Minimum temps for salacca wallichiana?

[JenRiot321]

Hey there! I have some salacca wallichiana ‘sala sumlee’ seedlings that are coming up nicely (about 6” or so right now) and I was wondering if anyone is growing them in So. Cal. or has any experience with minimum temps?  They’ve been in my heated seed germination area and seem happy, but the lighting is not what i’d call bright, and I don’t have the ability to change that in the immediate future.  I’m faced with the decision of leaving them where they are right now or moving them to a spot with better lighting but a significantly cooler temp. 

I’ve gotten myself in a bit of a predicament, but i’m hoping I could get some info from those of you with more knowledge. Anything is appreciated!

[PalmatierMeg]

I don't live in So Cal but I can tell you Salaccas are true tropical palms from SE Asia with a preferred temp range of 22C to 32C (~70-90F) per Palmpedia. I don't believe I can grow them here in SWFL because my winters are too cold. I doubt they stand any chance of surviving long term in San Diego except in a conservatory.

[JenRiot321]

Thanks for the info. That’s what I had found in my online research but there wasn’t much from people with actual experience and never know how hard and fast those ranges are. I also read that S. wallichiana is somewhat more cold tolerant than other species, but what exactly that means in real world application i don’t know.  I do know they are grown here by at least one person, because for several years at our rare fruit growers plant sales someone was selling numerous salacca plants that were at least a couple of years old for a very low price.  I never bought any of those but it led me to believe they might have a fruiting tree, or at he very least were able to grow them successfully.  I don’t know what kind of conditions they have them growing in, but it gave me hope that it can be done successfully! 

Edited January 31, 2020 by JenRiot321

[PalmatierMeg]

Palmpedia also stated that Salacca won't set viable fruit at temps below 22C. Someone may be germinating Salacca seeds from HI in a conservatory in SO CAL or importing seedlings from HI en masse to sell locally.

Growers pull the same kind of stunt in FL. Some years back a palm grower was peddling tiny Dictyocaryum lamarckianum seedlings for big bucks at local plant sales. Clueless buyers that purchased those seedlings had no clue Dictyocaryums are impossible to grow in FL's heat and swelter. You have to perform due diligence unless you enjoy throwing money away.

[John hovancsek]

I will say they don't like cold at all. They do seed here in hi and look good but when I was in Florida the cold winter temps killed all of mine. I have seen them take low 50's with little problems but wouldn't suggest it for any small salacca

[hbernstein]

S. wallichiana will grow in suitable environments in the Miami area near the coast without having any problems with cold temps. I'm sure that inland would be problematic.

[Eric in Orlando]

Salacca wallichiana is probably the hardiest species. We have a mature one at Leu Gardens in Orlando. Planted in June 2001, its a full clump about 10ft tall. I have tried S. magnifica and S. zalacca here and they are too cold sensitive.

[VeganCupcake]

On 2/3/2020 at 8:36 AM, Eric in Orlando said:

Salacca wallichiana is probably the hardiest species. We have a mature one at Leu Gardens in Orlando. Planted in June 2001, its a full clump about 10ft tall. I have tried S. magnifica and S. zalacca here and they are too cold sensitive.

Eric, has your tree produced any fruit? Any cold or frost damage? Do you protect the tree at certain temps or not? I am in Brevard County and I am hoping to try growing this tree if I can find a seedling or seed for this particular species you mentioned.