Brahea moorei

[Darold Petty]

I have failed to grow this palm several times.  A few weeks ago Don Hodel held a Zoom lecture for the Southern California Palm Society.  I learned several details from his talk.  

Don mentioned that the species is difficult as a small plant, and suggested the best course would be to ground plant it while still small.  Does this palm have a saxophone growth habit, with heel, similar to Ceroxylon or Rhopalostylis ??  This matters, because I will use a stainless steel gopher basket, sixteen inches in diameter.  If the palm's stem  axis does move laterally then I would plant the seedling near the inner edge of the basket diameter, rather than in the center.   My seedling does seem to show lateral growth rather than vertical. 

Thanks for your comments !   ( and thanks to Ben Rodgers for the gift of this seedling ! )

[LJG]

I missed the talk. Would have liked to heard. He is right, it can be tricky small. Slow to start in the ground, but solid when established. I doesn’t have a saxophone growth habit or heel. It’s decumbent. So plant to rear and it will creep towards you over the years. 

[tim_brissy_13]

I’ve planted both mine small. Not because I knew any of this detail, but just because I tend to for most species. Sounds like I might have gotten lucky; they both certainly seem to be going ok for now although not fast. 

[pietropuccio]

can be useful (the stem tends to slowly become partially buried):

 

[Darold Petty]

Pietro, your palm is most beautiful !  

Thanks to all for the comments, I suspect that this palm requires more warmth than my garden can provide, but we will see !

[pietropuccio]

Thanks!
The moorei is considered one of the hardiest Brahea, the problem could be excessive humidity connected to low temperatures, excellent drainage and an appropriate choice of position can be the solution.

[kristof p]

Yes, you have to plant them small. 18 years ago I bought a few seedlings and the only one that survived is the one I planted out as a small seedling. They are very slow but well worth the wait.... I live in Belguim in a cold 8b/9a zone with long and wett winters. I do keep it dry during winter because it is a very rare and dificult palm to find in europe. It never has shown damage from the long and humid winters. Very strong and beuatifull palm. Even slower in my climate haha

 

here it is after almost 18 years in the garden....

[Tracy]

I am finally getting around to planting this one is got at a Palm Society auction (thank you Josh for donating it).  I should have read this thread when I bought it.  It is still small so probably not too late.

[Palmiz]

Hope my one and only Brahea Moorei survives after roof shingles and plaster smothered it. Really hurt watching this happen but has to be done.  Mine was bought in 2023 digging around at Kevins.

[bruce Steele]

I’d  like  to get one but gawd are they scraggly as juveniles . Thanks for the pictures, I get shy about posting pictures of palms struggling along so it is nice to see how it goes for other growers more honest in their film edits. So if I get one I will know what to expect till they take hold.