What to do with a Pentagonia? Other than stare awestruck?

[Justin]

While perusing the Hilo Home Depot garden section after some exciting time deciding between glues and combination locks, I stumbled upon an impressive plant labeled simply "Pentagonium." There is zilch on the internet about Pentagonium. I then made an educated guess that what was meant by Pentagonia, and I'm 99% sure I am correct about that, but there's remarkably little info about Pentagonia either. This link from several years ago has the most info I've found, which is to say, literally something.

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/39231-ree-gardens-uncovering-the-legend/

Here's the photo from that post, for those people not wanting to scour the long thread:

So how about it, anyone have any info or suggestions for what type of area to plant this in? Even a bit ratty right now, my new purchase already looks amazing, so I'm hoping with some TLC it will be an absolute stunner. But I have no clue about rain needs, sun needs, dirt needs, and so on.

[Rory]

All I know is that they don't like cold, which obviously shouldn't be a problem for you. I've heard over here that they're one of those plants that actually start to show damage in the lower 50's, which is a shame because I'd love to grow one. Sorry to be completely unhelpful lol.

[Palmarum]

... This link from several years ago has the most info I've found, which is to say, literally something.

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/39231-ree-gardens-uncovering-the-legend/

So how about it, anyone have any info or suggestions for what type of area to plant this in? Even a bit ratty right now, my new purchase already looks amazing, so I'm hoping with some TLC it will be an absolute stunner. But I have no clue about rain needs, sun needs, dirt needs, and so on.

I am still stunned to this day from when I took that photo above. It is a showy plant indeed and it is even more impressive in person. The grower of that plant (seen in the right side of the photo), Marie Nock, is an expert grower of the exotic and unusual. She had it growing in her mist house that was irrigated often. It needs shade in her collection in S. Florida and would probably need shade or filtered light for where ever it would be planted. It was growing in a very well-draining acidic soil mix, most likely along with a granular time-release fertilizer. As Rory stated it does not like cold, and it is one of the few plants Marie might have to move to protect during the winter, even in her warm micro-climate. It would definitely be worth trying to grow. I see collectors who line up at Marie's booth at plant sales, just to be the first at buying a small plant to take home. It should enjoy Hawaii with ease, with the key note of care being a low-volume/high-frequency irrigation. It does seem like several years ago when I made that topic, but it was actually last October.

Ryan

[Dypsisdean]

Justin,

Just planted four of these myself after having one in the ground the last 5 years. I've seen tall ones 20+ feet at Ho'owaiwai. You can see these big ones in one or two of the slides in this slideshow http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/GARDENS_AT_HO%27OWAIWAI-BIG_ISLAND,_HAWAII

They were in almost full sun there, and the mother plant for yours and my recent purchases is in full sun in a Hilo nursery. My original plant (same age as this mother) has not seeded yet though, and I think it is because it is in too much shade.

So the short answer to your question is more sun would be better than more shade IMO.

[Justin]

Thanks everyone!

[Cindy Adair]

Justin,

Just planted four of these myself after having one in the ground the last 5 years. I've seen tall ones 20+ feet at Ho'owaiwai. You can see these big ones in one or two of the slides in this slideshow http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/GARDENS_AT_HO%27OWAIWAI-BIG_ISLAND,_HAWAII

They were in almost full sun there, and the mother plant for yours and my recent purchases is in full sun in a Hilo nursery. My original plant (same age as this mother) has not seeded yet though, and I think it is because it is in too much shade.

So the short answer to your question is more sun would be better than more shade IMO.

Enjoyed the slideshow!! My pentagonias (from seed from Ecuador) are in shade in Puerto Rico. They are growing slowly so I may try one in more sun. It's a nice plant!

[EllisB]

I have one growing outside protected by trees and the house. I plan on keeping it in a nice size pot so I can bring it in on cold night. It has survived with no damage in the 50's so far. One of my favorites.

[The Silent Seed]

What a find!

Reminds me a lot of my Hoffmannia ghiesbreghtii Strawberry Splash

It likes being moist all the time, and seems to be requiring more, than less, sun.

[realarch]

Relocated this one about 18 months ago and I think it likes the new home. Just an awesome plant.

Tim

[realarch]

I meant to add that this plant was gifted from Donald Sanders, Kona side a few years back. 

Tim

[mwardlow]

That is awesome Tim. What is the name of this one?

[realarch]

Mike, I think it’s called Pentagonium and not Pentagonia, heck I’m not really sure. A quick search surprisingly reveals little information.

Took these pics this morning to show the scale and the leaves quickly transitioning from ruby red to green. I need more of them.

Tim

[Marie Nock]

The one pictured is Pentagonia wendlandii.  If you google that, you'll get more information.

[realarch]

Marie, thank you for the response! 

Tim

[BigFrond]

Dang, nice and yuge!

[realarch]

An update on this Pentagonia, an amazing plant. Keeps getting even more stunning. I see small buds, but not really flowers, ultimately waiting for viable seed. 

Tim

[Dougbug]

I have had 4 small pentagonias in pots for about 18 months. They had all produced larger healthy sets of leaves, but now the larger one’s last 2 sets of new leaves became stunted and blackened as they tried to emerge.  I have only used half-strength concentration of liquid fertilizer Miracle-Gro 24-8-16 w micros  maybe 2 times. Only 1, the larger one, is doing this.I know there’s a lot of unprovided variables.

Thank you for any help.

Plants are on screened in lanai in Naples, Florida. 
dougbug@ufl.edu

[Dougbug]

On 12/25/2021 at 9:17 PM, realarch said:

Relocated this one about 18 months ago and I think it likes the new home. Just an awesome plant.

Tim

What kind of root system? Fibrous or larger thick roots?

[Dougbug]

On 3/19/2014 at 6:33 AM, Cindy Adair said:

Enjoyed the slideshow!! My pentagonias (from seed from Ecuador) are in shade in Puerto Rico. They are growing slowly so I may try one in more sun. It's a nice plant!

How to reach Dypsisdean and discuss Pentagonia? I’d prefer email: dougbug@ufl.edu I posted my Pentagonia problem w fried new growth below, somewhere. I’m trying to learn how to navigate this website?🤔

[Dypsisdean]

3 hours ago, Dougbug said:

How to reach Dypsisdean and discuss Pentagonia?

I have found them to be extremely sensitive to low temps - under 50º F. And also to direct sun. Any chance yours could have received either, even for a few hours? And I doubt they like low humidity much either.

[realarch]

It was looking just so beautiful yesterday. 

Tim

[Lowey]

Is it in partial sun Tim ??

 

[realarch]

On 11/18/2024 at 4:40 PM, Lowey said:

Is it in partial sun Tim ??

 

Geeze Bruce, how ya doing? 

It doesn’t get direct sun, but gets a lot of light. On a fast draining slope with lots of humidity and rainfall. 

Tim