Container Grown Traveler’s Palms

[Big Tex]

My Traveler’s Palm has grown to the size it is in this picture from a 6" pup in about one year. How many years can I leave it in a pot and it still grow? It is possible tfor it to reach maturity and trunk or flower? I am planning on putting it in a pot about twice the size it is in after winter.

Anyone have any experience in container grown Traveler’s Palms?

[Walt]

I think you could pot grow your traveler's indefinitely if you could step it up in pot size every year. But realistically, I see you getting one, maybe two more years (stepping it up in pot size) as it will get too big and heavy.

I pot grew mine for awhile, then planted it at the size in photo below.

This photo was taken this past June. You can see the trunk of the traveler's palm and also an offshoot (very large now) growing at a right angle to the mother traveler's.

[Big Tex]

I think you could pot grow your traveler's indefinitely if you could step it up in pot size every year. But realistically, I see you getting one, maybe two more years (stepping it up in pot size) as it will get too big and heavy.

Nice photos! Mine looks like it's about the same size as the one you first planted. I guess you are right about the size of pots. I have some pretty big pots and it takes a dolly to move them because they are probably 150lbs. I am trying to decide now whether I should eventually plant it. I may be able to put it close to my house on the south side and grow it just fine. I already have a pretty good size Giant White Bird of Paradise growing there and it is doing fine. As you suggested I probably have 2 more years before I am forced to make that decision.

[Gonzer]

Bump 'em to either 25-35 gallon and watch the years go by.

[Walt]

I think you could pot grow your traveler's indefinitely if you could step it up in pot size every year. But realistically, I see you getting one, maybe two more years (stepping it up in pot size) as it will get too big and heavy.

Nice photos! Mine looks like it's about the same size as the one you first planted. I guess you are right about the size of pots. I have some pretty big pots and it takes a dolly to move them because they are probably 150lbs. I am trying to decide now whether I should eventually plant it. I may be able to put it close to my house on the south side and grow it just fine. I already have a pretty good size Giant White Bird of Paradise growing there and it is doing fine. As you suggested I probably have 2 more years before I am forced to make that decision.

I've grown palms in 20 gallon pots, but that's the limit, then they go in the ground. Some years ago I had three majesty palms in 20 gallon pots, but they started to decline (appeared to have manganese deficiency). I then put them in the ground. It took more than one year for them to get back to normal. Since then I don't let palms get root bound in 20 gallon pots.

But as for your traveler's palm. I've seen folks plant them up close to their house wall, mainly on a wall with no or few windows. Naturally, they position the traveler's palm so as the fronds fan out over the house wall. That way, especially on a south exposure, they are sheilded from direct north wind, plus they get some heat escaping through the house wall. Further, one could hand a large tarp (attached at roof line) and cover the traveler. Then, one could had some string lights or other heat source if required to protect the traveler if need be.

[simona]

Hi Big Tex,

What's your lowest winter temperature?

I see you gave an USDA Zone 9a and an average maximum low temperature 45.20 F.

[Big Tex]

Hi Big Tex,

What's your lowest winter temperature?

I see you gave an USDA Zone 9a and an average maximum low temperature 45.20 F.

The coldest I have seen is 26. But it always warms up quickly during the day. The south part of my house is so sheltered that we have some zone 10 plants they thrive. Last year we only had 4 days below 32.

[DoomsDave]

Tex:

Put that baby in the ground.

IN Hugetown, you'll get a few years of great growth out of a Ravenala, then a freeze will hammer it.

I'd put it in the ground, and be prepared to replace it when it gets frozen. You might be able to go for quite a number of years.

The bigger it is, the more likely it will be to survive a freeze. I had one that took four days of 24 F, but it was large at the time. Babies croaked.

Plant it out in the spring and stand back.

They're FAST in the ground.

Especially in a humid hot place like Houston.

[John Case]

What is the easiest way to determine the difference between the Traveler palm and the Giant Bird of Paradise (Streletzia nicolai)?

[DoomsDave]

What is the easiest way to determine the difference between the Traveler palm and the Giant Bird of Paradise (Streletzia nicolai)?

Traveler's palm (TP) is a much lighter green, and the leaves are all on one plane. TP flowers are bright green, while GBP are either blackish or white. TP is also much faster.

Post a pic, we'll be able to tell you . . .

dave

[John Case]

What is the easiest way to determine the difference between the Traveler palm and the Giant Bird of Paradise (Streletzia nicolai)?

Traveler's palm (TP) is a much lighter green, and the leaves are all on one plane. TP flowers are bright green, while GBP are either blackish or white. TP is also much faster.

Post a pic, we'll be able to tell you . . .

dave

I KNOW that I have a GBP. I can't tell the difference in one of the photos on thread. My GBP grows in a single plane, once I cut out the pups. the flowers, however, do come out the front or back of the plant.

Too cold in the winter to grow a Traveler here, the GBP does fine.

[simona]

Hi Big Tex,

What's your lowest winter temperature?

I see you gave an USDA Zone 9a and an average maximum low temperature 45.20 F.

The coldest I have seen is 26. But it always warms up quickly during the day. The south part of my house is so sheltered that we have some zone 10 plants they thrive. Last year we only had 4 days below 32.

Thanks! You give me some hope, Big Tex!

If you're planting it out, please keep us posted.

[Big Tex]

Tex:

Put that baby in the ground.

IN Hugetown, you'll get a few years of great growth out of a Ravenala, then a freeze will hammer it.

I'd put it in the ground, and be prepared to replace it when it gets frozen. You might be able to go for quite a number of years.

The bigger it is, the more likely it will be to survive a freeze. I had one that took four days of 24 F, but it was large at the time. Babies croaked.

Plant it out in the spring and stand back.

They're FAST in the ground.

Especially in a humid hot place like Houston.

I think you talked me into planting it. I will keep eveyone up on how it does next spring.

[galveston1602]

I have one that is very near trunking here on the island, its been in the ground for 5 years, gets burnt occasionally but never bad.

Now, after IKE its is probably going to have quite a hard time making it through the winter if we get any amount of cold as it very shreded and only has a few leaves left upright.

Here's to hoping for a warm winter.

[DoomsDave]

Tex:

Put that baby in the ground.

IN Hugetown, you'll get a few years of great growth out of a Ravenala, then a freeze will hammer it.

I'd put it in the ground, and be prepared to replace it when it gets frozen. You might be able to go for quite a number of years.

The bigger it is, the more likely it will be to survive a freeze. I had one that took four days of 24 F, but it was large at the time. Babies croaked.

Plant it out in the spring and stand back.

They're FAST in the ground.

Especially in a humid hot place like Houston.

I think you talked me into planting it. I will keep eveyone up on how it does next spring.

Tex!

Put it there, and be prepared to lose it, when the temps hit the teens . . . .

(Like my first Easter in Hugetown in 1979, 17 FF, egad . . . . )

Have babies on tap, for the tropical women to visit . . .

[Kris]

Dear Tex

Here is our travellor's palm growing in industrial barrel here in chennai !

Lots of love,

Kris

[Big Tex]

Dear Tex

Here is our travellor's palm growing in industrial barrel here in chennai !

Lots of love,

Kris

Thanks for the picture Kris!