Syagrus kellyana & flexuosa

[PalmatierMeg]

Last photos for today. These two species sit side by side in a raised bed on my garden lot. My S. flexuosa was a gift from Mark Heath. My S. kellyana was part of the first batch of seeds released for this recently described species. About a dozen of us PTers from around the world chipped in to buy them at an FNGLA seed auction. Of the twelve that made up my share, only two germinated. When I bought our 3-lot garden site I planted them along with the S. flexuosa.

S. kellyana has a shorter, thinner trunk than a queen and grows slower. But it has very long, plumose fronds and its leaflets are grouped two or three together followed by a larger space on the rachis. Mine have yet to flower

S. flexuosa is supposed to clump, but mine is solitary. It is squat, bushy and a bit untidy looking. It has flowered and produced a few seeds every year but not one has germinated for me. It has struggled with nutritional deficiencies over the years and I've had to give it supplemental nutrients. That may be the result of my lousy soil. But lately it seems to have adapted. Perhaps all the mulch has had an effect.

Anyway, on with the photos:

Syagrus kellyana

 

Syagrus flexuosa

[Alicehunter2000]

Always love seeing the uncommon stuff...thanks!

[foxtail]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Last photos for today. These two species sit side by side in a raised bed on my garden lot. My S. flexuosa was a gift from Mark Heath. My S. kellyana was part of the first batch of seeds released for this recently described species. About a dozen of us PTers from around the world chipped in to buy them at an FNGLA seed auction. Of the twelve that made up my share, only two germinated. When I bought our 3-lot garden site I planted them along with the S. flexuosa.

S. kellyana has a shorter, thinner trunk than a queen and grows slower. But it has very long, plumose fronds and its leaflets are grouped two or three together followed by a larger space on the rachis. Mine have yet to flower

S. flexuosa is supposed to clump, but mine is solitary. It is squat, bushy and a bit untidy looking. It has flowered and produced a few seeds every year but not one has germinated for me. It has struggled with nutritional deficiencies over the years and I've had to give it supplemental nutrients. That may be the result of my lousy soil. But lately it seems to have adapted. Perhaps all the mulch has had an effect.

Anyway, on with the photos:

Syagrus kellyana

 

Syagrus flexuosa

Wow, they are beautiful. Can't wait to see my Kellyana as your.

How old is it? 

[PalmatierMeg]

My two Kellyanas are about 7 years old.

[quaman58]

Thanks Meg; those are the biggest kellyanas I've seen. Great pictures. Mine is still at the gigantic leaf stage. The size of the strap leaves rival those of S. amara, but with a distinct metallic sheen. Beauties. 

[Mandrew968]

Thanks. Flexuosa should cluster. Not sure if I have flexuosa or ruschiana... too small anyway, right now.

[foxtail]

On 8/24/2016, 11:08:47, quaman58 said:

 Mine is still at the gigantic leaf stage.

As mine.

[Josh-O]

12 hours ago, foxtail said:

As mine.

same here

[Josh-O]

awesome pic's meg.

[PalmatierMeg]

On ‎8‎/‎29‎/‎2016‎ ‎7‎:‎09‎:‎53‎, Mandrew968 said:

Thanks. Flexuosa should cluster. Not sure if I have flexuosa or ruschiana... too small anyway, right now.

I tried ruschiana from seeds. I planted 3 seedlings in the same box as my kellyana. They grew for a while. Then all 3 went into decline and died. My assessment was they couldn't take my climate and/or my wretched soil. Flexuosa doesn't seem to have problem with those after I nursed it through a couple of nutrition issues. Flexuosa is supposed to cluster but I've seen no indication it plans to (it is approx. 8-9 years old).