Sabal

Family. Arecaceae.

Origin. America.

Description. Sabal is an elegant evergreen fan palm. Young plants have basal leaves, but with age a thin trunk with remnants of old leaves is formed. Large fan leaves with a diameter of 2-3 m form a wide crown at the top of the trunk. Petioles are long - up to 1.5 m, naked, ribbed. Segments are narrow, linear, dark green, hard. In summer, palms release long, branched, axillary peduncles with small white or cream flowers. Flowers are about 5 mm in diameter and have a pleasant aroma. After flowering, round fruits appear on the plant, which turn black when ripe.

Height. In its natural habitat, sabal reaches a height of 25 m; in indoor conditions it grows quite slowly and does not exceed 3 m.

Home care

Reproduction

Bush-like specimens are propagated by division during transplantation, and each division must have a well-developed root system and at least 3 leaves. The seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for a day and planted in spring in loose nutritious soil and kept in a warm place at a temperature of at least 24 ° C.

How to grow

This attractive palm is also one of the most unpretentious, it grows well in home culture. The plant will appreciate being outdoors during the warm season. From time to time, wipe the large leaves with a soft damp sponge to remove dust.

Temperature

During the period of active growth, it can be kept at a temperature of 18 - 24 °C. The tree requires a cool dormant period in the winter months at a temperature of 10 - 15 °C.

Lighting

Ideally, plants should receive 2 hours of direct sunlight daily in the morning and evening. Shading is necessary on hot summer days when sun activity is high. 

Soil

Well-drained soil with a sufficient content of coarse river sand and a neutral or slightly acidic pH. A mixture based on peat with the addition of leaf humus, sphagnum moss, pine bark, fallen pine needles and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. The substrate must allow water and air to pass through well. 

Fertilizer

Feed with liquid fertilizer every two weeks from early spring to mid-autumn.

When it blooms

Sabal rarely blooms indoors.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy during the warmer months when the palm is actively growing. Limit watering in the fall; in the winter months, do not allow the earthen ball to dry out. Remove excess moisture that has accumulated in the pan after watering. 

Transplant

Sabal prefers to be in cramped conditions, so there is often no need to change the size of the pot or tub when replanting. Mature palm trees are replanted every 2 - 3 years, in the spring. For tub plants, the top layer of soil 5-7 cm thick is replaced with fresh soil annually. 

Diseases and pests 

Leaves turn yellow if kept too cool. Sabal easily rots with insufficient drainage and excessive watering.

Harmful insects - spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, scale insects, whiteflies.

Spraying 

Place the pot on a tray with damp pebbles or use a humidifier and spray the plants in the morning. It is important to remember that the higher the humidity level you maintain, the greater the air movement should be. 

Purpose

Sabal is suitable for growing in large rooms - winter gardens, hotels. 

Varieties:

Sabal Serrulata

A short, strong palm tree with a thick, powerful trunk, at the top of which there is a lush crown, consisting of fan-shaped, green leaves on thick, hard petioles. The petioles of adult plants are equipped with large spines. The leaf segments are green, hard, glossy, slightly bent along the central vein. During the flowering period, the palm forms drooping inflorescences with small yellow flowers, which over time turn into oblong orange or black fruits. 

Sabal minor

A small attractive palm tree about 1.5 (rarely 3 m) high with large fan-shaped leaves. Young plants have basal leaves, mature trees form a low, thick trunk. The leaves reach 1.5 - 2 m in length. The leaf segments are dark green, glossy, linear, hard. The inflorescences are large, branched, up to 2 m long, and consist of many yellowish flowers. When pollinated, the palm forms round black berries up to 1.5 cm in diameter. 

Sabal palmetto

Latania or Sabal Palmetto is a large and very attractive palm tree with a dense crown of palmately divided leaves; the trunk is erect, brown, with remnants of old leaves, reaches a diameter of 30 - 45 centimeters and a height of 4.5 to 9 meters. Leaves on petioles up to 2 meters long, up to 2 meters in diameter, fan-shaped, silvery, consist of 75 - 90 segments. The petioles have strong spines. The petioles of young leaves may be reddish in color, but become green with age. The edges of the leaf blades have small teeth. Plants are dioecious - divided into male and female. In spring, the palm blooms with very large inflorescences, almost 2 meters long, which contain many small yellow flowers.