Geonoma atrovirens where are they on palm talk.

[happypalms]

The Geonoma atrovirens one palm that’s on my must have list that’s for sure. A bit of a challenge to in the brain grow sector of my horticultural files in the back of my brain somewhere. We all have a palm that challenges our grow skills and this one is it for me. An absolute stunning palm to look at I would trade a 1000 Joeys for a hundred of these beauties in a blink of an eye that’s for sure. 

[realarch]

Richard, I’ve posted several photos of this species on PT, so they are here somewhere. The search feature is a bit dodgy lately and I needed to reenter and search several times before I got the results I was looking for. In any case, I will post more photos soon. 

I agree, this is a remarkable palm.

Tim

[happypalms]

2 hours ago, realarch said:

Richard, I’ve posted several photos of this species on PT, so they are here somewhere. The search feature is a bit dodgy lately and I needed to reenter and search several times before I got the results I was looking for. In any case, I will post more photos soon. 

I agree, this is a remarkable palm.

Tim

Photos yes please. My only regret about this palm is, there was one for sale at the pacsoa plant sale that was in a large pot and about 3 feet tall selling for $650 Aus iam so disappointed I didn’t buy it. 

[Nico971]

This is clearly next level rarity for me 😅 some things are just impossible to find on my small island 

[happypalms]

2 hours ago, Nico971 said:

This is clearly next level rarity for me 😅 some things are just impossible to find on my small island 

Never give up the more palms like these ones get into mainstream cultivation, they will slowly become more available. It’s only a matter of time or years but they will become available. Look at Chambeyronia macrocarpa rare as in the day now dime a dozen. Australia is fast becoming a place for exotics with more importer’s importing rare stuff, Australia used to be so remote from the rest of the world now it’s just a plane ticket away or email in seconds flat. 

[realarch]

Here are a few photos that I’ve posted before. Of the three I have, two are developing darker leaves and not quite as robust as the third, which continues to throw medium green leaves. They all have new leaves that are different shades of mauve. They are over 5’, (1.5m) tall. Just a killer small palm. 

Tim

[John hovancsek]

I was pulling the moss if at the base of mine and broke off its first flower. I don’t think it would set seed yet but would have loved to see it

[realarch]

Hi John, mine has been flowering for a few years now and is finally trying to set seed. We shall see. 

Be patient, it will surprise you one of these days. 

Tim

[happypalms]

12 hours ago, realarch said:

Here are a few photos that I’ve posted before. Of the three I have, two are developing darker leaves and not quite as robust as the third, which continues to throw medium green leaves. They all have new leaves that are different shades of mauve. They are over 5’, (1.5m) tall. Just a killer small palm. 

Tim

Well what can I say perfection plus a absolutely gorgeous.

[PalmatierMeg]

My experience with the Geonoma spp I tried is that they can't survive long term in Florida - more like a few weeks, perhaps months depending on when they are planted/potted. They prefer a cooler climate, especially at night but FL gives them 6-8 months of summer swelter day and night. 

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

My experience with the Geonoma spp I tried is that they can't survive long term in Florida - more like a few weeks, perhaps months depending on when they are planted/potted. They prefer a cooler climate, especially at night but FL gives them 6-8 months of summer swelter day and night. 

Thanks for the tip on growing them I will try to avoid a hot position in the garden. I was always worried about cold weather. So it’s the heat they dislike you learn something new every day thanks. 

[peachy]

On 2/3/2025 at 9:50 AM, happypalms said:

Photos yes please. My only regret about this palm is, there was one for sale at the pacsoa plant sale that was in a large pot and about 3 feet tall selling for $650 Aus iam so disappointed I didn’t buy it. 

I saw that one also. I was about to grab it until I saw the price tag. It's only a few weeks until the next show so I am deciding whether or not to to go and grab a few palms or put the money towards buying a holiday home on the Gaza Strip.

Peachy

[tim_brissy_13]

12 hours ago, happypalms said:

Thanks for the tip on growing them I will try to avoid a hot position in the garden. I was always worried about cold weather. So it’s the heat they dislike you learn something new every day thanks. 

I think for many Geonoma it’s both. They seem to need consistent temps without extremes. I’d say a constantly moist and shady position in your subtropical climate should keep quite a few Geonoma sp happy Richard. 

[Jonathan]

10 hours ago, peachy said:

I saw that one also. I was about to grab it until I saw the price tag. It's only a few weeks until the next show so I am deciding whether or not to to go and grab a few palms or put the money towards buying a holiday home on the Gaza Strip.

Peachy

Lol.

I would have thought that Surfers would be handier for you Peachy, if you really want a holiday in hell!

[Darold Petty]

10 hours ago, peachy said:

I saw that one also. I was about to grab it until I saw the price tag. It's only a few weeks until the next show so I am deciding whether or not to to go and grab a few palms or put the money towards buying a holiday home on the Gaza Strip.

