Palm growth rates

[James B]

For those in Socal or similar Mediterranean climates how would you rank the following palms in your gardens as far as growth rates go?

Roystonea

Archontophoenix

Chambeyronia

Ravenea

Wodyetia

Kentiopsis

 

[-2 brian]

15 minutes ago, James B said:

For those in Socal or similar Mediterranean climates how would you rank the following palms in your gardens as far as growth rates go?

Roystonea

Archontophoenix

Chambeyronia

Ravenea

Wodyetia

Kentiopsis

 

For me on the coast in Southern California I don’t get as much heat or for as long as growers inland, my temp range is more moderate. So with that in mind I’d say for me my Arch. Cunninghamian & Myolensis are the fastest. Next group would be Ravenna Riv.  Chambeyronia Hookeri / Mac. & Woodyetia Bif.  (In that order). Then probably Roystonia Reg. Which grows at a good rate but not enough heat to be a rocket for me & Ravenea Glauca. Lastly would be Kentiopsis Pyriformis which I’ve only had a short while but is looking to be much slower then those listed above.  Hope that helps you out. 

[GottmitAlex]

Planted. Speed of growth in this order:

Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera

Beccariophoenix alfredii

Cocos nucifera

Dypsis plumosa.

[James B]

30 minutes ago, -2 brian said:

For me on the coast in Southern California I don’t get as much heat or for as long as growers inland, my temp range is more moderate. So with that in mind I’d say for me my Arch. Cunninghamian & Myolensis are the fastest. Next group would be Ravenna Riv.  Chambeyronia Hookeri / Mac. & Woodyetia Bif.  (In that order). Then probably Roystonia Reg. Which grows at a good rate but not enough heat to be a rocket for me & Ravenea Glauca. Lastly would be Kentiopsis Pyriformis which I’ve only had a short while but is looking to be much slower then those listed above.  Hope that helps you out. 

Great insight. Right now for the past two months Archontophoenix is fastest for me. But my 2 Roystonea have woken up and once Late May to June gets here will be outgrowing my Kings. I’d say that is the only palm that is really different for me vs you. Is in summer I get high 90s to triple digit temps which my Royals love especially with lots of water. I was surprised to find Wodyetia grows slowly for me. But since you mentioned similar growth in your yard I can conclude that I’m not doing something wrong.

[James B]

19 minutes ago, GottmitAlex said:

Planted. Speed of growth in this order:

Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera

Cocos nucifera

Beccariophoenix alfredii

Cocos nucifera

Dypsis plumosa.

Lol

[sonoranfans]

Being inland in CA is a big difference in heat and sunlight as well as zone changes.  I was surprised than anyone found roystonea slower than wodyetia.  Ive seen some nice CA royals on this forum, but then some people know how to grow them so you should ask somebody who has had success.  there are also some very nice archies out in SoCal and they appear to be fast, I would ask DoomsDave he grows both to a large size in his jungle/garden.    

[-2 brian]

1 hour ago, sonoranfans said:

Being inland in CA is a big difference in heat and sunlight as well as zone changes.  I was surprised than anyone found roystonea slower than wodyetia.  Ive seen some nice CA royals on this forum, but then some people know how to grow them so you should ask somebody who has had success.  there are also some very nice archies out in SoCal and they appear to be fast, I would ask DoomsDave he grows both to a large size in his jungle/garden.    

Both my Royal & my foxtails are large mature sized specimens that as I stated grow at a good rate. Don’t confuse the fact that for me they grow slower then archontophoenix species with them not being successful growers or slow growers. Simply comparing growth rates among a specific list of species. 

[sonoranfans]

Sounds like foxtails grow well for you out there.  And archies are fast as young ones, I have none faster at a young age in putting on height.  Then there is growth a measured by biomass which is most frequently associated with plant growth.   A fat trunk growing 2' in height is a lot more biomass than a skinny one growing 2 feet.  Then there are leaf sizes, dang the royals are massive, each leaf weighting like 5-6 archie leaves and they drop 8-10 a year.  The speed of a royal depends a lot on water, Im betting they grow notably faster for gardeners in CA that water more as that is the case here in FL.

[James B]

12 hours ago, sonoranfans said:

Being inland in CA is a big difference in heat and sunlight as well as zone changes.  I was surprised than anyone found roystonea slower than wodyetia.  Ive seen some nice CA royals on this forum, but then some people know how to grow them so you should ask somebody who has had success.  there are also some very nice archies out in SoCal and they appear to be fast, I would ask DoomsDave he grows both to a large size in his jungle/garden.    

DoomsDave is a legend for sure. His Royals inspired me to try them even though I am much farther inland. 
 

For me they grow faster than any palm once it heats up and the night time lows don’t drop below 55-60. Now that they have survived their first winter in my yard I am looking forward to their growth this year.

Archontphoenix does super well for me. If watered almost daily Maxima grows like a weed, Beatricea grows almost as fast but so far have made all of my Maxima look skinny in comparison. Cunninghamiana grows very well with less water than the others, Alexandrae grows fast as well. I have Tuckeri but they are babies and recently planted so I’m waiting to see how they do this year. 
Despite being 50 miles inland both Roystonea and Archontophoenix are very happy out here with lots of water. As for Chambeyronia I have only had for a few months but so far are happy under canopy albeit they grow at about half the rate. 

[James B]

10 hours ago, sonoranfans said:

Sounds like foxtails grow well for you out there.  And archies are fast as young ones, I have none faster at a young age in putting on height.  Then there is growth a measured by biomass which is most frequently associated with plant growth.   A fat trunk growing 2' in height is a lot more biomass than a skinny one growing 2 feet.  Then there are leaf sizes, dang the royals are massive, each leaf weighting like 5-6 archie leaves and they drop 8-10 a year.  The speed of a royal depends a lot on water, Im betting they grow notably faster for gardeners in CA that water more as that is the case here in FL.

Yes very true about overall bulk and biomass. Royals have that over other crown shafted palms for sure. Can’t think of one that compares. Certainly not one that would thrive in my climate. As for foxtails I was hoping mine would grow faster. If I can somehow find a way to fit one I might consider planting a second under taller palms to see how it does in mostly shade.

Edited March 7, 2020 by James B