Another "real" Dypsis ambositrae

[Billeb]

13 minutes ago, richnorm said:

Yes,  leaves were perfect in all cases, even the spear looks ok but just stops moving.  I think it was possibly already dead in this photo.  After a while you get suspicious and then that sickening feeling as the spear slides out!  I always try H2O2 but it rarely works.

Rich, I have a Rhopalastylis that pulled a spear and I did the peroxide treatment. After nearly 8 months I’ve got positive growth and it looks like it may recover.  I was told the plant looked to be planted too low and the heal was under grade. This may be the reason your Ambositrae met it’s demise as it also has a heal obviously.  Definite sickening feeling when you get a spear pull. Hate it…

-dale 

[deezpalms]

On 8/7/2013 at 3:13 PM, Brahea Axel said:

Still trying to figure this out, but if I understand right, there are three dypsis that go under the name 'ambositrae':

 

1) dypsis ambositrae 'plumosa' now renamed dypsis plumosa, chocolate brown when juvenile and plumose

2) dypsis ambositrae, the real ambositrae that grows like a weed, named properly by Dransfield and co.

3) dypsis ambositrae 'kidreo' that a few collectors are now calling the "true ambositrae"

 

So I am really curious, why confuse the whole world by introducing yet another dypsis that isn't actually an ambositrae, but came in labeled as 'kidreo'? Jeff Marcus is selling 2) as ambositrae, the seeds come from Madagascar and it's a real nice decent growing fast and easy dypsis that really has tremendous potential as a palm for non-collectors. 2) really looks nothing like decipiens, although there is now talk of it being found in other locations which happens to also be where decipiens grow.

 

All in all, 2) is a dynamite plant for Norcal.

I agree with this

[Brad52]

Dunno know if mine's 'real' or not, no red at all and has produced a few leaves in the year+ I've had it.

[Brad52]

Does the apparent lack of red on the petioles suggest then, that this might not be D ambositrae?

[Billeb]

Wanted to update this thread as it’s been a few years and recently snapped a picture of my Ambositrae. Pictures are a little over 2yrs apart. I feel like it’s pretty good growth and it’s starting to get some girth to the trunk….I’ll take it. One of my favorite palms that can be grown here in SoCal. Let’s see some updates people…

 

-dale 

[BayAndroid]

Just planted mine out, it's the real deal. 

 

 

 

[Palmiz]

2 hours ago, BayAndroid said:

Just planted mine out, it's the real deal. 

 

 

 

Very nicely fresh plantings! One thing about that schefflera tree is that I love those trees but. I once had one planted next to my pond to shade it. Then I seen one at a friend's house that was near their house foundation and deck, tree looked very nice but not the ground. The roots get aggressive unlike palms, I quickly remove mine. Just a heads up. Is that a decipiens to the right front? Very nice Ambositrae by the way!

[BayAndroid]

8 hours ago, Palmiz said:

Very nicely fresh plantings! One thing about that schefflera tree is that I love those trees but. I once had one planted next to my pond to shade it. Then I seen one at a friend's house that was near their house foundation and deck, tree looked very nice but not the ground. The roots get aggressive unlike palms, I quickly remove mine. Just a heads up. Is that a decipiens to the right front? Very nice Ambositrae by the way!

Yeah, I'm not too worried about the Schefflera, they bearly make it here. The first two years it defoliated (I have a frosty microclimate). A lot of these plants are right on the edge of making it here, so we'll see how things go. You're correct, that's a Decipiens! 

[Tracy]

On 8/2/2013 at 10:30 AM, edric said:

Hi Matty, mine came in as Kidreo, from J. D. Andersen's, the newest petiole next to the new spear is red, as your two big ones are, and all the rest of that var. are, the last one in post two is just like mine, I adjusted the brightness/contrast in this habitat photo, it is the real deal, IMO, Ed

I see a lot of similarity in the palm I purchased and am growing as Dypsis now Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae.  Mine dropped a leaf to expose its first attempt to produce an inflorescence this morning.  It is a great looking mid-size palm.  It's formal looking structure looks nice in that habitat photo where it really stands out.

