Information needed
Hi All,
I am writing a book for Timber Press entitled ‘The Encyclopaedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Gardens’. Due for publication in 2005. I was wondering if I could pop into your forum now and then to get some local advice. At the moment I am trying to get information on Tetrapanax papyrifera. Reading a past link, it seems as though ‘Steroidal Giant’ and ‘Rex’ as it is known in the UK, might be the same clone. Also I would like to know the minimum temperatures that they defoliate with you and also what temperatures they loose all top growth.
I am hoping to visit Oregon in the summer to take photographs of exotic plants and gardens, so would like to make contact with some like minded people.
Looking forward to hearing from you – Will Giles
(Author of ‘The New Exotic Garden ‘published by Mitchell Beazley.’)
Email: will@exoticgarden.com
Web: http://www.exoticgarden.com
The following thread was started by Will Giles on February 26, 2004 at 9:04 am PST
Mine defoliated at -5C. It was protected with just a mulch of oak leaves at the base of the plant. It got down to -13C and am hoping that it survived the freeze. It appears that it has because the trunk is quite firm and after scratching the trunk, there is green matter underneath.
The above followup was added by Vito, North Vancouver on February 26, 2004 at 2:48 pm PST.
Even if yours doesn't come back from the orginal stem, (whick sound like it will) they can also come back from the underground roots. Pretty fast spreaders.
The above followup was added by Roger in Olympia on February 26, 2004 at 9:04 pm PST.
Where did you obtain yours from?
The above followup was added by darren on February 27, 2004 at 8:03 am PST.
Daren, mine was obtained from fellow palm society member Fritz Friesen.
Will, I have read your book and it is excellent. Great information and excellent illustrations.
The above followup was added by Vito on February 27, 2004 at 10:01 am PST.
Tetrapanax are easy to propagate by taking root cuttings, and then planted and given bottom heat will sprout into a new plant.
I'm not sure but I think Cistus Design Nursery came up with the name ‘Steroidal Giant’ after getting a start from an older guy in CA.
The above followup was added by Roger in Olympia on February 28, 2004 at 0:35 am PST.