Life span of Caryota mitis?

[Laisla87]

Just wondering how long these palms live on average...and with the multiple stems does the whole clump die at once or is it like a banana clump, in that a dead trunk is replaced by suckers? I am thinking if it all dies at once maybe removing young suckers and replanting them will keep it constantly growing.

Cheers

[sonoranfans]

  On 5/6/2013 at 8:49 PM, Laisla87 said:

Just wondering how long these palms live on average...and with the multiple stems does the whole clump die at once or is it like a banana clump, in that a dead trunk is replaced by suckers? I am thinking if it all dies at once maybe removing young suckers and replanting them will keep it constantly growing.

Cheers

I understand this one dies one trunk at a time after flowering. I take this to mean it lives a long time. Mine was very fast, 2' to 12' overall in 3 years... No flowering yet...

[KennyRE317]

  On 5/6/2013 at 9:16 PM, sonoranfans said:

  On 5/6/2013 at 8:49 PM, Laisla87 said:

Just wondering how long these palms live on average...and with the multiple stems does the whole clump die at once or is it like a banana clump, in that a dead trunk is replaced by suckers? I am thinking if it all dies at once maybe removing young suckers and replanting them will keep it constantly growing.

Cheers

I understand this one dies one trunk at a time after flowering. I take this to mean it lives a long time. Mine was very fast, 2' to 12' overall in 3 years... No flowering yet...

I've been reading a lot about caryotas lately because I do love the fronds and leaves. what Tom said is what I understand as well, they'll die one at a time so you don't have to worry about a full removal, just cut off the dead trunks sort of like bamboo.

I just saw my caryota last night for the first time after I had them marked (I believe it was marked correctly) and my giga moved an inch overnight. everything I had read makes me to believe they grow amazingly quick

[tropicbreeze]

I think you'll find they go vitrually forever. Mine flower and keep producing new suckers constantly. Seeds are spread by birds and they are quite invasive. I'm constantly pulling out seedlings even though I cut out flowering trunks. There must be a lot of plants in the neighbourhood.

[Laisla87]

I got this lovely specimen yesterday. Very pot bound, just like I like them. It is rearing to go and will go bonkers once I plant it

A steal at only $30, too!