Nikau question

[Tyrone]

Hi all,

I've germinated some Rhopalostylis sapida and they're at sprout stage now. They've been at 22C, room temperature. I want to grow these as fast as possible, and was wondering if things would slow down if I potted them up and put them outside in the undercanopy. At present June has averaged 8C at night and 20C during the day. July will be 8C-18C approx. Would these grow quicker inside or would they just take to the outside conditions like a pig to mud. What do you reckon??

regards

Tyrone

[Gaston in Argentina]

Tyrone.- Im not in N.Z. but have some little experience growing Nikaus that is a favorite palm.- They are slow to very slow growing (bauerii is a fast growing) but speed a lot if planted in the ground under some canopy and with plenty of water, an evermoist corner of the garden and when keep the latest rain water, also in claysh soil, they also respond well to fertilizer.-

And... if i know well Perth has good temperatures for Nikaus, save that will need artificial watering.-

[malcthomas]

Tyrone

I would sugest planting them out as sprouts into individual pots and keep inside until winter is over.. My guess is that they would slow down outside despite being able to handle the cooler tempertaure.  Dampening off may be a problem moving sprouts so perhaps a mild treatment of fungicide. As Gaston mentioned, these thrive in moist conditions..

regards...Malcolm

[Tyrone]

Thanks for the input guys. I've got some Rhopies of both kinds growing here fine and they're not that slow actually. In Perth they're a fullshade palm, as summer heat here can fry almost anything. There is plenty of irrigation for these guys too.

I was going to pot them up and place them outside until I read your post Malcolm. I'll take your word on that and leave them inside until they're a little bigger. I didn't think anyone was going to reply and looked up the climate figures for Auckland and realised that the temps I'm getting now are what Auckland gets in Oct-Nov, and the Chathams, well....  I've got 3 little Chathams that grew thru summer here, and I was quite surprised. The only thing I do find is if they stress thru summer a bit, the coconut scale gets them real bad. Do they get that in NZ??

best regards

Tyrone

[Caryota_gigas]

The Palm and Cycad Society of New Zealand recently did a magazine issue devoted solely to the Nikau palm in all its forms. If you are interested the 36 page mag can be ordered here

Dont worry about the being a member bit, just send an email and we can send one out.