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This is the largest Brahea edulis I have ever seen in person with many smaller seedlings and larger plants growing too. Humongous trunk.

in summer 2014 3 years later the leaves were getting larger and more numerous but height was about the same then another shot in 2017 a couple months after hurricane IRMA hit. It lost ~ 8 leaves on the lower crown. late 2017 after IRMA hit y 2019 it was starting to put on trunk. Not sure that was delayed or accelerated due to the hurricane hit. Leaf bases were falling off no assisting them. here in 2021 a year before IAN Then IAN hit and it lost a dozen leaves mostly to windward and quite a way up the trunk, (asymmetrical losses to windward) I didnt take a lot of pics of the damage, I want4ed to forget about it. The damage it has sustained was from cat one max 97 mph gusts with 80 mph sustained for 3-4 hrs. This morning the palm shows 10' clear smooth trunk @28-29" diameter (all the way up so far) and about 13-14 foot trunk including dead leaf bases. the crown is not fully recovered but it is doing well. The thorns on the petioles of the newer leaves just shred the older leaves in this kind of wind.

One tough palm this one was planted out from a six inch container just prior to the drought we previously had and it never missed a beat iam sure it would appreciate a good drink and grow a lot stronger but this one planted under a old growth gum tree that drinks every drop of water it can so the palm ha# faired quite well plus it’s in a very sunny position a few more years and it should be on its way to being a bit of a specimen.

The good ol Queen palm , you either love em or hate em. Here in 9a South Houston there definitely not a long term palm. You could get some good years out of them and they grow fast here but will eventually die when we hit the teens. I will eventually plant a couple since I grew them from seed. Growing up in SoCal Queens were definitely played out and hardly taken care of. With the ability to grow so much more, queens just don't seem to be worth the space. Now living in 9a seems to be more of a challenge and very rare to see mature ones. Of all places a nursery in Kihei Maui had a grove of them and they were spectacular. Definitely rare in Maui , so kinda cool again haha. Pic below of course is sideways smh T J

I thought this palm history was worth a story. I bought a copernicia fallaensis from Ken Johnson and sons in late sept 2011 and dug a huge hole for it, 5'+ across. I dyug the hole an extra foot deep and amended that last foot of depth with half sand with the native clay the builders put near the streets to support it. put extra sand beneath the palm. Here is the holle I dug with the ammended mix refilled under the palm Ken arrived and he and his son unl;oaded the palm and planted it with a 2500 lb bobcat. The rootball was limestone rock and it was too much weight for a 1500 lb bobcat. In the ground as of sept 19 2011.

I rescued this palm yesterday, July 10th, from a defunct palm garden in Palo Alto, CA. I don't wish to keep this palm for myself and, in fact, I don't have room for it in my congested, tiny garden, even to hold for an eventual transfer. Please come take this palm away ASAP. I can even offer a suitable large pot if you wish to hold it for some time before ground planting. It is quite a nice young pam, the trunk is about 6 inches diameter by 12 inches tall. Un-potted, as it is now, it will easily fit in any vehicle. and you can pot it up at your place. So...please come get this palm right now, "get this palm, "way down there, off Navy property" Bonus points if you get the reference !!

Very nice specimen, Jade. I’ve seen much taller in my South Bay Area however. B. edulis must have been commonly available back in the ‘50s and ‘60s here. Tallest I’ve seen have trunks well past the rooftops of two story homes.

Same experience here, pretty tough palm. The only thing I had a problem with is that the young leaflets were a little bit brittle? If the wind got a little strong the leaflets would break and make them look a bit messier than normal. This one is getting to a point where the wind doesn't bother it as much. Not terribly fast for me, this one is 2 years from a single strap leaf but its the only one I have in the ground. I think they myust like root room since this one has out paced the potted ones by double at least.

15 Gallon Cycas revoluta x Cycas debaoensis Hybrid This intriguing hybrid combines the fast growth and robustness of the Sago Palm with the exotic branching leaves of the C. debaoensis, resulting in a plant that is distinctly different from the Sago Palm. With expected hybrid vigor, it is anticipated to thrive exceptionally well and has for me over the past 7 years. This recent and rare hybridization is not commonly available. **7" Caudex** **Asking $350 or Best Offer** Please text me if interested at 805-813-3999. Pick up in Newbury Park, California. Unfortunately, I cannot ship.

Water it thoroughly daily if possible. These palms are aquatic and need constantly wet roots to look their best. Also magnesium addicts. They need more than most species.

