Nypa fruticans

[Scott McDonald]

Howdy Y'all,

Recently, I purchased several N. fruticans seeds from a vendor in Thailand. Unfortunately when they arrived, the seeds were crushed and dessicated. The vendor has agreed to ship more when he has time available to collect more seed, but in the meantime, I was wondering if anyone here knew of a place stateside which carried these elusive creatures.

Best Regards,

Scott McDonald

[Stevetoad]

where are you going to grow these? arnt they super tropical and only grow in wet swamps?

[Scott McDonald]

I have some brackish swampland in a zone 9b. These would be planted next to some existing black mangrove bushes, at approximately the same elevation.

[tropicbreeze]

Their preference is for wet swampy conditions in a fine silt. But they will grow in drier (surface) soil if their roots can reach water. I collected some seeds recently and hope to get good germination. But the problem is with the underground trunk if your trying pot culture. The underground trunk soon runs out of pot.

In habitat they look impressive, although otherwise a fairly plain palm. But the "who-else-has-one" factor makes them very appealing and desirable.

[Scott McDonald]

I have wet swampy conditions, with a gooey silty shoreline approximately 3m (9') width...Blood clams galore. At low tide it is exposed, and at high tide it is .2m (8") submerged.

[Zeeth]

Good luck! Keep us updated in case they get damaged in the cold.

[tropicbreeze]

I have wet swampy conditions, with a gooey silty shoreline approximately 3m (9') width...Blood clams galore. At low tide it is exposed, and at high tide it is .2m (8") submerged.

Make sure they get plenty of freshwater input. They don't grow where water is mostly saline. They're usually in high rainfall areas with regular freshwater flows, or lots of freshwater seepage.

[Eric in Orlando]

They seem to be very similar to Cocos in their hardiness. I had two planted out and they were killed killed in the 2009-10 winter. It never got below 29F but we had a dozen nights below freezing and many others in the low-mid 30sF.

I planted another out this summer to try again.

[Scott McDonald]

The area these would be planted has an average salinity of 7ppt, going from approx 3-15ppt with the tide. So

Hopefully the gentleman sends a replacement package of seeds, so that I may give these a go, as have been unable to find these stateside.

There was a fella by the name of Christian who had some a few years ago, but have been unsuccessful at getting in touch with him to see if he has/had/knew where to get a few seedlings domestically.

Eric-Do you know someone who can provide me a few?

Edited September 18, 2012 by Scott McDonald

[Eric in Orlando]

Mine came from a mailorder nursery called Asiatica that has since shut down. Rarepalmseeds have had them in the past.

[redant]

I have never seen them grow outside of Miami in the US, I hardly think you would be successful. I tried one and it died over one winter.

[PalmnutVN]

I believe the seeds germinate on the inflorescence before falling into the water. Here in Vietnam, the seed balls are sold by the roadside. The jelly like core is considered to be a delicacy. I've tried many times to germinate these seeds but to no avail.

Thankfully, Iast week I had the chance to travel down to the Mekong area where I managed to find some germinated seeds in situ and procured a couple of them for my collection.

Anyone else had any luck with these?

[PalmatierMeg]

I received a couple from a fellow in the UK who brought a bunch back from Thailand. They never germinated. I have the feeling this palm would not survive long term here.

[Really full garden]

I have one growing in a pot in my lily pond. It is really slow for me in my highland garden.I am always in the 62-82F range.I think they like it hotter.I am thinking of moving it down to my beach place.

[Mandrew968]

Scott, let me save you some time by telling you how tropical these palms are--VERY VERY VERY tropical. Much more so than a coconut! Montgomery Botanical has them and they seed from time to time, but when we have a cold snap, they get burnt back pretty heavily--and they live almost in the water(their lows couldn't be lower than the 40's). I would definitely say they are more along the cold hardiness of a Cyrtostachys or in the best case, a Pritchardia pacifica. When I read zone 9, I actually laughed, no offense!

[KrisKupsch]

Im at 28 deg South and whilst i managed to have P.pacifica survive winter all my Nypa have died at the first sign of winter despite being wet. Yes they are in the Lipstick category and possibly even more woosy than them! I have heard of someone in Mackay having one live but not south of there.

[tropicbreeze]

Just north of Townsville they're okay, they grow naturally. Haven't heard of them growing naturally south of there, such as the Whitsundays, etc.

[aussiearoids]

Mate has seen them near Bosworths place in Ingham .

THey should be at Palmetum in Townsvile.

[Tropicgardener]

Leo Gamble on the Sunshine Coast had one growing along his creek for a few years until it got washed away one summer It was the furtherest south that I knew of one existing.

[aussiearoids]

Another mate who lives on the Isis River swears blind he has seen some along the Burrum River somewhere .

I doubt it though .

[Tropicgardener]

Another mate who lives on the Isis River swears blind he has seen some along the Burrum River somewhere .

I doubt it though .

Possibly a grouping of young coconuts maybe ???

[cassowaryhill]

Hi guys. Anyone care to perhaps elaborate anymore on where I could get seed or plant? Seeing I live in Mackay, it's worth a shot. Thanks guys Shane

[aussiearoids]

Saw heaps of fruits ripening in the Lakes part of the Cairns Botanic gardens just a few weeks ago .. wonder if they have caught the giant croc that was living there ?

[tropicbreeze]

There's some in the palmetum in Townsville, and they grow along the creeks around Hinchinbrook Island and adjacent mainland.

[Moose]

Hi guys. Anyone care to perhaps elaborate anymore on where I could get seed or plant? Seeing I live in Mackay, it's worth a shot. Thanks guys Shane

You can check at this site. They may be available on a limited basis from time to time.

http://www.montgomerybotanical.org/Pages/SeedBank_Auction.htm