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How Difficult is it to maintain an Oncosperma

Justin

By Justin
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

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Justin Veteran

Justin

Posted
Posted

I'm seriously considering an Oncosperma for a part of my garden, as I've been smitten with them ever since seeing a massive clump in Nong Nooch and also in Singapore back in 2005.  But I'm a little terrified of all the thorns, and how difficult it might be to maintain a healthy specimen and keep the area clean.  Can anyone give me personal experience on this?

Resident of Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, San Diego, CA and Pahoa, HI.  Former garden in Vista, CA.  Garden Photos

PalmTreeDude Grand Master

PalmTreeDude

Posted
Posted

There a little pointy and sharp! But that is all I know.

PalmTreeDude

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted
7 hours ago, Justin said:

I'm seriously considering an Oncosperma for a part of my garden, as I've been smitten with them ever since seeing a massive clump in Nong Nooch and also in Singapore back in 2005.  But I'm a little terrified of all the thorns, and how difficult it might be to maintain a healthy specimen and keep the area clean.  Can anyone give me personal experience on this?

Boldly grow what no one (apparently) has grown before . . . .

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Kim Grand Master

Kim

Posted
Posted

Verschaffeltia splendida and Phoenicophorium borsigianum are my thorniest palms, and nobody will go near them except me; sometimes with painful consequences.  A thorn through a glove into a knuckle is not fun.  And these are single-trunked.  Hard to imagine fighting the weeds on a multi-trunked, ferociously-armed palm -- but don't let me discourage you!

Kim Cyr

Between the beach and the bays, Point Loma, San Diego, California USA
and on a 300 year-old lava flow, Pahoa, Hawaii, 1/4 mile from the 2018 flow
All characters  in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted

It's such a beautiful species that you shouldn't hesitate,

Here the endemic srilankan Oncosperma fasciculatum in the wild :

P1220626.thumb.JPG.f34248035113d2ebb331eP1220635.thumb.JPG.27cd6d60e24f2effb18f9

And Oncosperma tigillarium in Samarakoon's garden:

P1230219.thumb.JPG.732bc80c7720c877cdc95

and my favorite, this old iconic tree in Peradeniya, (in 2009)

DSCF1805.thumb.JPG.91e4f5ff28cfe2140128a

Maybe you'll plant your Oncosperma on the roadside?

 

 

  • Upvote 4

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

Mohsen Grand Master

Mohsen

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, doranakandawatta said:

It's such a beautiful species that you shouldn't hesitate,

Here the endemic srilankan Oncosperma fasciculatum in the wild :

P1220626.thumb.JPG.f34248035113d2ebb331eP1220635.thumb.JPG.27cd6d60e24f2effb18f9

And Oncosperma tigillarium in Samarakoon's garden:

P1230219.thumb.JPG.732bc80c7720c877cdc95

and my favorite, this old iconic tree in Peradeniya, (in 2009)

DSCF1805.thumb.JPG.91e4f5ff28cfe2140128a

Maybe you'll plant your Oncosperma on the roadside?

 

 

Philippe,

how cold hardy are they and have tou ever grow them from seed , how easy are they  from seed?

i had 5 germinated seeds but only one is alive :( 

  • Upvote 1
Tropicgardener Mentor

Tropicgardener

Posted
Posted

 I may be a little weird to some but I love spiny palms............. In my previous garden I had the entire collection of Australian Calamus species growing, getting caught up in them was a regular (and painful) occurrence. I also have the usual suspects such as Verschaffltia, Phoenicophorium and a few Salacca...... Oncosperma are amazing palms but I don't currently have any.

  • Upvote 1

Andrew,
Airlie Beach, Whitsundays

Tropical Queensland

doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted

Mohsen,

O. fasciculatum is growing in cool cloudy srilankan mountains as I saw in habitat.

It can enjoy lower temperatures but O. tigillarium needs a real tropical hot humid climate as it is in Singapore.

You can find several of my older posts with search engine ; Oncosperma...

With fresh seeds and natural tropical climate we have in Doranakanda gardens, it's easy from seeds and seedlings grow quite fast.

