Yet another new addition........

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:32 pm

Close out sale at Lowe's here in Omaha on some selected palms. Didn't have a Spindle Palm, and they had pots with 3 plants in each pot for $9 so bought one to separate. Hope they all survive the transplant!

Also got a Pygmy Date Palm for $5 that looked a little tough,but worth the try to nurse back to health.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:50 pm

Look nice!
Say, about the greenhouse: can you keep that thing above freezing in winter?

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:54 pm

Just put that up a month ago. Have a heater, and 100W light bulb in there attached to a Themrocube, so we'll see what kind of temps I can sustain. It's on the south side of the house so will benefit from the sunshine as well. Have a wireless thermometer in it to keep me informed.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:58 pm

Nice. On my wish list for a future decade.
Give us a photo or video tour someday this winter.

CTPalm · Post by **CTPalm** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:59 pm

Good Deals! Never see much of a variety of palms at the home improvement stores here in CT - and never any at that price. I think they would throw them out first, only too charge full price in spring for new stock.

Paul

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 4:06 pm

I will post updates on who it maintains temps. I have some sacrificial Cannas in there to experiment with.

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:18 pm

nice palms and greenhouse! Keep us posted on how cold that ghouse gets. Perhaps a large water container in there too.........fill up a black walled, 30+ gallon garbage can with water......this should help buffer the temps too.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:20 pm

Good idea, Tim.
Floating stock tank water heaters are inexpensive and would keep that big mass of water at least 35 F all winter.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:20 pm

Right now, I have a 5 gallon bucket that I fill up once a week withe fresh water. Time will tell when it finally gets cold temps around here. So far the lowest it's got is around 30F or so.

TimMAz6 · Post by **TimMAz6** » Sun Nov 06, 2011 6:35 pm

5gal buckets should be fine.....just place a few next to each other so they are in a 'mass'.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:29 am

Scott, tape black plastic garbage bags to the outside of your water buckets.
Will heat up water nicely on a sunny winter day.

Great new additions, nice size.
the one on the right is a Spindle, isn't it?

The PDP looks like it wasn't watered, should spring back for you with a little TLC.

Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:41 am

Barb,

All 3 were in the same pot listed as Spindle palms. I had put both the 3 spindles and the PDP while still in their pots in a 5 gallon bucket with some water and drops of Superthrive in the water and let the roots take up some moisture. The next day I was able to gently separate the Spindles into individual pots and of course transplant the PDP into a little bigger pot.

I hope they all will do good and thrive. Can't pass up deals like that when I see them.

I will give the black trash bag idea a try. I have plenty of those!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:07 am

Guessed that 2 were triangles.
I find spindle and triangles are hard to tell apart at that size.
(I've got 3 triangles, 1 spindle).
After 4+ years, the spindle now has longer leaf segments and petioles, but trunks still look similar.

Good that you used Superthrive.
Certainly can't hurt.

You've acquired some really nice diverse plants!
Good work.

Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:53 am

Thanks!! And I keep looking too. I get to travel in my job, so not limited to just what is around my local area. Then, there is always Ebay for the "must haves"

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:15 am

Well, Scott, I'm blaming you for rekindling this "palm search" thingy

Heading off to look at what might be new at HD today.
Crazy! I have no more space...

Let us know how quickly that PDP recovers.
Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:17 am

Happy Hunting!!

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:20 pm

HD had some new palms in, but nothing new.

Rescued a small hibiscus from the bone barrel for a couple of bucks.

Cheap trip today.
Barb

Jubaea · Post by **Jubaea** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:27 pm

Nice score!

Too bad they don't have deals like that here or at least not when I am at the stores.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:48 pm

Thought I would try my luck with a couple of Flame Thrower palms, a seedling, and a plant about foot and 1/2 tall from palms wholesale.com

Still waiting for 3 Metal Palms and Foxtail and Triangle palms to arrive.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:51 pm

You got a couple of Chambeyronia? (spelling?)

I'm moving next door just to be able to see 'em grow a leaf!

Good luck...humidity I bet is the biggest thing with these (after heat).

