What Happened to Variegated Lady Palms? IN the USA

[Collectorpalms]

20 Years ago there was a website that had a ton of different named Lady Palms for sale, I think in Japanese names in bonsai pots. At the time the price seemed steep and well I didn't have enough shade.

What is the deal today with them? My regular Lady palms survived 4F Feb 2021 in Texas 8b up against the house and under snow. Id like to grow less but more elusive plants in my courtyard in my old age.

Thanks,

Ryan

Edited May 18, 2022 by Collectorpalms

[Phoenikakias]

I think you wanted to write actually Lady finger palm, which is the common name for Rhapis...

[miamicuse]

I see variegated Rhapis Excelsa from time to time.  Two weeks ago I was at a nursery with the regular Rhapis Excelsa 3 gallon size $75 and they also had a few variegated $375 in 3 gallon size.  I saw one at another nursery with no price tag a few months ago and I was told it's at least $500 and "I am not sure my boss want to sell it".  To me it's not as rare as some think it is.

[Collectorpalms]

  On 5/18/2022 at 1:26 PM, Phoenikakias said:

I think you wanted to write actually Lady finger palm, which is the common name for Rhapis...

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We Call them Lady Palms. I have all my life. And that did not answer my questions but thank you for your reply. By the way, we call a type of Banana Lady Finger Bananas here in the States.

Edited May 18, 2022 by Collectorpalms

[Collectorpalms]

  On 5/18/2022 at 2:13 PM, miamicuse said:

I see variegated Rhapis Excelsa from time to time.  Two weeks ago I was at a nursery with the regular Rhapis Excelsa 3 gallon size $75 and they also had a few variegated $375 in 3 gallon size.  I saw one at another nursery with no price tag a few months ago and I was told it's at least $500 and "I am not sure my boss want to sell it".  To me it's not as rare as some think it is.

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Well Thank you but I can just go plant another Coconut then if its not so cool, oh wait it was 4F in Texas with no power last year. Thank you for your quick reply.

Edited May 18, 2022 by Collectorpalms

[Darold Petty]

Ryan, I think you recall a Texas woman named Lynn McKamey.  She had a mail-order Rhapis nursery and wrote a small book called, "Secrets of the Orient, Dwarf Rhapis". 

I don't recall the name of her business, but  I believe that she is no longer active, and the book is 'out of print'.  It is offered used, at various large internet sites, usually for about $80.   

[Collectorpalms]

  On 5/18/2022 at 2:48 PM, Darold Petty said:

Ryan, I think you recall a Texas woman named Lynn McKamey.  She had a mail-order Rhapis nursery and wrote a small book called, "Secrets of the Orient, Dwarf Rhapis". 

I don't recall the name of her business, but  I believe that she is no longer active, and the book is 'out of print'.  It is offered used, at various large internet sites, usually for about $80.   

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BINGO. Ok, that answered my original question thank you! Now does anyone have opinions on obtaining one from a reputable seller, do they stay true or revert to green?

[Collectorpalms]

[Kailua_Krish]

What's interesting is Ive seen them (variegated, no variety name) sold from time to time here in Hawaii even at the box box stores but never seen them growing around here. I assume they dont hold up well as planted out plants but likely are grown in pots indoors. Thats just what Im inferring.

[Collectorpalms]

[Kailua_Krish]

  On 5/18/2022 at 3:01 PM, Collectorpalms said:

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Rhapis "Koban" is really quite attractive (leaves look big and robust) and a vigorous landscape palm. Not as tall as regular lady palm but just as aggressive. I have several clumps in my Zone 9a FL garden.

[Darold Petty]

Some of the variegated cultivars are stable, like Zuikonishki, but many are not.  It is a matter of judgement and consensus whether the offset is of equal quality to the parent.

For this reason I would not spend large money for one of these palms, even though, in Japan, they sell for huge prices.    

[Collectorpalms]

  On 5/18/2022 at 3:02 PM, Kailua_Krish said:

Rhapis "Koban" is really quite attractive (leaves look big and robust) and a vigorous landscape palm. Not as tall as regular lady palm but just as aggressive. I have several clumps in my Zone 9a FL garden.

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That is so lucky. She was from near Corpus Christi at the time. Maybe find old address and do a drive by hunt for the neighborhood. Wink.

[Darold Petty]

The all green variety, Tenzan, is a very successful houseplant for me. 

[Kailua_Krish]

  On 5/18/2022 at 3:07 PM, Collectorpalms said:

That is so lucky. She was from near Corpus Christi at the time. Maybe find old address and do a drive by hunt for the neighborhood. Wink.

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I think I got mine from Jeff S in FL years ago when I lived in Miami.

If I were at my FL place Id be happy to send you some but unfortunately I dont know the next time I will be there. 

[miamicuse]

A local nursery has a dense cluster of them planted in an area about 10'X10' area in filtered light.  I once asked if they are selling them but they said no and they do not have any in pots.  I have been there a few times a year and they do stay variegated.

[NatureGirl]

I used to be interested in variegated Lady Palms as well., But  never was able to get any. Had these books forever too.

[Marie Nock]

Mike  (eBay ID: mda1515) has been to Japan a couple of times to establish relationships with Japanese growers of the small variegated Lady Palms.  He sells named varieties occasionally through eBay.

[D. Morrowii]

  On 5/18/2022 at 3:25 PM, miamicuse said:

A local nursery has a dense cluster of them planted in an area about 10'X10' area in filtered light.  I once asked if they are selling them but they said no and they do not have any in pots.  I have been there a few times a year and they do stay variegated.

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Sun Harbor? There is a little shop in Indiatlantic beach I think? They have a nice little section of them growing. 

[mydateplams]

  On 5/18/2022 at 2:55 PM, Collectorpalms said:

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Do these have a little variegation going on or is that just deficiencies? Its nothing like in the other photos.

 

 

[Bill G]

There is a rather large grouping of them in Sarasota, FL at Marie Selby gardens outside - maybe 10’ tall. So they can definitely grow in 9b/10a. Can’t say about zone 8. I have this one in my garden (outside, shady) here in St Pete. I planted it with non-variegated about a year ago. Probably a bad idea to mix them. Oh well. Bought it from Ronnie (Sherwood Forest) in Miami. He has more. A bit of a drive from TX. Good luck. 

[Jim in Los Altos]

They grow well in the ground. This one’s been in the ground in full shade roughly eight trees. The bronze  tone is just reflection. This smaller one is ported on my front porch and has been there five years. 
 

[JohnAndSancho]

Phil had some on his 10 day sales not too long ago. I don't remember prices or sizes. 

[Kim]

I bought this one from another PalmTalk member here in San Diego about 12 years ago. I have always kept it in a pot so I can keep it in shade. There are a few leaves on one stem that are not variegated, but otherwise it has held the variegation pattern really well. I have no memory of what I paid. I think they are around if you inquire. 

[miamicuse]

  On 5/18/2022 at 4:29 PM, D. Morrowii said:

Sun Harbor? There is a little shop in Indiatlantic beach I think? They have a nice little section of them growing. 

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No the nursery I saw them at was Living Color nursery in Fort Lauderdale/Davie, on Griffin Road west of I-95.  Here is a picture of it I took.  They do not have any for sale when I was there last.

Jesse Durko nursery has a few specimen.

[96720]

I believe jungle music has a variety of different ones!!

[tim_brissy_13]

Mine is doing well planted in the garden. New stems have popped up variegated too.