Palm ID

[mikesim]

Hi Everyone,

Recent lurker, first-time poster.

What is this palm I picked up today?

It was poorly taken care of and in the corner, with mealybug - so currently quarantined and being treated - but the nursery couldn't identify it and neither can I.

The fronds are massive, with very little 'frond stem' (if that makes sense) and the leaves are very thin and long.

Thank you in advance!

Mike

[quaman58]

Hi Mike, 

it is a Syagrus, probably rommanzofiana. (Probably butchered that spelling).  Aka queen palm. A good looking one..

Welcome!

Bret

[Jim in Los Altos]

Yes, it's a queen palm, one of the most common palms on the planet. I'm surprised your nursery couldn't ID it. It's a massive palm eventually so plant it where it can spread its wings. What zone are you in? Just noticed you're in NYC so this palm will need indoor protection from mid autumn until mid spring. Keeping it potted will stunt its growth which is good in your case since it will be indoors. Water it thoroughly when the top two inches of soil feel a bit dry and either use distilled water or, if you have to use tap, make sure plenty of water drains out the bottom with each watering and discard the water that's drained out. 

 

The picture below is of mature queen palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana).

Edited June 18, 2018 by Jim in Los Altos

[mikesim]

28 minutes ago, quaman58 said:

Hi Mike, 

it is a Syagrus, probably rommanzofiana. (Probably butchered that spelling).  Aka queen palm. A good looking one..

Welcome!

Bret

Thanks Bret!

[mikesim]

12 minutes ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Yes, it's a queen palm, one of the most common palms on the planet. I'm surprised your nursery couldn't ID it. It's a massive palm eventually so plant it where it can spread its wings. What zone are you in? Just noticed you're in NYC so this palm will need indoor protection from mid autumn until mid spring. Keeping it potted will stunt its growth which is good in your case since it will be indoors. Water it thoroughly when the top two inches of soil feel a bit dry and either use distilled water or, if you have to use tap, make sure plenty of water drains out the bottom with each watering and discard the water that's drained out. 

Jim you are freakin awesome.

Will be growing it indoors and if it ever gets too tall, I'll have to donate to the botanical garden here in BK.

The guy working at the nursery kept telling me it was a bamboo palm, I said no that can't be.. haha

[Jim in Los Altos]

2 minutes ago, mikesim said:

Jim you are freakin awesome.

Will be growing it indoors and if it ever gets too tall, I'll have to donate to the botanical garden here in BK.

The guy working at the nursery kept telling me it was a bamboo palm, I said no that can't be.. haha

You're absolutely right. Bamboo palms can grow inside indefinitely as most in the genus, Chanaedorea, stay fairly small and many have clusters of trunks. Good luck with your Queen palm!