What a score, Scott!
(I even tried to grow Cyrtostachys seeds last year...kept me busy during winter, but nothing popped).

Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:58 pm

Thanks Barb. From what I've read keeping them out of direct sun is a big issue. The seedling I bought is in the "Banana room" where it's warmer, and more humid. Bigger one is in West facing room and placed where it will get indirect sun. That one has a little bit of reddish color on a couple of leaves. I will be sure to post a picture if leaf turns a bright Red.

I love to experiment with palms that I can't buy locally.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:17 pm

Yes I think they're predominantly understory palms in habitat.
And if they like water as much as Cyrtostachys (which basically grows in hot mud), you'll never have to worry about overwatering in the summer

I love to experiment with palms that I can't buy locally.

Yup, me too.
But we (Canadians) can't even get them from mail-order (mostly).

I looked in my book on cultivated palms to see what kind of soil Chambeyronia likes.
"Chambeyronia macrocarpa..the species is a water lover and needs a rich, humus-laden, well-drained soil. It relishes partial shade, especially when young or in hot climates."
There's another one: C. lepidota from wet mountainous forests of northeastern New Caledonia <--- this one's tough to grow apparently "because of the unusual soil on which it grows in habitat." But they didn't say what comprised the unusual soil..guessing eroded lava?

It'll be fun to watch these two beauties grow.

Those rainforests often get 9 feet of rain annually ... yup, 9 feet or more, so humidity is really important.
Steamy bathroom would be best

Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:11 pm

Will the obsession ever end? found this Fish Tail Palm at one of our nicer nursery's today and even though I wasn't really looking or wanting a Fish Tail Palm, it was sure priced right and couldn't walk away. Now part of the collection. Heard they are kind of finicky.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Jan 05, 2012 3:39 pm

Will the obsession ever end

I hear that Q from husband at least 2-3 times a year.
The answer is NOPE.

I wasn't really looking or wanting

Cool! re finicky Fishtail.
Just think of river deltas in India...warm, steamy, yucky water etc.

Next you'll be in the market for a house that's more appropriate for growing palms

Any way to get a larger photo?
Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:01 am

Barb,

I took new photos with camera vs my Iphone last night that are better, plus I received my trio of Metal Palms in the mail and got them planted as well and took pics of it. Will post later today.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:45 am

Fishtail Palm between 5-6ft tall going to share the Banana room and it's warmth and added humidity

Metal Palm (from Ebay) 3 of them together

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:58 am

What kind of "fishtail" is it?

Thats a nice haul.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:21 am

Hi Jim,

Can't remember the genus name, but it's the clumping kind that "supposedly" only gets up to 10-15 feet, although I saw one at a nursery up in Sioux City that is easily 20ft+ and it's a clumping kind as well.

Nursery here in Omaha had my size for $27 and had a few. They also had 1 that was 8ft tall, and maybe 5-6 ft wide and $32 is all. I had no way to get it home as I didn't have my truck and more important don't have a place to put it!

I have other palms I ordered coming next week anyway.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:24 am

Great additions.

My guess is a Caryota mitis.
Here's a C.gigas http://togofcoralgables.blogspot.com/20 ... ne-of.html

That Fishtail will love a good spray with the hose come a really warm Spring day on the patio.

Maybe put an old sheet around it on the floor when misting it twice daily so you don't get other people's dust on your wood floor.
Amazes me how plants can breathe with all that dust.

Great plant room.
Beginning to look like a serious collector now!

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:32 am

Barb,

Funny you should mention dust. Had a call back from Tropical buyer at local big nursery and I asked her what could be up with my Kentia Palm I just bought here as it has a yellowing frond.

In our conversation she told me it's always a good idea to use just warm water and soft sponge and wipe down the foliage with any new addition and I just did it on that one and I was amazed at all the dust and dirt I got off on the sponge and the dirty water. I have a lot more to do, but palm sure looks better.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:51 am

no way to get it home as I didn't have my truck

Lots of big palms bend easily for the ride home.

