Five Essential Rare Palms for Southern California

[palmaddict]

I have been a collector of rare palms and cycads for about three years now and have amassed a collection of nearly 100 palms and cycads.  I realize at this point I need to be extremely selective about my future purchases as at this rate I will have a container ranch like Dave.  I have only an acre of property and half of that gets regular irrigation.  I would like to ask the members living in Southern California what is their top five rare palms that you just got to have.  I am looking for the rare and unusual stuff!

Thanks Patrick

[LJG]

Patrick, like you I just started recently. Two years ago to be exact for the 'rare' stuff. But I have followed the forums and publications for a long time and one thing I know is that it changes every year! Today's gem dypsis is next years queen palm. The buzz moves around so fast. Like any hobby/collector item, once people have it, it is not as valuable.

For me, these are the ones I am trying to get or have found and need to buy:

#1 - Dypsis marojejyi

#2 - Dypsis mananjarensis (true form)

#3 - Hedyscepe canturburyana

#4 - Brahea decumbens

#5 - Licuala radula

I have about 20 more on the radar screen. Most seem to be Dypsis. Go figure.

[DoomsDave]

(LJG @ Dec. 15 2006,20:55)

QUOTE

Patrick, like you I just started recently. Two years ago to be exact for the 'rare' stuff. But I have followed the forums and publications for a long time and one thing I know is that it changes every year! Today's gem dypsis is next years queen palm. The buzz moves around so fast. Like any hobby/collector item, once people have it, it is not as valuable.

For me, these are the ones I am trying to get or have found and need to buy:

#1 - Dypsis marojejyi

#2 - Dypsis mananjarensis (true form)

#3 - Hedyscepe canturburyana

#4 - Brahea decumbens

#5 - Licuala radula

I have about 20 more on the radar screen. Most seem to be Dypsis. Go figure.

Hedyscepes aren't that rare.

dave

[DoomsDave]

Hmm.

On reflection, I think the list should be restricted to those palms that, while rare here, also do well.  Many of the dypsii don't.

In that vein, I propose, for starters, B. decumbens and Jubaeaopsis caffra.

dave

[LJG]

(Dave from So-Cal @ Dec. 15 2006,20:59)

QUOTE

(LJG @ Dec. 15 2006,20:55)

QUOTE

Patrick, like you I just started recently. Two years ago to be exact for the 'rare' stuff. But I have followed the forums and publications for a long time and one thing I know is that it changes every year! Today's gem dypsis is next years queen palm. The buzz moves around so fast. Like any hobby/collector item, once people have it, it is not as valuable.

For me, these are the ones I am trying to get or have found and need to buy:

#1 - Dypsis marojejyi

#2 - Dypsis mananjarensis (true form)

#3 - Hedyscepe canturburyana

#4 - Brahea decumbens

#5 - Licuala radula

I have about 20 more on the radar screen. Most seem to be Dypsis. Go figure.

Hedyscepes aren't that rare.

dave

I consider something you can only find at a specialty location somewhat rare. Also, have you ever found any in 20 gallon or larger? Considering I have spent months trying to find ones in 20 gallon or larger, and the fact they grow so slow, I would say they are certainly rare to me.

All five of those I mentioned grow well in SoCal. Dypsis marojejyi too. I have seen some nice ones in the ground.  But it all depends where you live in SoCal of course.

[Dypsisdean]

Patrick,

I know Bonita has great, and not so great, micro-climates. Tell us how well Howeas grow where you are and I will tell you what five rare palms I would plant if I were you. I am assuming you would like to select palms that will grow well for you.

Also, do you have a preference for small, medium, or large palms. And do you have a preference for pinnate or palmate varieties?

[BS Man about Palms]

(LJG @ Dec. 15 2006,18:36)

QUOTE

(Dave from So-Cal @ Dec. 15 2006,20:59)

QUOTE

(LJG @ Dec. 15 2006,20:55)

QUOTE

Patrick, like you I just started recently. Two years ago to be exact for the 'rare' stuff. But I have followed the forums and publications for a long time and one thing I know is that it changes every year! Today's gem dypsis is next years queen palm. The buzz moves around so fast. Like any hobby/collector item, once people have it, it is not as valuable.

For me, these are the ones I am trying to get or have found and need to buy:

#1 - Dypsis marojejyi

#2 - Dypsis mananjarensis (true form)

#3 - Hedyscepe canturburyana

#4 - Brahea decumbens

#5 - Licuala radula

I have about 20 more on the radar screen. Most seem to be Dypsis. Go figure.

