Areca vestiaria

[bubba]

These are several Areca vestiaras ( single trunk form) growing in Florida. I have read varying accounts of their viability in Southern California and the south of Spain. Can anyone in these regions provide photographic evidence:

[Mandrew968]

In South Florida, these need lots of humidity, water, and the occasional application of iron, or their leaves will look tattered. Orange variety is a tad bit easier than the red form. Yellow form is the hardest to grow.

Bubba, I suspect it would be quite difficult for California or Spain to provide this palm's humidity needs...

[Hillizard]

I grew this red Areca vestiaria from a sprouted seed... but I must admit it's always been indoors here in NorCal! This color may be more cold-hardy. From Palmpedia: "It has been reported that there is substantial color variation depending on elevation, with the more colorful plants coming from higher elevations. Observations, at least in cultivation, indicate the maroon variety suckers more readily than the orange form. "

[Sabal Steve]

3 hours ago, bubba said:

These are several Areca vestiaras ( single trunk form) growing in Florida. I have read varying accounts of their viability in Southern California and the south of Spain. Can anyone in these regions provide photographic evidence:

I grew one for maybe 18 months?  It did really well, until a log fell on it.  Immediate decline.  I may try one in a few years, when I have better filtered light.

I have another, that is an ideal house plant.  

When I planted it.

Before the log fell on it.

[Cape Garrett]

I've tried several of these at different times and locations in my old yard here in southwest Florida.  Never had any luck.  I think they need an acidic soil. Wish I had better luck with these.  In Hawaii they are perfection. 

[Matt in OC]

Originally a 4" from Floribunda. It's not much to look at but has been through 2 winters in the ground. 

the 1 gallons I've gotten look much better. This went through this past winter in the ground. 

I have one other in the ground that got a little sun burned but is growing out of it after the winter. Four in the ground total now and one more in a pot that was outdoors last winter. 

[Pando]

After discovering the Floribunda candy store a few years ago, I of course also tried a bunch of uber-tropicals which either just flat out died or looked ragged most of the time and then slowly withered away, which is a process that's still going on.

I never tried A. vestiaria, so what's stopping me now? Someone please talk me out of it. lol

[Matt in OC]

15 minutes ago, Pando said:

After discovering the Floribunda candy store a few years ago, I of course also tried a bunch of uber-tropicals which either just flat out died or looked ragged most of the time and then slowly withered away, which is a process that's still going on.

I never tried A. vestiaria, so what's stopping me now? Someone please talk me out of it. lol

I've killed my fair share of things but this hasn't been one of them (except for a yellow 4"). You should definitely go for it!

[tacobender]

They seem to do OK in Sonora MX. These were single 4 in. from Floribunda less than a year ago. Their energy is spent clumping right now. It is 100° today 58% humidity no problems yet, the real heat starts next month. We shall see. Grew a lot in winter here.