Pandanaceae (Pandanus)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Pandanus (tectorius)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Pandanaceae

Family Common Name:
Screwpine Family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Pandanus

Species:
tectorius

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Pius Liyagel

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
Choy

Species Code:
PANTEC

Ecotype:
Yap Islands

General Distribution:
Choy is found on Pacific islands in the rest of Polynesia, in Micronesia, in Melanesia, and as far west as northern Australia. It grows in moist coastal locations and valley slopes to an elevation of 2,000 feet.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:
3L (1 gal) polybags

Grow Time:
0

Target Specifications:
Height: 20 cm
Caliper: N/A
Root System: Firm Root Plug in container.

Propagation Collection:
Trees are either male or female. Female trees produce a large, segmented fruit somewhat resembling a pineapple. Male trees produce large clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers surrounded by white to cream colored bracts.The fruit is a large, woody, subglobose syncarp with numerous (often 50 or more) woody keys containing a buoyant mesocarp with one or more seeds.
Fruits are hand collected when fruits begin to drop from the plant. Plants produce some fruits throughout the year.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Fruits are mashed against screens and washed to remove pulp and extract seeds.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Seeds are soaked in water to remove any inhibitors and to allow full imbibition of seeds prior to sowing. Seeds are sown into deep flats (1X2') and covered with composted leaf mold. We transplant viable germinants into containers as soon as the radicle emerges. Flats are checked for new germinants daily.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
The Yap Agroforestry nursery has a year round growing season with periods of high rainfall.
The facility is comprised of one large greenhouse, shade structures, and mist propagation beds, and an outdoor growing compound. All propagation environments are utilized at different stages of seedling growth to protect seedlings from heavy rains, and provide to temperature and shading variance during production. We irrigate all containers by hand, but are investigating a sub-irrigation system for the nursery. We use fertilizers if when they are available.

Establishment Phase:
Seedlings are germinated in a greenhouse were they remain for 4 weeks. Flats and containers are watered by hand. After seedlings are well established and have at least 2 true leaves, they are transplanted into 3 L (1 gallon) polybags filled with a growing medium of 2:1:1 (v:v:v) sand, seaweed compost, and topsoil.

Length of Establishment Phase:
3-4 months

Active Growth Phase:
Approximately 4 weeks after transplanting, seedlings are grown under a shadecloth during summer months. During months of intense summer heat, containers are watered daily with occasional deep irrigation to leach out accumulated salts.

Length of Active Growth Phase:
6 months

Hardening Phase:
Irrigation frequency and duration is gradually reduced for 4 to 8 weeks prior to outplanting. Nursery stock is top pruned at this stage.

Length of Hardening Phase:
1 month

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:
Containerized seedlings are stored in the open growing compound until moved to outplanting site.

Length of Storage:
Variable; depends on outplanting date.

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
This species can also be grown from cuttings.

References:

Citation:
Liyagel, Pius. 2005. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pandanus tectorius plants 3L (1 gal) polybags; Yap Forestry Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/30). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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