Peachy

Don Jr will reserve a penthouse suite for you Peachy !  

[peachy]

4 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Lol.

I would have thought that Surfers would be handier for you Peachy, if you really want a holiday in hell!

I haven't been down there for 25 years would you believe ? I have a lot of relatives there, yet another reason to keep away. My grandparents built and operated the first motel on the Gold Coast, the Pink Poodle for many years. I used to visit Nana in her high rise at Main Beach until she croaked about 15 years ago. Guilt motivated as I never really liked her. I think the plane fare to Gaza would be cheaper than the toll roads to Surfers these days 

Peachy

[happypalms]

18 hours ago, peachy said:

I saw that one also. I was about to grab it until I saw the price tag. It's only a few weeks until the next show so I am deciding whether or not to to go and grab a few palms or put the money towards buying a holiday home on the Gaza Strip.

Peachy

To the heck with a holiday home, buy buy buy palms. I will race you to it peachy if it’s up for sale this time.

Richard 

[happypalms]

2 hours ago, peachy said:

I haven't been down there for 25 years would you believe ? I have a lot of relatives there, yet another reason to keep away. My grandparents built and operated the first motel on the Gold Coast, the Pink Poodle for many years. I used to visit Nana in her high rise at Main Beach until she croaked about 15 years ago. Guilt motivated as I never really liked her. I think the plane fare to Gaza would be cheaper than the toll roads to Surfers these days 

Peachy

Surfers paradise hey, I won’t mention what I call that place……..

[happypalms]

16 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

I think for many Geonoma it’s both. They seem to need consistent temps without extremes. I’d say a constantly moist and shady position in your subtropical climate should keep quite a few Geonoma sp happy Richard. 

Port Macquarie might be the place for them. But i will certainly give them a go, one palm I love. 

[Harry’s Palms]

I somehow missed this thread. I can see the attraction to this palm and the unique coloring combined with the paddle leaf shape certainly makes it special . When you are holding it up in your pics I see all those beauties in the background as well . A large variegated Rhapis and the huge Licuala photo bombing ! Nice photos of Tim’s as well in Hilo. This is not one for me as I have no where to keep it alive so I will enjoy through photographs. Harry

[happypalms]

7 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I somehow missed this thread. I can see the attraction to this palm and the unique coloring combined with the paddle leaf shape certainly makes it special . When you are holding it up in your pics I see all those beauties in the background as well . A large variegated Rhapis and the huge Licuala photo bombing ! Nice photos of Tim’s as well in Hilo. This is not one for me as I have no where to keep it alive so I will enjoy through photographs. Harry

They are one beautiful palm look at that one of Tim’s in Hawaii what a Palm imagine them in habitat, they would leave a Joey magnifica for dead. And as for photo bombing I have some good but I certainly see a lot better on palm talk with some lucky growers having access to some real beautiful palms and also a lot of years of collecting with as much love and dedication to their plants just like the rest of us in palm land. 
Richard 

[tim_brissy_13]

For everyone’s reference, G atrovirens is now considered to be a type of the extremely variable G macrostachys. 

[PalmatierMeg]

I always admired @Darold Petty’s Geonoma undata;s cherry red crown shaft. My second favorite Impossible Dream palm. I just have to experience its beauty vicariously. 

[peachy]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

I always admired @Darold Petty’s Geonoma undata;s cherry red crown shaft. My second favorite Impossible Dream palm. I just have to experience its beauty vicariously. 

Me too Meg. The first time I saw it my jaw hit the floor. Something I know I will never have but will always desire. (like the Krupp Diamond or San Simeon)

Peachy

[happypalms]

7 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

For everyone’s reference, G atrovirens is now considered to be a type of the extremely variable G macrostachys. 

Thanks Tim now i have to remember another palm!

[Cindy Adair]

Definitely a favorite of mine despite not choosing the best place to try them. 

First the tortured baby

probably water starved due to overgrowth of some invasives blocking the limited dry season rain.

I need to remove the “plants in the wrong place”, but not at all an easy process. On my list to begin tomorrow.

The better one nearby is more presentable although nothing like Realarch’s ! 

 

 

Thanks for the name update tim brissy 13 which is easy to fix with my peel and stick tape.

 

 

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

Definitely a favorite of mine despite not choosing the best place to try them. 

First the tortured baby

probably water starved due to overgrowth of some invasives blocking the limited dry season rain.

I need to remove the “plants in the wrong place”, but not at all an easy process. On my list to begin tomorrow.

The better one nearby is more presentable although nothing like Realarch’s ! 

 

 

Thanks for the name update tim brissy 13 which is easy to fix with my peel and stick tape.

 

 

Some real beauties there, they love water and attention. I also tried to plant a small tube stock but alas it succumbed to the lack of water and competition as well, that one of realarches is amazing he’s one quality grower that’s for sure. 

