3 minutes ago, DoomsDave said:

Palmgo LIKE picture! 

I will post. I will post. 

Just now, Tyrone said:

I will post. I will post. 

Growl! Gurgle!!

3 hours ago, Tyrone said:

A bit of a bump. How are everyones Acanthophoenix going now.

I'm planning to plant my Acanthophoenix rubra tomorrow. 

I’m also curious about how these have been going... I’ve got 4 in pots, and the biggest are ready for the ground also.  Not sure how they will fare in the sun here.  They seem to like some sun early on, and plenty of water.   I was going to put one in the ground in the next few days too.  

Here’s my one and only with two in a pot. Gotta love those spines. 

Tyrone,

A. rubra has become a lot more available here in the last few years, so it’s a bit more easy to access growth rates. My next door neighbor and I are fortunate enough to each have all 3 species growing. At least we think we’re growing rousellii, although I’ve always thought that it’s possible might be hybrids. But definitely different palms regardless. The growth rates of all 3 are the same and can be quite fast, especially if you’re growing in his yard. When they’re happy, they can really go. His rousellii has one of the most attractive, tropical crowns and is currently flowering. My rubras is 3+ meters tall and plugs away. His crinita is growing vertically at a tremendous pace, though it’s only been in the ground for about 4 years. Definitely one of my favorite genus. How big is one you’re planting out tomorrow?

Bret

Edited January 20, 20233 yr by quaman58

Here’s one of his rousellii from a couple years back..

39 minutes ago, quaman58 said:

Tyrone,

A. rubra has become a lot more available here in the last few years, so it’s a bit more easy to access growth rates. My next door neighbor and I are fortunate enough to each have all 3 species growing. At least we think we’re growing rousellii, although I’ve always thought that it’s possible might be hybrids. But definitely different palms regardless. The growth rates of all 3 are the same and can be quite fast, especially if you’re growing in his yard. When they’re happy, they can really go. His rousellii has one of the most attractive, tropical crowns and is currently flowering. My rubras is 3+ meters tall and plugs away. His crinita is growing vertically at a tremendous pace, though it’s only been in the ground for about 4 years. Definitely one of my favorite genus. How big is one you’re planting out tomorrow?

Bret

I see that yours also saw 29F with no canopy too, which is promising. Mine is maybe 4ft above the pot and has seen inside my shadehouse probably 29F on about 3 occasions. It yellows a bit but grows out of it. I get the same issue with my Archontophoenix alexandrae and cunninghamiana in there in places so I reckon they’re about the same in cold sensitivity. 

Where I will be planting it is in a shadier rainforest part of my garden which gets more winter sun. It’s really quite protected from frost in there. 

I could never get A rouselii to germinate. I tried and tried and tried and tried with 100% failure rate. 

I got these from Floribunda as 1g in May 2022.  Potted them up in a heavy mix, odd sized pots… like maybe 4g?  I tucked them into the understory areas.  

They seem to like water, and I think wanted more sun, but can’t take full Florida sun this past year without burning.   I’m not sure how they’ll respond to the soil here, or if they’ll eventually be able to take the sun here, but Reunion/Marutis/Round Island palms seem to do well here, so perhaps they will take.  

Their original fronds are shriveling up.  They seem a little slow, but are doing ok.  Not great, but OK.   

 

I’ve also got a Deckenia nobilis, which is kind of similar looking, but more relaxed leaflets and more finicky .   

Not 100% sure what they like for feeding, water and conditions, so Im just fumbling through.   

On Saturday, in the ground it went. My soil is basically peat over clay, but the area I planted it is just above the flood level in my rainforest garden. I dug a largish hole and filled it up with the aged soil from my chicken coup, with side lashings of pelletised chicken manure and an organic fert which has rock minerals and goodies in it. After that I drenched the hole a bit so hopefully it likes where it is and bounds forth with lush growth in this warm humid weather we’ve been very lucky to have.

