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Acanthophoenix rousselii Ludvig


Al in Kona

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I acquired a few seed of this rare palm, Acanthophoenix rousselii Ludvig and was wondering what might be the best method or medium for planting them?  Any suggestions appreciated.

Also, what do you know about this palm?  I know next to nothing so any info you can give would be most helpful.

Hawaii Island (Big Island), leeward coast, 19 degrees N. latitude, south Kona mauka at approx. 380m (1,250 ft.) and about 1.6 km (1-mile) upslope from ocean.

 

No record of a hurricane passing over this island (yet!).  

Summer maximum rainfall - variable averaging 900-1150mm (35-45") - Perfect drainage on black volcanic rocky soil.  

Nice sunsets!

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Hi Al,

I got some of this seed from RPS a couple of weeks ago. So far no signs of life yet.

Anyway there was a big write up about the Acanthophoenix species in the last Palms mag.

A rousselii comes from a small area at around 650m altitude on Reunion on the outskirts of the town of Tampon. This is not far from the home of Hyophorbe indica. (I've been looking at Reunion on Google Earth, quite amazing)

It basically resembles A rubra except for some subtle differences, such as seed size, leaf style etc, and of course altitude. A rubra is typically lowland, A roussellii is transitional lowland/highland, A crinita is highland to 2000m altitude and is white in the crown not red or brown.

I'm trying to germinate mine the way I've had success with Hyophorbe indica, which is placing the seeds on a bed of perlite/vermiculite that is moist and cover it with moist-not wet spaghnum moss in a plastic takeaway container and lid. I then place it on a mild heat source to get the temp to 30-32C. Fluctuating night/day temps are fine, maybe beneficial.

Hope this helps and I hope yours come up. The article did say that the seed had to be sown almost instantly to get any decent germination at all. I'm hoping mine aren't dead.  :(

regards

Tyrone

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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Hey thanks much Tyrone.  Let's see what happens now.  I am soaking the seeds in water for a couple days as they arrived dry.

Hawaii Island (Big Island), leeward coast, 19 degrees N. latitude, south Kona mauka at approx. 380m (1,250 ft.) and about 1.6 km (1-mile) upslope from ocean.

 

No record of a hurricane passing over this island (yet!).  

Summer maximum rainfall - variable averaging 900-1150mm (35-45") - Perfect drainage on black volcanic rocky soil.  

Nice sunsets!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi Al,

How are your seeds going? I just need to add something to this one. If your seeds are shiny black they are still covered in there flesh. This will have to be removed to ensure some viability. Apparently unpeeled and uncleaned seed has low rates at around 4% for fresh seed. I hazard a guess 0% for older well travelled seed.

regards

Tyrone

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

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