TV - West Wing Palms

[Brad52]

Been rewatching West Wing recently and in the oval office scenes are a couple of beautiful potted palms - anyone know what they may be?  Me wants some...I think...but what are they?  Might they be https://mail.palmpedia.net/wiki/Chrysalidocarpus_onilahensis  

[Matt in OC]

I'm guessing these are what you are referring to? If so, Kentia I think.

[Silas_Sancona]

18 minutes ago, Matt in OC said:

I'm guessing these are what you are referring to? If so, Kentia I think.

^ X2 Kentia..

[Brad52]

Yes, those, but what is Kentia?  Do you mean Kentiopsis?  And do they retain that thin weepy form when mature?

[Silas_Sancona]

18 minutes ago, Brad52 said:

Yes, those, but what is Kentia?  Do you mean Kentiopsis?  And do they retain that thin weepy form when mature?

Howea forsteriana

[Brad52]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Howea forsteriana

Ah, OK!  I didn't know that one had to look it up, as is often the case the adult form is a bit less stunning than when shorter!  Still very nice tho..

[Silas_Sancona]

12 minutes ago, Brad52 said:

Ah, OK!  I didn't know that one had to look it up, as is often the case the adult form is a bit less stunning than when shorter!  Still very nice tho..

It's a great " Coconutty looking " species, esp. in areas like California where Coconuts are much more of a challenge to grow.. 

Can't say how common they are there in HI ( PT members there would obviously have a better idea ) but pretty sure there are some around.  One older thread where " Hawaiian Kentias " are mentioned:
 

One of the more ideal indoor palm options..
 

[tim_brissy_13]

1 hour ago, Brad52 said:

Ah, OK!  I didn't know that one had to look it up, as is often the case the adult form is a bit less stunning than when shorter!  Still very nice tho..

Well grown adult Howea forsterianas are a thing of beauty in my opinion. They are just about the most common indoor palm in the world so maybe that clouds my judgement, but I don’t really think juveniles in pots generally look too impressive. A mature specimen can be a knockout though. 

[tim_brissy_13]

Photo evidence of the above:

[Brad52]

49 minutes ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

Photo evidence of the above:

Yep, this is stunning, well done!  I wasn't attracted to the pot, rather the wee size of the palm with weeping leaves would look great in parts of my yard.    The size of yours is fantastic, it was the photos of stretched out ones I saw that pushed the weepy too high for what I'm after.  I've been shopping Floribunda's catalog for shorter, weepy leafed palms not really finding any yet but did find Chuniophoenix haianensis and Calyptrocalyx ployphyllus as same size interesting alternatives to weepy.

[SeanK]

Yeah well, when I watch Hogan's Heroes, I sometimes glimpsed a CIDP behind the (old) back lot. The site was also used to film "The Andy Griffith Show", although cameras faced a different direction.

[Darold Petty]

Howea forsteriana has been the premier indoor palm for more than a century.  The only drawback is that the palm tends to spread out and requires a lot of lateral space.  Queen Victoria was so enamoured of this palm that she insisted that it be part of the decorations when she lay in state after her death.

(If I weren't so clueless about digital stuff I would include an image, but they are freely available with a quick search !)

[Kim]

12 hours ago, Brad52 said:

Yep, this is stunning, well done!  I wasn't attracted to the pot, rather the wee size of the palm with weeping leaves would look great in parts of my yard.    The size of yours is fantastic, it was the photos of stretched out ones I saw that pushed the weepy too high for what I'm after.  I've been shopping Floribunda's catalog for shorter, weepy leafed palms not really finding any yet but did find Chuniophoenix haianensis and Calyptrocalyx ployphyllus as same size interesting alternatives to weepy.

Have you had a look at Hydriastele rheophytica? Maybe clustering is not your thing, but this palm is delicate and elegant, and the small red seed clusters hang down vertically like jewels on the palm. I'll look for a photo.

[Kim]

General photos, Hydriastele rheophytica:

[Harry’s Palms]

I have several around my house and as they age , they adapt to the area without causing too much problem. They rarely are grown in Hawaii as they like cool evenings and temperate climates. They require a constant supply of water . Very easy to grow and transplant if needed. I have moved 6 footers with a shovel and a wheelbarrow . The trunks conform to the space , so they can be planted right next to a patio or home. I  planted this in my courtyard as a very young seedling about 20 years ago and it is thriving even though it looks like it has no room. Harry

[Brad52]

1 hour ago, Kim said:

Have you had a look at Hydriastele rheophytica? Maybe clustering is not your thing, but this palm is delicate and elegant, and the small red seed clusters hang down vertically like jewels on the palm. I'll look for a photo.

Kim, great suggestion, and I do have one that was not so easy to source but thanks to Mike in Kurtistown for this one!  Also have R hildebrandtii and Lytocarum to fit the bill.

[Brad52]

32 minutes ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I have several around my house and as they age , they adapt to the area without causing too much problem. They rarely are grown in Hawaii as they like cool evenings and temperate climates. They require a constant supply of water . Very easy to grow and transplant if needed. I have moved 6 footers with a shovel and a wheelbarrow . The trunks conform to the space , so they can be planted right next to a patio or home. I  planted this in my courtyard as a very young seedling about 20 years ago and it is thriving even though it looks like it has no room. Harry

Good info, thank you!

[Jim in Los Altos]

2 hours ago, Darold Petty said:

Howea forsteriana has been the premier indoor palm for more than a century.  The only drawback is that the palm tends to spread out and requires a lot of lateral space.  Queen Victoria was so enamoured of this palm that she insisted that it be part of the decorations when she lay in state after her death.

(If I weren't so clueless about digital stuff I would include an image, but they are freely available with a quick search !)

Here are a few photos referencing that. The one is colorized of course. 

[Darold Petty]

Thanks Jim !

[Brad52]

3 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Here are a few photos referencing that. The one is colorized of course. 

Nice, I want that size in a few spots!