Grown from seed…like watching a child grow up! Looks as happy as a clam Tyrone..

WOW! Simply wow! Well, the Acanthophoenix is a kind of "my" palm. Long-time user will still know this.
When we talk about growing this palm in European ares like Germany, it gets tricky and difficult. Especially in winters which can be longer than expected, growing them is a true challenge.

After decades and some thousands of Euro, I made it. They live longer than 6 weeks. Meanwhile those I have are all more than 1 year here with me. This is something what I can't sill believe.

My personal insights for our climate are the following:
1. I have NEVER seen a palm so touchy before regarding overwatering. It seems, any drop of water too much lead to the end of the plant, especially after delivery and at young age. So, I had to learn that less is more. And it works.
2. The soil: a local grower at La Reunion told me to use 2/3 humus and 1/3 common palm soil. Now I have mixed my "own" which is the recommended mixture plus perlite, citrus plant soil & lava stone.
3. Seedlings up to about 50 cm don't like full sun, you have to avoid this. Older plants don't have a problem with it.

4. Last but not least: there is nothing like humidity, even for this palm. So, Spraying many times a day is an essential thing.

 

Do you want to know crazy news? 50 Acanthos have been shipped and are in delivery. And then ... there will be no free space at any window. 😃

Mine continue to grow at a steady rate.  Looking ok, but not perfect.  Not crazy fast.  A little yellowing here and there, not sure why.   Moved them back to their summer spot, where the get AM and PM angled sun, but are protected from mid day sun.   

This is really interesting. What I could see at nearly all pics is a kind of leave yellowing. I always thought this a problem of my palms but seems to me more one of the palm in general.

This is what they look like when they grow up. From the Carrere-Pesce garden, Big Island Hawaii.

 

 

🥰🥰🥰

I took some photos of these in the wild in Reunion Will eventually get onto posting them.

My two I planted have opened out really green leaves. We are cooling down now so it will be interesting to see how they go over winter in the ground.

The books all say that this palm is a lowland tropical palm, and maybe when this was still more plentiful in the wild (not nearly extinct) it may have already been missing from mid elevation areas and been described as such. We found many A rubra growing in gardens up to around 1400m elevation in Reunion and they were seeding and very happy. It was about the elevation we saw Archontophoenix alexandrae as well in gardens. 

6 hours ago, Tyrone said:

The books all say that this palm is a lowland tropical palm, and maybe when this was still more plentiful in the wild (not nearly extinct) it may have already been missing from mid elevation areas and been described as such. We found many A rubra growing in gardens up to around 1400m elevation in Reunion and they were seeding and very happy. It was about the elevation we saw Archontophoenix alexandrae as well in gardens. 

I keep my fingers crossed, Tyrone! It will ... no, it MUST work! We should support this rare palm, so do I. 🙂 Acanthophoenix should tolerate temperatures down to minus 2 °C | 28 °F, less becomes really critical.
The grower in La Réunion told me that especially the A. crinita is more robust and even grows in heights the rubra won't do this any longer. I think, the plant is in a process of adaption somehow.

13 hours ago, Tyrone said:

I took some photos of these in the wild in Reunion Will eventually get onto posting them.

My two I planted have opened out really green leaves. We are cooling down now so it will be interesting to see how they go over winter in the ground.

The books all say that this palm is a lowland tropical palm, and maybe when this was still more plentiful in the wild (not nearly extinct) it may have already been missing from mid elevation areas and been described as such. We found many A rubra growing in gardens up to around 1400m elevation in Reunion and they were seeding and very happy. It was about the elevation we saw Archontophoenix alexandrae as well in gardens. 

Can you talk a little more about the conditions these seemed to do well in, over there?  Soil types, rainfall, sun exposure, and day/night temps.   This info is hard to come by sometimes, and can help a lot with raising specific palms.  

Most sources out there are more focused on how many centimeters the leaflets are, and how many branches are in the inflorescences.   Sometimes I wish there were more practical books and articles geared toward growers, rather than taxonomists.  

