copernicia cowellii

[CQ Mike]

Hi,

Does anybody have a particular potting mix for starting off and growing copernicia cowellii. Also what pot size would you suggest. Would it be better planting straight into the ground.

Thankyou,

Michael.

[waykoolplantz]

aint no slow like Cowellii slow

how big is it now

[aztropic]

Starting from seed? Extremely easy to sprout using the baggie method. Then you can decide exactly where you want to plant in the ground,or in a pot. I collected a bunch of these seeds on a trip to Cuba,and sold at least 50 plants at 2 to 3 years old in 1 gallon pots. They are fast growers on seed power,but slow way down on their own roots. (seedling pic taken at only 2 months old. In ground plants are 9 years old) These do have EXTREMELY sensitive roots. I've had no luck digging them back out of the ground once planted... Select your planting site carefully. If going to grow in 1 gallon pots,I would pre cut through the bottom of the pots leaving only a few contact points so bottom could be easily removed when time to plant. Then just plant it into the ground, in the pot,with the bottom removed. Potting mix should be free draining,as they can rot during extended cool and wet periods. Mine planted in full sun do yellow up over the winter,but seem to green back up when the heat arrives. Specimens planted in shade stay green year round. Hope that info helps you propagate a few of this rarely seen outside of Cuba species.

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

Edited April 14, 2023 by aztropic

[PalmatierMeg]

Use very deep pots to accommodate their roots. I kept my one & only in 14” tree pots for years. I planted it about 3-4 months ago and all but one strap leaf died back. Checked on it this morning & looks like it is sending up a new strap leaf. It is in sand and calcareous shell rock.  In Cuba they grow in serpentine soil. I would be very careful not to place it in rich, poor draining soil. I used a mix of coarse bagged garden soil, coco coir and perlite.

[CQ Mike]

Thankyou everybody for taking time to reply. Has anybody tried to replicate the elements in serpentine soils when considering potting mix.

Waykoolplantz   I am getting a little ahead of myself here asking about potting mix when I don't have a plant. Been on the wish list for a very long time. So I don't have a picture I can post. Hopefully one day soon.

[PalmatierMeg]

6 hours ago, CQ Mike said:

Thankyou everybody for taking time to reply. Has anybody tried to replicate the elements in serpentine soils when considering potting mix.

Waykoolplantz   I am getting a little ahead of myself here asking about potting mix when I don't have a plant. Been on the wish list for a very long time. So I don't have a picture I can post. Hopefully one day soon.

When I was in Cuba in 2014 I picked up serpentine rocks from a cow pasture where dozens of cowellii were growing. I brought them back to FL and crushed them with a mallet to use when growing plants from serpentine soils. I have the crushed stone somewhere in my garden shed. If you get a cowellii, I can sell you some of my stash if you are interested.

[PalmatierMeg]

Whoops, Mike. I see you are in Australia not the US. I don't think your customs will be happy if I sent Cuban crushed serpentine stone into Australia. I don't want either of us to get in trouble - I have enough trouble getting the US gov't off my back. Sorry

[CQ Mike]

Yes Meg, I am in Australia. It is very difficult to come by some of the rarer Cuban palms here let alone factoring in the time you need to see anything other than a strap leaf.

Are they available in your country and how big is the biggest one you have seen outside Cuba. 

[aztropic]