I'm wondering how my king palms will evolve, I am hoping they will develop nice smooth trunks eventually, but I don't see how this will develop from what I have now. How do king palm trunks develop from a skinny new tree, to a smooth stepped trunk? Maybe mine doesn't have the potential. Any example pictures would be great. 

 

Mine is below, it's rather rough and skinny, not sure what it's future holds. 

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by BayAndroid

Sun burned, plus a damaged trunk already at that small size? I'd yank it and start over.You will never be happy with this current palms potential.As cheap and common as these are - replace it.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona.

I agree, these were in the pot too long,  better to start over with smaller plants.  This one is planted too high also, with newest roots above the mulch.  

Keep the faith. This one in the photo below was a sickly, potbound, underwatered specimen when I planted it and looked aweful. It was a bit smaller than yours at planting time and had just one trunk ring. Lots of water, occasional feeding, and patience. If it’s hot, water daily. The more the better. Roots should not be exposed. Pull back the mulch and add soil and then put mulch back. 

Edited July 14, 20205 yr by Jim in Los Altos

That makes me hopeful, I didn't water it enough last year, it's first year. This year I've been watering more and I will give it some more time. The roots aren't exposed, but the plant sits low and so I have it sitting in a bit of a ditch. I could fill in some more dirt around the base of the plant and level it out a bit.

 

Thanks for the advice so far.