Hyphaene coriacea

[KLC]

Meangrean sent me 3 germinated seeds of Hyphaene coriacea a month or so ago. They are big seeds! The single roots on each seed were already about 2” long when I took them out of the shipping mix they were in. I waited 3 days before I put them into 14” tree pots and have been watering them every other day. It’s been bumping 100 here in Phoenix recently. This morning I checked on them and to my surprise the tap roots have reached the drain holes in the pots. Being remote germinators I expect to see a shoot probably this week. This is what bismarkia does anyways. I’ll keep ya’ll posted on the progress.

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[KLC]

How deep of a pot do you use Meangrean? It seems 14” may not be enough.

[Meangreen94z]

How deep of a pot do you use Meangrean? It seems 14” may not be enough.

Somehow I missed this. I’ve started Hyphaene out in 7 gallon containers. It seems a bit overkill but once they bottom out, the root system spreads out a bit but seems content. I haven’t really had any roots try to establish out the drain holes, and Ive had Hyphaene petersiana in for nearly 3 years. They say if you are able you might as well move them in ground immediately after germination.

[KLC]

I didn't take a photo but 2 of them have broke the surface with a shoot. The 3rd one doesn't have a root at the bottom of the pot yet but sometimes palms, or any plant for that matter, are just late to the party. I'll give it another week before I dump it out and take a peak.

I don't want to put them in the ground, but a 15g pot may accomplish the same thing.

[Meangreen94z]

Some grow slower than others, and I’ve had a few that germinate but then fizzle out soon after. Here are a few on a rack in my garage.

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[meridannight]

In my experience they're easy to germinate, but they can't stand transplanting. If they're meant for the space outside, now is the time to plant them out. If they're meant to be kept in containers don't expect them to last all that long or grow all that much.

[Meangreen94z]

In my experience they're easy to germinate, but they can't stand transplanting. If they're meant for the space outside, now is the time to plant them out. If they're meant to be kept in containers don't expect them to last all that long or grow all that much.

Like a lot of African palms they are extremely root sensitive. Extreme care is needed when transplanting, but it is possible. I grew Hyphaene petersiana, thebaica, and coriacea from seed and transplanted them later in Houston with success. I currently have Hyphaene compressa, dichotoma, thebaica, coriacea, and petersiana growing in containers. They won’t survive in ground where I am currently in Central Texas, but I am a huge fan of the genera and hope to eventually find them long term homes in South Texas. Or possibly donate them to a place like the San Antonio Botanical Garden that can grow them indoors.

[Tom in Tucson]

In my experience they're easy to germinate, but they can't stand transplanting. If they're meant for the space outside, now is the time to plant them out. If they're meant to be kept in containers don't expect them to last all that long or grow all that much.

Like a lot of African palms they are extremely root sensitive. Extreme care is needed when transplanting, but it is possible. I grew Hyphaene petersiana, thebaica, and coriacea from seed and transplanted them later in Houston with success. I currently have Hyphaene compressa, dichotoma, thebaica, coriacea, and petersiana growing in containers. They won’t survive in ground where I am currently in Central Texas, but I am a huge fan of the genera and hope to eventually find them long term homes in South Texas. Or possibly donate them to a place like the San Antonio Botanical Garden that can grow them indoors.

Like the Medemia seedlings I have, I know they'll never survive here outdoors year round. So my plan is to find a serious palm collector, or botanical garden in a low elevation Sonoran desert location of Mexico, or the USA, that can provide them with a climate more to their liking. I hope to grow them to a 3 foot or taller size first. Until then I'll keep them indoors during cool/cold weather. They do as well as my other desert palms when it's warm/hot. I've probably got at least 2 years to find their new home(s) at their current growth rate.

[Meangreen94z]

In my experience they're easy to germinate, but they can't stand transplanting. If they're meant for the space outside, now is the time to plant them out. If they're meant to be kept in containers don't expect them to last all that long or grow all that much.

Like a lot of African palms they are extremely root sensitive. Extreme care is needed when transplanting, but it is possible. I grew Hyphaene petersiana, thebaica, and coriacea from seed and transplanted them later in Houston with success. I currently have Hyphaene compressa, dichotoma, thebaica, coriacea, and petersiana growing in containers. They won’t survive in ground where I am currently in Central Texas, but I am a huge fan of the genera and hope to eventually find them long term homes in South Texas. Or possibly donate them to a place like the San Antonio Botanical Garden that can grow them indoors.

Like the Medemia seedlings I have, I know they'll never survive here outdoors year round. So my plan is to find a serious palm collector, or botanical garden in a low elevation Sonoran desert location of Mexico, or the USA, that can provide them with a climate more to their liking. I hope to grow them to a 3 foot or taller size first. Until then I'll keep them indoors during cool/cold weather. They do as well as my other desert palms when it's warm/hot. I've probably got at least 2 years to find their new home(s) at their current growth rate.

I wonder if anyone has found the true hardiness limit of Medemia? I’ve heard rumors of low 20’s, but nothing confirmed. I have one planted in Houston at a family members home. It isn’t trunking yet. All it had for cover from 16-17°F was a blanket, only the top halves of the fronds burned. I’ll find its limits once it forms an above ground trunk, this one hasn’t been as nearly fast growing as some have claimed.

[KLC]

Anyone have a source for Medemia?

[Meangreen94z]

They seem to have disappeared for now, as far as seeds or small seedlings.

[Tom in Tucson]

Anyone have a source for Medemia?

RPS still has over 1000 seeds.

[Meangreen94z]

Rod A. in Phoenix sent me these great pictures of Hyphaene in his yard. Enjoying the near 120°F heat.

Hyphaene natalensis

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Hyphaene thebaica

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Hyphaene compressa

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Hyphaene compressa

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Hyphaene dichotoma

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Hyphaene thebaica, Livistona mariae in the far background, Acrocomia aculeata in the middle

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Hyphaene thebaica

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Hyphaene turbinata

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