Hedyscepe canturburyana

[Billeb]

4 minutes ago, Dusty CBAD said:

Hell yeah Dustin. That thing is looking sweet. Starting to take that Hedy shape everybody loves. Looks like it’s grown a lot since I saw it last. 
 

-dale

[Dusty CBAD]

Here's its original photos. 3 years ago. It was one of my first palms. Still have yet to see one for sale as big and healthy as the one I got. Lucky find

[tinman10101]

13 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

And check out these photos from a nursery in Kerikeri NZ when I visited a few years back. I was completely blown away. Despite being an Aus native, Hedyscepe is completely unavailable here. To see them readily available and grown to perfection at a nursery - had to be seen to be believed! There were 100s growing. 

wow tim ... that is a gold mine!!!  that is truly a magnificent sight to see.  so great that a nursery there know the value of these palms.  some of them are truly huge for growing in containers.  i wonder if some were field grown and then transplanted or if they lived all their life in containers.  they must be terribly old to get to that size.  thanks for sharing.

cheers

tin

[tim_brissy_13]

6 hours ago, tinman10101 said:

wow tim ... that is a gold mine!!!  that is truly a magnificent sight to see.  so great that a nursery there know the value of these palms.  some of them are truly huge for growing in containers.  i wonder if some were field grown and then transplanted or if they lived all their life in containers.  they must be terribly old to get to that size.  thanks for sharing.

cheers

tin

The nursery had 100s of rare palms growing in a field out the back so some may have been field grown. I remember speaking to the owner briefly; he explained the growth rate of cloud forest palms in that climate is unbelievable. The gardens in the nursery were planted 12 years before my visit apparently and there were Parajubaea and and Ceroxylons which must’ve been pushing 10m (33’). The largest Hedyscepe in the gardens must’ve been about 5-6m (17-20’) tall. 

[tinman10101]

8 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

The nursery had 100s of rare palms growing in a field out the back so some may have been field grown. I remember speaking to the owner briefly; he explained the growth rate of cloud forest palms in that climate is unbelievable. The gardens in the nursery were planted 12 years before my visit apparently and there were Parajubaea and and Ceroxylons which must’ve been pushing 10m (33’). The largest Hedyscepe in the gardens must’ve been about 5-6m (17-20’) tall. 

Wow talk about Disneyland for palm lovers. I'm not privy to Australia but is it close to where utopia palms are Tim?  I heard that is an amazing place as well. Please feel free to share pics if you have any. 😁

[tim_brissy_13]

44 minutes ago, tinman10101 said:

Wow talk about Disneyland for palm lovers. I'm not privy to Australia but is it close to where utopia palms are Tim?  I heard that is an amazing place as well. Please feel free to share pics if you have any. 😁

The nursery I’m referring to is in Kerikeri New Zealand. I don’t want to hijack there thread completely, but here’s some photos. If they come out in order, the central palm in each is Chrysalidocarpus decipens (the massive green form I’ve only seen in NZ), Hedyscepe, Geonoma undata, Arenga micrantha and Ceroxylon parvum. 

[Tyrone]

On 6/17/2023 at 6:18 AM, tim_brissy_13 said:

The nursery I’m referring to is in Kerikeri New Zealand. I don’t want to hijack there thread completely, but here’s some photos. If they come out in order, the central palm in each is Chrysalidocarpus decipens (the massive green form I’ve only seen in NZ), Hedyscepe, Geonoma undata, Arenga micrantha and Ceroxylon parvum. 

North island NZ should be able to grow some amazing cloud forest species that we struggle with in southern Australia as they don’t ever get the odd excursion into the 40C plus territory which many cloud forest palms simply can’t handle. It’s much more of an even mild temperature. The advantage of being on a narrow island (compared to Australia) with no deserts or dry heat. Very nice. 

[tim_brissy_13]

3 hours ago, Tyrone said:

North island NZ should be able to grow some amazing cloud forest species that we struggle with in southern Australia as they don’t ever get the odd excursion into the 40C plus territory which many cloud forest palms simply can’t handle. It’s much more of an even mild temperature. The advantage of being on a narrow island (compared to Australia) with no deserts or dry heat. Very nice. 

Yep. Amazing what they could grow there. Massive Prestoea acuminata montana and Pinanga phillipinensis too. Quite a narrow temperature band all year round helps. The day I arrived up north I remember it was pouring down with rain and only 12C (54F) during the day. Definitely not tropical but shows how many palms can grow in temperate regions as long as they are protected from extremes. 