[LJG]

I am not a complete idiot.

The largest I have seen is at Ron's house (neoflora). I had never heard of Dypsis marojejyi before, so when he gave the species, it flew by. But the common name stuck "Madagascar Foxtail" and I know it was a Dypsis. Not sure if some other Dypsis goes by "Madagascar Foxtail", if so it might have been that.  

I am pretty sure I recall seeing a Marojejya darianii in his front yard too. From what I understand, he gets some of his stuff from Dr. Mardy Darian. Maybe Ron will see this thread an confirm. Ron has a lot of amazing plants. The "Madagascar Foxtail" really stood out for me. I have been looking ever since.

[BS Man about Palms]

I consider something you can only find at a specialty location somewhat rare. Also, have you ever found any in 20 gallon or larger? Considering I have spent months trying to find ones in 20 gallon or larger, and the fact they grow so slow, I would say they are certainly rare to me.

All five of those I mentioned grow well in SoCal. Dypsis marojejyi too. I have seen some nice ones in the ground. But it all depends where you live in SoCal of course.
Sorry Len, The way I read this post, you had seen several Dyp. Maro. in the ground.....
The biggest I had seen was at Rons also. I have a small struggling one that I think I baked..

PS-Rons place is a good place to get some rare stuff, That's where I bought my OCWS and Big Curly.

Ron should be able to enjoy another trip to Costa Rica...

[BS Man about Palms]

So, do you know of any other Maro's. in the ground or large around here?

[LJG]

Nope. Just Rons stuff. I have heard one of my neighbors has some in the ground too here in Shadowridge. I don't know his name but Ron knows him. I drive by his house often hoping to catch him outside. Thinking about just knocking on his door and inviting myself to a tour.

You say you have one in the ground and it is struggling? Where did you get yours?

[BS Man about Palms]

small, in a pot, ..Florida.  Mardy Darian lives on the edge of Shadowridge, on the hill.  If its him, you WON'T invite yourself, unless you have cash... (maybe you know all this already)

[Matt in SD]

Patrick,

My first advice would be that if you have an acre of land and 100 palms, you are nowhere near the point where you need to be too picky.  If you want to create a jungle or rainforest type garden you are going to need a LOT of palms and palms that give good canopy.  Trust me, don't turn down a good deal on a nice palm because you think you already have enough.  I cringe to think of the palms that I didn't buy a few years ago when I was getting started.  Palms grow SLOW, some die, and they tend to not take up as much room as you expect them to (at least not for a long time).

As for rare stuff, one little secret that you learn after a little while (I've only been into this a little over four years) is that just because a palm is common at the specialty nurseries now doesn't mean it will be common in a few years.  This is especially true of Madagascar palms when the seed comes directly from Madagascar.  New Caledonian stuff can be like this too.

So right now I know that Jerry Andersen has lots of undescribed Raveneas (anivokely and manompana are my favorites) that are pretty spectacular and grow well around here.  He doesn't have too many of each left, and it may be 20 years before these are available again (when they seed in Hawaii or someplace else).

There are a lot of Kentiopsis pyriformis going around too and these are looking very promising.  Don't be turned off because all the specialty nurseries have them.  Who knows when another batch of seed will come out of NC.  

 

Dypsis oropedionis, 'kindreo', 'betafaka' and 'green boresy' are looking like they are all going to be very interesting palms, and like the others I've listed these might not show up again for a long time.

There are some really cool palms that can be grown well here such as Kentiopsis pyriformis and Licuala radula that I would say are more than rare.  I had a Licuala radula and it croaked this summer.  I've tried to find a replacement and as far as I can tell there is no one in the Northern hemisphere that has one for sale.  Kentiopsis piersoniorum I think is the same way.  So for these you just have to keep your eyes open and if you ever see them for sale, buy them quickly.

Matt

[MattyB]

Ok, were back:

Partial List - proven growers in SoCal (in no particular order)

1.Chamaedorea arenbergiana

2.Dypsis psammophila

3.Dypsis onilahensis weeping

4.Geonoma undata

5.Licuala ramsayi

6? Wallichia disticha

Ohhhh Matt in SD good suggestions.  I especially like Kentiopsis pyriformis & Kentiopsis piersoniorum.  My K. pyriformis is charging.  It's still holding one if it's first little bifid leaves perfectly green even though the leaf base has completely split around the growing stem.  It's awesome.

