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Our Brahea armata, Blue Hesper Palm
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:57 am
by seedscanada
At some point I may plant this outdoors, if I can count on some good protection measures.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc6iYS_K ... ature=plcp
Happy growing!
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:31 am
by lucky1
That is a beautiful palm.
Compared to mine, it's grown a lot in 5 years!
I have two (really small leaves) and have been doing a cold vs. warm winter test to see which conditions will get faster growth:
http://www.palmsnorth.com/forum/viewtop ... mata+twins
What palm fertilizer do you use?
What are you using for potting mix?
Thanks for posting that video.
Love blue palms, and my dream is to one day have a Copernicia hospita (none of my seeds germinated).
Barb
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:25 am
by seedscanada
Thanks Barb! Truly mine has doubled in girth in the past year. My mistake, seed was planted in Sept 2004 germinated in I think, February of 2005.
This means mine is almost seven years old.
I use miracle grow quick start liquid fertilizer once at the start of the growing season, and three times within 2 months at the end of the growing season.
During the heat of summer, once a month I water everything with diluted 20-20-20. This one usually last to get the bottom of the bucket.
I put this one outside usually in march/april. I will bring it in if it will go colder than -2c. I bring it in for the winter once we get a week predicting more than 2 or three nights below -2c.
Soil, i use BM6 with more perlite (+10% by volume, not weight!) and about 5% sand in the mix. When I up-pot at around this stage, I add to THAT mix, 1/3 volume cheap garden soil and compost.
I found this palm will do best when it is hot, to let it get quite dry. Like two weeks, no water (unless it rained). When watering though, water thoroughly, two or three times through. Then another two weeks without.
Cheers!
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 11:28 am
by seedscanada
Note Barb, you are currently sitting at 25 farenheit and we are at 40 f.

Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 2:25 pm
by lucky1
Seven years old, it's gorgeous.
My "warm winter" Brahea twin is starting to get longer "stretched up" leaves, while the "cold winter" one (just had a look in the cold building) still has very small leaves but it's more blue.
I read somewhere that these prefer alkaline soils, what do you think?
Think I have too much of my garden soil pH 7.2 in there, and not enough coarse stuff like perlite (and no sand).
Thanks for your recipe.
Yes these guys like it hot, and in summer are out on our hottest spot south facing patio all summer long, infrequent (but deep) watering.
Will take a pic of my two next week.
Can't wait until they look as good as yours.
re blue palms...my biggest dream would be a Copernicia hospita (like those ones at Nong Nooch, Thailand)
Re temp...we've had only 2 inches of snow this year, but temps could be warmer. oh well.
Barb
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:27 pm
by DesertZone
Nice looking palm.

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 6:32 am
by igor.glukhovtsev
Here is a baby which was labeled as Brachea edulis I bought recently. It looks pretty cool!

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:36 am
by lucky1
Biggest "baby" I've ever seen, Igor.
Lovely colour.
Is that really B.edulis?
Barb
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:02 am
by igor.glukhovtsev
No it's not! Edulis is a green color palm as I new from the Google. Other guys from the Ukraine forum confirmed it is Armata. Lucky me but another hole in my pocket!
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:22 am
by lucky1
B. armata is the best choice of the two for blue palm fanatics (me too).
The waxy blue leaves are stunning.
Barb
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 8:32 am
by igor.glukhovtsev
I have bluish Chamerops Volcano as well. It's a nice and robust plant.
Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:00 am
by hardyjim
igor.glukhovtsev wrote:I have bluish Chamerops Volcano as well. It's a nice and robust plant.
I have a few small C.Volcano as well...also a few C.Volcano X C.Cerifera.
Will be interesting to see what they look like after they get some "divided" leaves.

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:54 am
by igor.glukhovtsev
hardyjim wrote: I have a few C.Volcano X C.Cerifera. Will be interesting to see what they look like after they get some "divided" leaves.

You are right it would be something very interesting.
Here is a picture of my Volcano. Next spring will try finding a right spot for it in my garden

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:05 am
by lucky1
Igor, I wish I could shop at YOUR city's nursery!!!!!
That is unbelievably beautiful
Our nurseries have NOTHING like that for sale...NOTHING!
Barb
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:15 am
by igor.glukhovtsev
Even for 250 bucks?
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:20 am
by lucky1
Yes, THAT volcano is definitely worth $250.
Wonder if your nursery does mailorder
Shipping $1,000

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:24 am
by igor.glukhovtsev
OK, fine! I give out.

Next time I will be seeing the nursery owner I will refer on you and perhaps I would get my 15% discount

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:34 am
by seedscanada
Gorgeous c. volcano, Igor!