Areca vestiaria as a house plant

[Dan OKeeffe]

Hello,

Does anyone have any experience with Areca vestiaria as a indoor plant?  Mine is kicking new leaves out pretty quickly but it is still small.  Can this palm live and thrive within a container for an  extended period of time?

Thanks

[TikiRick]

Dan,

It CAN live for awhile in a container, but indoors...questionable. The indoor environment must be humid and bright. Remember that after some time, the soil becomes void of nutrients and it must be replaced. It likes to stay damp, not wet, and in constant humidity/moderate light. Another note...keep a keen eye for mealy bugs in the crown and on the spike. Soap and water usually will do the trick.

[Dan OKeeffe]

Rick,

Thanks for the notes.  Currently, the plant is in front of a window with 6 hrs of sunlight or cloud filtered sun light.  I mist the leaves to provide the moisture that the air cannot give.  I will inspect for the mealy bugs.

Thanks again.

[sebastian]

I have thought this myself, how would A. vesteria go as a house plant?

I have seen some pretty good size ones in pots(few foot of trunk)

Id take it outside every few weeks and give it a spray with some water, to get the dust off, keep it fresh even a  spell outside in dabbld light for a week every now and then if your climate is suitable.

[paulgila]

its always fun to push the envelope,so give it a shot if you have the time & money.

rick & dokeefe have some good advice,tho.

[Logolight]

(dokeeffe @ Apr. 19 2007,15:44)

QUOTE

Rick,

Thanks for the notes.  Currently, the plant is in front of a window with 6 hrs of sunlight or cloud filtered sun light.  I mist the leaves to provide the moisture that the air cannot give.  I will inspect for the mealy bugs.

Thanks again.

Just be careful not to mist the leaves too much.  I'd use a humidifier placed a few feet from the palm.  I believe this will be healthier than to wet the leaves all the time.

Good luck.

[SunnyFl]

(Logolight @ Apr. 20 2007,21:32)

QUOTE

Just be careful not to mist the leaves too much.  I'd use a humidifier placed a few feet from the palm.  I believe this will be healthier than to wet the leaves all the time.

When I temporarily had my vestie and guppyanas indoors, I put saucers of water between the pots, hoping to increase humidity around the palms (my house is too dry for keeping indoor plants).  Is this effective at all?

Sometime in the next year or two, we'll probably have to move      and I'd like to take some of my favorite palms with me.  But they'd have to be indoor plants a few months of the year, as I doubt we'll be moving south.

[Logolight]

(SunnyFl @ Apr. 22 2007,10:25)

QUOTE

(Logolight @ Apr. 20 2007,21:32)

QUOTE

Just be careful not to mist the leaves too much.  I'd use a humidifier placed a few feet from the palm.  I believe this will be healthier than to wet the leaves all the time.

When I temporarily had my vestie and guppyanas indoors, I put saucers of water between the pots, hoping to increase humidity around the palms (my house is too dry for keeping indoor plants).  Is this effective at all?

Possibly.  It depends on how much water you are using and the evapo-transportation rate of the air.  In other words, the more the air is dry in your house the faster the water will evaporate into the air and increase the humidity.  Chances are though this method would have minimal results.

I would use an ultrasonic humidifire.  It adds moisture directly to the air.  Also get a hydrometer so you can measure the exact humidity levels in your house.  You can pick one up at Wal-mart or Target.  I'd say the best optimal humidity level would be about 50%.  Also don't place the humidifire right next to the palms, place it at least a few feet away.

Since palms like to feel a breeze, what I do is place an oscilating fan about 10 feet from my palms and place the humidifire behind the fan so it blows a nice semi-humid breeze on to the palms.  I usually do this for an hour or two per day.

Good luck.

Dave

[SunnyFl]

(Logolight @ Apr. 22 2007,22:29)

QUOTE

I would use an ultrasonic humidifire.  It adds moisture directly to the air.  Also get a hydrometer so you can measure the exact humidity levels in your house.  You can pick one up at Wal-mart or Target.  I'd say the best optimal humidity level would be about 50%.  Also don't place the humidifire right next to the palms, place it at least a few feet away.

Since palms like to feel a breeze, what I do is place an oscilating fan about 10 feet from my palms and place the humidifire behind the fan so it blows a nice semi-humid breeze on to the palms.  I usually do this for an hour or two per day.

Good luck.

Dave

Hey Dave,

Thanks - that's a great idea!  Esp. if I only have to do it an hour a day since I'm not home much during the week.

That solves not only the humidity problem, but the air circulation as well, since that's another problem in my lil house.

[www.dadluvsu.com]

An inexpensive timer (about$7.00) is a great way to automate environmental condition when growing plants in a controlle environment...  you can turn off/on humidifier, fans, and (if your creative) watering devices...