Anyone growing Dypsis Robusta? Show me yours.

[Josh-O]

Just planted out this 15 gallon I grew from a little 3-4 leaf seedling I got from JM back in 2014. This palm has been a Glacier in terms of growth rate.  I’ve been waiting very patiently for many years to plant this in the perfect spot. Finally  pulled trigger and grounded in the other day in what seems to be an ideal 1/2 day sun location. 
 

who else is growing this Dypsis? Let’s see some pictures  

[John hovancsek]

Such a chunky palm. The one I have is starting to get beefy 

[Rob123]

Those are beauties! Josh, that thing looks like it is going to explode in the ground for you!!! Make sure to post updates every few years. I had a 15 gallon but it didn’t survive last winter 🙁

[realarch]

Hey Josh, have I got a C. robustus for you! Definitely qualifies as a Big A_ _ palm…..an apt botanical term. I also acquired as a 15 gal. back in 2011 and it’s been one speedy palm. When it was head height I remember the reddish woolly tomentum on the leaf sheath, it was like petting an animal, so cool. Anyway, give it room, it will become one prominent specimen.

Tim

[realarch]

Here is a shot back in 2012, it exploded right after. 

Tim

[ellidro]

Wow josh! Well done getting that thing so chunky. I think some of the more tender Dypsis just need to be planted at a larger size to really take off in SoCal. The hard part is getting them to the size you did. I bet that thing goes crazy now that it's in the ground.

[Josh-O]

On 10/3/2023 at 8:20 AM, John hovancsek said:

Such a chunky palm. The one I have is starting to get beefy 

Such a beauty 

[Josh-O]

On 10/3/2023 at 12:01 PM, realarch said:

Hey Josh, have I got a C. robustus for you! Definitely qualifies as a Big A_ _ palm…..an apt botanical term. I also acquired as a 15 gal. back in 2011 and it’s been one speedy palm. When it was head height I remember the reddish woolly tomentum on the leaf sheath, it was like petting an animal, so cool. Anyway, give it room, it will become one prominent specimen.

Tim

Wow!!! What a stellar specimen!!! 
 

 

[Josh-O]

On 10/3/2023 at 8:07 PM, ellidro said:

Wow josh! Well done getting that thing so chunky. I think some of the more tender Dypsis just need to be planted at a larger size to really take off in SoCal. The hard part is getting them to the size you did. I bet that thing goes crazy now that it's in the ground.

Definitely a patient labor of love. I have one a bit bigger in the garden that I planted a few years back and I like it so much that I had to plant a second oneDefinitely a patient labor of love. I have one a bit bigger in the garden that I planted a few years back and I like it so much that I had to plant a second one

[Dr. George]

Our 2 C. robustus:

 

 

 

 

[Hilo Jason]

Looks good Josh, and everyone else here. This is a great palm. Here’s my largest in Hilo:

 

[Hilo Jason]

And here’s my smaller one that is actually probably taller than the other due to growing in more shade. No trunk yet on this one. For some reason my trunking palm seems to always have brown tips but this one always looks perfect. 
 

[Tracy]

1 hour ago, Hilo Jason said:

my smaller one that is actually probably taller than the other due to growing in more shade. No trunk yet on this one. For some reason my trunking palm seems to always have brown tips but this one always looks perfect. 

Did you answer the question yourself Jason?  I'm thinking the first statement could have something to do with it, which is the better looking one is growing in more shade.

Here is the latest on the one I got from George Sparkman as either 3 or 5 gallon.  When it was small, the house behind it being to the west blocked afternoon shade.  Now the upper portions of leaves are above the house so it's getting some filtered light early in the day, then full sun on the upper portions until very late afternoon.

 

[Josh-O]

On 10/7/2023 at 3:42 PM, Dr. George said:

Our 2 C. robustus:

 

 

 

 

Stunning!! They are so colorful when they start to trunk if seems 

[Josh-O]

20 hours ago, Tracy said:

Did you answer the question yourself Jason?  I'm thinking the first statement could have something to do with it, which is the better looking one is growing in more shade.

Here is the latest on the one I got from George Sparkman as either 3 or 5 gallon.  When it was small, the house behind it being to the west blocked afternoon shade.  Now the upper portions of leaves are above the house so it's getting some filtered light early in the day, then full sun on the upper portions until very late afternoon.

 

nice Tracy!!
How long have you had it on the ground? Was this one of the Florida imports George did? 

[Tracy]

1 hour ago, Josh-O said:

nice Tracy!!
How long have you had it on the ground? Was this one of the Florida imports George did? 

It could have been either Florida or Floribunda, I don't recall.  Both of the Dypsis prestoniana (Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus) I got from him were definitely from Florida.  Both photos below from late in 2015.  It was still in a pot in September 2015 but in the ground by December 2015.  Now it is hard to tell size even with the shower next to it, but when you see the shower back in 2015, it does put perspective on both the old and new photos.  That's my favorite shower at the house and most used, including the in house showers.  It's  nice to be in the shower looking out at palms, including the Chrysalidocarpus robustus, and the open sky.  So we are now 8 years out from the photo in the pot.

