Pritchardia (affinis)
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Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Arecaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Palm | ||
| Scientific Name: | Pritchardia affinis Becc. | ||
| Common Name: | Hawaiian fan palm, loulu | ||
| Ecotype: | leeward coastal and inland gulches, 0 - 600 m | ||
| General Distribution: | Endemic to South Kona, Hawaii | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 0 | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height 30 cm; Stem diameter: 3 cm | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Loulu flowers and fruits year-round. However, rats and other pests eat the mature seeds. Cross pollination with other primarily exotic Pritchardia species is common, so hand pollination is required to obtain true seed. After hand pollination, bagging the flower stalk in tough screen followed by a paper bag helps to deter predators and reduces the chance of cross pollination with other species of Pritchardia. Seeds are mature when they turn from green to brown. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Seeds should be used fresh. Cleaned and air dried seeds can be stored cool in an airtight container for a few weeks. Long term storage requirements are unknown. Germination for fresh seed is high, usually 90% or above. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | After collecting mature seeds, remove the outer husk. Soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours softens the outer seed coat, allowing it to be rubbed off by hand. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Seedlings can be grown in a covered or uncovered growing area, although moderate shade during germination and early growth is necessary. One gallon root-training containers are used such as Roottrainers (Whitcomb). A well-drained potting media such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, micronutrients and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14 is used. | ||
| Establishment Phase: | Fresh and healthy cleaned seeds may be sown directly in containers. Seeds may also be sown in seed beds half-buried, and transplanted into containers as they sprout (at or before the two or four leaf stage). Ensure that the medium is kept moist. Germination takes 2 months or longer. | ||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 3 months | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Seedlings should be grown in light shade. Keep seedlings well spaced apart to allow maximum penetration of sunlight and air circulation. Amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. Scale insects or mealy bugs sometimes appear, and should be treated with insecticidal soap. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 10 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | During the final two months, sun exposure should gradually be increased, while watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 2 months | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. They are not extracted from their container or stored before shipping. Keeping them in their container is necessary to protect the roots. Containers may be stood up in cardboard boxes. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Empty containers and trays may be returned for cleaning and reuse after the planting is complete. | ||
| Other Comments: | Plant with great care not to cut or damage the roots of loulu is recommended. | ||
| References: |
Bornhorst, Heidi L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants: a How-to Guide for the Gardener. The Bess Press, Honolulu. Little, Elbert L. and Roger G. Skolmen. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i (Native and Introduced). United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 679. National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). 1989. Plant of the Month: Loulu, Pritchardis affinis. Hawaii Plant Conservation Center, NTBG, Lawai, HI University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. 2001. Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. Honolulu, HI. Web: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/pri-spp.htm Wagner, Warren L., Darrel R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. 2 vols., Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. |
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Citation:
Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pritchardia affinis Becc. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/23). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
