King Palms 9A

[Maru]

Hello, I recently purchase king palms (they were marked king palms).  I’ve been trying to acclimate them to the sun.  Not doing well.  I decided to plunge them in the ground in original pots and turn every few hours.  should I keep them in the shade And replant in a huge pot.  Or keep trying? I read full sun is fine yet mine aren’t doing well at all.  I’ve been inching them out for about a month.

[CodyORB]

When you bought the plant did you find out the actual species it is? King Palms are under the genus Archontophoenix and there are different species like alexandrae, cunninghamiana, tuckerii, purpura, maxima, and myolensis.

It’s important to know because while they look similar each species behaves differently. Cunninghamiana is the most cold-resistant but vulnerable to sun damage, which sounds like your situation and may be your species. 
 

Placing the palm in partial shade or under a forest-like canopy is helpful. In winter when lows start dropping into the low 30’s and the risk of frost arrives you may run into some cold damage (typically the fronds have mild yellowing) and in the 20’s it’s a good idea to protect it from serious damage. A good method passed around here is wrapping the trunk with C9 lights and placing a tarp over the tree.

I hope you well caring for your new “Archie”!

[Jeff985]

I’m assuming you bought it at Houston Garden Center, which makes it an archontophoenix cunninghamiana. They will always look better in shade, but they will adapt to full sun. Already existing foliage is going to sun burn, but new foliage will be able to take sun better. In full sun it’s especially important to water it. It’s impossible to over water them. I have 4 and the 3 that are in full sun are getting watered every day right now, since it’s been so hot and dry lately. 

[HtownPalms]

Haven't seen King Palms at HGC before. Good to know they have them, but do they have any chance here? 

[Jeff985]

44 minutes ago, HtownPalms said:

Haven't seen King Palms at HGC before. Good to know they have them, but do they have any chance here? 

I’ve had two of mine in the ground for a couple years. The other two I just planted. They did well in the warmer parts of Houston for about 15 years or so until the freeze of 2019. Even in Katy they survived several years until the 2010 freeze. From the research I’ve done their hardiness is similar to p. roebelenii, so in areas whith pre-2018 roebeleniis, it’s worth a try. 

[Kim]

Hello Maru, and welcome to PalmTalk!

You are getting some good advice for your region, and I hope your king palms do well for you. The nice thing about PalmTalk, it's impossible to ask too many questions, so please feel welcome to explore the world of palms here.

[HtownPalms]

23 hours ago, Jeff985 said:

I’ve had two of mine in the ground for a couple years. The other two I just planted. They did well in the warmer parts of Houston for about 15 years or so until the freeze of 2019. Even in Katy they survived several years until the 2010 freeze. From the research I’ve done their hardiness is similar to p. roebelenii, so in areas whith pre-2018 roebeleniis, it’s worth a try. 

Thanks for letting me know. Surprised we don't see them in Galveston more often. 

[Jeff985]

32 minutes ago, HtownPalms said:

Thanks for letting me know. Surprised we don't see them in Galveston more often. 

They’re hard to find around here. Every few years HGC will have some but not very many and the last time they had them they were mostly a. alexandre which isn’t as hardy. 

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

 

Rick Schwab has them in Harlingen in the RGV.  I think he has maximas, myolensis, and maybe another variety too.  He had some the last time I was there that were small enough to transport them in your car, at very reasonable prices.  Just bump them up to a larger pot for a year or so, then plant them in the ground when they are about 7 ft. to 8 ft. tall in overall height.  The last number I have for him is (956) 536-0889.

[Jeff985]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

 

Rick Schwab has them in Harlingen in the RGV.  I think he has maximas, myolensis, and maybe another variety too.  He had some the last time I was there that were small enough to transport them in your car, at very reasonable prices.  Just bump them up to a larger pot for a year or so, then plant them in the ground when they are about 7 ft. to 8 ft. tall in overall height.  The last number I have for him is (956) 536-0889.

Thanks John. That’s good to know. I’ve been wanting to try a maxima, but have had no luck finding one. I’ve been planning on taking the family to South Padre. Maybe I’ll have to give him a call. 

[DoomsDave]

@Maruwelcome!

King palms need lots of water. Keep watering like crazy. If you haven't, start.

If the plant was grown in shade (nursery grown plants usually are) the leaves already on it will likely burn instead of acclimating. If the new spear looks good, that's a plus.

Also, how about a picture of your plants? That will help ID and assist further.

