Carpentaria acuminata in Perth?

[Jim Lemons]

Hi all, 

Very new to palm growing and have recently just started growing palms. I love the look of Carpentaria acuminata so I was wondering how does Carpentaria acuminata do in Perth? Any advice and experience would be appreciated. 😃

Located Perth Western Australia

[Berndyer]

8 hours ago, Jim Lemons said:

Hi all, 

Very new to palm growing and have recently just started growing palms. I love the look of Carpentaria acuminata so I was wondering how does Carpentaria acuminata do in Perth? Any advice and experience would be appreciated. 😃

Located Perth Western Australia

Hi Jim

There used to be a large specimen growing in the central courtyard of the glasshouses in Kings Park. Even though it was exposed it grew well because it was surrounded by glass houses. It was lost when they redid the glasshouses. Like most more tropical palms you need to find the right microclimate to grow them in Perth. When they were readily available in the 90’s I had several 2 to 3 m specimens but lost them to our cold wet winters. I have seedlings now that I’m hoping will acclimatise better rather than my original ones that were brought in from the tropics.

I suggest that you grow in a pot for several years then find a warm well drained location and give it a go. Need a similar location to Bottle and Spindle palms which can grow well here.

[Jim Lemons]

Thanks Berndyer,

Would you say they are worth the effort and do they look ok in our climate?

[gyuseppe]

My friend Tyrone, who writes in this forum, lived in Perth and worked in a nursery, ask him

[Jim Lemons]

Hi Tyrone, 

if you are looking at this thread, what do you think about Carpentaria acuminata in perth?

[Jonathan]

10 hours ago, Jim Lemons said:

Hi Tyrone, 

if you are looking at this thread, what do you think about Carpentaria acuminata in perth?

Hi Jim, we might be able to manifest Tyrone by using the old @Tyrone trick! That way he'll get a notice that he's been mentioned in the thread.

[Tyrone]

Hi guys. Yes Carpentaria acuminata will grow well in Perth. I lived in Belmont and had a few in my garden that were doing well. The new owners cut them all down. Tragic. There was/is a large trunking and fruiting one near the airport in Belmont. Also I remember another one that was fruiting in Belmont that was cut down while I was still living there. 
They love a hot spot, but need some protection from the worst of Perth winters.  If you grow them against an east or north facing wall that holds the heat at night and blocks cold southerly winds they should do well. Feed and water regularly during the growing season. Let them be a bit drier in winter but if you’re in Perth sand that won’t be an issue. I always planted in compost rich soil, but the sand will always win. If you know how to work with and create micro climates Perth can grow lots of stuff that normally wouldn’t grow. In South Perth I’ve seen a trunking and healthy Adonidia merrillii that was also flowering looking like a Townsville grown specimen. 
I loved growing Carpentaria acuminata. I wish I could grow them down here but it’s a stretch too far. They’re great to grow from seed too. They have a beautiful black seed that looks like a bit like a mini Wodyetia to me. 

[Jim Lemons]

Thanks,

I will give a go and see how well it does.😃