Ravenea musicalis

[Ortanique]

I have a lone R. musicalis seedling with 3 leaves. Its about to overgrow the little plastic tub i have it in. Every time the leaf grows above the water level - i keep adding more water to cover the leaf. Is that the right thing to do? I know in habitat - the palm outgrows water level easily and quickly. Should i allow mine to do the same also?

I am scared to take any chances with this one - because of its rarity. Out of a handful i got from a friend - i could make only one survive.

Any thoughts?  Thanks for your help.

joseph

[Gtlevine]

I have never heard of a single specimen grown well outside of Madagascar. It's kind of like me moving to Alaska, I'd be dead inside of a month.

Gary

[bgl]

Gary, Joseph is looking for encouragement and good ideas!!

I only tried ONE R. musicalis, and needless to say it died after a while. It was in a 1G pot and I gave it plenty of water. And I have no intention of trying another one!

Just as a general oberservation, I'm convinced this is a palm with very specific requirements, based on how it grows in the wild. The better you are at recreating those conditions, which probably involves water that's not stagnant, the better your chances of keeping one alive. Just an educated guess!

Good luck Joseph!

Bo-Göran

[chris78]

Joseph

I had one a few years ago. It was an one gal size and I put it in a small pond I had, that had some shade. It went through the summer ok, but grew slowly.....I left it out during the winter which it did not like, but came through only to die during the spring. The winter was too much stress for the little guy. But it did not die fast like some tropical palms do when exposed to cool/cold temperatures.

I would like to try another someday, but will protected it till it gets big this time...If I can keep it alive that long.. ???

[Ortanique]

Thanks guys. Like Bo says i have been trying to simulate the river conditions in my own little way. I dont have space for a pond or running water - so i setup an aquarium aerator in the tub. The aerator has been running non-stop for the last 4 months. The plant seems to like it - atleast thats what i keep telling myself.

This morning i noticed that one leaf is above water - so i guess its time to put it into a deeper tub. I have been kinda avoiding that because i am not sure how much it would appreciate its roots getting disturbed.  

Mine is inside the house. I might move it into my greenhouse this winter - if the termperatures drop too low.

joseph

[Tyrone]

Joseph, In the wild I'd imagine the river level would rise and lower quite a bit in response to the seasons. A little bit of variation couldn't hurt IMO. Of course going from 40cm high water to 2m might startle it. I'd imagine water pH would have to be right too, as well as enough dissolved oxygen, as they grow in fast running water etc. It's a pity this info isn't known from habitat as well as dissoved nitrate values. Bruno, can you run down to Southern Madagascar and take some readings for us?  

regards

Tyrone

[Ortanique]

Tyrone,

Good points. The water i use is almost close to neutral pH. I currrently use soft water (using a water softener) which then gets purified by a reverse osmosis purifier. So - far the plant seems to like the water. Of course, knowing these factors from native locale will definitely help.

Thanks.

joseph

[neoflora]

Joseph, I had hundreds! Lost every single one! Alfred had some growing in his nursery in Tana. He grew them in pots with soil. I tried this method. Lasted about 3 years. I do have several pictures of habitat. One is so surreal it could become wallpaper. MADGASCAR IS A SPECIAL PLACE! Good luck. Ron

[DoomsDave]

joseph!

Keep us posted!

dave

[PalmsZA]

Hi all

I have a running river /stream at the bottom of my garden, my land extends to the middle of the water. Please send all R.musicalis seedlings to me for safe keeping. ???

Cheers

Dennis

PS the pic shows the river in flood last summer.

[Tyrone]

(PalmsZA @ Oct. 05 2006,04:56)

QUOTE

Hi all

I have a running river /stream at the bottom of my garden, my land extends to the middle of the water. Please send all R.musicalis seedlings to me for safe keeping. ???

Cheers

Dennis

PS the pic shows the river in flood last summer.

I think your stream would be perfect for musicalis.

Lucky you, stream and everything.

[Moose]

Interesting thread on a most unusual palm. Curious as to the outcome of Joseph's technique. I heard that Kew Gardens was successful at growing this palm.

Moose

[John Case]

I can't help but think that an essential aspect is missing when planting water plants, especially one with such demanding requirements.

I have a small water garden built into my Koi pond for the express and definite reson to remove nitrates and other chemicals from the water; it is essentially a nitrate trap. The reason was to limit the algae growth in the pond and keep the water clear so I can see the fish. The side benefit is that the plants I have in there, all of them heavy feeders (lotus, canna, etc.) grow like topsy.

My thinking in the missing element for the R. muscalis is that perhaps (I say perhaps as most of you are much more adept at growing palms than I) it needs feeding. Water removes nutrients normally.....

any thoughts on adding some soluble fertilizer,.....or better yet, just give it to me for the summer,...I'll return it for the winter

[Kris]

Dear Joseph

Wish you all the best with that palm,hope that grows up into a big tree in years to come..

Love,

Kris