Astrocaryum alatum

[ron@springhammock]

A very good Astrocaryum for growing in a container is A. mexicanum. It's smaller and doesn't mind spending its whole life in a large pot. I remember seeing a photo of one growing for decades in a pot at an Italian garden. I keep mine in a pot buried in the ground, so when a hard freeze comes, I can drag it into the garage. It's only about 6 feet tall and has started flowering. Leu Gardens has one a bit older that has produced fruit that look a lot like Jody's Honduras Astrocaryum.

[8er-moni]

Hi Ron!

Thankyou for your information.

Yesterday I put my little one (page 1) outside from wintergarden - but I am not shure, if she loves the low night temperatures now (for 5 hours about 10°C)??????

What do you think???

[ron@springhammock]

Hi Moni;

I don't have experience growing A. alatum, but don't think those temps would be a problem as long as it warms up well for the day. The A. mexicanum has no problem with the occastional low of -1C, as long as there isn't a lot of frost. When it was a young plant, the cold would affect the developing leaves, making them smaller but it quickly grew out of it.

From what I've heard, A. alatum would probably be more sensitive to the cold, but would be very surprised if 10C at night would be a problem. Hopefully somebody with experience growing this palm can give you a better answer.

ron

[rozpalm]

I have A. alatum in my garden and find it to be a vigorous and fast growing palm. It saw temps around 33deg this year and was not even phased. In fact it went through all three below 40deg cold fronts this year while healing from having the spear snapped off when my dog ran into it full speed (ouch). I think this is one tough palm.

[Geoff]

Here's a couple of palms growing in Hawaii (first in Pauleen's garden and the other in Lyons)

[8er-moni]

Hi Ron,

thank you - I put my little Astrocarium alata yesterday outside - the days are now very warm (25-30° C), and the night was "warm", too - with 15°C. I really hope, it works.

Thank you rozpalm and you, Geoff, for the pretty pics!