  • Upvote 1

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

Tyrone Grand Master

Tyrone

Posted
Posted

The spines don't look any different to Acanthophoenix or Deckenia.

It's funny that people will grow roses which have some of the worst thorns in the plant world on them, but will run screaming in terror from a dainty little Calamus that's minding it's own business.

Oncosperma is a true tropical palm really needing almost equatorial type climate to do well. In Sydney you could not grow one without the aid of a computer controlled purpose built 20m high atrium (something I wish I had BTW). In the tropics these would likely require a good amount of moisture to do well.

Mohsen, if you like a spiny palm that will do well in Sydney try Acanthophoenix.

 

  • Upvote 1

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

Really full garden Grand Master

Really full garden

Posted
Posted

I love mine! I have found it to be a little slow ,but generally very tidy palm to grow. Highly recommend growing it. Mine is growing in my cool highland garden.

El Oasis - beach garden, distinct wet/dry season ,year round 20-38c

Las Heliconias - jungle garden ,800m elevation,150+ inches rainfall, year round 15-28c

Mohsen Grand Master

Mohsen

Posted
Posted
15 hours ago, doranakandawatta said:

Mohsen,

O. fasciculatum is growing in cool cloudy srilankan mountains as I saw in habitat.

It can enjoy lower temperatures but O. tigillarium needs a real tropical hot humid climate as it is in Singapore.

You can find several of my older posts with search engine ; Oncosperma...

With fresh seeds and natural tropical climate we have in Doranakanda gardens, it's easy from seeds and seedlings grow quite fast.

Thanks Philippe ...

thats why I thought maybe I can grow it in Sydney as it is cold hardier the other Oncospermas...here is my only survived  baby one ...only getting the 2nd leaf...I hope it is not been mixed and really the O.Fascie... :) 

 

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

  • Upvote 1
doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Mohsen said:

Thanks Philippe ...

thats why I thought maybe I can grow it in Sydney as it is cold hardier the other Oncospermas...here is my only survived  baby one ...only getting the 2nd leaf...I hope it is not been mixed and really the O.Fascie... :) 

 

image.jpeg

image.jpeg

Mohsen ,

Your baby looks good but the pot looks too big, maybe other PT members would say that repotting in a smaller pot may help, but I am not sure.

 

  • Upvote 1

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

Mohsen Grand Master

Mohsen

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, doranakandawatta said:

Mohsen ,

Your baby looks good but the pot looks too big, maybe other PT members would say that repotting in a smaller pot may help, but I am not sure.

 

It is not that big , maybe in picture looks big... that would be great to have Pal idea though  @Pal Meir  ...I think this is the smallest pot I have...

BTW , do you have any seedling or have you germinated any , I d like to compare as I hope this is a O.Fascie ...

when do they show  thorns ?

doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted
2 minutes ago, Mohsen said:

It is not that big , maybe in picture looks big... that would be great to have Pal idea though  @Pal Meir  ...I think this is the smallest pot I have...

BTW , do you have any seedling or have you germinated any , I d like to compare as I hope this is a O.Fascie ...

when do they show  thorns ?

I'll be able to post answers and pictures next january, after next visit.
I think they show thorns when they have 3 or 4 leaves. We'll see.

  • Upvote 2

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

Pal Meir Grand Master

Pal Meir

Posted
Posted
23 minutes ago, Mohsen said:

It is not that big , maybe in picture looks big... that would be great to have Pal idea though  @Pal Meir  ...I think this is the smallest pot I have...

BTW , do you have any seedling or have you germinated any , I d like to compare as I hope this is a O.Fascie ...

when do they show  thorns ?

Generally I prefer smaller pots because I can then better regulate watering; cf. also my repotting of the Sabinaria seedling from a Ø15xH20 cm pot to a smaller Ø12xH12 cm one with better draining soil. Mostly problems with seedlings happen when the soil gets too soggy, so I am using very fast draining soil mixes as you know. The drawback is that you have to water more frequently, but you can’t overwater when you avoid wet feet.

