Variegated Rhapis

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:01 am

This is one that actually came from Wal-Mart,

The newest fronds are showing some color too, so hopefully this remains stable.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:02 pm

Very nice. I hope that it stays variegated. Congrats on the find.

Now that my shelter is built and we can get close to the windows again, I am going to have to go to Walmart and Home Depot again. If my wife will let me.

Allen

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:08 pm

Steve,

Nice Rhapis, my Walmart never carries plants like that. I better keep looking.

Dean

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:27 pm

This was the first year I've ever seen a Rhapis at the local store, they had these in little 6" bonsai pots in the houseplant section.
First thought it had a nutritional problem and bought a better looking one, two months later it was still there, the newest fronds were looking
good, so into my cart it went.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed...lol

Steve

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:41 am

Great find Steve. We have a specialty nursery here that sells those, but very expensive.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 7:54 am

Asiatica always seems to have a good selection of variegated Rhapis,
http://www.asiaticanursery.com/index.cf ... /index.htm

A bit expensive to start a collection, but nice to have, The pups on this one were starting to show some roots, I should be able to send some out this Spring

Steve

Dean W. · Post by **Dean W.** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:42 am

Steve,

Thanks, for sharing the link. They are nice ,but pricey. Yikes!

Here's a link with good information on Rhapis.
http://www.texasriviera.com/rhapisinfor.html

Dean

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:04 am

Yep. The nursery here has probably 30 - 40 of them right around the same price. They specialize in rare & exotic plants, many variegated varieties.

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 10:50 am

Looks like a nutrient deficiency to me rather than varigation. Try a fertilizer with higher nitrogen and see if the leaves and certainly the new leaves, grow much greener.

Cheers, Barrie.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:11 am

Barrie, That was my first thought when I saw this. Brought it home in September, the roots looked healthy, so it went into a 3 gallon container. Guess I going to have to wait and see what it does

Steve

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:02 am

Steve,
Variegation has a rather abrupt appearance with realtively strict color borders in most cases.

Cheers, Barrie.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:08 am

Barrie,
Thanks for the photo and information!
I still remain optimistic with this one, but think my best bet may be to buy a named cultivar.

Besides Asiatica, would anyone know of a good mail order source for variegated Rhapis?

Steve

Laaz · Post by **Laaz** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:49 pm

Steve I'll try to get down to the nursery this Saturday if it's open & get some photos of what they have.

Knnn · Post by **Knnn** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 3:53 pm

Thanks, It would be interesting to see what they have!

Steve

oppalm · Post by **oppalm** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:06 am

How about a side note about my rhapis. My rhapis excelsa (fairly large at about 3' tall) was the only palm of mine that did not like artificial lighting last winter. It started looking bad after just a few weeks under fluorescent lighting, so I quickly moved it upstairs to a bedroom with a west facing window and it struggled to survive all winter, but looks very good again after spending the spring and summer in a perfect spot outside.

Alchris · Post by **Alchris** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:54 am

What kind of fluorescent lighting did you use? The cool white and natural CF bulbs are supposed to be very close to natural light.

Allen

Barrie · Post by **Barrie** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:43 pm

"My rhapis excelsa (fairly large at about 3' tall) was the only palm of mine that did not like artificial lighting last winter. It started looking bad after just a few weeks under fluorescent lighting"

It might not be a lighting factor. Quite often just being brought indoors is enough to shock the plant and have adverse reactions to indoor environments. Similarly, plants brought out in spring can react negatively.

Cheers, Barrie.