The Pachy Twins...

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:02 am

Pachypodium lamerei

Starting ti pick up some height this year.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:17 am

Ooooh, Steve, they're lovely.
Are they tucked in at the corner of house to protect them from strong winds? or too much sun?

I've never seen so much growth in one season!

Well done!
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:30 am

Thanks Barb!

I had these in the middle of the yard but the winds we have been getting kept knocking them over......

a little safer spot for them now

These love full sun , and with 30C+ temps they get watered almost every day.

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:49 am

I had always given mine only morning sun, Steve, thinking that our hot dry desert air might fry the tender leaves.
But obviously you've got the exposure thingy down pat.

You'll recall my last one croacked after "someone" left it under a leaking eavestrough...it drowned before I saw it there.
It was all mushy and rotten, even though there was a drainhole in pot. I almost cried, as it had the previous year grown three branches.

I've had some trouble growing various plants in those porcelain pots (maybe they heat up too much?) and even my old ficus benjamina croacked in a large black porcelain pot. Time to plant in plastic or unglazed clay again, I think.

Nice hot weather for you...enjoy!
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:21 am

I've had some moisture problems using the ceramic planters, they also heat up quite a bit in the sun.

I have been using an off the shelf potting mix with about 30% Perlite added , seems to work well in the climate here.
( During the Summer it takes no more than 2 days for the pots to dry out , and during the Winter months no worry about things staying too damp)

These are said to react very well to fertilizer applications but too much will cause weak growth and a tendency to break apart. ( So I haven't used any, a good potting mix is all I think is needed )

I remember your post regarding the other one

I would try moving yours into more sun, it might lose a few leaves from the change but will make up for it quickly enough

Steve

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:53 am

I heard something about those "ceramic pots" from Vietnam, which were cheap in all the stores over the last few years. Comment was to do with "maybe lead, arsenic, etc. etc." Wow...wonder about plant mortality!

But then again, with melamine found in pet food produced in China...I suppose anything's possible.
I'm definitely switching back to regular "north american" plant pots just in case.

Most recently, my gorgeous store-find Ming Aralia croaked...yup, it was in a pretty ceramic pot from Vietnam, too! And I had about a 40% perlite mix because good drainage was mentioned as being necessary for the Ming Aralia.

As always, Steve, you make good points. Thanks.
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:29 pm

Barb, Thanks for bringing up the info about the imported containers! I do have a one here that nothing ever seemed to do well in so that may be why.

A couple more of smaller ones I have.

Pachypodium lameri from WalMart ( was in a little 3" square container when I bought it)

Pachypodium geayi, This one sits up near the roof of the GH, temps have to be well above 40C, and I usually forget to water it

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:05 pm

Steve, wow that Walmart baby sure put on a ton of growth.
It's growing so fast its trunk is a tad wavy. Cool

I've never seen a Geayi...they look so very similar.
There's likely a bit more variation as they age.

It'd sure be interesting to find out what's wrong with those glossy ceramic planters.
As I said, mine were stamped from Vietnam.
But everything I've put in 'em has croaked.
Hope you were able to save your plant in time.
Barb

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:39 pm

Barb, The P.geayi will end up having narrower leafs with a reddish midrib. ( as compared to P. lameri )

I tried two Palms in that container, they both declined but came back when repotted into something else, I think Arsenic used in the materials and processing of these containers may be the biggest problem.

Some info,

Most arsenic in surface soil and water exists primarily in its oxidized form, arsenate. Plants actively take up arsenate, mistaking it for phosphate and transfer it to their leaves.

Excerpt from here --> http://www.franklin.uga.edu/chronicle/f ... eagher.htm

Steve

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:11 pm

I have two Pachypodium lamerei also but they are at my son's baby sitter's pool. I let her have them there for ornamental. They get full sun from morning till evening. I rarely see them, so when I do, I am totally amazed at the growth.
And KNNN gave me two P.geayi, and they are so full of leaves, they look like a freaking Butia

With the growth I see out of them this year, I think I might pot plant them in the front yard next Summer.
Steve, your Lamerei are WONDERFUL! Good job on them.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:18 pm

Jeez, Steve, that arsenic tip is really something to worry about!
How about our handling the pots...bet we get it on our hands

Good you were able to save the plants.
I was so doggone busy, by the time I realized what was likely happening it was too late.

The variation sounds wonderful. I'll look forward to seeing it develop in your pics.

Wes, lucky you're so close to Steve (*envy*), ha ha.
Cheers, folks, have a good weekend.
Barb

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:27 pm

"Wes, lucky you're so close to Steve "
Tell me about it!!! Steve has been an unbelievable great friend since getting into this hobby.

Kansas · Post by **Kansas** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 7:35 pm

Here are my two "lamerei". They are poolside at my son's baby sitter's house. I wanted to give it a bit of beach feel. Anyways, they are absolutely LOVING this heat....I'll get the two " P.geayi" in a pic later.

P. Lamerei..

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:59 am

Lovely specimens Wes.
Barb