[Jadd Correia]

Here is a small Atrovirens I just planted this past weekend here in Oakland, CA. I have it underneath a king palm and a Kentia palm for full shade all day. Here's hoping it settles in and does well! 

[happypalms]

6 hours ago, Jadd Correia said:

Here is a small Atrovirens I just planted this past weekend here in Oakland, CA. I have it underneath a king palm and a Kentia palm for full shade all day. Here's hoping it settles in and does well! 

That’s the one they love humidity and water. I used to panic about m6 ones keeping them in a hothouse for winter protection big mistake to much dry air in ther3 and really hard to control the exac5 environment they require so out in the greenhouse in cool place for my ones. Not sure if I will ever plant them in the ground time will tell. But apparently they take the cold but not dry air. You have a nice looking one was in a six inch container before planting?

[Jadd Correia]

Thanks! I'm excited to give it a try in the ground (correct about 6 in pot into the ground). I up potted a 2nd atrovirens and am growing that in the greenhouse currently, but I might move outside to get better air flow and humidity going into spring. 

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and garden! 

[PlantMorePalms]

18 minutes ago, Jadd Correia said:

Thanks! I'm excited to give it a try in the ground (correct about 6 in pot into the ground). I up potted a 2nd atrovirens and am growing that in the greenhouse currently, but I might move outside to get better air flow and humidity going into spring. 

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and garden! 

I left a small potted one outside in the shade and it was dead in less than a week with low temps in the upper 40s. Maybe they can survive that if the temps get pretty warm the next day, but I think these are a no-go outdoors in California during the winter. 

[happypalms]

5 hours ago, PlantMorePalms said:

I left a small potted one outside in the shade and it was dead in less than a week with low temps in the upper 40s. Maybe they can survive that if the temps get pretty warm the next day, but I think these are a no-go outdoors in California during the winter. 

I did plant a sick hothouse one out of desperation in the ground to try and save it, after I made the mistake in the hothouse with it. Unfortunately it didn’t make it my fault so iam reluctant to plant in the ground if I can keep them alive in the greenhouse I don’t want to lose them super rare in Australia available rarely but obtainable. 

[happypalms]

On 4/25/2025 at 6:25 AM, Jadd Correia said:

Here is a small Atrovirens I just planted this past weekend here in Oakland, CA. I have it underneath a king palm and a Kentia palm for full shade all day. Here's hoping it settles in and does well! 

Greetings how has your Geonoma been growing in the garden, just after an update it would be interesting too see how you’re one is doing. Iam still scared to plant this one I have. 

[happypalms]

On 4/25/2025 at 6:25 AM, Jadd Correia said:

Here is a small Atrovirens I just planted this past weekend here in Oakland, CA. I have it underneath a king palm and a Kentia palm for full shade all day. Here's hoping it settles in and does well! 

Greetings how has your Geonoma been growing in the garden, just after an update it would be interesting too see how you’re one is doing. Iam still scared to plant this one I have. 

[Cindy Adair]

Today’s view of my larger one.

But a surprise under the leaf!

Below is the barely hanging on brother. 

Some babies in my shadehouse to check on later. 

[happypalms]

7 hours ago, Cindy Adair said:

Today’s view of my larger one.

But a surprise under the leaf!

Below is the barely hanging on brother. 

Some babies in my shadehouse to check on later. 

That’s a surprise worth having. And on such a small plant as well, iam not game enough to plant my ones yet, I have 3 really nice ones and if I do plant one it will be in the best spot in the garden with a truck load of quality topsoil for sure. And the bottom picture one is hanging there, but pictures like that scare me of planting my ones yet! 

[Cindy Adair]

I have 2 Geonoma macrostachys AKA G. atrovirens in my shadehouse. Looks like I need to correct these labels…

I also have a trio of Geonoma pauciflora AKA G. condurensis. The latter have much thicker and shinier leaves. 
 

Such a nice genus!

[Jonathan]

11 minutes ago, Cindy Adair said:

I have 2 Geonoma macrostachys AKA G. atrovirens in my shadehouse. Looks like I need to correct these labels…

I also have a trio of Geonoma pauciflora AKA G. condurensis. The latter have much thicker and shinier leaves. 
 

Such a nice genus!

Cindy, your labels are gold standard! Thats a nice collection of Geonoma species too.

I've been following your battles with the rhino buggers, so fingers crofor these little guys.

[Cindy Adair]

Thanks Jonathan!

[happypalms]

Another great thing about these palms is the quiet cool tolerant this one is seeing temperatures around 3 degrees Celsius and the others in the greenhouse 2 degrees Celsius. At first I was growing them in the hothouse over winter and that was a mistake with the lack of humidity it gave me nothing but trouble now they are fine out of that environment, they just need a shaded place with humidity and a standard greenhouse is fine for that.