[LJG]

(BS, Man about Palms @ Dec. 16 2006,01:09)

QUOTE

small, in a pot, ..Florida.  Mardy Darian lives on the edge of Shadowridge, on the hill.  If its him, you WON'T invite yourself, unless you have cash... (maybe you know all this already)

I know. I was just joking. His 'jungle' can be seen from my neighborhood. I actually did not know that was his house until Ron told me.

[Dypsisdean]

(BS @ Man about Palms,Dec. 15 2006,19:27)

QUOTE

The biggest I had seen was at Rons also.  I have a small struggling one that I think I baked..

BILL,

YOU DID WHAT ?

[The Germinator]

Dave,  are you pimping any Hedyscepes

[palmaddict]

I live in perhaps one of the best climates in all of San Diego where I am located in Bonita.  My ten year low is 38 degrees as i live out of the river valley in the hills and therefore have excellent drainage in terms of eliminating the cold winter air.  I have several palms many describe as marginal for San Diego that are doing quite well (bottles, Joey).  When I speak of rare palms for San Diego I am of course interested in palms that will do well here.  I am looking for palms that are like the tree Ficus dammaropsis hard to obtain, exquisite, and grow well here.  Speaking of Ficus dammaropsis, I managed to get a 18 inch seedling free of charge from a research scientist (after a lot of leg work) and it now it is approaching five feet in height.

Patrick

[DoomsDave]

Chamadorea plumosa.

Chambeyronea.

Bismarckia.  Yeah, it's at HD, but it's SPECTACULAR!

dave

[Dypsisdean]

Patrick,

It sounds like you are approaching the terminal stages of palmitis. Welcome.

Matt in SD said it perfectly, "if you have an acre of land and 100 palms, you are nowhere near the point where you need to be too picky." And it sounds like a prime location. How's your soil?

And with that much property you could even get a few of the large canopy trees that some of the less full sun loving rare palms would enjoy.

So, as Matt suggested, I would get every Dypsis and Ravenea you can find. You may choose to skip the common ones in favor of rare. And anything New Caledonia.

I would assume you aready have the five I would suggest if I had to pick.

D. decipiens, Cambeyronia, R. glauca, any Dypsis in the baronii complex (especially onilahensis), Cyphophoenix elegans, and Bismarkia. These are all beautiful palms that would look good without struggling.

If you haven't joined the SoCal chapter, that's a must. Because visiting the many great gardens in the San Diego area will answer your question for you.

[DoomsDave]

Patrick:

I was into palms quite a while when I got my place on half an acre, in coastal hilly OC, and I was in such a dither about what to plant I didn't plant anything for a year, and not much for almost three years!

Now, I'm starting to catch up.

If you want to acquire, just acquire.  You have so much room.

And, please, puh-leeeeze post pictures!

dave (salaaming towards Bonita, SD)

[Jeff Searle]

(Dypsisdean @ Dec. 16 2006,01:41)

QUOTE

(BS @ Man about Palms,Dec. 15 2006,19:27)

QUOTE

The biggest I had seen was at Rons also.  I have a small struggling one that I think I baked..

BILL,

YOU DID WHAT ?

Bill,

    I'm sorry to hear about the little fella. I'll keep her in my prayers. That would be a shame if you were to loose her. A hard one to replace, I suppose.

I love reading all this stuff, too bad the question was geared towards you Cali. guys/girls. It's really,really hard to sit back with my hands tied!

Jeff

[Gtlevine]

When you talk of rare, must haves, that will very from person to person. My favorite palms and must haves are not necessarily the rarest. But given your qualifyers, here is my list.

1) Lytoagrus - (I have a nice five gallon plant from the mother plant created by Bill Dickenson). This may be one of the most rare and unusual palms out there. Definately a treasure for me.

2) Dypsi Bejofo - Very rare for So Cal, hard to find larger plants for sale. Mine are definately not for sale.

3) Brahea Moorei - Rare and beautiful, bulletproof and cold hardy.

4) Dypsis Marojejya - Should be a good grow in So Cal, but time will tell. Mine is five years from the size I would be willing to plant it in the ground.

5) Velonia Alba - Rare and stunning, don't know of any larger plants yet in So Cal. Saw large one in Hilo and it is by far the coolest New Caledonia Palm.