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Here is Pogobob Hedyscepe in 1998 at around the same age as mine that was germinated 12 years later 

 

[Tassie_Troy1971]

On 6/16/2023 at 3:33 AM, Darold Petty said:

I have grown several, including one that achieved about 10 feet of true trunk before dying from a root disease.  I believe that this species is  variable in vigor, some plants are great, and some 'also-rans' .   Howea, on the other hand, seems to be very regular, with little difference between individuals.

Darold can you please post a photo of the Hedyscepe in your front yard 🙏 

[Alberto]

On 6/13/2023 at 7:34 AM, Tassie_Troy1971 said:

Here is my Hedyscepe canturburyana 

Grown from seed germinated in 2010 collected from Pogobob garden in San Clemente Ca.

It's an easy grow in my cool humid oceanic climate record low in the garden 31f record high 96f  

 

 

Your palm sibbling , also from Pogobob, growing here in south Brazil at 1030 m altitude, isn' t that happy after a harder freeze from some years ago.... and another died 😞

[Palmiz]

5 gallon just put in a week ago. Hopefully it makes it 🤞.  My second attempt and will keep trying til i get it. That's if i can find anymore

[PalmCode]

This is my oldest one. Starting to get some that awesome silver color on the leaf bases.

[Darold Petty]

Troy, I have been away from home, will post tomorrow.  

[tim_brissy_13]

1 hour ago, PalmCode said:

This is my oldest one. Starting to get some that awesome silver color on the leaf bases.

Amazing! Just a glance at that and I thought to myself “I bet that’s in NZ”. So lush and robust, well grown!

[BS Man about Palms]

On 6/15/2023 at 10:33 AM, Darold Petty said:

I have grown several, including one that achieved about 10 feet of true trunk before dying from a root disease.  I believe that this species is  variable in vigor, some plants are great, and some 'also-rans' .   Howea, on the other hand, seems to be very regular, with little difference between individuals.

100% agree with Darold! Years ago several of us dubbed it "the Hedyscepe complex" where you get random vigorous growers and runts.. I have also labeled other palms that have a growth habit like that to have the "Hedyscepe complex" too. The Bentickia condapanna is one that immediately comes to mind. (A few fantastic successes and many more failures in So Cal)
 
I had one in my front yard that started out "maybe" a little better than the runt version. Then it seemed to stop entirely... then shrink... then appeared to SPLIT... (all of this over a 6-8 year span) It is now growing again, but still a bit difficult to tell if it went with two heads, or just grew sideways and so slow that it looked like two heads.

Thankfully a couple years ago I got a robust 15 gal from @Josh-Othat I ACTUALLY PLANTED and (knock on my wood head) hope keeps doing well!

[peachy]

On 6/16/2023 at 9:57 AM, Darold Petty said:

"This was a very kind gift from Mr. Petty in San Francisco. "

Please, just call me Darold !   

You always told me to call you Daddy

[peachy]

I was only ever able to obtain one of these. It was growing steadily all over winter, looking very good, then a heatwave took it out. I think we had about a week of 40c plus.  My new house is in a very built up spot and now my shade plants are actually giving a bit of shade I would like to try one again.  The yards here are very tiny compared to the old house so the days of buying palms that get to a good size are a thing of the past.  I saw your place on telly a while back and it's really looking fantastic.  Well done, son.

Peachy

[Tyrone]

8 hours ago, peachy said:

I was only ever able to obtain one of these. It was growing steadily all over winter, looking very good, then a heatwave took it out. I think we had about a week of 40c plus.  My new house is in a very built up spot and now my shade plants are actually giving a bit of shade I would like to try one again.  The yards here are very tiny compared to the old house so the days of buying palms that get to a good size are a thing of the past.  I saw your place on telly a while back and it's really looking fantastic.  Well done, son.

Peachy

Peachy, even in Perth in full shade with copious moisture my Hedyscepe struggled. I would lose a few every summer. I moved south and they just grow so much better and faster with cool summer nights. I don’t think they’re a palm for qld unless your at around 1000m in a relatively frost free environment. Maybe somewhere like Mt Lewis near Cairns, or up around Mt Tambourine in SE QLD. 

[Darold Petty]

Here is my front yard Hedyscepe, for Tasmania's best grower, Troy Donovan.  This palm was sourced from the JD Andersen nursery in a 15 gallon pot, and was ground planted on October 25th, 2005.  I favor both opera music and hummingbirds.  I played Maria Callas' recording of "Casta Diva" and placed a hummingbird corpse at the bottom of the planting hole while installing this palm.  See the results !!  

The trunk is 112 cm tall, below the crownshaft (44 inches) and the trunk diameter just below the crownshaft is 16.5 cm in diameter, (6.5 inches)

Also, unless you reside in the 48 contiguous United States, please do not contact me about seeds.  I do not ship to other countries.       