[Josh-O]

16 hours ago, Tracy said:

It could have been either Florida or Floribunda, I don't recall.  Both of the Dypsis prestoniana (Chrysalidocarpus prestonianus) I got from him were definitely from Florida.  Both photos below from late in 2015.  It was still in a pot in September 2015 but in the ground by December 2015.  Now it is hard to tell size even with the shower next to it, but when you see the shower back in 2015, it does put perspective on both the old and new photos.  That's my favorite shower at the house and most used, including the in house showers.  It's  nice to be in the shower looking out at palms, including the Chrysalidocarpus robustus, and the open sky.  So we are now 8 years out from the photo in the pot.

You definitely have time in this plant. They are glaciers for us in California. Keep up the good work my friend your garden never disappoints!!Keep up the good work my friend your garden never disappoints

[Hilo Jason]

On 10/7/2023 at 7:04 PM, Tracy said:

Did you answer the question yourself Jason?  I'm thinking the first statement could have something to do with it, which is the better looking one is growing in more shade.

Here is the latest on the one I got from George Sparkman as either 3 or 5 gallon.  When it was small, the house behind it being to the west blocked afternoon shade.  Now the upper portions of leaves are above the house so it's getting some filtered light early in the day, then full sun on the upper portions until very late afternoon.

 

Yours looks great Tracy!  Must be the largest in So Cal, besides Mardy Darians, if it's still in that garden.  No idea after he passed away what palms remain.  

As for mine, my trunking one is definitely not in a lot of sun.  So not sure if its a sun vs shade option.  I need to check the one out at my Pepeekeo property and see how it's doing.  That one is in full sun, nothing like I have here in Hilo at 500 feet elevation.  I'll be curious to see how that one is looking. 

[Josh-O]

On 10/9/2023 at 3:16 PM, Hilo Jason said:

Yours looks great Tracy!  Must be the largest in So Cal, besides Mardy Darians, if it's still in that garden.  No idea after he passed away what palms remain.  

As for mine, my trunking one is definitely not in a lot of sun.  So not sure if its a sun vs shade option.  I need to check the one out at my Pepeekeo property and see how it's doing.  That one is in full sun, nothing like I have here in Hilo at 500 feet elevation.  I'll be curious to see how that one is looking. 

Send pics of if when u get a chance Jason 

[Hilo Jason]

On 10/10/2023 at 7:34 PM, Josh-O said:

Send pics of if when u get a chance Jason 

Here you go @Josh-O, full sun on the coast:

 

And here’s Robusta hybrid (I’m guessing it’s crossed with Lanceolata). The sun was hitting it just right and really lighting it up:

[Kim]

Jason, that Robusta hybrid is a killer! Just stunning! 😳🤯🤩

[mike in kurtistown]

This thread got away while I was planning to add my own pictures. My two are a lot smaller than the amazing ones shown by Jason, Tim, and others, but maybe this will contain useful information.

The first was sold at a plant sale by a local grower and was ID'd as Dypsis robusta. Went into the ground in November 2012:

 

Here is a shot of the base and leaf sheaths:

Finally, at another sale by a local grower, there was a plant ID'd as Dypsis prestoniana. I planted it next to another one in February 2013. After several years of growth, I was satisfied that it was not prestoniana. I decided on my own (because of its similar appearance) that it was probably robusta. Here is what it looks like today:

If anyone wishes to correct my ID, I'm all ears and would be grateful.

 

[Hilo Jason]

Just noticed my Robusta hybrid is popping out a sucker. Good chance this is crossed with Lanceolata and suckering seems to confirm that a bit for me. 
 

 

[Tracy]

16 hours ago, Hilo Jason said:

Just noticed my Robusta hybrid is popping out a sucker. Good chance this is crossed with Lanceolata and suckering seems to confirm that a bit for me. 
 

 

That is a bit wild looking with a sucker on such a large beefy, dare I say ROBUST palm.  Very interesting to see and will want to follow the progress as it pops out!

[Josh-O]

19 hours ago, Hilo Jason said:

Just noticed my Robusta hybrid is popping out a sucker. Good chance this is crossed with Lanceolata and suckering seems to confirm that a bit for me. 
 

 

Whoa!!! Now this is what I’m talking about! EPIC!!!

[ruskinPalms]

These sure are beautiful! They look like triangle palms on steroids to me. I bet they hybridize with other Chrysalidocarpus well and would make very interesting crosses. 

[Hilo Jason]

On 10/20/2023 at 1:25 PM, Tracy said:

That is a bit wild looking with a sucker on such a large beefy, dare I say ROBUST palm.  Very interesting to see and will want to follow the progress as it pops out!

Not sure if I’ll let it grow much or if I’ll cut it off. This was a triple and I cut one of them out as I thought it would look better as a double. Maybe I’ll leave this one since it’s on the backside. 

[Hilo Jason]

On 10/20/2023 at 1:25 PM, Tracy said:

That is a bit wild looking with a sucker on such a large beefy, dare I say ROBUST palm.  Very interesting to see and will want to follow the progress as it pops out!

And yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sucker come out on such a big palm like this!  Pretty wild! 