Every time I see Syagrus schizophylla mentioned, I want to post again and again these incredibly ancient specimens:

Yep exactly, they dont mind heat if they get water and fertilizer and clay soil has plenty of cation exchange to limit deficiencies. Mine grown in gilbert arizona in clay soil with a PH that was adjusted towards neutral with years of sulfur applications. They were very nice but maintenance instensive vs my other palms grown in the desert. In sandy soils in florida they are never as nice as mine were and half of them look like eyesores on the landscape due to minimal owner care. Here are my beauties from Arizona in clay soil with plenty of water.

They are nice looking, solid growing palms in the right place and If you love them then thats great. As said, Mature palms do require maintenance and can drop heavy frond bases and seed parts that can destroy smaller plants or other property. I'm not sure how many here have felled there own mature queens but I just did my 2nd tallest and have more big queen to go.[ hard risky work] ....Planted in the early 2000's... Probably not what most people agree with, or like to see. I'm not bashing queens at all but sometimes in palm growing youve got to fix your own mistakes.

I love syagrus. I only have 1 queen palm but I have sancona, coco queen, schizophylla, picrophylla, and pseudococos. I think there are many options for SoCal, doesn’t mean queens don’t deserve appreciation. I also think any palm can look poor if not properly cared for. I’ve seen sickly kings just as often as the queens. Exceptionally cared for queens are very stately.

Queen palms are definitely plentiful in my area. They’re used commercially more than any other. Most look quite healthy even when growing in small planting areas over the hot asphalt parking lots. These in the photos below are about two miles from my property at Foothill Crossings Shopping Center. They look really pretty at night when lights are shining on them. The photo below them is of one of the seven Queens in my landscape. I originally planted the Queens as canopy to protect shade loving palms beneath them. That’s worked but falling fronds and heavy boots and sheaths also damage tender plants below unfortunately. I began planting Archontophoenix in groves a few years later and they became MUCH better canopy palms. Their falling fronds are lightweight and never damage anything below when they fall to the ground and I think they are more attractive and less demanding than Queens. My Queen palms are here to stay now that they are massive and I do still appreciate their presence in the garden despite their being so common. Queen in center Some of the King palms

30 year palm enthusiast here. I love mine and have no room for palm snobbery. They serve their purpose and are fine for the beginner and folks in "iffy" climates (like mine). When properly maintained, they look incredible. The fact they've been in cultivation for over a century means they're old hat, been there done that etc. The lack of attention they get after being installed makes them even less attractive and gives them a bad image. Just keep in mind that in marginal climates, it's likely the only pinnate palm that will be standing after the next arctic front of the "century" clears the landscape. Reality check: LOTS more of of us fall in that category than we want to admit.

Reality from my own experiences with queens and those of others leads me to not recommend them to those new to palms or to those who are unwilling to pamper them properly.. The roughest looking palms in my area are -by far- queen palms. The sandy soil with fertilizer and water needs means they are almost always deficient or on the edge of deficiency I guess it depends on where you grow them and what your options are. If I was limited to 9a and had better soil I would probably have several. But in my climate, roystonea regia is a far easier palm to grow and require only modest fertilizer to look nice and green. When some less experienced poster asks what palms they should grow, I will let them know when a palm is a fertilizer pig or likes sandy soil or clay etc. I just hope they have the success growing the palm to enjoy the hobby. Some will grow queens anyway and that is fine. But when I ask what I would want to know as someone new to palms, I would want to be successful growing them first, then try more difficult species.

Still a ways to go but progress continues. Any great rabbit solutions? They have doing a number on certain plants.

My arenaria is flowering again it does set viable seeds that I have germinated before so hopefully this one will set some more seeds again it is a rare palm in my area but only a collectors palm not really up there with the bangalow golden cane buyers list oh how the public need education on exotic plants.

