I've read in some places this Sabal species is now lumped with Sabal Mexicana. Other sources keep it a separate species. I've found it to be different from any other Sabal species I have. This palm was a gift from my dear palm friend Peter Pacific and he brought all the way from Guatemala. It is slower growing than most of my Sabals, more cold sensitive and prone to nutrient deficiencies. But after years of nurturing it appears to have come into its own. It is costapalmate but less so than other species. Even though it grows in full sun, its petioles are quite long, up to 6' or more, and stand straight.

Sabal guatemalensis, Cape Coral, FL

Very cool! It's interesting to hear that it seems to be fussy with cold and nutrients, whereas Sabal mexicana is known to be quite adaptable and cold hardy. It seems that this parallels the Sabal etonia vs. Sabal miamiensis experiences that you've had as well. 

If it has a problem with cape coral "cold" it is positively NOT the same as sabal mexicana.  Seedling to 25' mature mexicana aren't harmed at 15 degrees and ice/snow here in Dallas.

it kinda has that sabal pumos look to it.

I have a bunch in 15 gals and they look very similar.

great looking palm what ever it is.

thanks for sharing Meg

Gotta love the upright habit and big fronds on this one. Any signs of flowering now or in the past?

Cheers, Barrie.

 

8 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Gotta love the upright habit and big fronds on this one. Any signs of flowering now or in the past?

Cheers, Barrie.

 

No signs it will flower anytime soon. I've had it since it was a seedling.

Meg,

I have read the same thing.  I collected some seeds from a palm labeled "Sabal Guatemalensis" about 5 years ago and I still don't see any adult leaves yet in my seedlings.  How long did it take yours to get that size from a seedling?  This palm seems to be the slowest grower of any I've grown from seed.

Jon

As best I can remember, about 7 years. It really struggled for a couple years after I planted it around 2011 but has grown well since. At times I had to give it extra fertilizer and minor elements.

Hi Meg!  It's good to see the growth on your palm.  These are slow and I have several grown from seed about ten years old with only inches of trunk but are easily 10-12 feet tall because of the long petioles ( they're also planted very close together which make them stretch).  I friend of mine just told me that this palm was recently renamed Sabal palmetto but there are differences and, for sentiment, I prefer Sabal guatemalensis.  Good Luck.  

I should visit Ft Myers in Oct/Nov I'd love to visit your fabulous garden again!

Peter

10 hours ago, Peter Pacific said:

Hi Meg!  It's good to see the growth on your palm.  These are slow and I have several grown from seed about ten years old with only inches of trunk but are easily 10-12 feet tall because of the long petioles ( they're also planted very close together which make them stretch).  I friend of mine just told me that this palm was recently renamed Sabal palmetto but there are differences and, for sentiment, I prefer Sabal guatemalensis.  Good Luck.  

I should visit Ft Myers in Oct/Nov I'd love to visit your fabulous garden again!

Peter

You're always welcome at Prices' 0.61 Paradise Acres. This palm is no way Sabal palmetto like I know and there are millions of examples here.

On 8/22/2016 at 7:11 PM, PalmatierMeg said:

I've read in some places this Sabal species is now lumped with Sabal Mexicana. Other sources keep it a separate species. I've found it to be different from any other Sabal species I have. This palm was a gift from my dear palm friend Peter Pacific and he brought all the way from Guatemala. It is slower growing than most of my Sabals, more cold sensitive and prone to nutrient deficiencies. But after years of nurturing it appears to have come into its own. It is costapalmate but less so than other species. Even though it grows in full sun, its petioles are quite long, up to 6' or more, and stand straight.

Sabal guatemalensis, Cape Coral, FL

Has this flowered yet Meg? How’s it doing in general?

Was doing fine but has yet to trunk or flower. Even in full sun the upright leaves were 10-12’ tall on long petioles. Never saw another Sabal quite like it. It got bashed by falling tropical trees during Ian and I thought I’d lost it because all the leaves were broken off just above ground leve.. But when the debris was cleared it was still there, just much shorter. It’s putting out new leaves so I hope it will eventually return to its former glory. It currently has no competition for sunlight as almost everything around it was destroyed.