Lepidorrhachis mooreana - My little Mountain palm

[Tassie_Troy1971]

I have grown this palm out in my garden since it was a two leaf seedling in December 2009 and it's finally starting to get some size and seems to be an easy grow for me down here .

Who else is growing this palm ?

cheers Troy

[comic097]

WOW Troy, what a cool looking palm, just looked it up on palmpedia, yours is looking very nice

Paul

[Kennybenjamin]

I'm not growing 1 Troy, don't think it would be so happy up here?? I would certainly try if I was able to find one, pretty rare I believe?

Yours is looking tops mate!!

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Thanks fellas i believe it doesn't like extended nighttime temps over 15 C or any length of hot days in succession . Mike Green and Andy Green had some up on the Gold coast that were a similar size but croaked for some reason ?

[Kostas]

Very nice Troy! I started one from seed years ago but a cat dug it out during its first year, while I was on vacations, and it dried out...Haven't found any seeds or seedlings since then.

[richnorm]

Looking great and the best growing conditions (winter) are not yet here.

[Rafael]

It looks perfect, Troy, and pretty well with your microclimate, which is similar to mine.

I am still trying to find seeds of this one, unsucessfully so far.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Thanks Rafeal

There are no seeding leppies on Mainland Australia only in Habitat on Lord Howe island and Colin Wilson told me that the Lord Howe Island Board have stopped all seed/ seedlings of Lepidorrachis and Hedyscepe from being exported off the Island . This is a real shame as i am sure that not all of the Lepidorrachis seed that are produced on the palms on Mt Gower are germinated and go to waste !

[quaman58]

Super nice looking Troy; looks like it couldn't be happier. Funny how easy they are when you live in the right zone. I have 3 in ground, the oldest planted out in 2007. I'll get some new pictures this afternoon..

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Thanks Rafeal

There are no seeding leppies on Mainland Australia only in Habitat on Lord Howe island and Colin Wilson told me that the Lord Howe Island Board have stopped all seed/ seedlings of Lepidorrachis and Hedyscepe from being exported off the Island . This is a real shame as i am sure that not all of the Lepidorrachis seed that are produced on the palms on Mt Gower are germinated and go to waste !

That is a shame, and the shame is on the LHI Board for such a narrow view, which only contributes to the threat of extinction for this palm. There are plenty of hedyscepe seed sources outside of LHI but not for Lepidorrhachis mooreana. Darold has informed me that these die for no apparent reason, even in perfect climates. He has several rather large specimens, but he's lost a few and the ones at the Oakland palmetum have also croaked. Hence there are no seed sources outside of LHI. I have a beautiful specimen growing here. This is one of my prime "in zone" palms for my climate given our overnight lows are in the 45-55F range all year around. All the LHI stuff grows like weeds.

[LJG]

Looks really healthy. Nice work. Here in SoCal they get Sudden Death Syndrome

[BS Man about Palms]

Looking good Troy.. I'll snap a better pic of mine that you liked..

[PalmatierMeg]

The first time I saw a photo of this palm, I wanted one. Then I read its cultural requirements and realized I had no hope. But it still tops my "If only...." list. Hope yours seeds someday, Troy.

[ghar41]

Your plant looks really nice Troy.

Many years ago I purchased seed from Joe at Ortanique, before his seed business disappeared. I germinated 15-20 and many were dispersed to serious palm growers all over the Bay Area. Included among those is the one that Darold Petty is getting ready to plant in his garden.

The plant in the Oakland Palmetum did well for many years and was a fully trunked specimen. It died during a dry period that was caused by some unknown imbecile tampering with the watering system there.

I kept three of the seeds that I germinated and on a whim planted them in my yard as seedlings. The plant in the picture survives to this day, and is currently opening its annual leaf. Yes I do have many consecutive hot days here, with quite a few in the 100F range. I do cool off at night in the summer regularly down into the 60-75F range. I hand water but also have drip and microsprinklers as a back up. My experience has been that you can never, EVER let the soil dry out! I also have to admit, I regularly forget to cover it on freezing nights; although it does get cover from large trees above.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Your plant looks really nice Troy.