Gary

[STEVE IN SO CAL]

Dean beat me to the punch..."rare" sucks if the plant  always looks bad. I've been at this about 4 years, and I appreciate my garden for the plants that look GOOD...like they're happy to be in their spot.

All of the parajubaeas, Biz, "fakey" Dyp ambositrae and especially Rav Glauca do really well here. Go ahead and collect oddball stuff (I still do), but not to the exclusion of species that excel here. People will walk away from your garden remarking about the beautiful plants, not the strugglers.

Another pitfall for collectors of rare stuff, as I see it, is the inadvertant creation of a "plant zoo" type of garden. One of everything can look like a bunch of nothing. Pay attention when Bo posts pictures of his garden...planting enmass pays big divedends, IMHO

[bgl]

Steve,

thank you! And yes, I do believe in group plantings. If it's a smaller group, use odd numbers, 3, 5 or 7. Once you plant more than 8 or 9 of the same species it doesn't make a difference, though. And Patrick, if there's a palm you really like, plant as many as you can, in a little grove. As they grow up and mature, you will have something very unique.

But my reason for posting here was actually to chime in with Dean and confirm that some of the things Matt said are very true. I am specifically referring to his statement that "just because something is available now doesn't mean it's going to be available a few years from now". I didn't realize it at the time, but was very fortunate in the mid to late 90s, right after I moved to Hawaii, by being able to buy a number of palms that were ONLY available at that time. This was especially true of some of the unusual ones from Madagascar, and we may not be able to get any more of these, at least not until the ones we have in cultivation begin to flower.

Bo-Göran

[Moose]

  On 12/16/2006 at 5:27 AM, BS Man about Palms said:

(LJG @ Dec. 15 2006,18:36)

QUOTE

(Dave from So-Cal @ Dec. 15 2006,20:59)

QUOTE

(LJG @ Dec. 15 2006,20:55)

QUOTE

Patrick, like you I just started recently. Two years ago to be exact for the 'rare' stuff. But I have followed the forums and publications for a long time and one thing I know is that it changes every year! Today's gem dypsis is next years queen palm. The buzz moves around so fast. Like any hobby/collector item, once people have it, it is not as valuable.

For me, these are the ones I am trying to get or have found and need to buy:

#1 - Dypsis marojejyi

#2 - Dypsis mananjarensis (true form)

#3 - Hedyscepe canturburyana

#4 - Brahea decumbens

#5 - Licuala radula

I have about 20 more on the radar screen. Most seem to be Dypsis. Go figure.

Hedyscepes aren't that rare.

dave

I consider something you can only find at a specialty location somewhat rare. Also, have you ever found any in 20 gallon or larger? Considering I have spent months trying to find ones in 20 gallon or larger, and the fact they grow so slow, I would say they are certainly rare to me.

All five of those I mentioned grow well in SoCal. Dypsis marojejyi too. I have seen some nice ones in the ground. But it all depends where you live in SoCal of course.

Sorry Len, The way I read this post, you had seen several Dyp. Maro. in the ground.....

The biggest I had seen was at Rons also. I have a small struggling one that I think I baked..

PS-Rons place is a good place to get some rare stuff, That's where I bought my OCWS and Big Curly.

Ron should be able to enjoy another trip to Costa Rica...

[Sabal Steve]

Sabal causiarum

Sabal yapa

Sabal mauritiformis

Sabal "lisa"

Sabal blackburniana

[LJG]

Mooseman I think you just set a record for a time warp bump. wow, so much has changed since this this thread 8 years back.

[Moose]

  On 12/19/2014 at 11:00 PM, LJG said:

Mooseman I think you just set a record for a time warp bump. wow, so much has changed since this this thread 8 years back.

Kinda the reason for the bump. Some of listed palms you don't hear about (may not have done so well), others are relatively common fair for the So Cal enthusiasts. New palms, seeds and the sharing of cultivating techniques has brought forth an incredible selection of "rare" species that are doing well.

A great thread which warrants updated listings of palms IMO. Some don't appreciate the bumps and are probably thankful that the previous forum crashed.

[LJG]

Reading my 5 rare palms in this thread I ended up getting all 5. All do well in the ground here. Some of course are no longer rare

[BS Man about Palms]

Fun to read what we all wrote...

[BS Man about Palms]

Fun to read our old posts indeed.

The above happens when a glitch in the space - time continuum occurs