Santalum (freycinetianum)

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:	Santalaceae
Family Common Name:	sandalwood
Scientific Name:	Santalum freycinetianum Gaudich.
Common Name:	Freycinet sandalwood, `iliahi
Ecotype:	Dry, mesic, and wet forest, with rainfall 500-3800 mm, and elevation 250 - 950 m.
General Distribution:	Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands of Oahu, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height: 20 cm, Stem diameter: 8 mm
Propagule Collection:	Flowering may occur year-round, with peak flowering in the late summer and fall, with fruits ripening several months later. Ripe fruits are reddish-purple to black. Seeds may be collected from the tree by hand or with a pole pruner, or collected from the ground.
Propagule Processing:	Remove the fleshy pulp around the seed manually. Soaking the fruits for up to 24 hrs in room temperature water (especially those which have begun to dry), can help swell the outer flesh making it easier to remove. Gently rubbing the fruits together in a bowl of water will help separate the flesh from the fruits. The cleaned seeds can be treated with a standard fungicide. Seeds that will not be sown fresh can be sun dried to 8% moisture and stored at 5 degrees Celsius for several years. Germination is variable, 10 - 50% depending on seed lot and germination method. Germination of up to 90% can be achieved with fresh and healthy seed and proper germination techniques.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Untreated seeds may take several months to a year to germinate, so pretreatment is recommended. Scarification by clipping the pointed end of the seed coat without damaging the embryo is recommended. Soaking for 24 hours in 0.05% gibberellic acid can also improve germination. Before planting a dusting with 1 part powdered sulfur to 1 part Captan may be done.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	A rain- and wind-protected but sunlit area (such as a cold-frame with clear film roof) is necessary for germination in trays. Germinate the seeds in trays filled with 1 part peat to 1 part perlite or vermiculite only. An even temperature of 25 degrees Celsius is recommended, which can be achieved with bottom heat. After the germination and early establishment phase, moderate shade (30 - 50%) is used for growing out the individual seedlings in containers.
Establishment Phase:	Sprinkle the pretreated seeds over a mix consisting of 1 part perlite to 1 part peat. Cover lightly with 5-10 mm of mix. Keep moist with a fine sprayer so as not to disturb the medium. Some light (partial shade of 30 - 50%) is necessary for germination. Germination generally takes place sporadically over 1 - 4 months or longer.
Length of Establishment Phase:	1 - 4 months
Active Growth Phase:	Emergents are transplanted at the 2 or 4-leaf stage into larger containers. Andersen Band Pots 2 3/8" by 5" inches deep or other root-training containers of similar or greater volume (164 ml) work well. One gallon root-training containers can also be used. 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. Seedlings should be grown in light shade. Seedlings are susceptible to fungal diseases. Keep seedlings well spaced apart 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. Chlorotic leaves (yellowish) are a common symptom of nutrient deficiency. Treating with a soil solution of organic chelated iron (available from garden supply stores) periodically will help keep the seedlings green. Protect the seedlings from extremes in moisture (such as over or under-watering), wind, and temperature. In larger containers, some growers introduce a companion plant for the semi-parasitic sandalwood, such as strawberry, which aids in establishment. Growers should be vigilant about weeds entering the area; allowing a weed to become established in the sandalwood's container and then pulling out that weed can injure or even kill the sandalwood.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	5 months
Hardening Phase:	Gradually increase sun exposure until the seedlings are in full sun. Space seedlings out further if necessary. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced slightly to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress. If fertilization is necessary during the hardening phase, N fertilizer should be minimized or eliminated, with emphasis on P, K, and micronutrients. Continue to supplement with chelated iron as needed.
Length of Hardening Phase:	2 months
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. Since `iliahi is very sensitive to extremes, it is best to transport in containers insulated from temperature extremes. Keeping them in their containers is necessary to protect the roots and allows the plants to stand up in cardboard boxes. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport. Seedlings are very sensitive to root disturbances; a handling should be kept to a minimum, and done with great care.
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. 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/san-frey.htm Allen, James A. 2002. Santalum freycinetianum Gaudich. In: Vozzo, J.A. (Ed). 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.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Santalum freycinetianum Gaudich. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/11/22). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.