Hedyscepe

( hed - ih - SEP - ee )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Umbrella Palm or Big Mountain Palm, these trees needs full sun to light shade and regular water. Hedyscepe canterburyana is the only species in the genus, which is in the plant family Arecaceae, and is native to Lord Howe Island in the South Pacific. It loves wet forests and cliffs, and forms an attractive blue-green trunk when young. At maturity, the tree has arching, light green feather-type leaves and a green trunk. It slowly reaches 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Flowers are produced under leaves, and are not showy. Blooms are followed by large, red fruits. Umbrella Palm grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9b-11 or Sunset growing zones 17, 23, 24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Caring for hedyscepe

The first step in caring for a Hedyscepe palm tree is to choose the right spot in the landscape to install it. These plants prefer partial shade to filtered sun, as their fronds sunburn easily. They are typically found growing in tropical forest understory. Indoors, place these palms in an area that receives bright, indirect light. They prefer soil to be rich and well-draining. A sandy loam or a palm-specific potting substrate is suggested, especially for container-grown plants. If growing these in the ground, make sure to amend local soils with plenty of sand and organic material before installation, especially if local soils are clayey. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. These palms appreciate consistent water and moist soil, but not waterlogged conditions. Water plants deeply when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid soggy soils; if growing in a container, ensure that it has adequate drainage holes. Hedyscepes appreciate humid conditions, so keep these palms away from areas with drying, cool winds and if growing indoors, mist trees regularly. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of new plantings to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperatures.

These trees, although not heavy feeders, do appreciate an application of organic compost yearly in springtime to support the year's growth and flowering. If trees seem to be struggling, they may benefit from a feeding with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in springtime. Do not fertilize in wintertime when trees are dormant. Healthy trees should be putting on an average growth of about a few inches a year. These trees do not need to be pruned; they keep a relatively attractive habit when left to their own devices. Simply remove dead, damaged, diseased, or errant fronds when necessary. Removing too much foliage at one time can stress out the plant and inhibit further growth. Avoid cutting into healthy fronds. When growing these palms in containers, simply trim off lower, older fronds as they fade.

Caring for Hedyscepe in Containers
Hedyscepe, or Umbrella Palm, are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Hedyscepe plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every two years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot. These palms will actually perform better when slightly root-bound.

Propagation

Hedyscepe are best propagated from seed. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your palm tree, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Hedyscepe by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. Fruits produced by mature trees (that are at least 10 years old) will produce seeds. Fruits are ready to drop when they are deep red to carmine. They are egg-shaped and contain between 3 and 12 seeds each. Remove seeds from fruits and rinse off any flesh.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes between 5 and 18 months from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home. New seedlings will need to be protected from extreme heat, frost, and light for the first 5 years of life; it is recommended that in cooler climates they are grown in containers and brought indoors during inclement weather.