Chambeyronia macrocarpa (hookeri)

[JubaeaMan138]

7 hours ago, Billeb said:

Just another Hookeri throwing another boring leaf. Snooze alert. 

Looking good! Wish I could pull them off in more sun. Mine have to be super heavy shade . 

[Billeb]

1 minute ago, JubaeaMan138 said:

Looking good! Wish I could pull them off in more sun. Mine have to be super heavy shade . 

I hear ya. I said screw it and threw it in full sun. I’m 1 mile from the coast so thankfully I’ve got a little microclimate. I have a Watermelon Chambeyronia in full sun too but that one lived it’s previous life in a makeshift greenhouse. As soon as I planted that one out in sun….it didn’t like it. Looks like crap now but it should be opening it’s frond in the next month or so. 

[ExperimentalGrower]

The anticipation was killing me. Just in the ground as of this past March. Loving the coloration. This one is pretty marginal for me, hoping the cover of my growing avocado tree will help it.

 

[Cape Garrett]

Just fully opened here today...

[Tracy]

This one was red about 9 days ago but is already almost all green now.  It is the C macrocarpa "hookeri" form which have always performed better here in California than the green trunk form, like others here mentioned.

[Billeb]

2 hours ago, ExperimentalGrower said:

The anticipation was killing me. Just in the ground as of this past March. Loving the coloration. This one is pretty marginal for me, hoping the cover of my growing avocado tree will help it.

 

Lookin good. Awesome that you can grow Chambeyronia in Vallejo. My brother lives in Alameda and I’m going to give him a 1G Macrocarpa next week. I’ll let him know there is hope!! 
 

My Hookeri is just cracking open now so it’s got a week or so yet.

-dale

[ExperimentalGrower]

34 minutes ago, Billeb said:

Lookin good. Awesome that you can grow Chambeyronia in Vallejo. My brother lives in Alameda and I’m going to give him a 1G Macrocarpa next week. I’ll let him know there is hope!! 
 

My Hookeri is just cracking open now so it’s got a week or so yet.

-dale

Thanks, this is a marginal palm for me in my neighborhood, but protecting and placement were taken into consideration so we'll see. But your brother should have zero issues in Alameda. But wind could be an issue.

[DoomsDave]

On 8/10/2021 at 5:59 AM, Frond-friend42 said:

First flame.  Here's a little red in the fourth bifid leaf. Got me enthused. This in a relatively shaded, cooler spots compared to my other dozen seedlings.

How 'bout an update?

[DoomsDave]

On 6/9/2022 at 5:45 PM, Billeb said:

Lookin good. Awesome that you can grow Chambeyronia in Vallejo. My brother lives in Alameda and I’m going to give him a 1G Macrocarpa next week. I’ll let him know there is hope!! 
 

My Hookeri is just cracking open now so it’s got a week or so yet.

-dale

How about some updates? Curious to see how they do everywhere.

[Brian]

1 hour ago, DoomsDave said:

How about some updates? Curious to see how they do everywhere.

Hookeri does much better than macrocarpa here on the hot and humid southwest coast of Mexico. Unfortunately my only surviving macrocarpa was involved in a lightning strike a few years ago and never fully recovered, but it still puts out red leafs.

I have several Hookeri that are younger but grow well and put out bright red leafs.

 

[Phoenikakias]

5 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

How about some updates? Curious to see how they do everywhere.

Deep burgundy, shady spot helps to precise definition of new leaf's color.

[Frond-friend42]

14 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

How 'bout an update?

Nothing too red just yet. Still just blushing briefly. Maybe the greenhouse environment?

[DoomsDave]

15 hours ago, Phoenikakias said:

Deep burgundy, shady spot helps to precise definition of new leaf's color.

Whoo yeah! Bet visitors to your garden freak when they see it!

 

[ExperimentalGrower]

2+ years since my previous update. 🌴

[miamicuse]

I really can't tell the difference in the red color between the regular Chambeyronia macrocarpa and the "hookeri".   I have two hookeri in part sun in south Florida both doing fairly well.  I planted one in a regular planting bed and this one I planted it where the roof rain runs off and dumps all the water near it before all diverted to a pond so it does get very wet feet.

Questions for the experts...all of my Chambeyronia have just about 4 leaves max.  It's slow growing and by the time a new leaf emerges the forth oldest leaf is half green/brown and become totally brown before the fifth leaf emerges.  It seems to be the case regardless whether I planted one in more sun or more shade, even the fully shaded one is like that except the one I have in most shade has leaned to get more sun exposure.

