Thespesia (populnea)

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:	Malvaceae
Family Common Name:	Mallow family
Scientific Name:	Thespesia populnea L. Saland. ex Correa
Common Name:	Pacific rosewood; milo (Hawaii; Tonga; Samoa); milo mulomulo (Fiji); miro; 'amae (Societies); mi'o (Marquesas)
Ecotype:	coastal and lowland dry areas
General Distribution:	Believed to be native to Old World Tropics (East coast of Africa and parts of Polynesia), an aboriginal introduction naturalized in many Pacific Islands. It is problably native to Hawaii or it is an aborginal introduction. Also naturalized in the Caribbean and areas of tropical America.
Known Invasiveness:	This species is widely introduced throughout other tropical regions of the world where it may be invasive in some areas and invasiveness outside its naturally occurring range is unknown.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Seedlings have reached target when approximately 20-25 cm in height, stem diameter 7-9 mm, with well-formed root systems that are not root-bound but that fill out the container.
Propagule Collection:	Flowers and bears seeds throughout the year. In areas with a pronounced dry season, most flowering and seeding occurs in spring, summer, and fall. Produces seed capsules (fruits) about 1cm long containing about 8-15 seeds per capsule. Seed capsules are often collected from the ground (are still viable several weeks or months after falling off the tree), but can also be picked from the tree once mature (dry and brown).
Propagule Processing:	If free from infesting insects, seeds can be stored in cool, dark conditions in a sealed container for several months without diminishing viability. Long-term storage is not recommended (and generally unnecessary since seed production is year-round). Dried capsules are easily broken up by hand in order to extract the seeds. There is an average of about 12 seeds per capsule.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	No pretreatment is required. However, germination can be hastened by mechanical scarification (a very shallow nick in the seed coat to allow water to penetrate) and an overnight soaking in clean water. Seeds can then be pregerminated on paper towels. Germination takes 5-8 days.For recent seed collections, germination is usually about 80%.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Seedlings are grown in full sun in an uncovered growing area. If available, some cover (greenhouse or temporary cover) is ideal during germination to protect sprouts from hard rains. Containers used are SC-10 Super Cell or the Economy Super Cell (both available from Stuewe & Sons), 21 cm (8.25 in) long and 3.8 cm (1.5 in) diameter at the top. Andersen Band Pots 2 3/8" by 5" inches deep or copper-coated grow bags or containers of similar or greater volume (164 ml) also work well. However, this species develops a long tap-root, so optimal root training (such as from a super cell) is preferred. A well-drained potting media such as 50% Sunshine peat moss, 25% perlite, 25% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14 is used. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers.
Establishment Phase:	Pregerminated seeds are placed in containers filled with premoistened potting media and covered with about 5mm of potting media and a thin layer of mulch (such as #2 poultry grit). Water with a fine-headed sprayer to keep moist. Full sun is best. Daily water is usually necessary, by hand or with an automated system.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2-3 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Seedlings can be grown in full sun. After about ten weeks, seedlings are double-spaced in Ray Leach trays to allow maximum penetration of sunlight and air circulation. In some cases, amending with additional fertilizer such as a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 will aid in growth and development. If any weeds enter the soil-free media, they should be removed.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	3-4 months
Hardening Phase:	Growers should continue to ensure that seedlings receive full sun, spacing seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress.
Length of Hardening Phase:	4-6 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. Keeping them in their containers help protect the roots and allows the plants to stand up in cardboard boxes, or delivered in trays. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Empty containers and trays may be returned after the planting is complete.
Length of Storage:	n/a
References:	International Institute of Tropical Forestry. 1994. Thespesia populnea (Species Note). Publ. SO-ITF-SM-76, USDA Forest Service, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). 1996. Ten native Hawaiian trees for urban landscapes. Lawai, Hawaii. 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/the-popu.htm Vozzo, J.A. (Ed). 2002. Tropical Tree Seed Manual. USDA Agriculture Handbook 721. 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.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Thespesia populnea L. Saland. ex Correa plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/04/27). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.