Many years ago I purchased seed from Joe at Ortanique, before his seed business disappeared. I germinated 15-20 and many were dispersed to serious palm growers all over the Bay Area. Included among those is the one that Darold Petty is getting ready to plant in his garden.

The plant in the Oakland Palmetum did well for many years and was a fully trunked specimen. It died during a dry period that was caused by some unknown imbecile tampering with the watering system there.

I kept three of the seeds that I germinated and on a whim planted them in my yard as seedlings. The plant in the picture survives to this day, and is currently opening its annual leaf. Yes I do have many consecutive hot days here, with quite a few in the 100F range. I do cool off at night in the summer regularly down into the 60-75F range. I hand water but also have drip and microsprinklers as a back up. My experience has been that you can never, EVER let the soil dry out! I also have to admit, I regularly forget to cover it on freezing nights; although it does get cover from large trees above.

Glenn, this sounds promising. I didn't realize the one at the Oakland palmetum dried out. Sounds like it's a viable palm for cooler area. But I am surprised by the one leaf a year observation you are making. the one I have seems faster than that, and Darold's specimens certainly seem faster as well.

[ghar41]

Your plant looks really nice Troy.

Many years ago I purchased seed from Joe at Ortanique, before his seed business disappeared. I germinated 15-20 and many were dispersed to serious palm growers all over the Bay Area. Included among those is the one that Darold Petty is getting ready to plant in his garden.

The plant in the Oakland Palmetum did well for many years and was a fully trunked specimen. It died during a dry period that was caused by some unknown imbecile tampering with the watering system there.

I kept three of the seeds that I germinated and on a whim planted them in my yard as seedlings. The plant in the picture survives to this day, and is currently opening its annual leaf. Yes I do have many consecutive hot days here, with quite a few in the 100F range. I do cool off at night in the summer regularly down into the 60-75F range. I hand water but also have drip and microsprinklers as a back up. My experience has been that you can never, EVER let the soil dry out! I also have to admit, I regularly forget to cover it on freezing nights; although it does get cover from large trees above.

Glenn, this sounds promising. I didn't realize the one at the Oakland palmetum dried out. Sounds like it's a viable palm for cooler area. But I am surprised by the one leaf a year observation you are making. the one I have seems faster than that, and Darold's specimens certainly seem faster as well.

Yes, I'm sure they are faster in cooler climates. It is poorly suited for my climate and I'm sure it is dormant here during both freezing and hot weather.

[DoomsDave]

Wow, Troy, yours might be the most far Southern Lepi, while the late Pauleen's is the most Northern.

[richnorm]

I think there might be a seed source here. My neighbour's started flowering last year, will have to take a look.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Wow, Troy, yours might be the most far Southern Lepi, while the late Pauleen's is the most Northern.

Yeah, pretty typical Dave, you guys in Socal all think the world ends on the other side of the Tehachapi range. To set the record straight, I am pretty sure Darold's specimens are the largest most Northerly specimens around.

[Rafael]

I think there might be a seed source here. My neighbour's started flowering last year, will have to take a look.

Please let us know

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Yes it is a shame that there is no seed source off the Island . looks like the seeds are going to be as hard to obtain as Juania Australis !

Who knows mine may croak and die any time but at the moment i can't see why it would . I believe that the babys tears ground cover keeps the soil temps lower on the occasional hot days that we receive. I only use humic acid / seaweed fertilizer on this one .

[realarch]

Looks healthy and happy Troy, not a common palm.

Tim

[Tassie_Troy1971]

I think there might be a seed source here. My neighbour's started flowering last year, will have to take a look.

keep us informed Rich might be a first . Can you get a picture of this advanced specimen ?

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Here is my second one that i dug out of the ground in mid summer as it was sunburnt in a full sun position . It now resides in the shadehouse until i replant in a filtered light area . It has made a new frond since late January .

[DoomsDave]

Wow, Troy, yours might be the most far Southern Lepi, while the late Pauleen's is the most Northern.

Yeah, pretty typical Dave, you guys in Socal all think the world ends on the other side of the Tehachapi range. To set the record straight, I am pretty sure Darold's specimens are the largest most Northerly specimens around.

I stand corrected

In my orthopedic shoes . . . . .

[richnorm]

I think there might be a seed source here. My neighbour's started flowering last year, will have to take a look.

keep us informed Rich might be a first . Can you get a picture of this advanced specimen ?

