Chamaedorea radicalis

[Scott]

Does anybody have experience with these when it comes to sun and winds?

I'm trying to figure the placement of this palm in the garden and would like to place it where it's best suited. All sides of the house get the winds. But some areas are shaded from the afternoon sun in the summer. The only problem though, is that during winter, these are in shade all day long.

Like my Arenga, it will remain potted for a while before planting to make sure it's a good place.

I'd like to hear anyone else's experience with these.  

Thanks!

Scott

[Fred Zone 10A]

Chamaedorea radicalis is pretty much bullet proof in my neck of the woods, but in inland California I would not plant them in full afternoon sun.  I must have about fifteen in the ground, both regular and tree form.  They look their best if they get about a half day sun or less.

They do like their water, though.

When we get really bad Santa Ana winds I often lose a few fronds because they get twisted

[Scott]

Fred - How do you tell if it's regular or tree form? Here's a couple pics of mine....

Thanks for any info! This palm a a real beauty, and I want to make sure I get it everything it needs

[DoomsDave]

I concur with Fred.

The one in your picture looks like a tree type.

They start to stretch upward very early, and don't seem to get the heel that bush types do.

Far as I can tell, both are tough as nails.  Though they like their water, they'll survive a drought.  They'll take temps to about 20 F with no damage.

dave

[Fred Zone 10A]

I concur with Dave.  It's a tree type.

Do you have just the one?  No one should have just one.

I like to plant them in groups of 3 or 5.  That way it's likely I'll have both male and female plants in the group and the "girls" look great with those red seeds.

Fred

[Alberto]

I have 21 ´trunking form plants that I´ll plant out the following weeks. Do they like acid soils or do they need some dolomite?

[ruskinPalms]

I wish they sold these around here. All we seem to get are the Cat Palm and Bamboo palm at the box stores.

[Scott]

Dave - I'm glad to hear it's a tree type. I'm definitely going to try to get it as sheltered of an area as I can.

Fred - Yeah, I have just the one. Seeing how this one does, maybe I'll be able to get some more .

Bill - I got this palm - along with my prized Arenga from Danny Lewis. I've never seen anything like these at the local box stores. However - I have befriended the lady who runs the garden center at Lowe's and I tell her about our palm society. She's actually written down suggestions.

Alberto - I'm glad you asked the soils question. What additives are good? My soil is heavy clay, and since I need to ammend, I should get whatever the Cham wants. Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone for all the help!

[Patrick]

Hey scott

I concur with the prior concurrance......

I've heard they yellow out with full sun in our area. I'm hot & you're hotter so it's probably even more so.

Pat

[Neofolis]

As far as all day shade is concerned, as far as I am aware they can cope with lower light levels than any other palm, so it shouldn't be an issue.  It would be safer than sun in a windy location, which would add to the drying out of the sun alone.

[Kamipalms]

(ruskinPalms @ Feb. 28 2007,09:16)

QUOTE

I wish they sold these around here. All we seem to get are the Cat Palm and Bamboo palm at the box stores.

Bill,

If your  the growing from seed type, I can help you out with both forms.

I have the standard form with seed just beginning to ripen and  the trunking form will have seed ready in a couple of months.

I'll try and get a pic over the next day or two.

J.

[PalmGuyWC]

I concur with most of what's been said, however I've found that once established, C. radicalis is very drought tollerent, but it does best with ample water in the warmer months.  I've also found that C. radicalis and microspadix will take more sun than most Chamaedoreas, but they look better with afternoon shade. I've also found that C. microspadix doesn't like chemical fertilizers if it's too strong a mixture. A slow release such as fish emulsion seems to be best for microspadix.  C. radicalis is so tough, I think you could pee on them and it wouldn't hurt them, though I don't recommend this.

Both species come up all over my garden where they can find moisture and some shade.  I dig up the ones that are coming up where I don't want them, and pot them up.  C. radicalis usually only holds a few fronds, so I plant 5 or 6 seedlings (3 or 4 fronds) to a 1 gal. pot with the boot growing away from the center of the pot. After a year or so, they are ready to be moved up to a 2 or 5 gal. pot. They make handsom container plants for several years, then when they get over crowded, I plant them in a partially shady spot under the taller palms.

I have both forms of C. radicalis, and I prefer the low growing type as it seems to have wider blades and a heavier texture. The low growing ones seem to be hardier to cold, but maybe it's because the tall growing ones grow taller and are more exposed.

Both C. microspadix and radicalis will take temps. down to the upper teens, and even colder with some damage, but not fatal. I guess I'm biased because they are the only two species that thrive for me in my harsh climate.  Their bright orange/red fruit also adds a splash of color to an otherwise green palm garden.  

Dick

[Scott]

Patrick, Dick & Corey - thanks for the great info.

I have a spot on the east side of the house which would shelter from afternoon sun. But no matter where I plant it, it'll have some wind. I wish the bamboo would grow just a little fast so as to provide the wind break I want.

Dick - you mentioned fish emulsion. Is this an additave for soil? Or how would I find it? Also would it be good for the other palms? Being fairly new, and having thick, mucky, clay soil, I'm always looking for anything to really infuse nutrients into it.

Thanks1

Scott

[PalmGuyWC]

Hi Scott,

Fish emulsion can be found at most nursery supply stores. I use it primarly on potted plants, but it can be used for plants in the garden too. I use a liquid fertilizer normally for potted palms, but use fish emulsion 3 or 4 times during the growing season. I was told that it has many of the micro-nutrients and it's a slow release organic fertilizer. It also does seem to condition the soil in potted palms, soil that's maybe getting a little tired from constant watering.

I use a SyphonX (SiphonX), not sure of the spelling, but it's a device you attach to a hose bib, and it meters the concentrate into the hose in a diluted form. I usually add about a cup and a half of fish emulsion to a 5 gallon container of water. Fish emulsion smells bad for awhile after using it, but on hot days the smell goes away in a few hours.  It's high in nitrogen and even though organic and slow release, it seems to release a good bit of nitrogen right away, as the plants seem to green up within a day or two after using it.

Dick