Arenga micrantha

[Darold Petty]

I recently purchased a nice plant from Phil, at Jungle Music.   I am uncertain about the best sun exposure.  Of the two plants at the San Francisco Botanic Garden, the more shady one is smaller, and the larger one is in what I would call only  broken or filtered sun exposure.  How much direct sun would be advised in my cool, humid microclimate ?  A friend with much warmer daytime temperatures has a large one in shade.   Thanks for all comments !

[Merlyn]

I have two Arenga Micrantha that I bought from ChuckG a few years ago.   One is in AM sun and PM shade, and it is slower growing but survived 24F and frost with losing only the biggest and most exposed frond.  It has big fronds with 5 foot petioles and overall 10 foot fronds.  The one up front is in full sun and has pretty short fronds, more like an Engleri.  It got defoliated at 27-28F with frost, but 2 out of 3 trunks survived.  They are supposed to be hardy, but don't seem so hardy to me.

[WaianaeCrider]

Mine is in filtered sun  most of the day.  Depends on angle of the sun across the year.  Growing nice.  1 gal put out in 08, this picture was taken last year.  It's about 10' tall and seeding.

 

[richnorm]

Pretty much full sun. They can get massive!

[Phoenikakias]

It needs tons of water for a decent growth (in a med climate that is). First take care of adequate water supply and then for sun exposure lol. In my climate it does not feel comfortably in full sun during summer. In the cool Mediterranean climate of the Bay I think full sun is necessary.

[WaianaeCrider]

8 minutes ago, Phoenikakias said:

It needs tons of water for a decent growth (in a med climate that is). First take care of adequate water supply and then for sun exposure lol. In my climate it does not feel comfortably in full sun during summer. In the cool Mediterranean climate of the Bay I think full sun is necessary.

Mine only gets watered twice a week for35 minutes around 4 a.m.  Perhaps 3 little spray heads.

[Phoenikakias]

1 hour ago, WaianaeCrider said:

Mine only gets watered twice a week for35 minutes around 4 a.m.  Perhaps 3 little spray heads.

What is like the climate there? It is not a universal advice, it refers only to Mediterranean type climate, where it may not rain at all for three whole months during the warmest season of the year.

[gurugu]

I've got two planted in the ground for several years now and very close to each other. When they were in the shade, they grew slowly. Since I trasplanted them to a whole day sunny spot, they have sped up growth. 

[WaianaeCrider]

7 hours ago, Phoenikakias said:

What is like the climate there? It is not a universal advice, it refers only to Mediterranean type climate, where it may not rain at all for three whole months during the warmest season of the year.

We get about 20" a year, mostly in the winter months.  Summer months can go w/less that 1/2" total.

[TomJ]

Mine was bought as a 1 gallon 2009.

It is planted in solid clay with lots of canopy.

It is a slug.  13 years later... there it is.

With your lack of heat, I would put it in Bay area sun.

On another note, does anyone know if they dig / transplant well?

[Merlyn]

4 hours ago, TomJ said:

Mine was bought as a 1 gallon 2009.

It is planted in solid clay with lots of canopy.

It is a slug.  13 years later... there it is.

With your lack of heat, I would put it in Bay area sun.

On another note, does anyone know if they dig / transplant well?

 

I moved one of mine from the backyard, it didn't seem to mind.  I have also moved Arenga Engleri, Tremula and Pinnata aith no problems.  I think Arenga are fairly tolerant of mistreatment.

[daxin]

My Arenga micrantha was planted on the north side of my house in 2013 as a #5. New leaves are above the roof now and are handling full sun very well

[Darold Petty]

Thanks to.all for the comments, I.will place it in my more sunny spot.

[Billy]

I'm sure you already know, but since it came from JM my only advice would be to make sure you acclimate it before planting in full sun. Best of luck with your new arenga!

[Darold Petty]

Thanks!

[Billy]

I know that Phil also gets palms from other growers so not all of his inventory comes from his greenhouse. In that case, you'd be fine to plant it without going through the acclimation process. By the way, what size is it? I would love to see a photo. I'm looking to acquire an arenga engleri in a couple months.....

[Darold Petty]

I plan to pick up this palm next month,  15 gallon

 

[Patrick]

Late to the party, but mine floundered in mostly shady with an hour or so of sun- out here in the valley. Mine was about the size of Tom J's picture above. 

It died about 2 or 3 years ago. I planted a pine tree in its place. Kidding about that last part...

Edited December 24, 2022 by Patrick

[daxin]

 

These photos were taken on August 5th this year, at 9:20am. This was a new leaf just opening up. I didn’t know the white underside could be this bright