Calamus caryotoides VS Plectocomia himalayana

[idontknowhatnametuse]

Different sources on the internet say that both of these rattan palms are able to handle temperatures between 20-23F. So I guess these are the hardiest calamoids?

Does anyone have these species? How true is this?

[Austinpalm]

Have tried Plectocomia himalayana 2-3 times.  Just seems to detest extended warm temps and has always died quickly on me.

[idontknowhatnametuse]

9 minutes ago, Austinpalm said:

Have tried Plectocomia himalayana 2-3 times.  Just seems to detest extended warm temps and has always died quickly on me.

Makes sense, I saw its habitat and it's a tall mountain range. It probably doesn't get too hot in there.

[Jonathan]

On 12/18/2024 at 3:42 PM, idontknowhatnametuse said:

Different sources on the internet say that both of these rattan palms are able to handle temperatures between 20-23F. So I guess these are the hardiest calamoids?

Does anyone have these species? How true is this?

Probably not true for C caryotoides. It's distribution is from about 11 to 19 degrees south in far north Queensland. Even up on the tablelands it rarely sees temps below freezing at that latitude...lowest temp recorded at Atherton (750m) for example is -0.6C/30.9F. 

C muelleri occurs about 1000km further south, so between roughly 25 to 30 south, in SE Qld and NE NSW...up to around 800m elevation. Likely to be hardier than caryotoides, although difficult to find seeds of either, so who knows?