New Caledonia Palms

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	New Caledonia Palms By Phil Bergman General information and notes about my experience with palms native to New Caledonia.
	(Please note that the following article was written about four years ago. This was before the newly released work by Hodel et al., Palms of New Caledonia. Therefore, there may be conflict with newly described taxonomy)
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	I’ve had great fun growing the New Caledonia palm species, what with their typically thick, leathery foliage, beautiful crown shafts and often red emergent new leaves. They are indeed quite striking and beautiful, all seeming different from the next. Also, because many species are quite difficult to obtain, I have had a fascination with these palms. However, even on distributed seeds, there has sometimes been confusion over true identification of species. This can lead to a condition of the “blind leading the blind”, a phenomena well known and experienced with Madagascar species. Also, as a general class of palms, many New Caledonian species are difficult to grow because of their very slow growth rates. Comments below are directed toward cultural aspects of these species. Hopefully this will give you an idea of what you can grow.
	General comments about the species (or “species”) I’ve grown include:
	*Actinokentia divaricata* Fair germination rates, slow growing in pots and in the garden, cold hardy to 28º degrees. Like filtered light. 8 year old plant in the ground is 3 feet tall.
	*Alloschmidtia glabrata* Irregular germination, extremely slow from seedling, less cold tolerance than other species but seems to survive my Coastal weather during the winter. Needs protection.
	*Basselinia species* Low to medium germination rates; unbelievably slow as seedling; faster with size; cold hardy to low 30ºs; like protected location with filtered light.
	Burretiokentia hapala, vieillardii, other species “nova” Fair to good germination rates, medium growth rate from seedling; like morning sun or filtered light; cold hardy to 28 degrees. In the greenhouse we grow seedling to 15g size in 5 years. One of the more promising of the N.C. palm genera.
	Campecarpus Only had seeds twice; extremely low germination rates; difficult to grow as seedling and extremely slow; no experience with larger plants
	Chambeyronia macrocarpa, hookeri Easy to germinate, quick growth from seedlings, slower as larger plant; in the garden two feet of trunk in ten years; like AM sun or strong filtered light, possibly full sun in Coastal areas; cold tolerant to 28 degrees. For the novice, these two are the easiest species. Some authorities deny the difference between the two species, but distinct morphological differences on growing them in the nursery and garden.
	Chambeyronia lepidota Erratic germination, extremely slow as seedling; 5 year old plants are 2 gallon size; have a tendency to damp off; unsure about cold tolerance in the long term, but probably tolerant to low 30ºs. This is a small seeded species, unlike other Chambeyronias, possibly questioning its identity.
	*Cyphokentia macrostachys* Erratic germination, difficult as seedling, very slow growing. Feel privileged if you have one.
	*Cyhphophoenix nucelle, elegans* Medium germination rates if fresh seeds, slow as seedling, better growth rates as plant gets bigger; like filtered light; cold tolerance into the low 30ºs.
	*Cyphosperma balanse* Medium germination rates, slow as seedling; definite tendency to damp off as seedling, although somewhat better grower as the plant gets larger; likes filtered light; cold hardy to low 30ºs.
	*Kentiopsis oliveformis, “nova”* Extremely low germination rates (typically one per 100 seeds); slow to germinate and may take over 12 months, sometimes coming in small “waves” of germinating seeds; extremely slow as seedling, picking up speed when to one gallon size; likes strong filtered light or sun in Coastal area; cold tolerant to 28º degrees.
	Maackea magnifica, others Fair germination rates; slow as seedling; filtered light; cold tolerant to low 30ºs.
	Mackea “magnifica, champagne stem” Gorgeous plant, although uncertain identity; it is speculated that this species is actually Kentiopsis piersoniorum. It is slow as seedling, slow as juvenile plant; good for outdoors here; tolerates low 30’s; doesn’t like hot weather; likes strong filtered light, or partial full sun.
	Vellonia alba: erratic germination Slow as seedling, picks up growth rate as gets larger; cold hardy low 30ºs; likes filtered light .