Adonidia Or Solitaire/Alexander

[Greenthumbdonnie]

Hello all, 

New member here from Floridas west coast. I just bought 2 7gal palms from an individual.  He told me they were solitaire palms which is what I was seeking, but they don’t look as upright and crisp as many solitaire palms I see.  I figured maybe it’s because they’re probably lacking nutrients and root bound from being in such a small pot, or perhaps they are Adonidias that have slim trunks due to the same reasons, small pot/ low nutrients. 

 

The one on the left is a single that was in the sun, and the one on the right is a double that was in mostly shade. In the photos The lighter frond is from the sun one and the darker from the shade. Any educated guesses?  Much appreciated. 
 

Thank you. 
 

[Merlyn]

They could be Solitaire palms, aka Alexander palms, aka Ptychosperma Elegans.  That's probably a good reason to try and use the scientific name, because the Alexander palm is also Archontophoenix Alexandrae.    That being said, I can't grow either of them here due to frosts and repeated dips into the upper 20s, so I can't say for sure whether it's Adonidia or Ptychosperma.  It I had to guess I'd think Ptychosperma.  Here's the Palmpedia pages with some good photos for reference:

https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Adonidia_merrillii

https://palmpedia.net/wiki/Ptychosperma_elegans

[Greenthumbdonnie]

6 minutes ago, Merlyn said:

They could be Solitaire palms, aka Alexander palms, aka Ptychosperma Elegans.  That's probably a good reason to try and use the scientific name, because the Alexander palm is also Archontophoenix Alexandrae.    That being said, I can't grow either of them here due to frosts and repeated dips into the upper 20s, so I can't say for sure whether it's Adonidia or Ptychosperma.  It I had to guess I'd think Ptychosperma.  Here's the Palmpedia pages with some good photos for reference:

https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Adonidia_merrillii

https://palmpedia.net/wiki/Ptychosperma_elegans

Thank you for your input. I believe that’s what they are as well, I was just starting to second guess it when I compared the fronds to an adonidia in my yard and they are quite similar. I’m hoping once they are planted and start to flourish they will start to look more like the Ptychosperma Elegans I see in photos online. 
 

Here’s a couple more photos. 

[PalmatierMeg]

Ptychosperma elegans. They are more stretched out and "loose" than Adonidias. Adonidias are much more compact and formal appearing with stiff, arched fronds. Better for you that they are Ptychosperma, as they are a bit cold hardier than Adonidias, which are quite cold sensitive.

[tim_brissy_13]

This might sound like a strange guess, and I’m not 100% sure, but I think the small stem on the double is Adonidia. Agree that the 2 tall stems are Ptychosperma elegans. 

[Looking Glass]

These can look pretty similar, when you look at a poorly cared for/struggling Adonidia.   
Here’s one Adonidia in a sea of Ptychosperma elegans just over my fence……

 

Elegans will be thinner, with longer ring spacing, but the leaf tips are also very different.   Ptychosperma elegans has very abruptly tattered leaf tips.   

Adonidia is pointy, with a little tatter at the tip.   

[Greenthumbdonnie]

1 hour ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

This might sound like a strange guess, and I’m not 100% sure, but I think the small stem on the double is Adonidia. Agree that the 2 tall stems are Ptychosperma elegans. 

Anything is possible.  I just planted them very close together.  If the shorter one does end up being an adonidia at least my OCD will still be happy since it’s in the middle  

 

1 hour ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

This might sound like a strange guess, and I’m not 100% sure, but I think the small stem on the double is Adonidia. Agree that the 2 tall stems are Ptychosperma elegans. 

 

[Navarro]

8 hours ago, Greenthumbdonnie said:

Todo es posible. Los planté muy juntos. Si el más corto termina siendo un adonidia, al menos mi TOC seguirá siendo feliz ya que está en el medio.  

 

 

En mi humilde opinión , como parece que serán el centro de atención de tu jardín intentaria juntar más todo lo posible el de la derecha a las otras para que con los años hagan curva 

[peachy]

I have P elegans and have had them for a long time but they always fry in the sun, which has made me wonder about yours too.

Peachy

[Greenthumbdonnie]

10 hours ago, Navarro said:

En mi humilde opinión , como parece que serán el centro de atención de tu jardín intentaria juntar más todo lo posible el de la derecha a las otras para que con los años hagan curva 

gracias ese es el plan Los planté tan cerca como lo permitían los cepellones. no puedo esperar a verlos crecer