New Caledonia rocks!

[Peter]

Chambeyronia macrocarpa + Meryta balansae:

[BigFrond]

Very nice and red Peter.  I wish mine was that red.

[Jeff Searle]

Peter,

     Ok, one of these is common, and the other is pretty RARE. So just how do I get the rare one?  PM when you can........

Jeff

[JEFF from Trabuco Canyon CA]

Sign me up too!

[Phil]

Previously we've had discussions about the intensity and shade of the color of throwing Chambeyronias.  All sorts of speculation was rampant.  But, an observation I've had recently is that the color of throwing plants is nicer right now than it was in the summer.  I'd love to see pictures showing differences (if any) in the color of the same plant during various seasons of the year.  We have lots of plants right now that are throwing really dark colors.  In the summer, the color seemed lighter and less "purple".  Unfortunately, in a nursery the prettiest ones sell and you don't get to follow them along.  Any thoughts?

Phil

[Phil]

Come on Guys,

No comment?  Remember, leaves turn red in the Fall on decidious trees.  So, is the Chambeyronia's leaf a more intense red color when the temperatures drop in the Fall? What's your take?

Phil

[tim_brissy_13]

Phil, I can't really comment on the Chambeyronia since mine only throw one of two new fronds per year, usually in Spring and Summer, but I've noticed my Archontophoenix alexandrae only throws bronze tinged leaves in Autumn (fall for you guys).

[Carlo Morici]

Meryta balansae! One more interesting tree from that interesting island.

Yes, here during the cooler months new Chambeyronia leaves are darker and more purple, and last longer. They seem to love mid-season temperatures, and also seem to grow faster with cooler nights around 12-18 C (53-64 F).

Carlo

[Phil]

Carlo,

Thank you.  This is what I'm talking about.  Red leaves emerging right now (Northern Hemisphere)  are really intense and more of that "purple", dark color rather than a bland red.  The Group has talked before about how to get the best color or particular plants that have the best color.  I think temperature might be the most important factor.

Phil

[Kim]

I'll get back to you on this -- I have a spear getting ready to open, and photos of the spear that previously opened in summer for comparison.

[Urban Rainforest]

Not only are the new fronds more vibrant but the growth in general seems to be better on the new cals in the fall. I actually had three fronds on differant New Caledonia palms open in the same week after a recent rain. They were Chambeyronia Hookerii, Kentiopsis Oliviformis and Alloschmidia Glabrata. None was more vibrant or lasted longer than my Kentiopsis Magnifica Though. Here's a pic.

Steve

[Phil]

Steve,

Nice shot, good color.  If I get the time, I'll see if I can get some good Chambeyronia pictures with their new leaves.

Phil

[Urban Rainforest]

Thanks Phil. Speaking of Chambeyronias here is my Macrocarpa that I got from you a number of years ago. After being frustrated with a 15 gal. I had that never threw a red frond I went to your nursery and bought the Macro with the redest frond in your nursery. It has thrown that same red frond every time since. This last winter it defoliated down to the spear but has since thrown 3 fronds and looks like it is going to open a record 4th frond this year! It now has many rings of trunk. This frond is a darker red.

Steve

[cryptobionic]

Phil-

In general, Anthocyanins (the favinoids that are responisible for pigmenting red - blue in plant parts)  increase in cooler weather in response to UV. It's the same process that 'bronzes' plants and reddens fruit during drops in temperature. Enjoy those colors.

[bgl]

Probably can't get enough of these vibrant red new fronds...here's a Kentiopsis magnifica frond that just began to open up yesterday.

[ariscott]

Maybe I need one of those Kentiopsis. It looks like you planted them in the protected spot there, Bo?

Regards, Ari

[bgl]

Ari,

Even though it's somewhat protected, it's facing south and is getting a good amount of sunshine during the day (well, on those days when we actually see the sun...  - we've had 30 inches of rain in the last 8 days!).

Bo-Göran

[DoomsDave]

(Phil @ Nov. 15 2007,09:08)

QUOTE

Previously we've had discussions about the intensity and shade of the color of throwing Chambeyronias.  All sorts of speculation was rampant.  But, an observation I've had recently is that the color of throwing plants is nicer right now than it was in the summer.  I'd love to see pictures showing differences (if any) in the color of the same plant during various seasons of the year.  We have lots of plants right now that are throwing really dark colors.  In the summer, the color seemed lighter and less "purple".  Unfortunately, in a nursery the prettiest ones sell and you don't get to follow them along.  Any thoughts?

Phil

Excellent thought!

I'll follow along and see.

This could get interesting.  

Maybe you could, too?

[DoomsDave]

(bgl @ Feb. 08 2008,14:03)

QUOTE

Probably can't get enough of these vibrant red new fronds...here's a Kentiopsis magnifica frond that just began to open up yesterday.

Swoon!

ooomph . . .

[kakariki]

Here it's the middle of summer, and one C. macrocarpa has thrown a frond which stayed red for maybe four days before starting to get khaki-coloured, instead of 10-12 days. We have also found that it doesn't matter how well irrigated they are, a few solid days of rain will bring forth a new frond.

[el-blanco]

Peter probably just Photo-Shopped that picture.  He is good with a camera you know.  WoW - Looks great Pedro.  Mine has never been that red and always has purple look to it.

My Actinokentia are now putting off a nicer color of red........... when they open a leaf.  Has to be the slowest palm in the world.

My Meryta (Thank you Peter) looks pretty good now and will most likely get moved this Spring.

Jefe

[Peter]

Believe it or not, no intensifying the red in photoshop-just lucky I guess.  Jeff, my Meryta's have been growing steadily all winter-yours should really start to move in your milder climate.

[BS Man about Palms]

Peter, were those Meryta's outside or in a greenhouse?  Not sure where to put it yet, its still inside my house.  (Thanks again)

[fastfeat]

SF Valley= New New Caledonia...

Nice shots Peter!

[ariscott]

(Peter @ Feb. 09 2008,11:11)

QUOTE

Believe it or not, no intensifying the red in photoshop-just lucky I guess.  Jeff, my Meryta's have been growing steadily all winter-yours should really start to move in your milder climate.

Peter,

Any photo of mature specimen of Meryta? I like the look of it!!! Maybe I can add it to my wish list. BTW, the grasshopper has been eating my barringtonia... so I hope it comes back. I got lots of other BIG TREES and foliage, so I don't understand why they had to go and eat my little one....  

Regards, Ari

[Peter]

Ari, get those grasshoppers out of that Barringtonia!  And here is a link to the NC website with Meryta balansae photos:

http://endemia.nc/plante/fiche.php?code=731

Bill, they came out of an unheated greenhouse, but they are fairly cold hardy, so I wouldn't worry about having them outside.  Just keep them out of the sun.

[ariscott]

Very nice, thanks Peter... something to put in the wishlist, for sure. Now, I just have to find someone who has it in the country...   .

I am watching the barringtonia, Peter... there are new shoots coming through, so.... touch wood.... With the rain we have been getting, hopefully it will grow bigger in no time.

Regards, Ari