Trithrinax acanthacoma and schizophylla

[tank]

I have a few small Trithrinax schizophyllas that are about 5 years old. I lost two that were planted out in the open two winters ago when I experienced a low temp of 14F. The few that were planted under canopy did better and are growing steady (although very slow). Schizophylla seems to be fairing well in my N. Florida yard and I was thinking about trying to track down an T. acanthacoma. I would appreciate folks giving their experiences with this palm under similar conditions. I have hot humid summers, and cool dry winters with the occasional brutal freeze (upper teens).

Also, I have tried multiple T. campestris in the yard, and while they seem to grow OK in containers in my area, they seem to take a nose dive when planted in the ground, similar to the experience others have had trying to grow this palm in the SE US. Potentially nematodes or some other soil condition has does them in.

Thanks!

[Mandrew968]

Campestris is the hardiest to cold and the best looking, IMO. Sorry to hear your bad luck with this species--Makes me wonder who has one growing in the ground, in Florida...

[buccaneers37]

Campestris is the hardiest to cold and the best looking, IMO. Sorry to hear your bad luck with this species--Makes me wonder who has one growing in the ground, in Florida...

I had one growing for about two years and just have recently lost it. I had it planted in a fairly shady location (hadn't started to plant in my front yard yet)and I got lots of rain this year. I just don't think that it was ever able to get dried out by the sun and it eventually rotted. It had been growing slow, but steady. I am trying to get a replacement for it now. I'm going to plant this one out in the front yard in the sun & in fast draining sand. I have a small T. schizophylla in my front yard that looks fine, it just hasn't grown at all.

[edbrown_III]

T. acanthrocoma aka brasiliensis is prett cold hardy --- I had one planted out as a 3 gallon and it didnt get hurt by the 1989 freeze. Theres several at the garden at FCCJ in Jax as well that were planted in 1988. Merrill had one in gainesville that survived all the 80's freezes. I have seen T. campestris in Oakland and at Dick Douglas place in N. Ca --- this i think took a 14F if I am not mistaken. You might also look at Kanapaha and see what survived there if you havent already.

Best regards

Ed

[tank]

Ed,

I believe Merrill's T. acanthacoma was killed by Weevils, if I remember correctly.

Is your T. acanthacoma still alive? There were two at Kanapaha that seemed to have been recently planted when I saw them, and both looked to be near death. I don't remember seeing them at the garden the last time I was there. Unfortunately, they've had a bad occurrence of ganoderma (I think) in the palm grove, and have lost several plants.

[iwan]

I have had a small T. acanthacoma in the ground for several years. It does not like extended cold/wet winters, developing crown rot the last three springs. It readily pushes out of it when the weather warms up though, but so far it is a slug.

[edbrown_III]

Tank,

Good to hear from you --- I have lost th em over the years but still have a large one -- 8 foot of trunk -- Alot of times you just have to keep trying --- The ones at FCCj are still there (last time I checked)I'll will try a post oa picture

Best regards

Ed

[Alberto]

T. acanthrocoma aka brasiliensis is prett cold hardy --

Ed

T.acanthocoma and T.brasiliensis are now two different species. There habitats are separated and the look of both palms is also different.

[edbrown_III]

Alberto,

I know ,but I have lumping tendencies which I have to fight constantly.

Best regards

Ed

[tank]

Ed,

Do you know a Florida (or Georgia) source for T. acanthocoma or brasiliensis? I'm pretty sure that I've never seen these for sale, even at the infrequent palm society meeting I'll attend. They are on the list of palms that I would rather not start from seed.

[Nigel]

T acanthacoma and brasiliensis are not slow growers like the others , so you can grow them from seed into decent palms within a few years.

[Alberto]

They are not FAST growers but aren't slow either.

This little palms (pic from april 2004) are fruiting for the second year now.

But T.schyzophilla and T.campestris is another story: sloooowwwwwwwwww..............

http://home-and-gard...047705136FyXjrL

[edbrown_III]

Come by some time I have seeds in summer its been seeding regularly in april I have such a large canopy I havent tried to expand them much

Best regards

Ed

[Kathryn]

I planted this Trithrinax acanthocoma from a 3 gallon pot in 2006. The first picture was taken in 2007 and the second in December 2008. The lowest temperature I've had since this palm was planted was 22°F. There was no damage when it snowed in 2008, but temperature didn't drop below 32°F at that time.

I removed this palm last spring and planted it at my farm since it is one of the few palms that should be able to take the cold there - probably will see infrequent lows in the upper teens. It grew just fine all summer, as if it hadn't even been moved. I'll let you know how it does this winter.

[tank]

Everyone, thank your for your experiences. Going to try both acanthacoma and brasiliensis. I wonder if seed was distributed/sold as acanthacoma that was actually brasiliensis?

Also, I thought schizophylla was faster than campestris and that my plant just wasn't happy. Now I know that this one is a crawler. It is about 5 years old and only about the size of those in Alberto's 2004 pictures. Its still looking great though and seems to tolerate my climate/soil conditions much better than campestris.

Ed, I will definitely take you up on your offer for seed. Just let me know when they're ready and I'll try to remember to remind you . My inlaws have a house in Fernandina and we go up there all the time. I'll make sure and stop by if you're not busy. Also, I hope you got some rain from the last front, we received about 1.5" or so, not enough to put a dent in the drought, but MUCH more than they were forecasting.

[Eric in Orlando]

Trithrinax acanthacoma grows well here. We have one about 6ft tall, planted July 1996. It is in full sun and well drained sandy soil but gets irrigated. We used to have a nice T. campestris but it was getting shaded by a nearby tree and eventually it got too shaded and died. I have one to plant out this spring. It should do well also with similar conditions. Also, both like good air circulation.

Here is the T. acanthacoma. Photo is from 2007, it is several feet taller.

[Nigel]

Everyone, thank your for your experiences. Going to try both acanthacoma and brasiliensis. I wonder if seed was distributed/sold as acanthacoma that was actually brasiliensis?

I think you will struggle to find true brasiliensis. Almost all sold as brasiliensis is acanthacoma.

Here is true brasiliensis.

[edbrown_III]