[colin Peters]

Been off palmtalk for a very long time. Nice to be back. Much aloha everyone. This is

my robusta from one gallon, what seems like an eternity ago.  Got mature seed now. Fast grower

for me. 

[colin Peters]

ya I know, close to the wall, close to the house , close to uncles driveway. but when planted as a one gallon

hard to imagine it would get like this !!!!!!

[Tracy]

On 10/8/2023 at 7:44 PM, Tracy said:

Both photos below from late in 2015.  It was still in a pot in September 2015 but in the ground by December 2015.  Now it is hard to tell size even with the shower next to it, but when you see the shower back in 2015, it does put perspective on both the old and new photos.  That's my favorite shower at the house and most used, including the in house showers.  It's  nice to be in the shower looking out at palms, including the Chrysalidocarpus robustus, and the open sky.  So we are now 8 years out from the photo in the pot.

Mine isn't as fast as Colin's but it keeps growing with no sign of trunk yet.  Mine is also planted a little closer to the house than I would have done in retrospect.  The new leaf opening is towering over that part of the house.

[realarch]

1 hour ago, Tracy said:

Mine isn't as fast as Colin's but it keeps growing with no sign of trunk yet.  Mine is also planted a little closer to the house than I would have done in retrospect.  The new leaf opening is towering over that part of the house.

OMG, Tracy. Comparing photos of your outdoor shower area, the growth is striking. Power on!

Tim

[Hilo Jason]

Looks amazing Tracy!  

[flplantguy]

On 10/13/2023 at 3:10 AM, Hilo Jason said:

Here you go @Josh-O, full sun on the coast:

 

And here’s Robusta hybrid (I’m guessing it’s crossed with Lanceolata). The sun was hitting it just right and really lighting it up:

This palm hybrid is a favorite of mine from this picture alone.  I have robusta and lanceolata but this one seems like a perfect creation.  I hope it produces viable seed for you

[Hilo Jason]

3 hours ago, flplantguy said:

This palm hybrid is a favorite of mine from this picture alone.  I have robusta and lanceolata but this one seems like a perfect creation.  I hope it produces viable seed for you

It’s a favorite of mine as well. It’s flowering now for the first time. I’ll try to germinate some of the seed once it ripens and see what happens. 

[Billeb]

On 8/12/2024 at 9:17 AM, Tracy said:

 

 

Wow!! That thing has exploded since I saw it last. Really starting to take off. Gotta love big bodied Dypsis. 

Although maybe not ideal….i don’t mind where it’s planted. Just chugging along taking over space 👍🏻

-dale 

[realarch]

Boy, this palm has certainly turned into a yard monster. Make sure you give it enough room if you intend to plant one.

If you look closely at the base, you can see a shovel with an orange handle. 

Tim

[Hilo Jason]

3 hours ago, realarch said:

Boy, this palm has certainly turned into a yard monster. Make sure you give it enough room if you intend to plant one.

If you look closely at the base, you can see a shovel with an orange handle. 

Tim

Wow!  Doesn’t seem that long ago that palm revealed its first ring of trunk! 

[BS Man about Palms]

Just thinking out loud here... This palm has often been considered to be the same one Mardy Darian had as "Dypsis white stem" (the large version-lol) I count myself as one that decided they are likely the same plant.
However, legend always was that Mardy originally sold them cheap as where he found the original palm, the seeds/seedlings were prolific. Yet, so few seemed to survive past a 5 gal size, due to that, the price rose dramatically. 

Seeing how many and how fast these shown are growing, I can't help but wonder again if they are the same palm.  I can see it as believable that the "collective growing knowledge" base has grown.  I guess to me, the biggest support for it being the same as Mardy's original is there seems to be distinct lack of a good supply of 5 gal+ sized palms out there. (Which reminds me, I had found one, but it got buried in a large irrigated area a while back and I have not checked on it in a while.. maybe a good project for today!)

 

Also I want to say how great these palms look out there, thanks for sharing!!

[BS Man about Palms]

On 8/18/2024 at 9:08 AM, BS Man about Palms said:

Just thinking out loud here... This palm has often been considered to be the same one Mardy Darian had as "Dypsis white stem" (the large version-lol) I count myself as one that decided they are likely the same plant.
However, legend always was that Mardy originally sold them cheap as where he found the original palm, the seeds/seedlings were prolific. Yet, so few seemed to survive past a 5 gal size, due to that, the price rose dramatically. 

Seeing how many and how fast these shown are growing, I can't help but wonder again if they are the same palm.  I can see it as believable that the "collective growing knowledge" base has grown.  I guess to me, the biggest support for it being the same as Mardy's original is there seems to be distinct lack of a good supply of 5 gal+ sized palms out there. (Which reminds me, I had found one, but it got buried in a large irrigated area a while back and I have not checked on it in a while.. maybe a good project for today!)

 

Also I want to say how great these palms look out there, thanks for sharing!!

Well, I dug through the group of 15 gal Chrysalidocarpus of various species, Raveneas, etc. most in 15 gal pots, some 7's and true to form.. the robusta was the only dead one..