How well does Euterpe oleracea tolerate greenhouse conditions?

[CodyORB]

I've heard it is a finicky palm to grow outside highly tropical environments and I have no hope of growing it in 9a FL. However, how would it perform inside a greenhouse heated during the colder winter nights? Does it need full sunlight, particularly to produce fruit?

[PalmatierMeg]

Very tropical. I lost my small ones in the record winter of 2009/10, haven’t tried this species again. It can’t survive a 9a winter. The cold hardiest Euterpe is supposed to be edulis. I am growing several dozen of these from seeds and am most impressed with their vigor. That said, even edulis can’t survive a 9a winter.

The other thing to understand about tropical palms that many people are baffled by is the concept of “cool sensitivity”. Ultimate lows are not as important as tropical palms’ need for hot, humid days followed by warm, humid nights. By “hot” and “warm” I mean 85+F days and 70+F nights. Humidity means 70%+, preferably higher. Occasional dips of temp or humidity can be survivable if they are short lived - a few hours - followed by rebounds back to safer conditions.

Are you willing/able to provide tropical conditions in a greenhouse over a 9a winter? Tropical palms can’t photosynthesize at all below 50F. Continued highs below 60-70F will kill them. And lack of tropical conditions almost year round will prevent tropical palms from flowering and seeding. Coconuts in HI do not fruit above 1,000’ elevation.

Your chances of growing a crop açaí berries are likely remote but I genuinely wish you luck. I believe I am allergic to them.

 

[CodyORB]

12 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Very tropical. I lost my small ones in the record winter of 2009/10, haven’t tried this species again. It can’t survive a 9a winter. The cold hardiest Euterpe is supposed to be edulis. I am growing several dozen of these from seeds and am most impressed with their vigor. That said, even edulis can’t survive a 9a winter.

The other thing to understand about tropical palms that many people are baffled by is the concept of “cool sensitivity”. Ultimate lows are not as important as tropical palms’ need for hot, humid days followed by warm, humid nights. By “hot” and “warm” I mean 85+F days and 70+F nights. Humidity means 70%+, preferably higher. Occasional dips of temp or humidity can be survivable if they are short lived - a few hours - followed by rebounds back to safer conditions.

Are you willing/able to provide tropical conditions in a greenhouse over a 9a winter? Tropical palms can’t photosynthesize at all below 50F. Continued highs below 60-70F will kill them. And lack of tropical conditions almost year round will prevent tropical palms from flowering and seeding. Coconuts in HI do not fruit above 1,000’ elevation.

Your chances of growing a crop açaí berries are likely remote but I genuinely wish you luck. I believe I am allergic to them.

 

Thank you for your advice!

 

 

Edited July 29, 2020 by CodyORB