Heck, I brought my biggest Foxtail and Bottle Palms home in my little Oldsmobile.
Kinda hard to see the road, or the other lane, or the traffic lights, or out the rear window...

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 3:16 pm

I know what you mean Barb, I'v got some real looks dragging my "finds" home. It's amazing really they don't always look that big in a store till you get them out to the car or truck.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:22 pm

Stopped at Lowe's to get some plant trays and saw this Cat Palm in the 50% off cart...then marked down yet again to just $2.00 Couldn't pass it up since I didn't have one yet.

Won't pot it till I know it will survive, and will have a Pencil Cactus as a neighbor over the winter.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Jan 06, 2012 10:10 pm

You got THAT Cataractarum for TWO DOLLARS?

Holy moly, what a bargain.

Cat palms like to be consistently moist, never let 'em go bone dry.
I know....I've killed one twice that size

Cool cactus!

Barb

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 4:41 am

Yes, Lowe's is pretty good about keeping the sadder looking plants thinned out of the group and selling them dirt cheap. They had a small Majesty as well for $2 but already have one of those and remarkably doing well since I've read their almost impossible to keep alive in the house.

Barb, how much shade in your experience can Cat Palms tolerate?

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:48 am

Eh Scott

CHaaedorea cataractarum has turned into one of my favorite palms. They are near impossible to over water (they grow on the edges of waterfalls and fast moving water in the wild), and require shade for the most part outside. Mine adapted to almost full sun in the porch. Inside, its away from any windows, in a bright room with high humidity (my bathroom) and it loves it. They do not like full sun. Put it in a super bright room, with no real direct sunlight ( mine does get direct sun,. but its 10 feet from a waindow)

Also, expect the nice tall parts to die down. Ive had 2 of them, and they always have lost the biggest plants (they sucker like mad, so dont get to discouraged.) From what ive read, they like to be root bound ( like ficus), and need really good soil. Like most people here i recommend sunshine mix. That stuff is the best soil I have ever used. I would ad a but of perlite to make the medium a bit faster draining, but again, its REALLY hard to over water them. Some websites suggest putting them in an inch of moving water for the summer (like in a pond), since the roots LOVE oxygenated water. IF i remember right, their native habitat floods seasonally.... that should give you a good idea about how much water they can take!

Barb is right, they HATE drying out. That seems to be the main cause of mine loosing some of the larger parts. Now i dont even check the soil. IT gets water every 3 or 4 days in the winter, and almost every day in the summer.

Great deal dude!

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:42 am

Lucky for me I have 3 ponds I made here at my house, one with a stream! problem is, there is a lot of sunlight that would shine down.

I have HUGE basement, but only two north facing windows with shades that my wife prefers to be down all the time. I would love a palm to be down there and was hoping I could move this palm down there, but I don't think it would be humid enough, or warm enough especially now as it stays pretty much in the mid 60's all the time down there. BUT....it's $2 so can afford to experiment. Right now, I have it in my kitchen which faces the East....and it looks good there so may see how it does. How can I tell if it's getting too much sunlight? does it turn a lighter green? right now it's a pretty deep green color.

In the basement now I have

Cast Iron Plant
ZZ Plant
2 Snake plants

I bought a trio of Metal Palm plants to put down there, but found a perfect spot upstairs in a hallway where it looks good at, so will keep here where it won't get direct light.

Plant-Care.com recommends them for very low light rooms so we'll see

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:13 am

sashaeffer wrote:Lucky for me I have 3 ponds I made here at my house, one with a stream! problem is, there is a lot of sunlight that would shine down.

I have HUGE basement, but only two north facing windows with shades that my wife prefers to be down all the time. I would love a palm to be down there and was hoping I could move this palm down there, but I don't think it would be humid enough, or warm enough especially now as it stays pretty much in the mid 60's all the time down there. BUT....it's $2 so can afford to experiment. Right now, I have it in my kitchen which faces the East....and it looks good there so may see how it does. How can I tell if it's getting too much sunlight? does it turn a lighter green? right now it's a pretty deep green color.

