Local Arizona Thread

[aztropic]

On 5/28/2025 at 3:36 PM, scooterhd said:

And around the yard perimeter some Mule Palms, Bismack, Mexican Blue Palm, and possibly Sabal Palmetto 

All great choices for larger absolute survivors in an Arizona garden. You might also want to consider the California fan palm, Washingtonia filifera. Fat trunk, bluish green fronds, faster growing, trouble free, and we can grow them to perfection. They are actually native to western Arizona, so it makes sense. Ironically, this one just popped up on its own from bird droppings, and we just let it grow.  Couldn't have done a better job of siting it if I tried...

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[scooterhd]

Yes, that specimen looks very good and well placed indeed. I've cast that species off before because ones I have seen had tiny fronds and less consistent trunk shape being really wide on the bottom and narrow on the top. Maybe just an issue with age and/or trimming because yours look great! And looking at google images shows plenty of others as well. I will reconsider my list. 

By the way, any idea if GreenLife (or any other phx metro nursery) has Bucanneer Palms or does one have to take their chances on ordering from Florida? GreenLife shows out of stock now, but I am wondering if that is just a seasonal thing.

 

[aztropic]

3 or 4 years ago,Shamus (Don) did import a couple dozen buccaneers from Florida in all different sizes. I don't think he's brought any more in since.

I have grown this species from seed extensively in Mesa, Arizona over the last 25 years and have probably sold about 75 plants in 3-5 gallon size, although I don't currently have any available unless I dig one out of my yard. (I have about 20 planted) It IS a great species for our area,and I've found them to be very tough survivors;although very slow growers until the base is 6-8 inches wide. Importing your own from Florida is probably your best option. Be aware,they are not cheap, because they are slow growers no matter where they are started. Time is money...🤷‍♂️Growing entirely here in Mesa, Arizona,it takes me 10 years minimum to produce a nice 3-5 gallon tree. Definitely worth pursuing,at the largest size you can afford. Buying time does make sense for this species. To give you an idea of how slow they grow, I brought these 2 examples back from Florida about 17 years ago in 15 gallons pots.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[Rubberboots]

1 hour ago, aztropic said:

3 or 4 years ago,Shamus (Don) did import a couple dozen buccaneers from Florida in all different sizes. I don't think he's brought any more in since.

I have grown this species from seed extensively in Mesa, Arizona over the last 25 years and have probably sold about 75 plants in 3-5 gallon size, although I don't currently have any available unless I dig one out of my yard. (I have about 20 planted) It IS a great species for our area,and I've found them to be very tough survivors;although very slow growers until the base is 6-8 inches wide. Importing your own from Florida is probably your best option. Be aware,they are not cheap, because they are slow growers no matter where they are started. Time is money...🤷‍♂️Growing entirely here in Mesa, Arizona,it takes me 10 years minimum to produce a nice 3-5 gallon tree. Definitely worth pursuing,at the largest size you can afford. Buying time does make sense for this species. To give you an idea of how slow they grow, I brought these 2 examples back from Florida about 17 years ago in 15 gallons pots.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

@aztropic amazing...gawd I want a few!

[Rubberboots]

@aztropic what else ya got🤔🤙🏿

[Looking Glass]

1 hour ago, aztropic said:

3 or 4 years ago,Shamus (Don) did import a couple dozen buccaneers from Florida in all different sizes. I don't think he's brought any more in since.

I have grown this species from seed extensively in Mesa, Arizona over the last 25 years and have probably sold about 75 plants in 3-5 gallon size, although I don't currently have any available unless I dig one out of my yard. (I have about 20 planted) It IS a great species for our area,and I've found them to be very tough survivors;although very slow growers until the base is 6-8 inches wide. Importing your own from Florida is probably your best option. Be aware,they are not cheap, because they are slow growers no matter where they are started. Time is money...🤷‍♂️Growing entirely here in Mesa, Arizona,it takes me 10 years minimum to produce a nice 3-5 gallon tree. Definitely worth pursuing,at the largest size you can afford. Buying time does make sense for this species. To give you an idea of how slow they grow, I brought these 2 examples back from Florida about 17 years ago in 15 gallons pots.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

Do yours respond to more water and fertilizer in the heat?   These will put out 3 fronds here during the hot-wet season, while grinding to a halt during the warm-dry season.  Sargentii grows faster than most New Caledonia palms for me here.   There is noticeable increase in growth rate when it heats up and nights are in the 80s.  I’m hopping for some seed for the 1st time this year.   

[aztropic]

1 hour ago, Rubberboots said:

@aztropic what else ya got🤔🤙🏿

There's 33 pages in this thread.  If you start at page 1, you'll be able to see all my successes and failures over the last dozen years. Generally, Cuban / Caribbean species seem to do exceptionally well growing under our harsh desert conditions. (we just had 117F for yesterday's high temperature, and everything still looks fine palmwise. I did notice some scorched leaves on the plumerias though)

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[aztropic]

56 minutes ago, Looking Glass said:

Do yours respond to more water and fertilizer in the heat?   These will put out 3 fronds here during the hot-wet season, while grinding to a halt during the warm-dry season.  Sargentii grows faster than most New Caledonia palms for me here.   There is noticeable increase in growth rate when it heats up and nights are in the 80s.  I’m hopping for some seed for the 1st time this year.   

I don't think my mature Pseudophoenix are too different from yours speed wise. We might even have a shorter growing season here too as everything mostly hibernates November till March, but the happiest mature sargentii generally put out 3 new fronds per year. Younger plants up to 15 gallon size,only 1 new frond per year is the norm. I don't think you can really speed up the growth rate much on these, even with extra water and fertilizer. Just a very slow species overall. I think my Pseudophoenix vinifera is even slower,still growing only 1 new frond each year. Plus, it is definitely more frost tender and has been burned a few times over the years from an occasional rare night in the upper 20's F.

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[CaryElTucson]

On 4/29/2023 at 4:59 PM, aztropic said:

Very fast growers here! 3 feet per year or more,once they are established. 

 

aztropic

Mesa, Arizona 

Will they grow in Tucson? I planted a Jacaranda over 10 years ago and a really bad freeze took care of it quick!

[aztropic]

9 hours ago, CaryElTucson said:

Will they grow in Tucson? I planted a Jacaranda over 10 years ago and a really bad freeze took care of it quick!

Royal poinciana would probably be a tough long-term grow in Tucson. Probably just a little less hardy than jacaranda...🤷‍♂️

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[CaryElTucson]

11 minutes ago, aztropic said:

Royal poinciana would probably be a tough long-term grow in Tucson. Probably just a little less hardy than jacaranda...🤷‍♂️

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

Darn!  Thanks for your knowledge Scott.  Your poinciana looks awesome!  

[Cindy Adair]

Anybody from Arizona going to the Brownsville TX weekend Biennial or to the Vietnam Biennial? 
 

I really want to meet as many Palmtalkers as possible!

And so does Andy the IPS President. 

I have never been to Arizona, but if I get there I would love to see your gardens and hope you will come by should you visit Puerto Rico.