Roystonea regia Palm Seeds – Royal Palm

The Royal Palm (Roystonea regia), also known as the Cuban Royal Palm, is one of the most majestic ornamental palms you can grow. Prized for its form rather than any harvest, it carries a tall, smooth, light-gray trunk that is often spindle-shaped, crowned with a glossy green canopy. Reaching roughly 15-30 m at maturity, it makes a spectacular avenue tree or garden landmark. In summer, mature trunked palms produce small white flower clusters followed by purple-black, inedible fruits that signal full maturity.

Planting

Sow in spring as temperatures rise; with steady warmth in a greenhouse, seed can be started almost year-round. First remove all fruit pulp and rinse the seed, then soak the cleaned seed in lukewarm water for about 24-48 hours, changing the water as it soaks. Sow shallowly, barely covering it at roughly 0.5 cm deep, in a well-drained, evenly moist mix. Keep the medium at about 28-35 °C and humid under clear plastic. Germination is slow and irregular, from a few weeks to several months.

Fertilizing

Feed with a controlled-release palm fertilizer of 8-2-12-4 Mg (or 8-0-12-4 Mg) plus micronutrients, on a regular schedule through the growing season. On Egypt's calcareous, alkaline soils this palm is prone to potassium, manganese and boron deficiencies, so a complete palm-special blend with micronutrients is essential.

Care

Choose a full-sun spot; it tolerates part shade but will not develop well. Almost any soil suits it provided drainage is good, though it dislikes salty root zones. Water young plants deeply about weekly; once established it tolerates 2-3 weeks between waterings. Frost-sensitive (hardy only to about -2 °C), so shelter young palms on cold nights. Allow 5-8 m of crown spread and site away from buildings. Watch for the royal palm bug, and avoid trunk wounds that invite fatal Ganoderma or Thielaviopsis rots.