[Christopher Dillman]

Just got this Hookeri-in-the-fun-size.  Adorbs isn't it? 🤗

It will be planted in filtered morning/afternoon sun - about right where it's pictured.

Many thanks to @Billy for the referral! Joe happened to have one in the 5g.

[JD in the OC]

Today.  Grew it from seed. My favorite species. 

[Billy]

@Christopher Dillman Stoked you're happy with your new addition to the collection. That's a killer 5g. I imagine that palm came from the shadier area of his property so you may want to acclimate it for a month or so before planting to avoid leaf burn. With that said, based on the exposure in that spot it will likely acclimate right there in the ground. Regardless, that palm will eventually be fine no matter how many hours of sun nature throws at it as Chambeyronia hookeri has proven to thrive for me in full blasting all day sun here in Leucadia. 

[Christopher Dillman]

21 hours ago, JD in the OC said:

Today.  Grew it from seed. My favorite species. 

That's truly spectacular. One can dream for the mini 5g I just got the other day. ☺️

Is that reddish fruiting from the Hookeri? Or some other nearby plant behind it?

[Christopher Dillman]

21 hours ago, Billy said:

@Christopher Dillman With that said, based on the exposure in that spot it will likely acclimate right there in the ground. Regardless, that palm will eventually be fine no matter how many hours of sun nature throws at it as Chambeyronia hookeri has proven to thrive for me in full blasting all day sun here in Leucadia. 

yeah, initially I was thinking of putting it on my south slope where it gets full sun. but this was shade grown, and instincts tell me to plant it right where it's shown. shade in morning, then filtered sun in afternoon. Neighbors include a Sago then a full queen. 

now I get to obsess about watering schedule - so far I'll have a two days a week watering, slow drips at 20min ea day. Palm Cactus mix (maybe drop some Palm Plus in the hole?), then use a soil topper like GroMulch or go Happy Frog (bat guano mix). Open for feedback from other Hookeri enthusiasts! 

[JD in the OC]

It's just a bloom from the Aechmea bromeliad next to it.  I WISH it was seeding.

I hand selected a few Chambeyronia from my nursery with particularly red leaves to plant in my yard.  Not all are this red. And seed collected off a red one doesn't guarantee offspring will be as red. 

The hookeri is usually redder than macrocarpa. And macrocarpa is usually redder then houailouensis

[iDesign]

15 hours ago, JD in the OC said:

The hookeri is usually redder than macrocarpa. And macrocarpa is usually redder then houailouensis

Yep, that’s the conclusion I came to as well based on forum reading, and also ended up becoming my personal experience. Ranking based solely on tendency to throw a red leaf…

- Hookeri is almost always red. Sometimes bright red, but sometimes a darker, almost maroon color. If I were to buy one without confirming first that it throws red leaves, I’d place my bets on a hookeri. Many also perceive it as slightly more sun tolerant.

- Macrocarca is usually red, but ideally buy when “flaming” to confirm. Bright fire engine red when a good one.

- Macrocarca flavopicta (“watermelon”) is often not as red (mine is salmon), but makes up for it with a beautiful trunk.

- Houailouensis is least likely to have red (and if so, very subtle). You buy this one for the beautiful leaf structure and better sun tolerance.

All great palms… I have at least one of each type (multiples of hookeri and macrocarpa).

[Looking Glass]

I’ve got 2 out of 3 hookerii popping off right now, and the last one getting ready.  The red goes fast here…. Gone in a few days for me…  each one is a different red.  

[miamicuse]

I asked this question earlier in this thread but so far no answer so will try again.

all of my Chambeyronia have just about 4 leaves max.  It's slow growing and by the time a new leaf emerges the forth oldest leaf is half green/brown and become totally brown before the fifth leaf emerges.  It seems to be the case regardless whether I planted one in more sun or more shade, even the fully shaded one is like that.  All of mine are smaller and the biggest may be 18" of trunk.

Is this typical?  As they mature do you get more then 3-4 total leaves at a time or no?

Ok in looking at some of the pictures in this thread I counted some with 5-6 leaves so I guess it's something to look forward to or I am not doing something right.

[Looking Glass]

1 hour ago, miamicuse said:

I asked this question earlier in this thread but so far no answer so will try again.

all of my Chambeyronia have just about 4 leaves max.  It's slow growing and by the time a new leaf emerges the forth oldest leaf is half green/brown and become totally brown before the fifth leaf emerges.  It seems to be the case regardless whether I planted one in more sun or more shade, even the fully shaded one is like that.  All of mine are smaller and the biggest may be 18" of trunk.

Is this typical?  As they mature do you get more then 3-4 total leaves at a time or no?