Palm enthusiast for 22 years here. I think we should love all palms. They all have a place.... but in the right place! I see all sorts of bashing of Syagrus Romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) and just had to address this overly saturated but misunderstood palm thanks to places like Home Depot. I always go back to Syagrus Romanzoffiana, yep. Sounds odd. But I dare you to find a palm species that can imitate the exact swaying of the fronds in our calm breezes and so stately, yet graceful. This beauty native to Brazil, Argentina and maybe some other places, is simply the best which is why it is saturated. Yes, super messy heavy seed pods, not self cleaning. If people would be more prepared to take care of them properly, and plant them in the right place and not 3 feet from their house, they are one of the most beautiful palms that stand the test of time. I see all sorts of Syagrus Romanzoffiana issues and bashing but then I look at their zones. 8b? 9a? 9b? People trying all crazy things because they sell them at various Home Depots and Lowes even in the High Desert, zone 8a!! What?? 10a + only for these palms. They are not cold hardy, not desert plants and don't like temps over 85, like average humidity only (50%), and certainly not drought tolerant as marketed, if you want them to flourish and look amazing. Yes they need supplemental ferrtilizer but what palm doesnt. You should not be ashamed if you are an enthusiast but still love the Queen. And this palm will thrive in clay soil btw. Long live the stately, elegant, graceful queen! I bet there are many Queen lovers out there so I would love to hear from you! Lets get the Queen back where it should be, and that is respected. Thank you very much

We have been building this home for what feels like forever and have finally been turned loose to start on the landscaping. This is the result of 3 days of nonstop planting. A few more exotic palms to come still and a million understory filler pants but its a start.

Updated pic

hello guys this is my coconut palm that grows here in Italy in a pot... now it's 3 years old and spends 7 months outside, and 4 months indoors behind a sunny window... provenance palm of those of the supermarkets as a dutch elongated hothouse plant. 20221023_170836.mp4

Peruse this thread and you'll see quite a few: https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/59360-zone-10-palms-in-the-orlando-area-mega-thread/

They are good for the right places. Look at the journey foxtails have taken in the recent past. From rare and hard to get, to common and used as experiments in Florida. You see both well cared for and terrible plants of both species here due to incompatible conditions (soils). Without human intervention they look bad yet they also self seed here in the right spot like wetlands or a cared for yard. Queens are also an index 2 invasive here, but are still planted en masse in new developments where they and foxtails both suffer. Its all about right plant right place.

That’s the one chuniphoenix nana a great palm when it flowers use a artist brush daily to help with pollination there easy to germinate as well

I planted one that exhibits many traits of filifera. It's a crap shoot in my climate and will need a winter canopy. It's in it's third year from seed and stands 20" tall. Planted 10 days ago and it's pushed out 2 new fronds. Good luck with yours @Sabal King

Tha, Tha, That's all folks !!! ( It doesn't seem quite as blue as the posted image indicates, but still a nice palm )

Nicely trunked and somewhat tall Licuala grandis specimens at ANSG:

I know your dog chewed it but.....thats extremely skinny even for a young bottle palm. Are you sure it was a bottle? As said above keep watered well and honestly i would keep it shaded during this time since bottles arent particularly fond of full sun when young anyways, coupled with being so badly damaged the sun could kill it by burning/drying out the remaining crownshaft.

I'm working a realtime post(multi year) kind of demonstrating what you describe. Suffice to say, I recommend seeding directly in place when possible. I'll leave it at that. About filifera, I believe root and establishment of such are key. I think this is what you have personally witnessed. Years of growth are literally lost using a pot. Enjoy your filifera, they are fun and amazing!

I can’t remember the name of this musa variety but it has fruited a tiny bunch of bananas and is cool tolerant surviving two winters I will get the seed# and plant them or remove a sucker to propagate it to plant in the garden.

I do not think queens mind hotter temps as long as they are planted in the ground and receivecthe proper amount of water. They do not mind clay soil either, as long as it is not alkaline and fertilizing does not lead to a high salt concentration. Anyway clay soil has the best capacity of holding nutrients. In my area the most common mistake in the cultivation of the sp is the high pH. Queens need water during hot weather, only more tap water means more iron deficiency symptoms in alkaline soul. People misinterpret the subdequent yellowing as general nutrient deficiency trying to cope with by applying more inapropriate fertilizer (oxide forms of the various elements and edta chelates of te). That makes situation even worse up to dramatic level, because it increases salt concentration, leading to more watering and thus to more intense iron deficiency. It is a vicious circle due to ignorance about pH requirements.

That texas rainfall... and heat.. going to get huge!

Shots of the island of Maderia whilst flying past at 41,000ft. Hopefully one day that coast line will be full of coconuts.

Absolutely no doubt about that. Same palm February 2023… wow!

This palm will probably be your fastest vertical grower over next 5 years??

Low of 71.6f/22c with a high of 84.2f/29c with 68% humidity. The dew point was 22.5c. The UV index was 12. It's currently 24c with 87% humidity at 12.40am with a 21.7c/71f dewpoint. Crystal clear skies all day with cloud forming over the mountain for a few hours during the evening. Heat wave incoming tomorrow, with 850hpa temps estimated to be 28-31c by the 12-13th. I saw some forecasts suggest 36c with 68% humidity, which would be a 29c dewpoint...

