All My Cham tuercks: Fall 2019

[PalmatierMeg]

Today I started my semi-annual check-ups for the potted Chamaedorea tuerckheimii that live under deep canopy in my jungle. These rare little palms have a reputation for being difficult to grow and I can attest that an unhappy Cham tuerck soon becomes a dead one. I lost a medium sized plant earlier this year and still don't know why. What I have learned by trial and error is that these little guys want a minimum of attention and resent being treated a ego-enhancing eye candy. I keep mine under deep canopy outdoors esp. in summer as they resent FL swelter. I check on them every few weeks but bring them out in spring and fall for checkups, fertilization and treatments for insects and spider mites - they are spider mite magnets. 

The plants in the photos have been hosed off, topped off, fertilized and drenched with Merit. They await their miticide spray before returning to the jungle to rest before next summer. The largest two came from Dale Holton as 1g circa 2009. One of them is flowering (no chance of seeds as they are dioecious and their insect pollinator doesn't exist in the US). Two 1g came from Scott Cohen several years ago. The 5 smallest plants I germinated from seeds. I haven't found viable seeds for years.

Chamaedorea tuerckheimii, Cape Coral, FL 2019

[PalmatierMeg]

Last but not least:

[Rickybobby]

Amazing 

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

Absolutely stunning !!! 

[The Palm Nut]

Beautiful palm, just don't see them up for sale over here.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Meg, those are beautiful indeed. I've had two growing in the ground in my front yard in the shade three years and I pretty much ignore them and do nothing special to them. They get watered automatically. They're otherwise very delicate looking but have proven otherwise. 

[Jim in Los Altos]

Here are mine. They don’t receive any special care except making sure they get adequate water. They are slow growers but seem to grow at the same rate of speed regardless of time of year.  

 

 

[PalmatierMeg]

Jim, your Cham tuercks look great. I'm sure they prefer your climate to mine most of the year. They are not fond of high heat, esp. at night, which is why I keep them under deep canopy close to the canal. The interior of my jungle is 10-15 degrees F cooler in summer and is just enough relief to give them an edge. They will be much happier over fall, winter and early spring. I don't worry about cold except for not exposing them to frosts or hard freezes and we haven't had either the past few years.

[Stevetoad]

Those are awesome guys!! I gotta get one or 10.