Royal Palm questions

[nitsua0895]

Hello, I recently got a 2 foot Royal Palm seedling and have planted it in a 3 gallon pot. Since the highs have been in the upper 50's and low 60's for the past week I've been watering in the morning and then placing it in my small greenhouse. Does anyone know how many inches or feet Royal palms usually grow in a year? And since it's in a pot would it be best to use a granular fertilizer or a spike so it will release continuously? 

[Briank]

They grow really fast. Cant give you an inches or ft estimate. But I have seen and heard people that have put seedlings like yours straight into ground, and within 4 years have a 12-15' tall with about 12-18" width trunk.  I bought my Regias in 15ga that were already 10-12 ft tall.  But in the 3 months they been in the ground, a new frond has already appeared. I have a small seedling like yours, and it has doubled in size with new frond in 2-3 months! Not sure where your located, but my seedlings just sits in my patio with partial shade.  I would grow it outside so it will be sun acclimated early. You want the trunks to grow wide, in a green house it will tend to be stretched.  The rule I have heard mostly is, you want it to grow width more than height at a young age.  Either way, they are great Palms, and grow fast! Keep protected in cold winters maybe just inside your house for winter, and move back outside in spring. I am in California so I don't have to worry about frost or cold winters.  But I have a lot of these. They are great Palms and pretty hardy.  They like to kept damp, but not soaked.  I will water it every 2-3 days. Water, wait for it to almost dry, then water again. I have not fertilized mine yet. My larger ones I am going to this week. My 2 seedlings I was going to wait till spring or when they get to about 5GA size.  At this size, most important thing is to keep damp, keep in a steady climate.  It will grow fast for sure.  Im not a fertilizer expert, hope someone else can help you there, just telling you my experience with mine in San Diego.  Hope it helps.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

I have two in the ground in my yard in Corpus Christi planted from a 3 gal. pots.  One is a Cuban Royal I planted in April of 2013, and the other is a Florida Royal I planted back in 2014, they both really started taking off when we came out of the drought.  With all the rain we had here in the spring and then in the fall, they have really grown.  My Cuban Royal is probably 10 to 11ft. tall in overall height, and its trunk more than doubled in 2015, and my Florida Royal is probably about 8ft. tall now, and its trunk has increased in width too last year.  My yard is about 98% sand, and even though I added some organic compost and mulched them with Texas Native Hardwood Mulch, a fine shredded organic mulch, the yard is still very sandy.  If I could have kept them watered more, especially when the drought was still going on, they would certainly be even bigger now.

I suggest using a good organic granular slow release fertilizer that has the micronutrients palms need.  An 8-4-6 or 6-2-4 ratio would be good, but be sure it is all organic.  When you go all organic, you actually make the soil itself healthy, and when you have healthy soil with lots of beneficial microbial activity, you have healthy roots on your plants.  Also, when you go all organic, your watering needs are reduced by 30 to 40% over time.  Royals like a lot of water when it is hot and dry, so going organic helps to keep them moist and yet reduces your need for lots of watering in the summer.  Instead of watering daily in the summer, you could probably get away with watering them every other day.  When it is chilly in the winter, taper off on the watering since tropical palms don't like their roots being chilly and damp for long periods of time.

[Cocoa Beach Jason]

These grow shockingly fast. I had one without a trunk (however larger than the one depicted in your photo) just 3 years ago. Now, it is about 20 ft tall with about 10 ft of wood trunk. Mine is in sandy native soil but with supplemental irrigation and plenty of feedings.

Edited January 3, 2016 by Cocoa Beach Jason

[nitsua0895]

On January 2, 2016 at 9:07:55 PM, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

I have two in the ground in my yard in Corpus Christi planted from a 3 gal. pots.  One is a Cuban Royal I planted in April of 2013, and the other is a Florida Royal I planted back in 2014, they both really started taking off when we came out of the drought.  With all the rain we had here in the spring and then in the fall, they have really grown.  My Cuban Royal is probably 10 to 11ft. tall in overall height, and its trunk more than doubled in 2015, and my Florida Royal is probably about 8ft. tall now, and its trunk has increased in width too last year.  My yard is about 98% sand, and even though I added some organic compost and mulched them with Texas Native Hardwood Mulch, a fine shredded organic mulch, the yard is still very sandy.  If I could have kept them watered more, especially when the drought was still going on, they would certainly be even bigger now.