In the basement now I have

Cast Iron Plant
ZZ Plant
2 Snake plants

I bought a trio of Metal Palm plants to put down there, but found a perfect spot upstairs in a hallway where it looks good at, so will keep here where it won't get direct light.

Plant-Care.com recommends them for very low light rooms so we'll see

As long as its 20C (60s) it should be fine. All of my plants get hit one time or another of the low single digits C. A winter in 60F is good. As for the humidity, you can get away with misting it once or twice a day.

Trust me when I can say they can take bright light indoors. As long as it isnt direct southern sun, it should be fine. OUtdoors they DO NOT need any sunlight, aside from some heavy dappled light, under a shade tree. Also, they hate, i stress, HATE wind. I almost lost this one due to having it exposed to wind.

In calgary,. mine was in a south facing window, but shaded by some taller palms, and it did VERY WELL (until the majesty palm I bought gave it scale). IF your really worried about the sun, put it behind another plant, or put up light shade. Youll know if there is too much sun. The leaves will go yellow and crispy from the tips, and itll just look horrible. In my experience, they decline fast, and if you catch it can recover pretty good. If your really up to it, give it a "fortnightly shower". They seem to like their leaves clean.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:25 am

Canadianplant.

I think I will leave it where it's at for the time being to keep closer watch on it and then maybe move it down stairs.

I worry about bugs too, but any new plant I bring home I spray heavy with insecticide meant for inside homes. I spray it in the garage, let it dry and bring inside. So far (knock on wood) I've only had to deal with those little black gnats, but not very many of them. Barb on here told me to put sand on top of the dirt and I've done that, and now use Neem Oil as a spray and so far have watered them all with that as well. I also mix some Hydrogen peroxide in my water spray and spray all plants at least twice a day.

Can you tell me if Bamboo palms need similar water/light requirements? I have one that I bought a few weeks ago, transplanted into slightly larger pot with good well draining soil. It seems to be growing fine as far as new spears growing taller, but noticed some leaves turning a little yellow, a couple to the point where they become dry and crispy and they fall off on their own. They are usually always lower leaves. I think I'm giving it enough water, moisture meeter says "wet" so don't want to over water.

Scott

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:06 am

sashaeffer wrote:Canadianplant.

I think I will leave it where it's at for the time being to keep closer watch on it and then maybe move it down stairs.

I worry about bugs too, but any new plant I bring home I spray heavy with insecticide meant for inside homes. I spray it in the garage, let it dry and bring inside. So far (knock on wood) I've only had to deal with those little black gnats, but not very many of them. Barb on here told me to put sand on top of the dirt and I've done that, and now use Neem Oil as a spray and so far have watered them all with that as well. I also mix some Hydrogen peroxide in my water spray and spray all plants at least twice a day.

Can you tell me if Bamboo palms need similar water/light requirements? I have one that I bought a few weeks ago, transplanted into slightly larger pot with good well draining soil. It seems to be growing fine as far as new spears growing taller, but noticed some leaves turning a little yellow, a couple to the point where they become dry and crispy and they fall off on their own. They are usually always lower leaves. I think I'm giving it enough water, moisture meeter says "wet" so don't want to over water.

Scott

I would too. Only move it if its distressed.

Also, i really dont bother with bugs. Either way I spray every few days with a mild dish soap water mix (a tiny drop to a liter of water). Most bugs only attack hosueplants cause they dont get rained on, and no wind or predators to off em or control them. I rarely use insecticide, and when I do I use safers soap (which is basically a stronger dish soap solution). 90% of any pests are done with in a week of them being outside for me.

As for the Bamboo palm... I actually dont have one! (yet, i have some seeds waiting to sprout!), but from all my reading, it can take some pertty nasty shade, BUT, it can eventually be acclimatized to full sun for a portion of the day with enough water. They grow faster given some sun. From what ive read, the only reason why Cat palms arent more popular, is because they are supposedly a magnet for spidermites and scale, and dont like dry air nearly as much as Bamboo palm. In reality, what houseplant IS NOT a magnet for spidermites, and 90% of our houseplants would prefer more humid conditions.

PalmsNorth.com

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