Will do.

[richnorm]

Here's the trunk with last year's inflors. This was the first flowering but no seed set.

I think the first inflor was male but these may be the remains of female flowers/unformed fruit?

Fuzzy pic of whole palm.

There are plenty of new spathes tucked away in the leaf bases so hopefully will get good flowering this year. I will try to observe more closely this time.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Thanks Rich

That Leppi is huge ! not far off the size of Pauleen Sulivan's in Ventura

How old would that one be given the trunk size etc ?

Troy

[tbearz]

Here is mine in Central San Francisco. My climate is less foggy and a little warmer than Darold's place on the other side of the "mountain." It opens more than 1 but not quite 2 leaves a year. It's not quite as fast as Darold's and that may be because it's more shaded, my microclimate is a little warmer and dryer, and I tend to under-fertilize. They definitely prefer the microclimate near the beach. It was planted out in 2007.

[Alex-v]

Wowww Troy!!!!

[richnorm]

Thanks Rich

That Leppi is huge ! not far off the size of Pauleen Sulivan's in Ventura

How old would that one be given the trunk size etc ?

Troy

Probably around 20 years old from seed. There must be quite a few others of that vintage here. About 10 years ago I saw a row of just trunking specimens that would be a good deal more advanced than the one above. Unfortunately the grower reported that every now and then an individual died for reasons unknown so not sure how many (if any) are left. I have noticed that they can suddenly go into a funk and then go back to normal but not sure of the cause. I read that these are likely to be the first palm extinction from climate change!

[richnorm]

Here is my second one that i dug out of the ground in mid summer as it was sunburnt in a full sun position . It now resides in the shadehouse until i replant in a filtered light area . It has made a new frond since late January .

They seem to grow out of that but can take ages - like with Hedyscepe.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Here is mine in Central San Francisco. My climate is less foggy and a little warmer than Darold's place on the other side of the "mountain." It opens more than 1 but not quite 2 leaves a year. It's not quite as fast as Darold's and that may be because it's more shaded, my microclimate is a little warmer and dryer, and I tend to under-fertilize. They definitely prefer the microclimate near the beach. It was planted out in 2007.

Nice!

[Gonzer]

This Rhopalostylis volunteer in my front is a Lepidorrachis wannabe.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Nice lepi T bearz

20 years Rich - can't say that i am not surprised !

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Hi Troy

A scientist who just came back from Lord Howe island, who was involved in the rat removal program said things are much worse than first thought, all the plants at the old nursery are dying as no one waters them at all now, old nursery becoming overgrown BUT it gets even worse The islanders have voted to stop the rat eradication program as they do not want the poison program to continue. The scientist are half way through the program, as it can no longer continue the rats will become immune to the poisons so eradication with known poisons will become impossible, The scientist are not happy and they are very worried about the future of the island flora and fauna.

The islanders do not get the danger

very sad indeed

regards

colin

Thanks Rafeal

There are no seeding leppies on Mainland Australia only in Habitat on Lord Howe island and Colin Wilson told me that the Lord Howe Island Board have stopped all seed/ seedlings of Lepidorrachis and Hedyscepe from being exported off the Island . This is a real shame as i am sure that not all of the Lepidorrachis seed that are produced on the palms on Mt Gower are germinated and go to waste !

[palmtreesforpleasure]

I have grown this palm out in my garden since it was a two leaf seedling in December 2009 and it's finally starting to get some size and seems to be an easy grow for me down here .

Who else is growing this palm ?

cheers Troy

[Central Floridave]

That is a pretty palm. I'm curious, what is the red-veined ornamental on the upper left of the photo?

[richnorm]

Nice lepi T bearz

20 years Rich - can't say that i am not surprised !

Just heard all the ones in that row are now dead! Must be a real chance these will be extinct in our lifetime. Not good.

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Nice lepi T bearz

20 years Rich - can't say that i am not surprised !

Just heard all the ones in that row are now dead! Must be a real chance these will be extinct in our lifetime. Not good.

Darold mentioned to me that they also die suddenly even in the best Norcal microclimates. Definitely a palm that is unhappy outside of its habitat. What's its status in habitat?