Growth rate of Alexander palms in Okinawa

[palmfriend]

 

Hi everyone,

 

I noticed something yesterday in my garden which let me dive into my files - 

here we go:

Being super-happy about my first good looking Archontophoenix alexandrae in May2015. (Seeds were ordered 

in fall 2014, I guess).

October, same year - with an impressive speed of growth , already replanted in larger pots.

One year later, Oct. 2016, planted out in spring of that year - already starting to trunk.

May 2017, completely trouble-free growing, definitely getting some seize on.

 

Sept.2019, we got hit quite hard by some typhoons during that year - but there was no reason to be

worried, they looked damaged but always showed signs of recovering immediately. 

Again a year later, last fall in 2020 - no typhoons at all let them almost explode. 

On a sunny day in January - always nice to look at. Very common in other parts of the 

world, but I like them. 

Noticing a dropped leaf yesterday let me glance around for some damage on other smaller plants close by...

 

...looking up to check the trunk for a possible bug attack - which has already happened on this one but it grew

out of it without any problems - walking slowly around and getting the sun in front...

...Oh la la - what a nice suprise! 

The first flowering attempt - which might not be successful but the palm has definitely reached the next stage

of its growth. 

 

Thank you for your time -

best regards from Miyako island/Okinawa

Lars

 

 

 

[Neil C]

They are amazing palms. That's why they are so popular. Yours looks super happy. Even better when you grew it from a seed.

Regards Neil

[kinzyjr]

Wow, that happened fast!

[Tyrone]

Yes, I would imagine they would grow super fast in Okinawa. Perfect warm climate, year round moisture in copious amounts, and volcanic soil. All the things these Archontophoenix just love. Stand back and now watch it reach for the moon, and create many new ones at the same time.

[palmfriend]

Hi,

 thank's everyone!

I have another one in the entrance area and pulled off an already dark browned leaf and - yes, you

may already know what comes next...

But first two, three images...

Even faster than the ones presented above - from the same seed batch  - here in October 2016.

(photo taken inside)

The same one Sept.2020, photo taken outside.

The trunk in January 2021.

Finally...

Two days ago: A bit hard to make out...

...but this one's spathe size is almost the double of the one documented at first. 

Ok, let's see how it goes - I'll definitely keep you posted!

Thank you for your time (again) -

best regards from Miyako island/Okinawa

Lars

 

 

[bgl]

Lars,

Yes, as has already been mentioned, Okinawa has pretty perfect conditions for Archontophoenix alexandrae and they may very well naturalize there, which is what happened here on the Big Island! 

Best of luck with these beautiful palms!

Bo-Göran

[JohnAndSancho]

Holy wow that's fast.  they look amazing Lars. 

[palmfriend]

  On 5/9/2021 at 5:02 PM, bgl said:

Lars,

Yes, as has already been mentioned, Okinawa has pretty perfect conditions for Archontophoenix alexandrae and they may very well naturalize there, which is what happened here on the Big Island! 

Best of luck with these beautiful palms!

Bo-Göran

Expand  

Bo-Göran,

Thank you very much! 

The naturalization has already happened on the Okinawa main island - Okinawian books 

about its flora describing that phenomenon already - but not here on Miyako, deeper in the 

south of the prefecture. So, if some possibly viable seeds of my palms are taken away by some

birds, I am not going to go after them... 

 

Bo-Göran, all the best to you and Kim -

Lars

 

[palmfriend]

Hi,

I got something to announce today: 

Here we go....

The first sprout from my own Alexander palms! 

From seed to seeding and sprouting within 8 years - well, that's not bad...

 

Al right, I just thought to let you know -

 

regards 

Lars

 

[TheMadScientist]

Grandpa LARS the Palmfriend.  There is something special we feel "completing the Circle of Life".  I always enjoy your posted Photo Journals.

[palmfriend]

  On 3/10/2022 at 5:42 PM, TheMadScientist said:

Grandpa LARS the Palmfriend.  There is something special we feel "completing the Circle of Life".  I always enjoy your posted Photo Journals.

Expand  

Thank you very much! 

Yes, I agree - witnessing the growth of these palms from their own first sign of life to the point when they start to 'give birth' (by themselve) is indeed a touching moment!

This baby is definitely getting some special attention!

I guess/hope the next species in line would be my V. joannis palms. Every time a leaf drops off I am scanning the crown shaft immediately. Being able to establish that species

as well would be awesome. 

 

regards

Lars