A. Cunninghamiana growth progression

[Dave-Vero]

Proof (as if it were needed) that feather palms in general and Archontophoenix in particular look better in groups.

My big A. cunninghamiana (no information on geographic origin) was tiny, maybe 2 feet, when it survived the hurricanes in 2004. It now has around 6 feet of trunk below the crownshaft, so the plant, including a spear that started to split today, is perhaps 20 feet. It hasn't flowered yet. It survived long periods of near-freezing cold in early 2010, then two freezes, one down to 26 degrees, in December, with no damage. It appears to be slowing its vertical growth. It's in full sun, so there's no need to go any higher for sunlight. An Archontophoenix tuckeri that suffered leaf damage last winter has definitely put the brakes on upward growth--the new leaves are really tightly clustered. Same goes for a pair of Carpentaria acuminata, which began flowering during the past year. They had been gaining height like crazy. Both are in full sun.

My smaller A. cunninghamiana, now about 4 feet tall, has survived a couple of episodes of deformed/dying young leaves. I've supposed that the malformed leaves were due to fungus infections, but the plant has recovered with no permanent damage. Very odd. Its stem even had what seemed a conk, probably merely a slime mold fructification--but scary, anyway. The little one has a distinguished background--it was born at Leu Gardens in Orlando and sold at one of their annual April sales, with Eric from Orlando as the salesman.

[Sutter Bob]

Here are some more from California's Central Valley.

[ghar41]

This is from 11/2008

And today, Brandon is 10 years old.

7 years of growth from a 5 gallon pot.

Time rolls on. 8 years of growth, Brandon will be 11 years old in a few weeks.

Time rolls on! The palms aren't growing much now that they are above the roofline, but my kid does! This first one is from last year (a cold and windy day) when Brandon turned 12

This one was taken today- Brandon turns 13 in a few weeks.

[doranakandawatta]

Glenn,

Nice elegant palms and beautiful pics, I like the parallel between the growth of your palms and the growth of Brandon, they should be good friends!

Thank you for posting all these pictures since many years!

kindest regards

Philippe

[Jim in Los Altos]

Glenn, they look great. Are they Illawara? Wow, Brandon sure has grown up!

[ghar41]

Thanks Jim and Philippe

Yes they are Illawaras- they grow better for me. And yes he is growing up fast

[ghar41]

Another year has gone by and with so many here I put them all together so here goes. This post goes into the next frame. Brandon at 2 years old...A cunninghamiana illawara in the pot to his left between the shade cloth.

The same plant can be seen behind him at his 3rd birthday party

[ghar41]

It had grown a bit by the time he was 5 years old.

At 10 years old

11 years old

12 years old

13 years old

And today, 14 years old and off to high school next year. For those of you with young children, all of what you have been told about them growing up fast is true. Enjoy every moment with them while you can!

[LJG]

Thanks for posting Glenn. My son just turned 9 and has been used for scale since he was one. Sad how fast they grow up.

[Ben in Norcal]

Thanks for posting Glenn. My son just turned 9 and has been used for scale since he was one. Sad how fast they grow up.

My daughter is only 6 months, but I am doing the same with one of Patric's seedlings - which was a strap leaf JxS this spring. Should be fun even if the attained height isn't as impressive. Glenn, I am glad to see those kings doing so well in Modesto...you are convincing me they should be bulletproof up against the house here. Hopefully not lulling me into a false sense of security!

[Patrick]

Glenn, those Cunninghamias are really a treat! Always looking good! I know, springtime can be pretty "mushy", shall we say, around the yard. Things always look best in the fall.

Here's mine that's one of Inge Hoffman's seedlings. I think it's been in the ground for 2 or 3 years from probably a 5 gallon, maybe a 2 gal.. I honestly can't remember.

Still figuring out what the deal is with this palm. It's in a south facing location but is in more shade than sun, though it does get a bit of sun in the morning and late afternoon.

Growth for me has been slow but steady. I'm guessing the speed is due to the darker conditions? I'm hoping it speeds up a bit in the coming years. The neighbor just chopped down his 30' queen that was directly to the east so it will be getting more sun next year.

[Ben in Norcal]

I have noticed speed on A. cunninghamiana to be more a factor of water, less one of sun exposure. My plants in total shade, but wet, grow far faster than some on a sunny slope (and therefore well drained.)

[Cikas]

Great looking King palms.

[Palmə häl′ik]

Hooray! KingPalms.

[ghar41]

Hi Len, the pre teen years were some of my favorites with my kids, enjoy your time with your son. I read something the other day that Steven Jobs allowed his kids minimum tech time in the house and had them outside playing and creating as he felt it was the best way to help them think on their own. I agree with him, plus it was more fun outside making mud pits, creating our palm forest and making forts and stuff.

Ben and Patrick, to be honest the Kings look beat up from January- June most years. A spell of sub 25F weather could spell doom to them all here but they grow fast so I dont sweat it too much. I do think the only thing that has kept mine going over the years has been their proximity to the house, southeast exposure to the sun, lots of water and a sprinkler at crown height that turns on for one minute once every three hours as the low humidity of mid summer would burn the leaves and weaken the plant. Notice how the growth slowed a lot after the crown grew over the protection of the house. IMHO I agree that water is paramount but full sun is great also as long as the heat doesn't create a situation with low humidity.

All others I have planted around the yard are all long gone now including the "Inge Hoffmans."

