flowers often have fantastic colour combinations.
Bromeliads are mainly rainforest plants, originating from the southern states of the USA down through to South America. Their structure is usually a rosette shape, with long, stiff (often variegated) leaves and striking blooms. They can be grown outdoors in warmer climes but are more often grown as an indoor plant.
Cacti and succulents come a fascinating variety of shapes and this is a result of them living in adverse conditions, often prolonged periods of drought. They range from small pincushion shapes to the familiar tall branching desert cacti. They will thrive in desert gardens but are mostly grown indoors in greenhouses or as houseplants.
Palms are evergreen trees or shrubs often with big spiky leaves and bold foliage. They range in size from dwarf shrubs to tall, unbranched trees and mainly originate from tropical and sub-tropical regions. Cycads resemble palms or tree ferns in appearance but they are not related and are primitive seed plants.
Ferns are primitive plants that produce evergreen or deciduous fronds. They like damp, shady places and can provide elegant symmetry and texture in a garden. Tropical ferns can be grown in a greenhouse or conservatory and make great specimens. Ferns do not flower and reproduce by spores rather than seeds.
Aquatic plants are those that grow submerged, rooted or floating in water. Many aquatic plants are both functional and ornamental. They can suppress the growth of algae and provide a habitat for microorganisms while providing attractive foliage and flowers. A wide variety of plants can be used around small ponds, natural water features or boggy habitats.
Grasses and bamboos are members of a vast family of plants that grow throughout the world. A few of the grasses are commonly grown as lawns, whilst others are grown in clumps for their height and wonderful flowering spikes. Bamboos are woody-caned, perennial grasses most of which originate in tropical and sub-tropical climates. There are a few hardy varieties from more temperate regions.
