Description
Howea – Sentry Palm – Kentia Palm –
There are 2 species of upright, single stemmed palms, in this genus. They occur at low altitudes, to 1,000′ feet high, usually on basalt soils, on Lord Howe Island, Eastern Australia. The long stalked, pinnate leaves are arranged in terminal cluster with no crownshaft, and star shaped, 3 petaled flowers are borne on long spikes between them. Howeas are highly tolerant of adverse growing conditions such as those found in a home: reduce light, fluctuating and low temperates, lack of humidity, and general neglect. Where not hardy, grow young specimens as houseplants.
Indoors, grow in soil based potting mix with equal parts added pulverized bark and leaf mold, in full light. Shade from hot sun and provide moderate humidity. In growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilize monthly, water sparingly in winter.
Prone to fungal leaf spots, root rot, lethal yellow, maganese deficiency, scale insects, and spider mites.
H. belmoreana – Curly Palm – Sentry Palm – Less commonly grown than H. forsteriana, this species also tolerate a substantial amount of neglect. Outdoors it may grow to 25′ feet tall. It is a slender plant with a ringed trunk and strongly recurving, feather shaped, dull green fronds. Long flowering spikes bear the glossy, brown to red fruit.
Zones 10-11
