Cultivation Details
The plant can withstand occasional temperatures down to about -3°c[3]. Prefers a position in light shade[3]. Younger plants appreciate some shade, but older plants can tolerate full sun[2]. A site sheltered from strong winds is preferred because the large leaves are fairly easily damaged[2]. A very fast-growing palm, capable of reaching 2 metres in height in its first year of growth from seed[2]. The tree is monocarpic, living for several years without flowering, but then flowering profusely and dying. In the tropics, plants can commence flowering when only 6 - 8 years old, flowering for about 2 years before dying. In the subtropics the plant will take somewhat longer to come into flower[2]. Before reaching maturity, selected inflorescences are prepared for tapping by beating with a wooden stick and are then tied with a string to keep them in a proper shape. If possible, a number of inflorescences are tied together. A concoction of herbs, salt and ash may be applied to the tip of the inflorescence. Tapping begins 3 - 4 days later by making a fine angular slash. A receptacle, usually a piece of bamboo, is hung under the tapping point to catch the sap. The inflorescence is cut afresh in the morning and evening for 3 - 4 months, until none remains[1].
Propagation
Seed - sown fresh, it takes 1 - 3 months to germinate[3]. Young plants can be placed in their permanent positions when about 1 year old, by which time they can be 150 - 200cm tall[2, 3]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Caryota+rumphiana>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
- [2]Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia. — http://www.pacsoa.org.au/ ↩︎Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
- [3]Desert Tropicals — http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ ↩︎The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
- [4]Cornucopia II — Facciola. S. · Kampong Publications, California. · 1998 · ISBN 0-9628087-2-5 ↩︎The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
- [5]Minor Products of Philippine Forests — Brown. W. H. · Bureau of Forestry, Manilla. · 1920 ↩︎A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
- [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