[Tracy]

I initially had hopes for a flower spathe that was emerging from below the retained leaf sheaths on my Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae. 

As time passed it just wasn't pushing but the sheath came off the leaf holding it in several days ago.  It didn't look good.  This morning the spathe was dangling by a thread, soon to fall off.  Progress from last August but not enough. 

[Tracy]

On 5/18/2025 at 4:57 PM, Tracy said:

I initially had hopes for a flower spathe that was emerging from below the retained leaf sheaths on my Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae. 

As time passed it just wasn't pushing but the sheath came off the leaf holding it in several days ago.  It didn't look good.  This morning the spathe was dangling by a thread, soon to fall off.  Progress from last August but not enough. 

Another try at flowering.

[Jonathan]

On 5/25/2024 at 4:24 PM, BayAndroid said:

Just planted mine out, it's the real deal. 

 

 

 

How did this one go for you last winter? Curious to know whether this species is worth pursuing down here in a similar mild, slightly frosty climate, or whether it'd just end up as another struggling marginal?

[tim_brissy_13]

41 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

How did this one go for you last winter? Curious to know whether this species is worth pursuing down here in a similar mild, slightly frosty climate, or whether it'd just end up as another struggling marginal?

Might survive ok, I know Troy has baronii growing well and I’d say they are similarly hardy, ambostrae may even edge baronii in hardiness to absolute cold. But it will be very slow down there. Mine has taken ages to get going but is now moving along very nicely. 

[Jonathan]

10 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Might survive ok, I know Troy has baronii growing well and I’d say they are similarly hardy, ambostrae may even edge baronii in hardiness to absolute cold. But it will be very slow down there. Mine has taken ages to get going but is now moving along very nicely. 

Thanks Tim, thats encouraging, might be worth a try then. ..I  think @happypalms might have some seedlings? He's certainly got everything else!

[Billeb]

Another year has passed since an update. Doesn’t look too different but it definitely takes up more room in all directions.  Got to step back for pics. here it is….

-dale 

[happypalms]

4 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Thanks Tim, thats encouraging, might be worth a try then. ..I  think @happypalms might have some seedlings? He's certainly got everything else!

They tell a warm day in Tasmania is rare! How is Siberia now in spring, been getting lovely 35 degree days, perfect for germinating rare palms!

[Tracy]

6 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Thanks Tim, thats encouraging, might be worth a try then. ..I  think @happypalms might have some seedlings? He's certainly got everything else!

I have been waiting for my friend Darold in San Francisco to comment.  I believe he has had success with this species.  That would indicate a tolerance for cooler climates.  I can't speak to frost tolerance though.

 

Mr Happypalms observation of 35 degrees in Siberia must refer to degrees Celsius?  Is the world upside down and it is spring in Siberia?  I am all topsyturvey.  Germinating 🌴 in Siberia?  Je ne comprends pas.

[BayAndroid]

21 hours ago, Jonathan said:

How did this one go for you last winter? Curious to know whether this species is worth pursuing down here in a similar mild, slightly frosty climate, or whether it'd just end up as another struggling marginal?

I would say go for it. This palm did fine, saw plenty of frost and temperatures down to about 28. I ended up moving and I dug it up and took it with me. I still have it and it's doing fine. 

[Jonathan]

4 hours ago, BayAndroid said:

I would say go for it. This palm did fine, saw plenty of frost and temperatures down to about 28. I ended up moving and I dug it up and took it with me. I still have it and it's doing fine. 

Fantastic, that's exactly what I was hoping to hear. Doesn’t sound like my climate will hold too many concerns...now I'm super keen!