Ok in looking at some of the pictures in this thread I counted some with 5-6 leaves so I guess it's something to look forward to or I am not doing something right.

Up the road here, mine hold 4 fronds mostly, I’d say.   They are all young and close to getting a first ring though.   Palmpedia seems to say 6-10 fronds, but in pictures from various locations, looks closer to the 6 than the 10 for most people.  

[Cape Garrett]

8 hours ago, miamicuse said:

I asked this question earlier in this thread but so far no answer so will try again.

all of my Chambeyronia have just about 4 leaves max.  It's slow growing and by the time a new leaf emerges the forth oldest leaf is half green/brown and become totally brown before the fifth leaf emerges.  It seems to be the case regardless whether I planted one in more sun or more shade, even the fully shaded one is like that.  All of mine are smaller and the biggest may be 18" of trunk.

Is this typical?  As they mature do you get more then 3-4 total leaves at a time or no?

Ok in looking at some of the pictures in this thread I counted some with 5-6 leaves so I guess it's something to look forward to or I am not doing something right.

Mine holds 5 to 7...7 on a good day.  Has about 6 foot of wood below the crownshaft.  I'm in zone 10b SW Florida.  So far the average is 6.  Not sure if it will hold much more than that.  

[miamicuse]

On 10/18/2024 at 12:55 AM, Looking Glass said:

Up the road here, mine hold 4 fronds mostly, I’d say.   They are all young and close to getting a first ring though.   Palmpedia seems to say 6-10 fronds, but in pictures from various locations, looks closer to the 6 than the 10 for most people.  

That's good to know it's not lacking something that I could have amended.

On 10/18/2024 at 7:27 AM, Cape Garrett said:

Mine holds 5 to 7...7 on a good day.  Has about 6 foot of wood below the crownshaft.  I'm in zone 10b SW Florida.  So far the average is 6.  Not sure if it will hold much more than that.  

I look forward to having 5, 6 leaves in the future.  Most times it's 3.5 where the 0.5 is a half brown frond.

[JD in the OC]

Anyone in FL successful with C. lepidota?

All mine that have come in from Hawaii last a few months then kick the bucket..

I don't think they like growing at sea level or our high heat 

[Cape Garrett]

Just in time for Halloween!  6 leaves.

[Cape Garrett]

Here comes a new leaf.  Super red too.  7th leaf.  Usually holds six.  The crownshaft has some watermelon features to it as well.  Can hookeri have this?  Is this normal?

[Cape Garrett]

[realarch]

Nice specimen Garrett!

I’m lucky to have a second story lanai, otherwise I’d probably miss the new leaf on this one, They do get tall!

Tim

[Cape Garrett]

34 minutes ago, realarch said:

Nice specimen Garrett!

I’m lucky to have a second story lanai, otherwise I’d probably miss the new leaf on this one, They do get tall!

Tim

Very, very nice.  Mine is about 6 feet tall to the bottom of the crownshaft so has a ways to go.  Planted from a 3 gallon about 9 years ago.  Getting there.

[Harry’s Palms]

Mine has very faint watermelon or mottling on the crown , Macrocarpa . Harry

Full sun in Southern California , where they take time to grow. This one is about 25 years from seedling! Maybe 8-9’ tall.

[Cape Garrett]

1 hour ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Mine has very faint watermelon or mottling on the crown , Macrocarpa . Harry

Full sun in Southern California , where they take time to grow. This one is about 25 years from seedling! Maybe 8-9’ tall.

Holy slowness.  25 years.

[Harry’s Palms]

Yea , I brought this home from Maui as a tiny seedling in about 1999 . It was just a sprout when I planted it in the shade of a Pygmy palm. Harry

[Cape Garrett]

6 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Yea , I brought this home from Maui as a tiny seedling in about 1999 . It was just a sprout when I planted it in the shade of a Pygmy palm. Harry

So about 26 years.  What's the overall height?

[Harry’s Palms]

Well , the smooth trunk , below the crown shaft , is about 6’ , so almost 12’ to the top of the spear. Harry

[Cape Garrett]

17 minutes ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Well , the smooth trunk , below the crown shaft , is about 6’ , so almost 12’ to the top of the spear. Harry

About the size of mine.  These grow a bit slower in Cali I guess.  Mine is about the same as yours but planted out as a stunted 3 gallon in 2016.

[PalmCode]

Recently purchased my first one of these (Think it is hookeri, with the yellow showing).
Next spear is just appearing, so got a bit of time to wait untill we see what the new leaf color looks like. 

Will keep it growing in the pot for a while then find a nice spot for it in the ground.