Cat Palm with flower stock/ seeds

[Griffin]

I recently bought a Cat Palm from Menards about a week ago and when I bought it I noticed it had flower stocks. The thing I’m wondering is if the palm is still flowering or seeds are starting to form.

Thanks!

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 5/24/2024 at 9:50 PM, Griffin said:

I recently bought a Cat Palm from Menards about a week ago and when I bought it I noticed it had flower stocks. The thing I’m wondering is if the palm is still flowering or seeds are starting to form.

Thanks!

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Tough call... They could be seed ( female ) inflos.  If so, you'll notice fertilized flowers start to swell.  If male inflos.,  each of the flowers / entire stalk will dry up and do nothing.

Mature fruit should be black / black-ish in color when ripe.

Will say it looks a tad thirsty..  These love water ( grow near rivers naturally )   https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaedorea_cataractarum

[Looking Glass]

I think those will form little fruits over time.  If they are viable or not, only time will tell.   Mine out front are quite large, like 7+ feet tall.  They flower in late winter and are forming little fruits now.  Later in the year they will grow into fruits that mature into black little bean-like things that are mature around winter or so.  



 

[Griffin]

  On 5/24/2024 at 10:56 PM, Silas_Sancona said:

Tough call... They could be seed ( female ) inflos.  If so, you'll notice fertilized flowers start to swell.  If male inflos.,  each of the flowers / entire stalk will dry up and do nothing.

Mature fruit should be black / black-ish in color when ripe.

Will say it looks a tad thirsty..  These love water ( grow near rivers naturally )   https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Chamaedorea_cataractarum

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Yeah I think I might have have a male, thanks for the information!

[Griffin]

  On 5/24/2024 at 11:21 PM, Looking Glass said:

I think those will form little fruits over time.  If they are viable or not, only time will tell.   Mine out front are quite large, like 7+ feet tall.  They flower in late winter and are forming little fruits now.  Later in the year they will grow into fruits that mature into black little bean-like things that are mature around winter or so.  



 

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Thanks for the info!

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 5/24/2024 at 11:58 PM, Griffin said:

Yeah I think I might have have a male, thanks for the information!

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  Could be for sure but,  just keep an eye on it.. It will be pretty obvious which sex it is in a few weeks when the fruits -if there,  start swelling on the inflo.

If you do get seeds and they germinate,  you can attempt to out compete the big box stores ( By selling them cheaper ) haha. 

[peachy]

I found this species looks better and grows better if you separate all the palms they shove into one pot. I can see at least 4 in that pot of yours. If you pot them up individually now, they will sulk for a short time but them grow much stronger and better looking. (plus you can sell the left overs)

Peachy

 

[Looking Glass]

  On 5/25/2024 at 1:25 AM, peachy said:

I found this species looks better and grows better if you separate all the palms they shove into one pot. I can see at least 4 in that pot of yours. If you pot them up individually now, they will sulk for a short time but them grow much stronger and better looking. (plus you can sell the left overs)

Peachy

 

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I was going to say, there are likely both males and females in that pot.   I started with 4 potted clumps smaller than that. Planted them out.  Each clump turned out to be a planted multiple of both sexes.  The clumps are now huge.   I wack them with hedge trimmers twice a year to keep them at bay.