[Jonathan]

8 hours ago, Tracy said:

I have been waiting for my friend Darold in San Francisco to comment.  I believe he has had success with this species.  That would indicate a tolerance for cooler climates.  I can't speak to frost tolerance though.

 

Mr Happypalms observation of 35 degrees in Siberia must refer to degrees Celsius?  Is the world upside down and it is spring in Siberia?  I am all topsyturvey.  Germinating 🌴 in Siberia?  Je ne comprends pas.

Mr @happypalms is upside down...its his little joke, referring to Tasmania as Siberia, which is probably fair enough on an Australian scale of temperatures, but maybe a slight exaggeration!

Is there anything that Darold hasn't had success with?!?

[happypalms]

7 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

Mr @happypalms is upside down...its his little joke, referring to Tasmania as Siberia, which is probably fair enough on an Australian scale of temperatures, but maybe a slight exaggeration!

Is there anything that Darold hasn't had success with?!?

Actually in reference I sometimes think I live in a desert, with flannel flowers growing on one side of my garden, and Amazon rainforest palm species on the other side. All I have to do is add water, and we all know what water does to a desert! Ok I’ll drop the Siberia fir the arctic tundra as we all live upside down down under!

[Darold Petty]

2 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Is there anything that Darold hasn't had success with?!?

Ha-ha,  I have failed with plenty of species !!   However,  Chrysalidocarpus (Dypsis) ambositrae is a winner for me,... possibly my fastest growing palm.  

  It is still dark here just now, but I will post images and info later today.  Stay tuned.   

[Foggy Paul]

Inspired by Darold and with a prominent location open, I’m on the hunt for this species. If anyone knows of any availability I’d be grateful. 

[Darold Petty]

@Foggy Paul  I sent you a PM.

[Darold Petty]

Chrysalidocarpus  (Dypsis) ambositrae,   I planted this palm on June 1st, 2014 as a small plant, it was about 12 inches (30cm) tall.  I planted it in my neighbor's land adjacent to my front walkway.  It has grown really well, so well that I was convinced to plant one in my own garden.  Here are images taken today,  October 8th, 2025,  after just 11 years of growth.

The palm now has 42 inches (107 cm) of true trunk below the leafbases, the bulging base is 8.25 inches (21 cm) in diameter, and the upper trunk is 4 inches  (10 cm) in diameter.  It holds 6 or 7 good fronds.  I also favor its habit of a very short period of senescence.  The older fronds will change from green to brown, and fall off cleanly in only 7 to 10 days. 

I have never given it any special care, and actually have somewhat ignored it since I am a notorious procrastinator !    

 

[tim_brissy_13]

54 minutes ago, Darold Petty said:

Chrysalidocarpus  (Dypsis) ambositrae,   I planted this palm on June 1st, 2014 as a small plant, it was about 12 inches (30cm) tall.  I planted it in my neighbor's land adjacent to my front walkway.  It has grown really well, so well that I was convinced to plant one in my own garden.  Here are images taken today,  October 8th, 2025,  after just 11 years of growth.

The palm now has 42 inches (107 cm) of true trunk below the leafbases, the bulging base is 8.25 inches (21 cm) in diameter, and the upper trunk is 4 inches  (10 cm) in diameter.  It holds 6 or 7 good fronds.  I also favor its habit of a very short period of senescence.  The older fronds will change from green to brown, and fall off cleanly in only 7 to 10 days. 

I have never given it any special care, and actually have somewhat ignored it since I am a notorious procrastinator !    

 

That’s seriously nice Darold! I think this proves it doesn’t require much heat to thrive. 
 

Mine took ages to take off but is now motoring along. It split in two a couple of years ago and now each growth point is pushing well above ground after years of being in that phase of looking like its fronds erupted from the ground. 
 

[Jonathan]

Looking great @tim_brissy_13 and @Darold Petty...this is pouring fuel on my fire...gotta get some!

[Tracy]

It looks like I will get some flowers this time and hopefully some seeds.