Archontophoenix purpurea Finally Showing Some Purple

[Jim in Los Altos]

I planted these three A. pupurea out of one gallon containers 5 1/2 years ago and one is showing some purple in its crown shaft. Anyone else care to show photos of yours? 
 

[realarch]

Those are looking great Jim. Finally eh?

Tim

[Harry’s Palms]

Very nice ! Does the Purpurae get the swollen trunk base like the Alexandriana?

[Jim in Los Altos]

3 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

Very nice ! Does the Purpurae get the swollen trunk base like the Alexandriana?

Yes, Harry. A. purpurea tends to swell at its base as it matures. 

[happypalms]

Nice palm I planted a few years ago now there so tall I can hardly see any sign of colour or maybe iam older now and wear glasses that’s my excuse so I purchased on other 30 just plant around my garden so i can have some to look at again up close 

[Harry’s Palms]

I always thought the swollen base makes these Archontophoenix look like a different palm than the standard Cinninghamiana . It’s really something with the purple crown AND the swollen base. I don’t have one . I have 3 “King” palms I bought many years ago at a big box , a double and a single . I knew they were different when they were brought home even though they were labeled the same . The single was very dark green and a silvery underside . It was obvious as soon as it got its trunk! Unfortunately , no purple crown. Harry

 

[Mandrew968]

Where does this palm grow best??? Cuz I have been all over and it looks just ok in any place it actually grows. I am very confused 

[BayAndroid]

Looks great, Jim. Can't wait to see it mature to a nice 6' - 8' 

Should be a beautiful collection. 

[tim_brissy_13]

5 hours ago, Mandrew968 said:

Where does this palm grow best??? Cuz I have been all over and it looks just ok in any place it actually grows. I am very confused 

I’d say frost free warm temperate through to subtropics or cooler tropics is where it’s happiest, or at some elevation in the tropics similar to its habitat. In Australia, I’ve seen perfect specimens in Sydney and Brisbane, but also very nice ones in Melbourne and Adelaide. Needs to be always moist especially when young and humidity helps unless it’s a hot, oppressive tropical humidity. 

[Jim in Los Altos]

5 hours ago, Mandrew968 said:

Where does this palm grow best??? Cuz I have been all over and it looks just ok in any place it actually grows. I am very confused 

I have most of the Archotophoenix species here in my southern SF Bay Area garden and they all grow well in this climate including my purpurea. It’s a coolish climate much of the year but with warm summers to mid autumns. Always cool summer nights even during heat waves and average humidity levels. Frost is exceptionally rare in the winter and it’s when we get almost all of our annual rainfall so I have to heavily irrigate the thirstier palms in the summer like my Archies. 
 

 

 

 

 

[realarch]

No confusion here. 

Tim

[WaianaeCrider]

Planted a 1 gallon plant from  FB in June of 2021

Second picture from July of 2023

Today due to first shingles and then a hernia the weeds are probably as tall as the palm.

[redant]

On 4/28/2024 at 10:53 AM, Mandrew968 said:

Where does this palm grow best??? Cuz I have been all over and it looks just ok in any place it actually grows. I am very confused 

I have several which are very mature now, been difficult and don't so much purple at all. Not recommended for FL imo 

[flplantguy]

Im hoping a coastal central florida evironment can provide enough cool weather for an occasional purple crownshaft, i can see a bit forming already in my slightly streassed one.  It took a hit from transport but its new frond is growing fast.

[peachy]

On 4/29/2024 at 12:53 AM, Mandrew968 said:

Where does this palm grow best??? Cuz I have been all over and it looks just ok in any place it actually grows. I am very confused 

They come from a cool tropical place. (Atherton Tablelands I think.) Protection from midday sun is vital and plenty of mulch to keep the roots cool and do best with lots of water and a regular feed. Not as fast growing as the other Archontophoenix and the purple colour is genetic more than environmental in my experience.  They are not meant to live in my area due to the heat and drought periods, but with care they seem to do very well for me..

Peachy

[sonoranfans]

Mine is planted in mostly clay with some sand and only sees the first hour or two of daylight as its in a deep shade area on the east side of the house.  This one has been neglected for years while I was in CA working, not enough water.  Its 7-8 years in the ground and shaded by satakentia, Aoyal, A. ALexandre and C. Oliviformis that are 15-35'.   In the morning that purple crownshaft seems to glow more.  It is 8' from a hose bib and 4' from a pop up sprinkler that waters 2x a week.  RIght now is the toughest time for them, dry, windy, and warm.

 

[Josue Diaz]

I have a young one which is slow also. Perhaps 4/5 years from seed

 

[flplantguy]

Im wondering if i should order another one just in case.  Mine took a hit from the greenhouse collapse i had from a storm and a root broke so it needs staking to stay upright even rooted in the pot, it just flops over in the wind now.  I was hoping it would grow a new one but it still has not and hot season is here. 

[kinzyjr]

If I end up getting another one, mine will go in an area with all day dappled light.  The last one did not care for afternoon sun.

[RiverCityRichard]

I hear a lot of bad experiences with these in Florida. However I picked up a Purpurea strap leaf seedling in summer 2022, and this is her today. Kept under 30% shade cloth, but gets striking purple each time a leaf drops. A little dull now as it has been several months. Steady grower, hasn’t been as fast as my cunninghamiana, but grew faster than my tuckeri seedlings.

[PalmCode]

Lovely palms. Iv'e found these are quite a fast grower, atleast when they start trunking. Not as fast A.cunninghamiana. It seems to enjoy as much full sun as it can get in my cooler climate.  

 

 

[Kaname-kun]

Maybe it depends on site specifics—water, light, protection—and genetics, but mine have been doing well for several years in Fort Lauderdale. Planted as 1 gals. One is staked for wind.

[realarch]

Just a couple more, close ups of crown shaft. 

Tim

[Jim in Los Altos]

2 hours ago, realarch said:

Just a couple more, close ups of crown shaft. 

Tim

Stunning! Maybe, if I’m lucky, mine will look something like that in about ten years.