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Syagrus x costae ? ID assistance


Fusca

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I had the pleasure of visiting a fantastic palm garden in Brownsville, Texas (zone 10a) a year ago for a PSST meeting.  There was a nice looking Syagrus dropping fruit at the time and I collected a few of them to germinate.  There was no sign next to the palm and when the owner gave a tour, I asked him specifically about the palm and he only acknowledged that it was some Syagrus hybrid.  I did a little research to try and identify it and believe that it is Syagrus x costae based on the appearance of the fruit and the commonness of the hybrid.  (I am not good at identifying minor differences between species!)  I'm posting a photo of the tree (I apologize for the poor quality as it was difficult to photograph among so many others) as well as a photo of the fruit.

 

Syagrus x costae.JPG

Syagrus x costae fruit.JPG

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Jon Sunder

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I have read where Syagrus x costae does produce viable seed although I understand that several other Syagrus hybrids do not.  There were several other Syagrus relatively close so I'm not sure what I got, but I did manage to germinate 3 out of 4.  I'm sure these are not very cold hardy but the mother tree was flourishing.  Thanks for your help!

Jon

Syagrus x costae F2.JPG

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Jon Sunder

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It appears to be exactly that. Mine's just now trunking and all I can tell you is that they enjoy lots of water and fertilizer and will grow relatively fast even in a cooler climate like mine. I would say they are cool hardy and relatively cold hardy. In 2007, mine sailed through a frosty 26F with no damage whatsoever. It hasn't been below 32F since then however. Mine looked like your seedling when I planted it in the ground. It's 15' or so now in a partially sunny position. 

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Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

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Las Palmas Design & Associates

Elegant Homes and Gardens

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Syagrus x costae is a recognized hybrid of S. cearensis and S. coronata. It does produce viable seeds as you discovered.

Meg

Palms of Victory I shall wear

Cape Coral (It's Just Paradise)
Florida
Zone 10A on the Isabelle Canal
Elevation: 15 feet

I'd like to be under the sea in an octopus' garden in the shade.

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16 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

It appears to be exactly that. Mine's just now trunking and all I can tell you is that they enjoy lots of water and fertilizer and will grow relatively fast even in a cooler climate like mine. I would say they are cool hardy and relatively cold hardy. In 2007, mine sailed through a frosty 26F with no damage whatsoever. It hasn't been below 32F since then however. Mine looked like your seedling when I planted it in the ground. It's 15' or so now in a partially sunny position. 

Thanks for the confirmation and additional info Jim.  Happy birthday to you also!  :)  Do you have a photo of yours?  Mine is approaching 1 year from planting and yours is at least 11 years older than mine.  I was surprised to read that the seeds are difficult to germinate since I germinated 75% within a couple of months.  And I have yet to succeed germinating a Roystonia regia!  :wacko:

Jon

Jon Sunder

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On 4/12/2018, 3:11:38, Fusca said:

Thanks for the confirmation and additional info Jim.  Happy birthday to you also!  :)  Do you have a photo of yours?  Mine is approaching 1 year from planting and yours is at least 11 years older than mine.  I was surprised to read that the seeds are difficult to germinate since I germinated 75% within a couple of months.  And I have yet to succeed germinating a Roystonia regia!  :wacko:

Jon

It's a little hard to get a good picture of but here goes anyhow. IMG_7274.thumb.JPG.bcdf67dd95b173f5fb402IMG_7271.thumb.JPG.94a61fa22cc2042417473

  • Upvote 2

Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

Facebook Page

Las Palmas Design & Associates

Elegant Homes and Gardens

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