Rhopaloblaste augusta Defoliation

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

If anyone has cultural information on Rhopaloblaste augustas I can sure use your assistance!

I planted 7 Rhopaloblaste augusta seedlings (in July) in 4" pots purchased from Floribunda Palms on the Big Island. They took beautifully as they sat in the high, & dappled shade of a large Royal Poinciana and a tall Cassia javanica. The exposure is largely southwesterly. They have the "benefit" of a daily 6 foot high mist system that augments our rather spotty summer rains in this part of SE Florida, so soil is moist but NOT ever muddy.

I knew that previous hurricane seasons had brought heavy branches of both of these two trees down before, so I prophylactically trimmed the most likely to fall branches of both species.

After the tree surgery, nighmarishly, the "underplantings" of all my palms now became bathed in sunlight for three more hours a day (and from the SW!!) I didn't know what the seedlings' reactions to summer Florida light would be!

All seemed fine for most species save for a bit of leaf burn that was self limiting (and still remain so) but NOT for the Rhopaloblaste augustas. In just the last three to five days, the frondlets of all Rhopaloblaste augustas in that planting area, sloughed off leaves, only the stems (close to what will be their trunks) remained intact. Indeed, the stems remain vibrantly green but all 7 are now leafless; I am however, beginning to see the emergence of new central growth spears on 5 of the Rhopaloblaste augusta seedlings, so I'm leaving them alone.

It HAS been cloudy for five or so days now and I'd imagine that the newest fronds, if they emerge, will be used to this new solar exposure. I also cut the moisture back a bit (but I don't knink that the water was the #1 offending factor.)

Should I expect seedling death, or should I empirically expect new branching & recovery? I've never grown any Rhopaloblaste palms before so I am fairly ignorant as to thier behaviour in frond drop when light conditions are "ramped up" considerably.

Let me know, Rhopaloblaste augusta growers! I will certainly heed your opinions/suggestions/comments.

Cheers,

Pablo El Doctor De Las Palmas!

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Pablo, I've planted about 10 one-gallon size R. augusta directly from the shade house into full afternoon sun and they didn't even flinch. I was thinking that these palms were pretty tough until I read your post. However, I do remember that when I first potted up these seedlings, a few plants turned brown and appeared to have died but the stem remained green. They all recovered and started growing new leaflets except for one which didn't make it. I hope all of yours recover, they are nice looking palms even when little!

[ariscott]

I have never grown Rhopaloblaste augusta, but I grow Rhopalablaste elegans. They don't like full sun (my full sun is all day every day) while young at my place. I lost 2 until I decided to put a temporary shade up for them. It is only 30% shade cloth, but they seemed to like it. It cut down the harsh sun and protect them from the dry wind. The 2 that I lost, lost all the folliage and never recovered... So, I don't know how similar they are in requirements... but mine appreciate a little bit protection.

Regards, Ari

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

I have never grown Rhopaloblaste augusta, but I grow Rhopalablaste elegans. They don't like full sun (my full sun is all day every day) while young at my place. I lost 2 until I decided to put a temporary shade up for them. It is only 30% shade cloth, but they seemed to like it. It cut down the harsh sun and protect them from the dry wind. The 2 that I lost, lost all the folliage and never recovered... So, I don't know how similar they are in requirements... but mine appreciate a little bit protection.

Regards, Ari

Thanks, Ari & Jeff:

I'll bet that the change from cover to sun was the factor that defoliated the Rhopaloblate seedlings. Sounds like the only variable that was changed in their "Previously happy" environment. They still seem strongly rooted and firm, (not mushy.) I think that I'll try a temporary sun shading material too; maybe it's not too late!

Thanks my friends!

Paul

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

Pablo, I've planted about 10 one-gallon size R. augusta directly from the shade house into full afternoon sun and they didn't even flinch. I was thinking that these palms were pretty tough until I read your post. However, I do remember that when I first potted up these seedlings, a few plants turned brown and appeared to have died but the stem remained green. They all recovered and started growing new leaflets except for one which didn't make it. I hope all of yours recover, they are nice looking palms even when little!

Hi, Jeff:

I was wondering where are you located in Costa Rica? I am planting a 12 hectare Botanical Garden: TropicRiverWoods, in an area 6 KM east of Changuinola, in Bocas del Toro Province. We're only 45 minutes or so to Limon, C.R. Maybe we can get together if not on this next November tree planting trip, then maybe the one in April '09. It would be nice meeting you! You can check out the work-in-progress at www.tropicriverwoods.com, if you'd like. It's starting to "look" like a planned garden; I'm kind of surprised, actually but we have a great manager, Filiberto Reid on hand and he controls wprkers, check book...and potential Indian theft!

Cheers!

Pablo

[Jeff in Costa Rica]

Hola Pablo, I live in Manuel Antonio on the central Pacific coast. I checked out your website some time ago and I'm very impressed with what you are doing over in Panama. I would love to see it someday! It would be great to meet you over on the Caribbean side either next month or in April, please PM me and let me know the dates of your trip.

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

Hola Pablo, I live in Manuel Antonio on the central Pacific coast. I checked out your website some time ago and I'm very impressed with what you are doing over in Panama. I would love to see it someday! It would be great to meet you over on the Caribbean side either next month or in April, please PM me and let me know the dates of your trip.

Thanks for responding, Jeff! The project is progressing pretty well considering that I'm usually low on $$$ (especially lately!) but most plants are pretty reasonable in Panama anyway. The biggest costs for TropicRiverWoods has been the bags of cement for all the trails. (We must have constructed about 2 miles of winding cement & stone trails already, Jeff.) The trees are doing very well, although there was a nasty mudslide in September (which set the project back a bit!) We move on poco y poco!

I'll PM you when I know the specifics of our time in Panama, Jeff.

Have a great week!

Pablo

[Paul The Palm Doctor!]

There seems to be some stem elongation today; I think we're "OK!"

Pabl;o