7 hours ago, Z4Devil said:

I keep my fingers crossed, Tyrone! It will ... no, it MUST work! We should support this rare palm, so do I. 🙂 Acanthophoenix should tolerate temperatures down to minus 2 °C | 28 °F, less becomes really critical.
The grower in La Réunion told me that especially the A. crinita is more robust and even grows in heights the rubra won't do this any longer. I think, the plant is in a process of adaption somehow.

A Crinita is a great looking palm too.   I think it comes from a higher elevation than Rubra and therefore tolerates cool weather and less sun better.   

 

Versus lower elevation and hotter areas for Rubra....

 

35 minutes ago, Looking Glass said:

A Crinita is a great looking palm too.   I think it comes from a higher elevation than Rubra and therefore tolerates cool weather and less sun better.   

Versus lower elevation and hotter areas for Rubra....

Fully agree, you are right. The crinita grows in higher areas and tolerates more "coldness" and storm.
The rubra is more common but very touchy. 
Would give everything for a A. rousselii or its seeds. 🙂

1 hour ago, Z4Devil said:

Would give everything for a A. rousselii or its seeds. 🙂

Good luck finding that one!  

Somewehere over the rainbow ...

Today is my day! It took just one week to ship & deliver the 50 Acanthos from La Reúnion to Germany - usually we talk about 3 - 4. 😇
They look like my private little palm army and are in perfect condition. For about 2 weeks I'll keep them in the original pot & soil for acclimatizing. Have made bad experiences with barerooted specimen and potting them directly. 
The soil is dry, of course, one reduces the weight and shipping costs. Means they are always pretty thirsty. The first 2.5 l I are already gone, within less then 4 minutes. After 2 - 3 hours the same once again. Works perfect, the soil is not wet just moist, crazy. And: DON'T water them from the top, always from the bottom! Of course they were also already under the shower, its the first thing I do after unboxing.

Anyway, Verena is more than happy.  🥰

On 1/20/2023 at 4:15 PM, Looking Glass said:

I got these from Floribunda as 1g in May 2022.  Potted them up in a heavy mix, odd sized pots… like maybe 4g?  I tucked them into the understory areas.  

They seem to like water, and I think wanted more sun, but can’t take full Florida sun this past year without burning.   I’m not sure how they’ll respond to the soil here, or if they’ll eventually be able to take the sun here, but Reunion/Marutis/Round Island palms seem to do well here, so perhaps they will take.  

Their original fronds are shriveling up.  They seem a little slow, but are doing ok.  Not great, but OK.   

 

I’ve also got a Deckenia nobilis, which is kind of similar looking, but more relaxed leaflets and more finicky .   

Not 100% sure what they like for feeding, water and conditions, so Im just fumbling through.   

How is that Deckenia doing now?

48 minutes ago, Kaname-kun said:

How is that Deckenia doing now?

I’ve been a little more ruthless about culling laggards lately.    That one grew, looking a bit miserable in the summer, so I let it go, along with the two slowest Rubras.  In a battle between the two, A. rubra was the very similar, but more colorful type, so I stuck with those.   

The Rubras behave oddly for me.  Similar to the Dekenia.  Growing slowly, not overly happy, yellowing at times.   They seem to want a lot of water and good soil, and some sun, but then it appears to be too hot in the sun for them.  They don’t seem overly happy in the hot-sunny season.  I think they want a less harsh, more steady climate overall.    I think either would have a chance here if kept wet, babied, and in a somewhat protected spot with ideal light.  
Mine are ho-hum at best.  

Up-potting is, quite literally, a pain.   

I agree the rubras are quite colorful. They did fine for me, but for some reason I gave them away. . . . I am pondering trying to add to my Seychelles species, which is why I asked about the Deckenia, but it doesn't seem particularly interesting, so . . . I think I'll cull it in advance (before I buy any).