[Ben in Norcal]

Interesting, Glenn. I have had smaller plants all around my property for a few years, so that has given me (hopefully not false) confidence to put larger box plants right up against the house. I'm going to wrap the big guys in C7 Christmas lights next weekend, to try and give a little extra protection. These box plants were a great deal so even if were to lose one or two, it isn't catastrophic. We will see how they do however.

What kid of sprinkler did you set up by the roof? I might need to do that in spring.

[ghar41]

Interesting, Glenn. I have had smaller plants all around my property for a few years, so that has given me (hopefully not false) confidence to put larger box plants right up against the house. I'm going to wrap the big guys in C7 Christmas lights next weekend, to try and give a little extra protection. These box plants were a great deal so even if were to lose one or two, it isn't catastrophic. We will see how they do however.

What kid of sprinkler did you set up by the roof? I might need to do that in spring.

Hi Ben,

I don't know what your weather is like, but most of the Bay Area is better for Kings than I am here in the valley. If you are less hot in the summer then low humidity may not be as much of a problem. I have a flat 45 degree spray up top. It acts more like a misting system.

[Ben in Norcal]

Interesting, Glenn. I have had smaller plants all around my property for a few years, so that has given me (hopefully not false) confidence to put larger box plants right up against the house. I'm going to wrap the big guys in C7 Christmas lights next weekend, to try and give a little extra protection. These box plants were a great deal so even if were to lose one or two, it isn't catastrophic. We will see how they do however.

What kid of sprinkler did you set up by the roof? I might need to do that in spring.

Hi Ben,

I don't know what your weather is like, but most of the Bay Area is better for Kings than I am here in the valley. If you are less hot in the summer then low humidity may not be as much of a problem. I have a flat 45 degree spray up top. It acts more like a misting system.

We get pretty hot here, Glenn. Maybe 5 degrees cooler than you, but still hot. I may hook something up like that this year.

[John Case]

Ben,

Part of the difference between your place and Glenn's is more humidity than heat. Modesto can be bone dry and has been for the past 2 years. If Glenn hadn't put up those misters, I would think that this year might have been too much for them.

Glenn has done wonders at his home ( I am jealous of the B. moorei).

JC

[KennyRE317]

I have noticed speed on A. cunninghamiana to be more a factor of water, less one of sun exposure. My plants in total shade, but wet, grow far faster than some on a sunny slope (and therefore well drained.)

i have a triple that were small 15gal and i planted it in full sun in horrible clay that doesn't drain and they've exploded since being planted

[ghar41]

I have noticed speed on A. cunninghamiana to be more a factor of water, less one of sun exposure. My plants in total shade, but wet, grow far faster than some on a sunny slope (and therefore well drained.)

i have a triple that were small 15gal and i planted it in full sun in horrible clay that doesn't drain and they've exploded since being planted

Yes, they do not need drainage in the soil. Growers have mentioned here on PT that they've even placed the pots in ponds. Mine are growing in a low, wet area where the water drains slowly.

[ghar41]

Ben,

Part of the difference between your place and Glenn's is more humidity than heat. Modesto can be bone dry and has been for the past 2 years. If Glenn hadn't put up those misters, I would think that this year might have been too much for them.

Glenn has done wonders at his home ( I am jealous of the B. moorei).

JC

Thanks, John! Great to see you and Diana at the meeting. Already looking forward to next year.

[ghar41]

On November 13, 2010 at 11:13:31 AM, ghar41 said:

Ive enjoyed viewing time progression posts of palm growth, so here's another.

 

I planted these four A. cunninghamiana var. Illawaras in 4/2003 under the four windows in the back of the picture. The plant on the far left, appears to be still in a 5 gallon pot when this picture was taken. My son, in the green sweatshirt was 2 1/2.

 

 

This next photo was taken 6 months later at his 3rd birthday 10/03.

 

 

Next, 8/2005, my son is almost 5 years old.

 

 

[ghar41]

On November 17, 2014 at 5:10:24 PM, ghar41 said:

It had grown a bit by the time he was 5 years old.

 

At 10 years old

 

 

11 years old

 

 

12 years old

 

 

13 years old

 

 

And today, 14 years old and off to high school next year. For those of you with young children, all of what you have been told about them growing up fast is true. Enjoy every moment with them while you can!

 

Time rolls on.....Brandon is now 15 and a Freshman in high school!

[Ben in Norcal]

Looking good, Glenn!  Looks like you have an inflorescence...have you got viable fruit/seed out there before?  I know Jim gets tons of good seed, but I was wondering if I can expect mine to seed here in the East Bay, or if it is just an artifact of Jim's ideal climate.

[Rafael]

Outstanding growth progression and superb idea to photograph your son next to the palms over the years. I think i might do the same 

I am witnessing the same incredible growth rate with my illawara. Unbelievable palm!

[Darold Petty]

Dam*, Glenn, never mind the palm, what are you feeding your kids ??? 

I have a huge crop of Illawara seeds ripe just now,  locals PM me if interested ! 

[ghar41]

10 hours ago, Ben in Norcal said:

Looking good, Glenn!  Looks like you have an inflorescence...have you got viable fruit/seed out there before?  I know Jim gets tons of good seed, but I was wondering if I can expect mine to seed here in the East Bay, or if it is just an artifact of Jim's ideal climate.

Hi Ben,

 

It has flowered a few times but the seed have not been viable so far.  They come close but yes I agree...Jim's climate is warmer through the Winter months.