(Sorry, the second image is slightly out of focus.)

 

[BS Man about Palms]

My big one as viewed from above next to a 6' fence. I need to weed, fertilize and step up water... (as usual) Base is looking pretty healthy!!

[Darold Petty]

Bill, how long has yours been ground planted ?  It's holding a lot of fronds !  

 

 

[Tassie_Troy1971]

16 hours ago, Darold Petty said:

Here is my front yard Hedyscepe, for Tasmania's best grower, Troy Donovan.  This palm was sourced from the JD Andersen nursery in a 15 gallon pot, and was ground planted on October 25th, 2005.  I favor both opera music and hummingbirds.  I played Maria Callas' recording of "Casta Diva" and placed a hummingbird corpse at the bottom of the planting hole while installing this palm.  See the results !!  

The trunk is 112 cm tall, below the crownshaft (44 inches) and the trunk diameter just below the crownshaft is 16.5 cm in diameter, (6.5 inches)

Also, unless you reside in the 48 contiguous United States, please do not contact me about seeds.  I do not ship to other countries.       

(Sorry, the second image is slightly out of focus.)

 

Bravo Darold 

What a magnificent specimen indeed  👏 

[Darold Petty]

Troy, yours will look like this soon enough, minus the brown leaflet tips of mine!   

[tinman10101]

On 7/4/2023 at 10:19 AM, Darold Petty said:

Here is my front yard Hedyscepe, for Tasmania's best grower, Troy Donovan.  This palm was sourced from the JD Andersen nursery in a 15 gallon pot, and was ground planted on October 25th, 2005.  I favor both opera music and hummingbirds.  I played Maria Callas' recording of "Casta Diva" and placed a hummingbird corpse at the bottom of the planting hole while installing this palm.  See the results !!  

The trunk is 112 cm tall, below the crownshaft (44 inches) and the trunk diameter just below the crownshaft is 16.5 cm in diameter, (6.5 inches)

Also, unless you reside in the 48 contiguous United States, please do not contact me about seeds.  I do not ship to other countries.       

(Sorry, the second image is slightly out of focus.)

 

insanely beautiful and inspirational!  i am sure the hedy has broadened its operatic repertoire since being planted!!!  😉

[Tracy]

On 6/15/2023 at 4:38 AM, Palm Tree Jim said:

Never had any luck with this palm in Southern California.

Well grown to all of you growing this with success.

I have grown four and only two are still alive.  The two remaining are surviving.  One is slightly larger than when planted and the other is smaller than my earliest photo.  Both in the ground since before 2009 or 14 years ago.  Both recently encountered an irrigation failure while I was out of town and between renters earlier this month, so no one paying attention to the problem.  That probably contributed to the yellowing but that lack of water has nothing to do with overall size gain over 14 years.  Both are in Carlsbad, and the two I failed with were in Leucadia.  My hats off to those doing well with this species wherever they are grown.

[BS Man about Palms]

On 7/4/2023 at 8:03 PM, Darold Petty said:

Bill, how long has yours been ground planted ?  It's holding a lot of fronds !  

 

 

It was a big 15 gal when planted.  I am sure not in the ground more than 4 years... maybe 3?

 

[Foggy Paul]

I had to revive this thread because it's my favorite palm that we can grow in SF. Here is ours. We laughingly call it the "$500 palm" because that's what the only 5 gallon specimen I could find cost. (I now know of better sources.) I don't know if it's a runt, but it's definitely not a rocket. It's been in the ground five years and has put out about five leaves in that time. The current spear has been swelling and morphing for at least nine months now. It'll surely be the biggest leaf yet when it finally opens.

[Billeb]

4 hours ago, Foggy Paul said:

I had to revive this thread because it's my favorite palm that we can grow in SF. 

Looks good Paul. Definitly one of my favorite. I have a nice sized one in a pot shown in this thread I may give to my brother. He lives in Alameda. The more of these grounded the better. 
 

4 hours ago, Foggy Paul said:

The current spear has been swelling and morphing for at least nine months now. It'll surely be the biggest leaf yet when it finally opens.

 

I have seen this before with mine too. No clue why? I’ve killed two and one thing to note, they do not like to be shocked at all.  Cutting off fronds early when young is a death sentence. Just keep doing what your doing. You really have to be patient with Hedyscepe.  Good Luck. 👍🏻 

-dale

[Foggy Paul]

11 minutes ago, Billeb said:

Looks good Paul. Definitly one of my favorite. I have a nice sized one in a pot shown in this thread I may give to my brother. He lives in Alameda. The more of these grounded the better.

Alameda is a little warmer than here. I would think it would do great there, similar to the one in the Palmetum in Oakland.