Rhopalostylis baueri in Florida

[Eric in Orlando]

Anyone else growing Rhopalostylis in Florida? We have it and R. sapida in the ground and a R. baueri var. cheesemanii to be planted. The R. baueri var. baueri has grown well so far, made it fine through the summer. The R. sapida is still healthy but slow. Here is the R. baueri var.  baueri

[PalmGuyWC]

Eric,

I've never heard of Rhopalostylis making it for very long in Florida. They really like cool nights to thrive, and if they were planted further north in Fla. where there might be a winter chill, freezing would kill them.  They are not particularly cold hardy. I think I killed a couple when I lived in Miami, and the same for Hedyscepe.  Surprisingly there are a few Howeas growing in Miami. It will be interesting to see how yours do.

Dick

[Eric in Orlando]

We have a small Hedyscepe growing well also. Have both Howea in the ground but H. belmoreana is so much slower.

[cfkingfish]

Thats it, Im trying one of each.  :cool:

[edbrown_III]

I have grown them for about a 17 years here in Jax. I had plants to about a 2 meters tall ( no trunk jsut leaves). They all perished in 1999 when we had a fortnight of freezes and lows of 21F.  After all these years I have a small R. sapida left.  They got through the 100s but the freezes did them in.

Best regards,

Ed

[quaman58]

Eric,

I also noted a R. baurii growing reasonably well at McBride gardens in Kauii a couple years back, in full sun. It certainly led me to think they can handle some heat, at least more so than R. sapida.

Bret

P.S. That's a great shot of a small plant. Yours?

[Eric in Orlando]

The palm is at Leu Gardens.

[tropical1]

I definitely think they are worth trying in central florida in the shade. Can California growers ship to Fla? Or is there a ban due to the oak disease?

BTW Eric thanks for posting the pic.

[Eric in Orlando]

I think Rhopalostylis are worth a try in central FL. Give them a shady location with good air circulation, and moist fertile soil. Maybe since we are cooler than south FL they will have a better chance. Ed got them to grow in Jacksonville until a freeze wiped them out.

Here is the R. sapida, this is an older phto, it is a bit bigger but made it through summer fine. I planted a R. baueri var. cheesemanii yesterday.

[tikitiki]

mine is no more

[Rafael]

What about an update, just to check how they are, in each climate and microclimate conditions?

I was recently given a cheesemani, and still do not know if i must put it in the ground or wait a year more potted.

[epicure3]

Good bump!

[Rafael]

Good bump!

[Sandy Loam]

 

Hello Eric. Can you provide readers with an update (no 9 years later) on how the various Rhopalostylis are doing at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida?  Thanks!

 

[DoomsDave]

We are curious as to the news, good, bad otherwise . . . .

[tropical1]

Agree, would be great to hear if either type survived and which one is doing better.

 

 

[Mandrew968]

I am sure we will have a positive update soon; baueri is a palm I have come across enough to try one out personally--I aim to soon. When I first started to see them down here, I was also very surprised.

[Jeff Searle]

I'll be shocked if it's still alive.

[Sandy Loam]

If planted in shade in Orlando, I won't be shocked if the R. Baueri are the R. Cheesemanii are still alive. (Eric?)  However, the R. Sapida will surprise me.  Unfortunately for me, way up here in the north of Florida, I think Baueri and Cheesemanii won't survive long term because of our once-every-five-years freeze events at night. However, Rhopalostylis Sapida, var. "Chatham Island" ("Oceana") or var. "Pitt Island" might withstand our rare cold snaps in the low 20s or even high teens Fahrenheit.  I really wish I could grow those two here, but it's very iffy.  R. Baueri does not withstand those low temperature dips, based on what I have read on PalmTalk.

Jeff and Mandrew, the problem with growing any of these in Miami is that you don't get break from the summer heat, even if you plant them in deep shade.  Way up here in the north, our summer nights are frequently 74 degrees Fahnrenheit, even when we have 94 degrees in the afternoon.  This is why I have been able to grow plants like Dypsis Decipiens successfully up here for the past five years -- and hopefully a Rhopalostylis too, to be determined.     

       

[Eric in Orlando]

The Rhopalostylis  baueri var. cheesemanii is still alive and growing and I planted another last year. The R. baueri and R. sapida have died.

 

I also planted a new Hedyscepe. The one I had growing lasted several years but a nearby clump of Bambusa malingensis had greedy roots and the Hedyscepe did not get enough water. It would dry out even with irrigation and heavy rain.

A Ceroxylon parvum I planted years ago is still alive but not thriving. A C. amazonicum planted nearby is doing better.

I'll get some photos today and post them.

[Eric in Orlando]

 Rhopalostylis  baueri var. cheesemanii planted Oct. 2007 

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

another   Rhopalostylis  baueri var. cheesemanii, planted Nov. 2015

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

Hedescepe canterburyana, planted Nov. 2015

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

Ceroxylon parvum, planted May 2007

 

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

Ceroxylon amazonicum, planted Aug. 2013

 

 

 

 

[DoomsDave]

Thanks for the pictures!

Sapida is tough even in la Habra especially in summer. The beach is much better.

[Mandrew968]

I am not surprised to see the baueri cheese one is growing. It must be the most tolerant of heat. I have seen them looking good in the ground, here in South Florida--knew they were baueri, but was not sure which form. Great job Eric!

[Dave-Vero]

I'm hoping to be in New Zealand in May, and come back with a bunch of photos.  I might even be allowed to schlep a few seeds into the US.  

[Alicehunter2000]

These two sapida's have been growing in full shade during our 90's day's and our 80's nights. Been keeping them well watered.