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

9 minutes ago, Jeff985 said:

Thanks John. That’s good to know. I’ve been wanting to try a maxima, but have had no luck finding one. I’ve been planning on taking the family to South Padre. Maybe I’ll have to give him a call. 

Hey Jeff,

You are welcome.  You need to see the ones in his yard, as well as his Beautiful Mature Royal Palms!!!  I have a beautiful maxima in my front yard right off my front patio, that I got from him about 2 years ago.  It is now about 11 ft. tall in overall height.

John

[Fusca]

2 hours ago, Mr. Coconut Palm said:

 

Rick Schwab has them in Harlingen in the RGV.  I think he has maximas, myolensis, and maybe another variety too.  He had some the last time I was there that were small enough to transport them in your car, at very reasonable prices.  Just bump them up to a larger pot for a year or so, then plant them in the ground when they are about 7 ft. to 8 ft. tall in overall height.  The last number I have for him is (956) 536-0889.

John, thanks so much for this - I was about to ask you.  This is where we stopped to get palms on our way back from that PSST meeting a few years back isn't it?

Jon

[Mr. Coconut Palm]

14 minutes ago, Fusca said:

John, thanks so much for this - I was about to ask you.  This is where we stopped to get palms on our way back from that PSST meeting a few years back isn't it?

Jon

Yes, it is.

[necturus]

This (http://southeastgarden.com/archontophoenix.html) inspired me to try kings in Houston. I think those in the loop or south are easily a warm zone 9a and maybe a cold 9b. So if Matt Encinosa (RIP) had success, why can't we? Obviously these are not going to stand the test of time here, but on the south side of the house or tuck under the canopy of an evergreen tree, why not? Depending on when you plant them you might get a decade or longer. Mine are like Jeff's and have never seen any real cold.

[Jeff985]

37 minutes ago, necturus said:

This (http://southeastgarden.com/archontophoenix.html) inspired me to try kings in Houston. I think those in the loop or south are easily a warm zone 9a and maybe a cold 9b. So if Matt Encinosa (RIP) had success, why can't we? Obviously these are not going to stand the test of time here, but on the south side of the house or tuck under the canopy of an evergreen tree, why not? Depending on when you plant them you might get a decade or longer. Mine are like Jeff's and have never seen any real cold.

Inside the loop is a warm 9b possibly cool 10a. Hobby’s average annual low 1989-2019 is 28 degrees. Warm 9b. Inside the loop and southeast is consistently warmer than Hobby. 

[ruskinPalms]

Interesting thread. I do think A. Cunninghamiana is good down to maybe 25F or 26F at best depending on how the weather is/was before and after the freeze. So it really is a solid choice for 9B in Texas and Florida for the time between the really big freezes that kill even queen palms. They do need lots of water. Mine is not planted in an ideal place and stays pretty dry in full sun but it is hanging in there. It saw a 27F to 28F adjective freeze and took it pretty good with only am maybe 20% to 30% burn.  It is slow for me because of the water issue but it has been pretty tough once established. A little droopy tonight since it poured just a bit ago.  

Edited July 17, 2020 by ruskinPalms

[Jeff985]

7 minutes ago, ruskinPalms said:

Interesting thread. I do think A. Cunninghamiana is good down to maybe 25F or 26F at best depending on how the weather is/was before and after the freeze. So it really is a solid choice for 9B in Texas and Florida for the time between the really big freezes that kill even queen palms. They do need lots of water. Mine is not planted in an ideal place and stays pretty dry in full sun but it is hanging in there. It saw a 27F to 28F adjective freeze and took it pretty good with only am maybe 20% to 30% burn.  It is slow for me because of the water issue but it has been pretty tough once established. A little droopy tonight since it poured just a bit ago.  

 

Nice looking palm. I’ve read about them surviving low twenties. I read one story of surviving 21 although at that temperature I don’t think survival would be a guarantee. Based on what I’ve read, I think 23-24 is their low limit. Hopefully we never have to find out. 

[GottmitAlex]

37 minutes ago, ruskinPalms said:

Interesting thread. I do think A. Cunninghamiana is good down to maybe 25F or 26F at best depending on how the weather is/was before and after the freeze. So it really is a solid choice for 9B in Texas and Florida for the time between the really big freezes that kill even queen palms. They do need lots of water. Mine is not planted in an ideal place and stays pretty dry in full sun but it is hanging in there. It saw a 27F to 28F adjective freeze and took it pretty good with only am maybe 20% to 30% burn.  It is slow for me because of the water issue but it has been pretty tough once established. A little droopy tonight since it poured just a bit ago.  

Gorgeous palm!