Santalum paniculatum

Cultivation Details

Santalum paniculatum is a plant of moderate elevations in the Hawaiian Islands, where it can be found at elevations from 450 - 2,500 metres. It is usually found in moderately dry to wet habitats in areas where there is a 2 - 5 month dry season and no frosts^[1]. Prefers a position with moderate side shade, but little overhead shade; it grows poorly in deeper shade, but can do well in full sun if attached to a suitable host^[1]. Tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including infertile and shallow soils, but grows best in a light to medium, well-drained soil^[1]. Prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH 6.1 - 7.4, but can tolerate 4 - 7.4^[1]. Established plants are able to survive a long dry season (up to 5 - 6 months) when attached parasitically to suitably drought­tolerant host plants^[1]. Although the tree has become much less common in its native habitat due to the ravages of introduced grazing animals and rats, the tree does actually have the potential to become invasive, spreading by seeds and root suckers. However, this has not been seen as a problem in the past, mainly due to the high value of the wood and the ease with which they can be shaded out by taller trees^[1]. A slow-growing species, showing annual height increases of 30 - 70cm a year when young. Growth is faster in fertile soils but the tree is then at risk of being shaded out or overtopped by taller, faster growing trees on such sites^[1]. Under good conditions, plants begin flowering from an early age, typically about 3 - 4 years, but heavy flowering and fruiting may take 7 - 10 years^[1]. Trees can flower and produce fruit throughout the year, usually with two peaks. The flowers produce a sweet fragrance^[1]. Trees produce root suckers, especially if cut down, when a ring of suckers will often appear several metres away from the original stump^[1]. A semi-parasitic plant, obtaining some of its nutriment from the roots of other plants^[2]. The plant has green leaves containing chlorophyll, and is thus able to photosynthesize - it relies on host plants only for water and soil nutrients, not for sugars, which it can produce itself^[3]. It normally has more than one host at a time^[3]. In the field, seedlings should be planted near potential host plants^[4]. Seedlings are generally planted within existing vegetation near potentially suitable hosts^[4]. Success is generally good, especially in locations where seedlings can be watered occasionally and weed competition is controlled^[4]. Periodic trimming of the secondary host may benefit seedlings^[4].