11 minutes ago, Kaname-kun said:

I agree the rubras are quite colorful. They did fine for me, but for some reason I gave them away. . . . I am pondering trying to add to my Seychelles species, which is why I asked about the Deckenia, but it doesn't seem particularly interesting, so . . . I think I'll cull it in advance (before I buy any).

That big cypress might give an ideal balance between sunlight and protection.   The mature Deckenia has those fronds that remind me of the Satakentia and Neovechia-esque tropical flowy-flowy vibe.  The one I picked up was a small one from Searle brothers and did fine under ideal greenhouse conditions, just not as well exposed.  

I saw this one at Leu Gardens a couple of years ago. It looked pretty happy and had a couple feet of trunk. I was there again a couple of months back but I don’t remember seeing it then. Hopefully it’s still kickin’

58 minutes ago, Looking Glass said:

Up-potting is, quite literally, a pain.   

On my spiny devils I like to trim the points of the spines then wrap an old T shirt around a hand size area of the trunk. The t-shirt ends up being over an inch thick so nothing gets through….well usually 🙂 

Call it love, passion or obsession - doesn't matter. This is MY palm for eternity.
They came as seedlings, of about 20 - 25 cm height. This was in March last year. 

In the meantime - this summer (first 2 pics):

And indoor in October, 24 (last 6)

Believe it or not: they seem to explode, their growing is so fast, nearly crazy. Every palm has a new leaf, some have 2. Especially the rub has a kind of a red line along the new leaf when it gets older.

 

 

On 10/6/2024 at 4:55 PM, Z4Devil said:

Call it love, passion or obsession - doesn't matter. This is MY palm for eternity.
They came as seedlings, of about 20 - 25 cm height. This was in March last year. 

In the meantime - this summer (first 2 pics):

And indoor in October, 24 (last 6)

Believe it or not: they seem to explode, their growing is so fast, nearly crazy. Every palm has a new leaf, some have 2. Especially the rub has a kind of a red line along the new leaf when it gets older.

 

 

Is good to hear that they are fast growers.  I currently have some seeds that I am propagating,  only one has germinated so far and is not putting on much growth.

Hopefully it will have growth spurt next year!

1 hour ago, RichardHemsley said:

Is good to hear that they are fast growers.  I currently have some seeds that I am propagating,  only one has germinated so far and is not putting on much growth.

Hopefully it will have growth spurt next year!

Richard, will keep my fingers crossed. 😎

Well, normally, the rubra isn't that fast growing hero; it is more known as mid-to-slow-grower. Exactly that's why I am more than surprised of their current growing. Especially in the German climate; but: we had a pretty long and warm summer with high humidity. So, they had natural conditions, maybe, which explains their rocket speed. Over many years I've found out which soil mix they like and which not. It works. 🙂

In parallel, I have about 100 seeds of the rubra on the heating mat - since August last year; so far, no signs of germinating. A good friend of mine (who is living in La Réunion) told me, that Acanthophoenix needs very long to germinate - up to 2 years!
Thus, stay patient and believe in them.

22 hours ago, Z4Devil said:

Richard, will keep my fingers crossed. 😎

Well, normally, the rubra isn't that fast growing hero; it is more known as mid-to-slow-grower. Exactly that's why I am more than surprised of their current growing. Especially in the German climate; but: we had a pretty long and warm summer with high humidity. So, they had natural conditions, maybe, which explains their rocket speed. Over many years I've found out which soil mix they like and which not. It works. 🙂

In parallel, I have about 100 seeds of the rubra on the heating mat - since August last year; so far, no signs of germinating. A good friend of mine (who is living in La Réunion) told me, that Acanthophoenix needs very long to germinate - up to 2 years!
Thus, stay patient and believe in them.

Well getting one to germinate in 4 months is a result then! Also have some A.rouselii on the heat mat, both came from an IPS member from La Reunion. Will have wait and stay patient.