I suggest using a good organic granular slow release fertilizer that has the micronutrients palms need.  An 8-4-6 or 6-2-4 ratio would be good, but be sure it is all organic.  When you go all organic, you actually make the soil itself healthy, and when you have healthy soil with lots of beneficial microbial activity, you have healthy roots on your plants.  Also, when you go all organic, your watering needs are reduced by 30 to 40% over time.  Royals like a lot of water when it is hot and dry, so going organic helps to keep them moist and yet reduces your need for lots of watering in the summer.  Instead of watering daily in the summer, you could probably get away with watering them every other day.  When it is chilly in the winter, taper off on the watering since tropical palms don't like their roots being chilly and damp for long periods of time.

It's been about three and a half months since I posted this but I haven't noticed any growth in my Royal palm. And the strangest thing is my Phoenix Roebelinii are growing very fast, especially after I fertilized them last week.

Could it simply be that we haven't been hot enough? The past few days it's been really nice with highs in the low-80's and lows around 60F so I hope it'll stay that way. I water every two days and once every two months I apply Jobe's organic granular fertilizer.

I'm guessing it's slow growth could also be due to the fact that I went outside one day and found a cat laying in its pot  It was completely bent over and has very slowly been straightening up over the past month.

 

 

[DoomsDave]

They are fast

but too tender for AL, hate to say it.

[nitsua0895]

12 minutes ago, DoomsDave said:

They are fast

but too tender for AL, hate to say it.

Yeah I'm probably just going to keep it in a pot for as long as possible. I might plant it and try to protect it with a makeshift greenhouse but I don't know how long that will be possible. With our summers it'll be very tall within a few years. 

[Matthew92]

14 minutes ago, nitsua0895 said:

Yeah I'm probably just going to keep it in a pot for as long as possible. I might plant it and try to protect it with a makeshift greenhouse but I don't know how long that will be possible. With our summers it'll be very tall within a few years. 

I would love for these to be able to grow this far north. However, if they could, they would be planted AD-NASEUM like so many places in the tropics now....

Though if someone was adventurous and dedicated enough to do it with extraordinary protection, it would be an awesome/beautiful spectacle and really stand out. 

Edited March 10, 2016 by Opal92

[DoomsDave]

38 minutes ago, nitsua0895 said:

Yeah I'm probably just going to keep it in a pot for as long as possible. I might plant it and try to protect it with a makeshift greenhouse but I don't know how long that will be possible. With our summers it'll be very tall within a few years. 

Try to find a Florida home for it in advance if you can.

Or, move to So-FL and take it with you!

 

[RedRabbit]

4 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

They are fast

but too tender for AL, hate to say it.

DD is right, they just won't make it up there. All the ones near me survived in 2010 when it hit somewhere around 25f so they are relatively hardy when they're mature, but it was enough to defoliate them so I'm guessing they'd die outright at around 22-23f. Unfortunately they get way too big to protect without taking extreme measures... I'd be interested to know how they hold up in a warm 9a environment, but I don't think there is any real hope for long term survival in Montgomery at 8b. 

Keep us posted with how it goes!

 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

6 hours ago, nitsua0895 said:

It's been about three and a half months since I posted this but I haven't noticed any growth in my Royal palm. And the strangest thing is my Phoenix Roebelinii are growing very fast, especially after I fertilized them last week.

Could it simply be that we haven't been hot enough? The past few days it's been really nice with highs in the low-80's and lows around 60F so I hope it'll stay that way. I water every two days and once every two months I apply Jobe's organic granular fertilizer.

I'm guessing it's slow growth could also be due to the fact that I went outside one day and found a cat laying in its pot  It was completely bent over and has very slowly been straightening up over the past month.