  • Upvote 1

My photos at flickr: flickr.com/photos/palmeir/albums

doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Pal Meir said:

Generally I prefer smaller pots because I can then better regulate watering; cf. also my repotting of the Sabinaria seedling from a Ø15xH20 cm pot to a smaller Ø12xH12 cm one with better draining soil. Mostly problems with seedlings happen when the soil gets too soggy, so I am using very fast draining soil mixes as you know. The drawback is that you have to water more frequently, but you can’t overwater when you avoid wet feet.

You can't be wrong when you send the seedlings you love to a wonderful garden in tropical srilankan jungle, for example: Sabinaria seedlings coming to Doranakanda gardens.

Better than repotting and repotting :D

Love,

Philippe

  • Upvote 3

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

Really full garden Grand Master

Really full garden

Posted
Posted

Recent photo ( May 3, 2016)

IMG_1357.thumb.jpg.8802abd96fbf3b94ea2ad

April 2015

IMG_0119.thumb.jpg.c79ae72a91a9a41812988

 

  • Upvote 5

El Oasis - beach garden, distinct wet/dry season ,year round 20-38c

Las Heliconias - jungle garden ,800m elevation,150+ inches rainfall, year round 15-28c

doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, scottgt said:

Recent photo ( May 3, 2016)

IMG_1357.thumb.jpg.8802abd96fbf3b94ea2ad

April 2015

IMG_0119.thumb.jpg.c79ae72a91a9a41812988

 

Is this Oncosperma tigillarium?
Wonderful picture of a lovely garden, some more pics?

Thanks for posting.
 

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

Really full garden Grand Master

Really full garden

Posted
Posted

Yes Philippe its  Oncosperma tigillarium about 10 years from seed.

El Oasis - beach garden, distinct wet/dry season ,year round 20-38c

Las Heliconias - jungle garden ,800m elevation,150+ inches rainfall, year round 15-28c

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, Mohsen said:

It is not that big , maybe in picture looks big... that would be great to have Pal idea though  @Pal Meir  ...I think this is the smallest pot I have...

BTW , do you have any seedling or have you germinated any , I d like to compare as I hope this is a O.Fascie ...

when do they show  thorns ?

Mohsen,

There are many nice spiny palms you could grow. Some of the high altitude Calamus might grow (though they may get aggressive) as well as Acrocomia and Aiphanae. I have the latter two, they're great, though careful siting is a must. I have Aiphanea horrida and erosa, both are small, and need a sheltered spot. Floribunda palms has them, I'll bet someone in Oz might too.

Acrocomia! A hit with the kids. They love them for the same reason they love tarantulas, big, scary, but cool and interesting. Like a queen palm with needles all over. I call mine the Armageddon palm. THey're hard to get.

I don't have any seeds for any of them . . . .

But! You have a small place, maybe spines are better in someone else's yard? But, you could treat yourself to some Aiphaene, I'm sure.

  • Upvote 2

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

  • 3 weeks later...
Justin Veteran

Justin

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, I'm not dissuaded, but I'm not persuaded either.  I think the biggest problem may be sourcing a plant.  Anyone on the Big Island have any seedlings?

Resident of Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, San Diego, CA and Pahoa, HI.  Former garden in Vista, CA.  Garden Photos

doranakandawatta Grand Master

doranakandawatta

Posted
Posted
37 minutes ago, Justin said:

Well, I'm not dissuaded, but I'm not persuaded either.  I think the biggest problem may be sourcing a plant.  Anyone on the Big Island have any seedlings?

Actually I wonder if you can see beautiful Oncosperma in hawaiian gardens, private or public gardens, as we can enjoy Oncosperma tigillarium in Peradeniya gardens.
I you could, you would be persuaded, certainly .

Does Jeff Marcus have any seedling?
or will you start from seeds from RPS, who is now having O.horridum? http://www.rarepalmseeds.com/pix/OncHor.shtml

Regards,

Philippe

5809129ecff1c_P1010385copie3.JPG.15aa3f5

Philippe

 

Jungle Paradise in Sri Lanka

 

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