Caryota obtusa in a pot

[miamicuse]

I bought two Caryota obtusa in 5 gallon pots, over two years ago.

I really do not have room for them, and I knew that when I made the purchase, but I kept thinking I can find a place for them on my property or at one of my rentals but after two years I still do not have a place where I can put them into the ground.

So I am thinking of moving them into two 15 gallon clay pots and just keep them there.  If confined into a pot, how big will a Caryota obtusa get?  Or will it eventually crack the pot and bust out?

What is the difference between Caryota obtusa and Gigas?  Are they the same?

[miamicuse]

I am going to get two 10 GAL terracotta pots and put the two Caryota obtusa in this weekend.  I will put them next to the concrete posts one on each side of my driveway.  I hope that will keep them small, I don't really have a space where they can grow to 20 meters in height.

[Merlyn]

I grew a couple of seedlings up to 3g size and planted one and stepped the other up to 7g. The 3g in the ground is definitely faster, even with being defoliated twice with frost in the upper 20s.  Both have had some consistent nitrogen deficiencies, requiring lots of regular fertilizing.  I've seen pictures of pretty big ones in pots, like this 25g one from Jungle Music:

[miamicuse]

Thank you.  I wonder if I keep them in pots of say 10 or 15G terracotta pots if it will keep them small or will the root become so big it will crack and bust the pots.

[kinzyjr]

3 minutes ago, miamicuse said:

Thank you.  I wonder if I keep them in pots of say 10 or 15G terracotta pots if it will keep them small or will the root become so big it will crack and bust the pots.

We have a couple of large ones at Lake Wire.  The trunks can get enormous and would bust a pot if they reached mature size. 

Check out the photo of Dr. Dransfield standing next to one on Palmpedia: https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Caryota_obtusa

The trunk is wider than his shoulders.

On 8/10/2022 at 2:13 PM, miamicuse said:

What is the difference between Caryota obtusa and Gigas?  Are they the same?

Caryota gigas is a synonym of the accepted name Caryota obtusa.

[miamicuse]

so if I put them in a pot it will eventually get to something like this?

[TheMadScientist]

We all enjoy participating in this palm world.  My post is in hopes I can add information for @miamicuse to consider prior to spending on short lived containers.  YES, I am a FRUGAL (cheap a$$) CONTAINER RANCHER.  I realize that both photos explain topics you wish to convey.  The 25 gal. Caryota shows how tall the center of gravity (CG) rises sooner than you think which can blow over in any wind situation damaging the palm and container.  The photo above doesn't give me a warm feeling of adequate drain holes, base for me is too narrow making it unstable and the shape of the container LOCKS IN/TRAPS THE ROOT BALL from any future re-pot.  The 16" square stepping stones placed under each palm (seen above) keeps roots from anchoring the container to soil found.  The best container, if there is ever a chance to re-pot, is a PARABOLOID seen below.  But I must confess, a Sago grown from a 1 gallon grown to 25 gallon, pushed itself upward from the root ball and 2 months ago, blew over destroying another $100+ ceramic container.