Variegated Caryota mitis (Fishtail Palm)

[Dave Brown]

nice one red I just went on the jungle seeds website and they sell them on there, but the picture they show for them is just plain green leafs but then again it don't say variegated either.

If they say they are variegated only a small percantage will come true, with most just being plain green. If they don't say variegated then they aren't and 100% will be green

[Adrian]

This batch of seed from Paul was thought to have a one in ten chance of getting a variegated seedling.
Of course these were from a variegated Caryota, the chance of getting a variegated germination from a normal green form would be more like one in a hundred thousand, probably much more than that.

Caryota's flower and then die but they do produce a huge amount of seed before doing so.

[Dave Brown]

Caryota's flower and then die but they do produce a huge amount of seed before doing so.

Not sure that is strictly true Ade, There are some palms that flower once with one huge inflorescence, then die, but Caryota is slightly different in they start to flower from the top when they get to a mature size, then flower successively down the trunk to the bottom, then die. Not sure how long that takes though

Second thoughts.... maybe on mitis the stem flowers once then dies but the palm does not as cespitose and will have suckers, but what I have described above is for non cespitose (single trunked) like gigas, himilaya etc.

[Gareth Davies]

I think it can be up to 5 years between flowering and fruit ripening but they don't look pretty. It's a trunk with no fronds just a big inflorescence out of the side of it. I don't think you need to worry about your variegated one going like this just yet Dave!

[Dave Brown]

Whooo, just realised I've not done an update on this for 19 months

It is not the fastest growing palm , as I have said before, but it certainly is one of the prettiest I have (if you're into variegation. The variegation starts out yellow but then over several months ages white.

Here is a pic from this morning, taken up on the deck, although it normally resides indoors.

[Addictedtopalms26]

Wow! Really interesting reading through the thread, its a real beauty!

I'm into my variegation as I think with the right plant it can enhance it. Thanks for the update pic Dave, I'd love to see it in a couple of years, be awesome

[Adrian]

Thats fantastic Dave, I might put up a pick of mine one day but make sure you go to the loo first as you might have an accident laughing

[redsquirrel]

i am so pleased i gave those seedlings to Dave,that plant is a stunner. i would probably have killed those aswell as the ones i had here although none of mine went variegated

[Dave Brown]

Thats fantastic Dave, I might put up a pick of mine one day but make sure you go to the loo first as you might have an accident laughing

Isn't yours doing well then Ade

[jimhardy]

Absolutely awesome Dave!!!

I ordered one of those from overseas a few years ago
but the box arrived with only a note saying,
improper documentation or something like that

[Dave Brown]

Absolutely awesome Dave!!!

I ordered one of those from overseas a few years ago
but the box arrived with only a note saying,
improper documentation or something like that

Did they confiscate it Jim ? if so that is a real shame. I have heard of people franticly getting correct paperwork sent while UK DEFRA hold the plant.

[jimhardy]

Yep,I thought the box felt a little lite upon opening...

They probably threw the plant away-sure it was bare root...



Tempting to try again such a beautiful palm!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Palm-Caryota-Mi ... 56486a45a2

[Dave Brown]

Yep,I thought the box felt a little lite upon opening...

They probably threw the plant away-sure it was bare root...



Tempting to try again such a beautiful palm!


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Palm-Caryota-Mi ... 56486a45a2

I thought most of this was about tax revenue.?

The pic is certainly a very beautiful palm. I doubt you get one that good for $25. The Japanese pay a fortune for the 'right' variegated palms.

[Adrian]

OK Dave now Im going to make you feel good......

heres my last one, had several germinate but not variegated, had another one or two germinate with variegation but too much of it so they didnt get anywhere.

This one sits in the greenhouse and has never had more than a pair of leaves at any one time, these are the fourth pair.
Maybe too much variegation hence lack of growth ?

I'll be honest and say that Ive lost all interest in it (as Im sure you can well believe) and its a case of 'do or die' in the greenhouse.

[Dave Brown]

It seems to have good markings, but might need a bit more shade Ade, as it's very bleached looking. Mine went like that in full sun, so was moved off the windowsill and placed about 10 feet into the room. It then gets full sun over winter, as the sun drops and shines in further.

Also have you tried a dose of Epsom Salts ?

I think it might be worth a bit of TLC as they are stunning once they get going, and will take years to outgrow it's welcome