Difference between revisions of "Pritchardia hillebrandii 'blue form'"

Pritchardia hillebrandii is an easy to grow palm but not often available for the landscape. Pritchardia hillebrandii vary in shape. Specimens raised in dry and/or infertile soils tend to be smaller in stature with smaller leaves. Light also affects the plant's form while those grown in full sun are more compact. This palm prefers a sunny, well drained, and moist location. Growth rate: It is a slow growing, short stocky palm. Soil: It likes organic soil, but is adaptable to clay and loam bolth slightly alkaline and acidic. Good drainage is also important. Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet including all micro nutrients and trace elements or slow release fertilizer. Micro-nutrient deficiencies are occasional problems. If it doesn't get enough Mn and Fe (Iron), the leaves take on a rather unhealthy yellow colour. Micro-nutrient deficiencies only show up on soil with a high pH. Fertilize often for faster growth. Water Requirements: Needs regular water, do not let dry out between waterings. however it does not want to sit in continually wet, mucky soil. The roots and lower trunk can rot if soil is kept too moist. Light: Prefers full sun but will tolerate half day sun. Hardiness: It is adapted to tropical and subtropical climates, young plants are more cold sensitive. Maintenance: Remove dead fronds and spent fruiting stalks for a clean landscape appearance. Fronds can be left on the palm to form a skirt for natural settings. Palms recycle nutrients from dead or dying fronds and use them for healthier fronds. Palms only have a set number of new leaves that can sprout and grow per year and removing fronds will not increase that number. If you cut off more than what will grow annually, you could be left with a pretty bare and bald palm. Pest & Disease: Mealybugs and whiteflies underneath the leaves can present problems at times if not kept in check. A generous spray of water can wash them off. Ornamental: It is cultivated as an ornamental tree, and planted in gardens and parks in tropical and sub-tropical climates either as a single specimen or in groups. Culture in containers is possible although growth rates are slower. A bright patio will provide an excellent environment for young specimens which can eventually be planted in a sunny location. (llifle.com)

Everything about this palm is simply spectacular, its habitat, its color and its rarity. It is found only on the tops of two inaccessible, stack-like, rock islets off the northern coast of the Hawaiian island of Molokai, where it probably survives because the islets are free of rats and mice. Even though the population here has been determined to be P. hillebrandii, there is considerable discussion about this as the plants show a number of significant differences from P. hillebrandii elsewhere, such as their heavier, thicker, bluish leaf, longer, upright flower stalks and oblong rather than round seeds. The Huelo Blue cultivar is not to be confused with the so-called P. hillebrandii "Dwarf Blue" that has been widely offered for many years and is not all that blue but rather slightly glaucous at best. Huelo Blue was started with seeds from the bluest Huelo islet plants that then underwent a rigorous selection for only the best, bluest leaf color. Only these were used to propagate further and eventually produce the seeds offered here. Seedlings will be green at first, then gradually turn glaucous as they attain a few years of age. At this point, their much thicker leaf texture is also easily observed. While we know that mature plants will show the full effect of the spectacular coloration, the onset of it can vary considerably in individual plants, i.e. some will turn blue after only a few years while others may take 10 years or more. Light, exposure and soil likely play a role in this as well. Also, not all plants produced from these seeds may come up blue, but a high percentage will. Although patience will be required with this plant, it is the hottest new introduction in palms since the Silver Bismarckia. It will do well nearly anywhere in warm temperate areas as well as in the tropics and can take direct coastal exposure, some drought and light freezes. Besides the Silver Bismarckia it is the only blue palm really suitable for the tropics but can take more coastal exposure as well as having a much more manageable size. (RPS.com)