Tetrapanax papyrifera

Gaz · Post by **Gaz** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:21 pm

Now everyone raves about the rex version etc. But i really want to give the normal version of this a go. Where to get one?

I know Melissa and Keith have a very nice one, but does anyone else grow the normal sort?

AndyC · Post by **AndyC** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:56 pm

I have one Gaz. A picture from way back in June

It produced one pup this summer which died almost immediately after I dug it up. You are certainly welcome to the next one that survives.

DavidF · Post by **DavidF** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:02 pm

Cool plant Andy, if "Rex" is supposed to be a giant version then yours looks pretty big!

What's the difference then?

Gaz · Post by **Gaz** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:05 pm

Thanks Andy!!

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:07 pm

Hi Gaz
I'm sure they were selling some at Architectural plants when I was there a few weeks ago.

AndyC · Post by **AndyC** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:19 pm

DavidF wrote:Cool plant Andy, if "Rex" is supposed to be a giant version then yours looks pretty big!

What's the difference then?

I think there is a lot of variation in these plants but if my 3 year old Trex and 3 year ol ordinary T.papyrifer are typical then the Trex has larger leaves which are very divided and a grey-green colour and longer leaf petioles. Trunk is short and stout. Is trying (very slowly) to flower for the first time. Lots of pups.

T.papyrifer - shot up to 8ft in year 2 with slender trunk, smaller, less divided leaves which are a bright green. Flowered mid summer in year 2 and 3. Hasn't grown much taller this year. Only one pup.

Both sailed through last winter in the ground with no protection. Love them both.

ColinB · Post by **ColinB** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:27 pm

I got my one from Architectural Plants a couple of years ago.

daz · Post by **daz** » Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:28 pm

Gaz the one mellisa has is t rex not the other one mate.I know because she gave me a pup of it in the spring...daz

Gaz · Post by **Gaz** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:43 am

Hi Daz, I believe they have both, from memory (correctme Melissa) the normal one was by the greenhouse near the new paved courtyard bit.

Melissa · Post by **Melissa** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:34 pm

Yes thats right, we have both.
I'll try and get a pic of both this afternoon so you can see the difference.

Melissa

ColinB · Post by **ColinB** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 5:08 pm

Here's mine fighting for position with the other plants.

Taken in the summer.

Melissa · Post by **Melissa** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:11 pm

As Andy says the main differences are in the leaves. I took some pic's yesterday which I hope show that.

T Rex leaf

The main plant

Papyrifer, the pic is a bit dark but you can see it's not as deaply cut as Rex.

Main plant. Both plants were planted at the same time, Rex has made far more growth. The leaves look a bit droppy as they have been affected by the cold.

Melissa

Post by **Dave Brown** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:31 pm

OT, but what is the skinny trunked Trachycarpus behind the T-Rex in the bottom pic

Melissa · Post by **Melissa** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:58 pm

Dave, thats not the Rex, just the ordinary Papyrifer.
It's a Fortunei, there's not much in the pic for scale but I didn't think it is that skinny.

Melissa

Post by **Dave Brown** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:34 pm

Melissa, You may not think it is skinny, but just take a look at mine