Lemurophoenix halleuxii in Central Florida update

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is an update on the  Lemurophoenix halleuxii growing at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida (zone 9b/10a). Both were acquired from Floribunda.

Thie first one was planted in June 2014. The winter of 2014-15 was fairly mild. The lowest we had was around 34-35F one night in Feb. 2015. There were several other nights in the upper 30sF. It idid not suffer any damage. It is growing in a bright, filtered light location. It gets shaded by a tall old Quercus virginiana and a Delonix regia. The soil is well drained and sandy but has organic matter from the trees shedding. It gets good irrigation here in dry periods.

The second specimen was planted in March 2015. It is growing in heavier soil that drains but stays constantly moist to wet from a nearby seepage spring. It also grows in filtered light but can get some direct sun a certain times in the day.

 

 

 

 

[edric]

Hi Eric, here is the first entry in the Leu gardens page in Palmpedia, Ed http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/H.P._Leu_Gardens,_Orlando,_Florida.

[Jeff Searle]

All I can say is.....all the best!

[Eric in Orlando]

On 11/12/2015, 4:35:21, edric said:

Hi Eric, here is the first entry in the Leu gardens page in Palmpedia, Ed http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/H.P._Leu_Gardens,_Orlando,_Florida.

 

 

Thanks Ed!

[Eric in Orlando]

On 11/12/2015, 7:37:00, Jeff Searle said:

All I can say is.....all the best!

 

Hopefully we have another good winter.

 

[Eric in Orlando]

Latest update on the 2 Lemurophoenix growing here at Leu Gardens. Both have survived another winter. We had one night this past January below freezing, it got to 28F. It was also a windy freeze so this caused more foliar burn on tender plants.

Here is specimen #1. It was planted in June 2014. It is growing in a bright, filtered light location. It gets shaded by a tall old Quercus virginiana and a Delonix regia.  This one shows the most damage. Newest leaf has little damage.

 

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is specimen #2. This one was planted in March 2015. It is growing in heavier soil that stays constantly moist to wet from a nearby seepage spring. It also grows in filtered light but can get some direct sun a certain times in the day. It has very little burn. This area is one of the warmest microclimates at Leu Gardens. 

[Cindy Adair]

Congratulations! I am certainly amazed that they took such cold, especially after I had the memorable experience of seeing them in habitat in the Masoala region of Madagascar. of course you know the best microclimate and do a great job caring for all the collection at the amazing Leu gardens.

[Eric in Orlando]

3 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

Congratulations! I am certainly amazed that they took such cold, especially after I had the memorable experience of seeing them in habitat in the Masoala region of Madagascar. of course you know the best microclimate and do a great job caring for all the collection at the amazing Leu gardens.

Thanks! I''m surprised they have done this well especially after reading discouraging results in Florida from previous attempts.

 

[Cindy Adair]

Here are some shots from today of my two. If you look closely you might see the dark seed which stayed attached for a long time. The seeds were sown in November 2015.

I am still clearing (and waiting for more tree fern canopy regrowth after hurricane Maria) to find the best locations for planting.

[PalmatierMeg]

Good to see they are succeeding in Orlando. I've heard dire things about their chances in FL, plus they are s-l-o-w growing, so I haven't even bothered to try one.

[palmfriend]

One of my "Most wanted" species - all the best for you in Florida and Puerto Rico.

Best regards from Okinawa -

Lars

 

[Eric in Orlando]

22 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Good to see they are succeeding in Orlando. I've heard dire things about their chances in FL, plus they are s-l-o-w growing, so I haven't even bothered to try one.

They have been slow growers but not horribly slow. Maybe a little slower than Chambeyronia.

[Justin31703]

On 5/3/2018 at 9:43 AM, Eric in Orlando said:

Here is specimen #2. This one was planted in March 2015. It is growing in heavier soil that stays constantly moist to wet from a nearby seepage spring. It also grows in filtered light but can get some direct sun a certain times in the day. It has very little burn. This area is one of the warmest microclimates at Leu Gardens. 

Any update on these two palms? 

[Eric in Orlando]

2 hours ago, Justin31703 said:

Any update on these two palms? 

They are still growing well, minimal damage this past winter. We had a low of 35F.

 

 

[Justin31703]

3 hours ago, Eric in Orlando said:

They are still growing well, minimal damage this past winter. We had a low of 35F.

 

 

That’s cool to see. Any photos? 

[Eric in Orlando]

Here is the one in the Tropical Stream Garden. This is one of the warmest microclimates at Leu Gardens.

[Eric in Orlando]

And here is the one in the Palm Garden. It has had some nutrient deficiencies, the soil in that area is a higher pH from old concrete or something.

[Hurricanepalms]

@Eric in Orlando, any updates to share on these?

[Eric in Orlando]

One is growing well. The other not so well since it had tree branches fall on it in  during Hurricane Ian. 

[palmerv]

Well, any Update?  Did they survive the February 2026 freeze?