Arenga micrantha

Arenga micrantha
Bhutan Arenga

A strange-looking, multi-stemmed Arenga that grows to more than 6 m (20 ft) tall and carries elegant, large, flat, evenly pinnate leaves with brilliant white undersides. Growing up to an incredible 2000-2150 m (6500-7000 ft) above sea level, it regularly endures winter snow and HEAVY FROST in its habitat in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, and is certainly the most cold hardy Arenga. A. micrantha was described as recently as 1988 from Tibet (would you have thought that any palm grows there?) and has now also been found to occur in Bhutan and N.E. India. It is extraordinary how this comparatively large palm could have remained undetected in an area that has been well and truly botanized for a hundred years, yet this is what has happened. Following the initial discovery of a small group of plants in N.E. India, it was found to be growing in several other locations, in some numbers, and is used by the locals for thatching and for the manufacture of brooms. A cool-growing palm, it is used to moist and mild conditions in summer, and cold, dryish conditions in winter. Rich soil and an occasional feed complete the picture of its requirements. A most exciting addition to our range! Last season's seeds were a great success and produced germination rates well over 90% with very quick-growing seedlings. A. micrantha is not available anywhere else! Please also note that we can now offer these seeds at HALF PRICE!!

germination comments by our visitors
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Also see plant cultivation comments below.

Seeds from this species ...

... are average to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
Germinated in relatively poorly drained compost.
Submitted on 13/09/2006 by Andrew Cartwright andrew@sussexcoast.fsnet.co.uk

... are average to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
I soaked the Arenga micrantha seeds 72 hours in warm (30C/86F) water, in my mini greenhouse (baggie).Then I put the seeds with peat and palmsoil mixture, and floated at a constant 30C, in mini greenhouse. The first seed germinated within two months and the last four months. 30% germination within four months (12/4). After germination the seedlings growing very slowly.
Submitted on 27/12/2006 by G‡bor FŸleki fulekig@freemail.hu

... are easy to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
I put these seeds in a one gallon nursery pot that was 3/4 filled with regular potting soil. I then covered them with seed starter mix. After 2 1/2 mos. they are sprouting! They are on an upper shelf in a shaded greenhouse where daytime temps have reached 112 degrees F.
Submitted on 05/08/2006 by William Read weread@mac.com

... are very easy to germinate and need up to 1 month to sprout.
I received 11 seeds ordered from RPS and soaked them for 3 days in warm purified water. I used two 1 quart zipper bags filled with a mixture (50/50) of moist sphagnum peat and sphagnum moss. The seeds were placed in the bags on 2/25/06 and kept at 70 degrees F at night and 80 F during the day. 22C/27C. All the seeds now have 3-4 inches of root. (3/26/06) The root comes out the rounded side of the seed, so I recommend putting the flat side and the rounded side verticaly in the germination containers, what I mean is don't put the flat side or the rounded side pointed up. Mildew and mold will attack these seeds readily, so a fungicide will help.
Submitted on 27/03/2006 by Mike mjbtol@aol.com

... are not rated.
Seeds probably need to undergo cold period to germinate. Try to put them into fridge (5-8¡C) for 3 months. Then plant as usual.
Submitted on 16/01/2006 by one of our visitors

...difficult to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
Seeds put in controlled conditions wet and at 26°C. 2 germinations/10 seeds. 8 seeds lost/dead
Submitted by MOTARD eric.motard@paris7.jussieu.fr


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plant cultivation comments by our visitors
Also see germination commnets above.

Plants from this species ...

... have not yet been commented on. Be the first to write a comment:


	• • • Write a plant cultivation comment and enter to win US$ 50 worth of seeds • • • Please note: These comments are on how to cultivate the PLANTS once the seeds have germinated.

If you wish to read more on palm cultivation, we highly recommend Ornamental Palm Horticulture by Timothy K. Broschat and Alan W. Meerow, available in our bookshop.

Ratings and comments reflect individual experiences and the views of our visitors. They do not necessarily describe the most appropriate methods, nor are they necessarily valid for all seeds or plants of this species. Germination and plant cultivation success depends on many different factors; nevertheless, these experiences will hopefully aid you in your effort to get the best germination results from our seeds and the best growth results from your plants.