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[MattyB]

During the Spring Sale at Jungle Music this weekend I overheard Phil talking about a batch of Chamaedorea plumosa seed that he'd grown.  I think they we're a couple of years old.  The plants that never got potted up were overgrown and about 18 inches tall in 3" x 3" x 9" liner pots.  The plants that got potted up several times were in 5 gallon pots and were about 7-8 feet tall.   I've found this plant sort of hard to sell if the person dosen't know what the plant ultimately looks like because they're usually just this skinny little thing w/ whispy leaves in a pot.  But what a beautiful palm these are.  Here's a picture of one I've planted at my Mom's.  It was dug up last year and now has made a full recovery and looks outstanding.  it receives at least 3/4 day full sun.

[MattyB]

[paulgila]

look at youuuuuu!!!!!!!

[MattyB]

:laugh:

[Breadfruit Bill]

Very delicate looking, me likey!

[MattyB]

By the way, it's a female and has produced multiple simultaneous inflorescense only to abort due to lack of fertilization.  Got pollen?  C. oblongata prefered!

[paulgila]

most of the ones i've seen look kinda beat-up,but this one is lookin' great!

[Scott]

I remember seeing a lady walk out with one of these sunday. It was about 4' tall in the liner. I was sondering it it would strengthen a bit if protected.

[RRONNIE]

(MattyB @ Apr. 24 2007,21:25)

QUOTE

it receives at least 3/4 day full sun.

Hi Matty,

Beautiful, gentle and graceful palm.

I "acquired"  two, 2 years ago (details will be revealed in 30 years... :cool: ) - very, very, very rare in Israel - all together, maybe 10 plants.

They are still in pots - 8 - 10 feet tall.

I was told, here in the forum to take them away from the sun and place them in shade (no direct sun) ?!?!

Your comment and recommendations?

I'll post pict. later.

Thanks,

RONNIE

[SubTropicRay]

Very attractive and cold hardy to boot.

[ghar41]

An attractive palm!

Thanks for reminding me of the reason I have planted the little runts that currently occupy valuable plant space in my yard.

This is truly a valued palm.  Mine showed no ill effects from the freeze either.

[MattyB]

(RRONNIE @ Apr. 24 2007,12:28)

QUOTE

(MattyB @ Apr. 24 2007,21:25)

QUOTE

it receives at least 3/4 day full sun.

Hi Matty,

Beautiful, gentle and graceful palm.

I "acquired"  two, 2 years ago (details will be revealed in 30 years... :cool: ) - very, very, very rare in Israel - all together, maybe 10 plants.

They are still in pots - 8 - 10 feet tall.

I was told, here in the forum to take them away from the sun and place them in shade (no direct sun) ?!?!

Your comment and recommendations?

I'll post pict. later.

Thanks,

RONNIE

Ronnie,  as you know, pot culture limits the root growth and the ultimately the plants ability to uptake water.  More roots, more water  = more sun tolerance.....in my experience.  Take it for what it's worth, this plant dosen't mind lot's of sun in this well watered planter.  By the way, it was not covered during our freeze and saw approx. 26 degrees F., no major damage at all.

[Don Little]

Matt

Where does your mom live?  How far inland is she?  I remember the poll on Chamaedoreas a few months back on which ones can take the most sun and C plumosa was one of the top ones.  It's actually one that I've wanted just never got around to them on Sunday

[MattyB]

Good 'ole Lemon Grove, 9 miles due inland from Downtown SD.  I've also got a C. radicalis barely 1 gal size in 3/4 day full sun at my Mom's house too.  It's a little yellow but I have confidence that it will outgrow this because it's just so young right now.

[BigFrond]

I saw one like this in Oceanside on Thunder Dr. and always wondered what it was.  Now I know.  The one in Oceanside is about a couple of feet taller.

[Fred Zone 10A]

I've got oodles of C. plumosa in my garden.  All were planted out shortly after bringing them home from the nursery.  They are without a doubt my fastest palm.  It's not unusual to see growth rings 6 to 7 cm. apart.  I've got fast draining soil, so the more water they get, the faster they grow.

I've planted about a dozen of these in a corner of my garden that gets morning sun and is semi protected from our Santa Ana winds.  Other than losing some fronds that get twisted in a very heavy wind, they perform like a champ.

All of mine are flowering now.  I wish I could tell the difference between the males and the females, as I would like to get some seeds.  Don Hodel's book doesn't help because this species was described after he published Chamaedorea Palms.

This palm is highly recommended for Southern California gardens.  If you're near the coast, it will take full sun (although it will be somewhat yellow).  In the interior (I'm 50+ km from the coast), they'll handle morning sun with no problem.  In the desert, I wouldn't plant them where they'll get sun after 10 AM.

[deezpalms]

I've got a triple planted plumosa in a 24" box that takes full coastal sun without skipping a beat!

[RRONNIE]

Thanks Dave, Fred, Matty,

Thats encouraging - out to the sun they go again...

How about Obelonga - i got that with the plumosa (makes sense isn't it ?)

Old pic. - not a good one, but to show the pots they are in.

Thanks,

Ronnie

[bahia]

Almost all C. plumosa palms were killed to the ground here in northern California in the December 1990 freeze, where temps ranged from 18F to 25F.  I got down to 24F in my own garden that year, and a 6 foot tall palm was badly damaged but survived with some damage to the trunk right below the crown.  At least here in northern California, I would advise planting this somewhere where it would not get quite so much cold in a bad freeze, as they seem to be suspect at about 24/25F if it lasts for more than an hour or two.

[doubravsky]

I really like this palm as well... got this "clump" (community pot) from a local grower. They made it through the cold here in Riverside ok...

There are 9 palms there.. and three are currently showing inflorescense. I don't know anything about flower/seed.. but they all look pretty much the same to me. Are they all the same gender? That would be a shame.

Here's one just opening...

[doubravsky]

Here's another....

and the third.....

Are all three the same? I was hoping to get some seeds.....

[ianedwards]

Chamaedorea plumosa males produce dry pollen in clouds. If there are any female inflorescences about you will get plenty of fruit/seeds. If not, collect some pollen in a paper envelope and when a female inflorescence looks ready, brush some on, twice a day for a few days.

[PalmGuyWC]

Dave,

It looks to me like all the photographs are of male flowers. The female flowers are generally larger and more sparce.

Dick

[Kamipalms]

Heres a previous C.plumosa thread that may be of some interest...

http://palmtalk.org/cgi-bin....plumosa

I "acquired"  two, 2 years ago (details will be revealed in 30 years... :cool: ) - very, very, very rare in Israel - all together, maybe 10 plants.

They are still in pots - 8 - 10 feet tall.

I was told, here in the forum to take them away from the sun and place them in shade (no direct sun) ?!?!

Your comment and recommendations?

I'll post pict. later.

Thanks,

RONNIE

Ronnie,

Yes I did say your C.oblongata's would be much better off shaded but, I don't recall saying your C.plumosa's need to be moved as well......

[MattyB]

Love that community pot look.  Looks like a clump of bamboo (that dosen't drop leaves!)

[Jeff Searle]

Matt,

 A very well grown and good looking specimen. I always knew they like alot of sun, unlike most of the other species.

Jeff

[Moose]

i need one of these in the Moose Land

[Moose]

i need one of these in the Moose Land

[Central Floridave]

That is a pretty palm. Thanks for the photos.