That’s quite a standard way to plant palms. Palms often like to have close company.

When I bought our new house 27 years ago I was coming from a house where I had many potted palms from my big greenhouse and shade house. The developer had planted young trees and the typical landscaping including sod. I brought some pretty good sized Queen palms with me from my old house as I knew I needed shade …FAST! They did just that , creating a decent canopy in a short period of time . They look great year round , nice , full , dark green plumose fronds . The bad side is the inflorescence. The mess is something I have to deal with but worth the canopy. I have planted many varieties of palms in between the Queens and they seem to share the garden well. When I put a pathway down the side of my house , I had to cut the roots quite aggressively to lay the sand and pavers. It did nothing to the palms even though I had a ton of roots that I removed. If I had it to do over , knowing what I know now , I may have made a different choice but I’m not sure what would have provided shade so quickly and I did not have the budget to bring in large specimens of palms. My Archontophoenix are nicer palms but not quite as fast in my area and not as large of canopy until they get much older (like now) . HarryThis shade is helpful for some of the other palms on the west side of my house . The only palm that grows as fast as the Queens is the Caryota Urens in the center of the picture. It doesn’t have near the size of crown AND it will soon have to be removed , once it flowers.

One of my favorites so always happy to take a couple of new photos of one of mine. The leaf underside looks more silver than this photo suggests. I have 3 of this species in shade, but will plant 4 more in part shade soon. I have seen one in PR in almost full sun fruiting but the leaves weren’t as pretty as mine. I probably have acid soil but have not tested it. Ox rhino beetles think it is delicious but only one has been killed as I use barriers and imidocloprid now.

I don't hate queen palms as a species - as you said, every palm has its place and in the right climate it's a nice plant. I've even seen some nice ones here, if someone is fertilizing and watering them. But the average SW Florida queen palm is a truly pathetic, ugly specimen and probably just about the last thing I would ever plant. When you've got royals, foxtails, coconuts, veitchia, and so many other pinnate species as options there's no reason that queens should ever be planted here and yet I see them installed in front of new development all the time.

I have two that protect smaller palms from wind, freezes, etc and they look great, very plumose.

I think properly watered and fertilized queen palms are beautiful. Here's one in Capitola.

I agree with @RiverCityRichard and @Merlyn’s lists. A. cunninghamiana’s cold tolerance under canopy is a good bet. It also grows tall fast and creates even more high canopy protection in short time to add additional shade loving palms underneath in the future (licuala’s, Kerriodoxa, Chamaedoreas). Under a thick overhead canopy , you can get away with a decent list of z10 palms to push. I would also throw on the list Satakentia liukiuensis, Chrysalidocarpus leptocheilos, Veitchia arecina, and Ptychosperma elegans. I’m growing all of these a few miles from you in Longwood, also Z9B. Leu gardens has a great display of these palms growing long term to get an idea of proper growing positions under canopy.

Chrysalidocarpus Prestonianus Hybrid doing the splits

A bit of uncharacteristic negativity from the crew here...must have been a bad moon! I reckon you can have your cake and eat it too. Firstly, the palms will be fine, Syagrus are tough as nails, probably don't prune them again, as the tribe mentioned above, they look nice with a big full crown. No need to dig any soil or roots out though. Building a small wall, as @Patrick mentioned is a sensible solution, and much less work, would only need to be a foot high! If the top level was similar to the deck on the left, it would look pretty cool, stone or old timber to match the fence. Fill the new bed with sharp draining soil mix and plant heaps of bromeliads, and similar hardy epiphytes, maybe some smaller cordylines, Dendrobium speciosum would grow well there, mounted on a rock, etc. Put some trellis wires on the fence and grow some hardy climbers at the back of the bed, Epidendrums, Hibbertia scandens. Attach some Tillandsias and Platycerium to the fence. I reckon you could even get some small palms going in there with enough water, try groups of Chamaedorea plumosa, C radicalis, very tough plants. You could rig up some temporary shade cloth or similar while the understory is getting established in your hot summer climate, maybe. Water the hell out it all, and the palms would love it, so would the other plants, just keep the drainage sharp - you could probably even leave the rock mulch and put new soil over. There you go, easy. Go crazy with it and enjoy!

Perhaps the area can be built up with rock of some sort as a border and filled with topsoil to make a raised bed of sorts?