Tetrapanax papyrifer -Rex?

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by CarolineL, Jan 12, 2024.

  1. CarolineL

    CarolineL Total Gardener

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    T_rexSm.jpg
    In my last garden, I had a plant of this. The leaves were truly enormous. It didn't sucker, so I couldn't bring some with me when I moved. Specimens I have seen more recently in gardens do not seem to be as large in leaf, so I can only assume I was lucky in getting a good clone - but I can't remember where from!
    Do any of you know any particular supplier that has a good clone?
     
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      Last edited: Jan 12, 2024
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      I have Tetrapanax papyrifera, but I didn't realise at the time that "Rex" was different, so mine suckers all over the place.
      Cant really help about a reliable supplier though I'm afraid.
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I've seen that on facebook.
         
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        • CarolineL

          CarolineL Total Gardener

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          Thanks @JWK - that seller said that Rex has beige indumentum - which confirms that my plant was that, as it was a lovely brownish underneath. Will have to look for the Facebook group - though I don't normally do Facebook!
           
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          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          • Banana Man

            Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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            Crug Farm sell them and were the original seed hunters with Mulu that registered Rex, if memory serves me correctly.

            I've been to there facility and the have some incredible specimens.

            Mine is near 10 feet now and came from Crug Farm :)

            20240607_142219.jpg

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            Suckers everywhere...

            20240607_142318.jpg

            20240607_142333.jpg

            20240607_142328.jpg
             
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            • CarolineL

              CarolineL Total Gardener

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              Thanks for the info @Banana Man . My clone didn't sucker, so I'm now wondering even more whether it's the original Rex. How old is yours? Mine didn't exceed 6 foot after many years, but seemed to branch low down. It also seemed to have more brown indumentum under the mature leaves than yours seems to. Curious!
               
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              • flounder

                flounder Super Gardener

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                I've tried numerous times to get this going, but it's failed everytime. I'll have to have another go....
                 
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                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  Regarding suckering in general it only happens with most plants if you damage the roots, so not sure rex would or would not sucker if you dug up a few roots.

                  Mine suckers because I cultivate the area around it and in the process damage the roots that grow fairly close to the surface and seem to spread a fair distance from the plant.

                  Sun is in the wrong direction for pictures this evening but here goes anyway.
                  DSC05336.JPG DSC05339.JPG
                   
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                  • Loofah

                    Loofah Admin Staff Member

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                    I got mine from John! No idea on variety but it got hammered by that nasty winter we had a couple of years ago so I dug up the roots that were left and pampered them a bit and now have some small plants just getting established :)
                     
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                    • CarolineL

                      CarolineL Total Gardener

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                      Wow another tall one! Leaf wise, mine did seem a good one. The slabs you see in the picture are standard 2 foot ones, and the fence was about 6 foot high.
                      Mine probably didn't sucker because of my lack of digging then - laziness has its rewards!
                       
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                      • pete

                        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                        Well surely they don't propagate rex all by seed, which suggests to me it must sucker if you treat it rough.
                        My pictures are today, the leaves will get much bigger before the end of summer and its not something I water or feed.
                         
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                        • Banana Man

                          Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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                          Yes disturbing the roots causes suckering as well as heavy pruning after a serous winter kicking :)

                          Both mine have suckered, also the ones my aunt had from Crug also produced pups.

                          Yours looks mega Pete :)

                          Mine I planted about 20 years ago.
                           
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                          • Banana Man

                            Banana Man You're Growing On Me ...

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                            Pups, catch them all ! Some of them come up in really hard to excavate places. Good roots on some, others not so much. :rolleyespink:

                            Screenshot_20240803_182225_Gallery.jpg
                             
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