 

 

Hey Austin,

Hopefully the cat didn't brake the little trunk on it and damage the bud.  I have some babies about a year old in 1 gal. pots, and I can barely get them to grow at all.  I also have two, a Florida Royal and a Cuban Royal in 3 gal. pots., each about 5.5ft. tall in overall height, and they are growing very slowly too.  I keep them watered about once every 2 to 3 days.  I think when they are starting their 2nd or 3rd year in the ground with adequate water is when they really start growing faster.  My in ground ones, didn't really start growing faster until they had been in the ground for at least 2 years, and when we started getting our rain back again.

John

P.S.  It's like the others have said though, they won't make it in the ground in Alabama, not even on the islands along your Gulf Coast.  Alabama, even the coast, is just too chilly for them in the winter.  Queen Palms, though, might make it along the coast there, especially in well protected microclimates.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Mr. Coconut Palm

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

It looks dry and hungry to me.  As summer comes along, it will love the heat and humidity.  I have no problem with organic nutrient sources, but buy a good controlled release fertilizer (Osmocote Plus comes to mind..but it pays my bills) and use that as a base and supplement with organics if you wish. 

[RedRabbit]

1 hour ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

Hey Austin,

Hopefully the cat didn't brake the little trunk on it and damage the bud.  I have some babies about a year old in 1 gal. pots, and I can barely get them to grow at all.  I also have two, a Florida Royal and a Cuban Royal in 3 gal. pots., each about 5.5ft. tall in overall height, and they are growing very slowly too.  I keep them watered about once every 2 to 3 days.  I think when they are starting their 2nd or 3rd year in the ground with adequate water is when they really start growing faster.  My in ground ones, didn't really start growing faster until they had been in the ground for at least 2 years, and when we started getting our rain back again.

John

P.S.  It's like the others have said though, they won't make it in the ground in Alabama, not even on the islands along your Gulf Coast.  Alabama, even the coast, is just too chilly for them in the winter.  Queen Palms, though, might make it along the coast there, especially in well protected microclimates.

Good suggestion on queens. Queen palms, or even an acrocomia totai, might have a fighting chance there and they at least look similar in some ways to royals. 

[nitsua0895]

40 minutes ago, RedRabbit said:

Good suggestion on queens. Queen palms, or even an acrocomia totai, might have a fighting chance there and they at least look similar in some ways to royals. 

A queen palm would probably still have to be protected here most winters but most likely just for one or two nights. This winter our minimum temp was 25F so it probably would have survived with very little damage if left unprotected. However this winter was an exception sadly. On average we get about three nights a year where temps fall below 20F 

I hope my mule palm will survive here long term. I imagine it should as long as we don't another 1899 type freeze and I can keep the occasional freezing rain off of it.

After having success with overwintering my Phoenix Roebelinii using a portable greenhouse, I'm going to plant my African Rhino Horn banana tree in a few days and then try to build a structure over it for next winter so I can try and get it to fruit next summer.

 

[nitsua0895]

2 hours ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

Hey Austin,

Hopefully the cat didn't brake the little trunk on it and damage the bud.  I have some babies about a year old in 1 gal. pots, and I can barely get them to grow at all.  I also have two, a Florida Royal and a Cuban Royal in 3 gal. pots., each about 5.5ft. tall in overall height, and they are growing very slowly too.  I keep them watered about once every 2 to 3 days.  I think when they are starting their 2nd or 3rd year in the ground with adequate water is when they really start growing faster.  My in ground ones, didn't really start growing faster until they had been in the ground for at least 2 years, and when we started getting our rain back again.

John

P.S.  It's like the others have said though, they won't make it in the ground in Alabama, not even on the islands along your Gulf Coast.  Alabama, even the coast, is just too chilly for them in the winter.  Queen Palms, though, might make it along the coast there, especially in well protected microclimates.

Well it's probably a good thing my Royal palm isn't exploding in growth. I'll just keep it watered and fertilized and make sure it stays healthy until I am able to plant it in a warmer location.

I've noticed my Foxtail palm is the same way. I'm curious as to why certain palms don't seem to want to grow in pots but my small Phoenix Roebelinii seem to put out a new frond every week. 

[RedRabbit]

36 minutes ago, nitsua0895 said:

A queen palm would probably still have to be protected here most winters but most likely just for one or two nights. This winter our minimum temp was 25F so it probably would have survived with very little damage if left unprotected. However this winter was an exception sadly. On average we get about three nights a year where temps fall below 20F 

I hope my mule palm will survive here long term. I imagine it should as long as we don't another 1899 type freeze and I can keep the occasional freezing rain off of it.

