any pandanus sp wanted (corkscrew palm)

[robsorchids]

im desperatley searching for any species of this intresting plant, (also know as himalayan corkscrew pine)
i need larger plants/any size as i have a insect that feeds esclusivley on it, and i wont be able to keep this insect if i cant find some soon, i tried to grow it from seed but i dont have the temps needed for germination...

ebay only has ones in thailand and i dont have the payment methods required, cant find any suppliers on plant finder either (ones that actualy still stock it)

hope someone can help me find some plants, even cut leaves would be good as i can freeze them

thanks
rob

[Michael]

Rob i think i can help you. I know a couple of huge Pandanus utilis near my home. I can send you leaves bu now, and germinate some seeds for you, or perhaps try to plant some cuttings. Is that species of pandanus suitable for your insect?

[Michael]

Hi Rob!

Ok i will have a look and see if i can find any seedlings around the mother tree. Otherwise i will try to root cuttings of it. How much time do I have untill your eggs hatch?

[Anthony Darby]

Is that you putting the cart before the horse again Rob? Screw pines are murderous plants, but what the heck would want to eat its leaves? The leaves are like serrated double-edged swords, only bigger! I remember a late friend of mine trying to catch green day geckos (Phelsuma spp.) in Mauritius in a screw pine grove in the late 70s. They hid between the leaves so when he came home his arms were totally lacerated.

[Mick McLoughlin]

Anthony,
A search on Wikipedia reveals Megacrania batesii solely eats pandanus leaves.
Seems like a very good defence mechanism to me 'living between serrated double edge swords'.

[mark smyth]

Mick Holmes how did you work it out? Megacrania batesii is a lovely bright blue stick insect. Dont they always have alternatives to eat? I doubt if a tropical plant leaf can be frozen. Once the beastie starts eating how many plants will be needed?

[Maggi Young]

I think tayberries will be just bare sticks at this time of year, aren't they?

[Anthony Darby]

Rob, you'll need to contact my old mate Paul Brock.

[Anthony Darby]

I'd find his contact via the PSG [Phasmid Study Group] wouldn't I?

Not with them at the moment, perhaps stick talk would provide his details.

I'm not sure what how he would be able to help?

Thanks
Rob

I would suggest if Paul Brock can't answer your question then he would know someone who could?

[Anthony Darby]

Chiltern Seeds sell seeds, but why anyone would want a screw pine in their greenhouse when they could potentially grow into a branching tree about 30 ft. high, with aerial roots and leaves that can be up to 10 ft. long and only 3 ins. wide!

http://www.edirectory.co.uk/chilternseeds/pages/moreinfo.asp?pe=DBFBFCBAQ_+pandanus+furcatus&cid=211

[Anthony Darby]

Screw pine aerial roots are as thick as a.......well, they are about 4cm thick . I don't think anyone in their right mind (outside the tropics or a large botanic garden) would grow such a plant?