Veitchia merrillii

[Tampa Scott]

I purchased this palm 8 yrs ago as a 1 gal seedling. Today it stands with 8' to crown shaft. The palm flowered in 2008 for the first time and set seed. I have waited for the fruit to ripen and they have now ripened, but the fruit color is yellow (V.merrillii = red fruit) so what do I have? I will take a few pics this weekend.

[edric]

No longer called Veitchia merrillii, now an adonidia merrillii, Ed

[PalmGuyWC]

Scott,

Maybe your fruit is not ripe yet. I think they go through a transition from yellow to red. On the other hand, seems I heard of a yellow fruited Merrilli. Anyone know? Scott, you may have something very special.

Dick

[plantapalm]

Maybe the cold blasts stop them from ripening to red, just a thought

[Guest LeftCoastAngler]

Scott,

Out of curiosity. What conditions are your XMAS palms in? Full sun? OverHead canopy protection of any sort?

Did you bundle or wrap during frost/freeze warnings?

I lost three of these this cold snap.

I've since replaced them, last week. Don't want to again.

Thanks.

~LCA. (Ray.)

[Tampa Scott]

Scott,

Out of curiosity. What conditions are your XMAS palms in? Full sun? OverHead canopy protection of any sort?

Did you bundle or wrap during frost/freeze warnings?

I lost three of these this cold snap.

I've since replaced them, last week. Don't want to again.

Thanks.

~LCA. (Ray.)

Ray, The fruiting merrillii is planted on the south facing wall of my house. No overhead protection and no protection provided to the palm during the 27f low and frosts. I have 2 others planted under palm canopy and they also received no damage. Here is a picture of the palm now reaching second floor gutter. Scott

Edited February 13, 2009 by Tampa Scott

[Tampa Scott]

Maybe the cold blasts stop them from ripening to red, just a thought

My thought also. Two seed stalks have ripened yellow and are falling, one seed stalk still green.

[plantapalm]

Here is a picture of the palm now reaching second floor gutter.

WOW! Scott 8years and almost 18ft, it must be pretty happy! Do you have a full view picture?

[Joe palma]

Scott,

Out of curiosity. What conditions are your XMAS palms in? Full sun? OverHead canopy protection of any sort?

Did you bundle or wrap during frost/freeze warnings?

I lost three of these this cold snap.

I've since replaced them, last week. Don't want to again.

Thanks.

~LCA. (Ray.)

Ray, The fruiting merrillii is planted on the south facing wall of my house. No overhead protection and no protection provided to the palm during the 27f low and frosts. I have 2 others planted under palm canopy and they also received no damage. Here is a picture of the palm now reaching second floor gutter. Scott

Wow Scott, I'm suprised it survived 27F and frost w/out canopy. Your location is a very good one though w/ the south facing and next to the house.

I suspect the fruiting issue may have something to do w/ the cold as well.

Also, I'm not sure what color the seeds are for the "golden" variant of this palm.

[palmdudetx]

Scott,

After reading about where you planted your A. merrillii and it enduring the 27 degree low. Has given me an idea, I have one which I grew from seed, it is about 10 or 11 ft tall now ( still in a large container) and inside. There is an empty spot on the south side of my abode, which is a 2 and 1/2 story stucco wall. This has tempted me to try it there, as I would love to enjoy it outside. The only problem is that there would not be much canopy cover.

Hope you are able to keep enjoying yours.

Marvin

[Tampa Scott]

Here is a pic of the yellow fruit.

[Tampa Scott]

and another view of palm...