After having success with overwintering my Phoenix Roebelinii using a portable greenhouse, I'm going to plant my African Rhino Horn banana tree in a few days and then try to build a structure over it for next winter so I can try and get it to fruit next summer.

 

From what I've read, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, it looks like  acrocomia totai is hardier than a queen so it might be worth a try.

Some mule palms actually look pretty nice. There is one at Leu Gardens sitting right next to a beccariophoenix alfredii and they look almost the same. The big difference will appear when they trunk, but before then you've got a very coconutty looking palm that's pretty darn hardy. 

 

[mistifarang]

I found a seedling of the

ROYSTONEA REGIA

in 2012 and the tree grew out in less then 4 1/2 years with a trunk of about 65"!

I am living in Bangkok, the "earth" is 100% clay and I didn't do anything, even no watering!

The first photo shows the present situation. The second photo the young palm in 2012 and in 2014. 

However, I'm now, all of a sudden, afraid that when the palm will start affected by the Rhinoceros beetle it will collapse against the building.

I'm now starting considering to cut it down    

 

 

Edited March 11, 2016 by mistifarang

[DoomsDave]

May the dieties bless and keep the Rhino Beetle

FAR AWAY FROM US!

[nitsua0895]

14 hours ago, RedRabbit said:

From what I've read, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, it looks like  acrocomia totai is hardier than a queen so it might be worth a try.

Some mule palms actually look pretty nice. There is one at Leu Gardens sitting right next to a beccariophoenix alfredii and they look almost the same. The big difference will appear when they trunk, but before then you've got a very coconutty looking palm that's pretty darn hardy. 

 

I'll have to give Acrocomia Totai a try. I guess it's able to handle the upper teens for a little while? 

I've also been thinking about planting Livistona Chinensis but I've heard that Panama City Beach is about as far north they can be reliably grown. 

[sashaeffer]

   I have one also in a pot, bought from trusted ebay seller and had some fronds that turned ratty looking, sat outside all last summer in dappled light and never grew an inch. Ratty fronds fell away and now just have a nice 3 foot spear and zero growth. Sits in front of a huge East facing window.  Hopefully will find another this spring and get one that shows growth at least.

[RedRabbit]

2 hours ago, nitsua0895 said:

I'll have to give Acrocomia Totai a try. I guess it's able to handle the upper teens for a little while? 

I've also been thinking about planting Livistona Chinensis but I've heard that Panama City Beach is about as far north they can be reliably grown. 

I've never had one so I can't say from experience, but based on what I've read the totai can tolerate the upper teens. I'm not sure how low the temp would kill a mature one, but I think they start getting damaged at about the point queens are killed so it should be at least a few degrees hardier.

[displaced_floridian]

I understand that royals CAN grow in California--why don't I see more of them here?  They are a beautiful, stately palm.

[DoomsDave]

15 minutes ago, displaced_floridian said:

I understand that royals CAN grow in California--why don't I see more of them here?  They are a beautiful, stately palm.

For the same reason not everyone keeps a Great Dane: They're big, messy and a pain, plus thirsty. I know, I've got three big ones, and more coming along. (Some of us have to keep Great Danes!)

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

5 hours ago, nitsua0895 said:

I'll have to give Acrocomia Totai a try. I guess it's able to handle the upper teens for a little while? 

I've also been thinking about planting Livistona Chinensis but I've heard that Panama City Beach is about as far north they can be reliably grown. 

Yes, some Acrocromia will tolerate upper teens.  There is one at the bamboo farm in Savannah GA that has done that several times.  But it always looks crappy in my opinion.  But it survives.  

[RedRabbit]

Syagrus romanzoffiana Litoralis might also be worth looking into. I just happened to notice it on rarepalmseeds.com and they're saying it is hardy to about 15f.

[nitsua0895]

After a couple of weeks with lots of rain, humidity, and temps near 85F during the day and lows around 65F my Royal Palm is finally starting to push a new frond out  I look forward to seeing how fast it grows this summer.