Dypsis lutescens solitary form in flower

[PalmatierMeg]

About 7-8 years ago I planted a number of Dypsis lutescens seedlings I germinated from seeds I collected. Dypsis lutescens is normally a clustering palm, common as dirt in FL and generally looked down upon as a "trash palm". But occasionally one of these Dypsis shows up with a solitary trunk and I have one of those solitary forms growing on the berm of the vacant lot next door. Years ago after I realized what it was I pondered transplanting it onto my own property but decided it had grown too large.

This spring this solitary D.l. has flowered for the first time. I cut all the inflorescenses off of its clustering siblings before flowers opened and plan to collect self-pollinated seeds from it in the fall. So, here is my question to the many Dypsis experts on PT: Can someone tell me (approx.) what % of those seeds might yield solitary form palms? How common is the solitary form of Dypsis lutescens? Any interest in growing it from anyone here? It is a very attractive palm and well worth growing, IMO. See photos below.

Dypsis lutescens Solitary Form

[Rickybobby]

My question to you is from a seedling how long until they normally start to cluster?

[AZPalms]

2 hours ago, Rickybobby said:

My question to you is from a seedling how long until they normally start to cluster?

Mine are young still with about a foot of skinny trunk. At least 3-4 of the palms have shoots coming off of them. I don’t know the age. It’s a much slower grow here in AZ than Florida I’m sure. 

[PalmatierMeg]

3 hours ago, Rickybobby said:

My question to you is from a seedling how long until they normally start to cluster?

I can't quite remember but I guess-timate 3-4 years. Certainly by the time the palm forms a trunk. Originally I had 2 solitaries from that crop but the second died a couple years ago before flowering.

[NOT A TA]

As Meg mentioned, about 3-4 years here in S FL. I've noticed they're less likely to sucker or are older before putting out shoots if they're in a dry , shaded, or combined conditions. In a pot or planted with frequent watering and lots of light they'll be about the size of the one shown below which is 3-4 years.

[Josue Diaz]

I think Dave in La Habra grows what he calls "oddball" lutescens. If memory serves me right, it's a solitary palm. I have a seedling of it from him, much too young to know if it's clustering or solitary though. 

[elHoagie]

Meg - Not sure if I can answer your question, but I have 2 solitary D. lutescens. I picked up 4 small seedlings about 10 years ago, and I wouldn't be surprised if all 4 came from the same parent plant (but I have no idea if that parent plant was solitary). Anyway, the "success" rate for solitary palms was 50% in my case.

My palms have been flowering for the past 3 years or so, but no viable seeds yet. Maybe this year...

[PalmatierMeg]

Thanks, Jack. That's what I was hoping to hear. I would love to have a solitary on my own property in case someone builds on that property and rips up the mother palm.