Kentia Palms

 

 

 The Palms
Howea forsteriana syn. Howei, Kentia Palm
Howea belmoreana - Sentry Palm - Curly Palm
Family ARECAC

HISTORY: The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana ) is one of the most beautiful palms in the world, and is suitable for growing either indoors or outdoors. An Australian native palm, the kentia has been grown in Europe since the 1850s. During the 19th and early 20th century it was a fashionable plant used for interior decoration (the palm of the popular Palm Court Orchestras). Today it continues to be highly favoured as an indoor plant and is grown around the world. The Kentia Palm is native to Lord Howe Island. It was discovered in 1869 by Charles Moore who was the director of the Royal Botanical Garden in Sydney, Australia. In 1881 T.B.Wilson a local resident of Lord Howe Island made a boat trip to New Zealand, and a port of call on that trip was Norfolk Island. T.B.Wilson had visited Norfolk Island previously in 1878, and was given a small amount of Araucaria (Norfolk Island Pine) seed as a gift. To compensate for that gift T.B.Wilson bought with him from Lord Howe Island some Howea Forsteriana seed as repayment for the Araucaria seed. This friendly exchange of seeds is the first record of the Kentia Palm's introduction into Norfolk Island.

The original Kentia seeds that T.B.Wilson brought to Norfolk Island were germinated and planted at various locations around the Island. Each year more trees were planted from the seed germination. Most Kentia trees at that time were grown in small numbers around island homes

DESCRIPTION: These plants are grown for their decorative foliage and they belong to the Palm family. They are natives of Lord Howe's Island, which is near Australia. The minimum winter temperature required for these plants is 55 degrees. The leaves are large and spreading, dark green, and leathery. They are divided deeply. These Palms can grow 30-60 feet tall outside. Smaller plants are often used for indoor decoration.

Cultivational Requirements: The Kentia Palm needs full sunlight to produce flowers and can attain seeding maturity in as little as ten years when grown under such conditions. However, shade grown or understorey plants may take up to 40 years to reach the flowering stage, only producing inflorescences when they reach the top of the canopy and full sunlight. If plants are removed from a full sun situation and replaced in a shady position, further flowering ceases until favourable light conditions are once again reinstated. Flowering occurs each year, usually during November and December. Inflorescences are initiated at the leaf bases producing both male and female flowers.

AS INDOOR PLANTS: Kentia palms will grow slowly in a tub for many years. To keep plants in the same container, replace old spent soil with new potting mix from time to time. The kentia palm will withstand quite dark and dry corners of your house, and will tolerate a degree of neglect. However they grow best with good light and regular care. Kentia palms grown as indoor plants benefit from regular spells outside in a shady, moist position. Such a break will allow rain or hosing to wash the dust from the palms leaves, refresh the plant and encourage new growth. If not try giving it a shower!

Howea belmoreana is another species of kentia palm, sometimes called curly palm or Sentry palm, also found only on Lord Howe Island. It is distinguished from H.forsteriana by its smaller, curled fronds and very slender growth. It will grow to around 7.5m (25') but is usually smaller. It is often found growing in colonies on Lord Howe Island with H.forsteriana.

POTTING: The best compost to use consists of two parts loam, one part leaf mold or peat moss, with a good amount of sand added. They need a shady area and a humid atmosphere in the greenhouse. Repotting should be completed in March if more room is needed for the roots. They need a lot of water in the summer, but should only be moistened when the soil becomes dry in the winter.

PROPAGATION: Seeds are sown in pots of sandy soil in the spring or summer and placed in a propagating case in 65- to 75-degree temperatures. The seedlings are then potted in 3-inch pots and later, in larger ones. Seeds take three to four years to ripen and the Kentia carries two or three crops at various stages of maturity. Collection of the seeds is still carried out by hand. Using a strap which is looped through the feet, the seed collector bunny-hops his way to the top of the palm to disengage the seed bunches which can weigh up to six to seven kilos each.Nowadays the Kentia Palm is featured in many hotels  throughout the world. Everywhere they are found, the Norfolk Island Kentia Palms give pleasure to the eye. They have penetrated that exclusive top tier market where quality is in premium demand. Remarkably, they are equally available to every consumer with the same high quality and at a reasonable price.

The seedlings are grown on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific.

These seedlings have vigorous roots and are ideal for nursery propagation.

Kentia Palms are very popular as potted plants.

The Kentia Palm is a now a thriving industry on Norfolk Island.