Deciding what size of palm to buy

[miamicuse]

When you buy palms (or other plants) how do you decide what size to buy if multiple sizes are available at different prices?

Obviously a larger plant is preferred especially if it's a slow growing variety, or you prefer to start small and enjoy the process of nuturing and upsizing pots and eventually planting it into the ground which can be a very rewarding experience.

But if you have say three sizes 3 GAL for $X and 5 GAL for $Y and 7 GAL for $Z how would you typically decide which is of a better value?  When I go to a bar and order a beer it's $7.95 but at the supermarket the same bottle of beer is $3 but a 6-pack is $10.99, that's really easy math and I am getting the 6-pack LOL.

For plants is there such math?  Let's use an example, Cyrtostachys renda available at a local nursery in 3g and 7g sizes.  The 3g is about 4' tall and $199, the 7g is about 6' tall is $399.  Cyrtostachys renda is quite slow growing so may be the 7g is a better deal?  But I can get two of the 3g for the price of one 7g.

 

[Barry]

I went to palm sale at Fairchild Gardens a long time ago, someone told me this quote. “It is time or money”, if you have more time spend less money.

I have pretty good success with these, I think they have grown pretty consistently for me. Always keep in tray of water and fertilize regularly. They love water, have even seen them sitting in ponds up to top of pot.

[SeanK]

Start with a plan for your landscape. Does it call for only one Lipstick or multiple?

The caveat is always, "buy the plant not the pot". Catch them before they're potted up to the next size.

[Harry’s Palms]

After over 30 years of collecting , mostly in the house I now live in, I have quite a few large palms and am more interested in adding smaller , slower growing palms . I don’t have room for anything too big and I don’t like digging large holes! I still enjoy watching my palms grow and seeing new fronds emerge.  Harry

[aztropic]

I've sold palms for years,and I've noticed that people generally prefer to buy a 3 or 5 gallon size as opposed to a 1 or 15 gallon size. 1 gallon is generally too small for what they are looking for,and a 15 gallon is heavy to move and you have to dig a bigger hole when you plant it.🤷‍♂️ 

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

[Merlyn]

I like the 3g size in general.  A lot of times the 7g is just a recently stepped up 3g, so I frequently buy the smaller one.  If it is well rooted and significantly bigger, then maybe I get the 7g.  It also depends on how fast they grow.  There's no point in spending twice as much if it grows from 3 to 7 in the ground in a couple of months.  I don't know about lipstick palms, it is way too cold here for them.

[miamicuse]

1 hour ago, SeanK said:

Start with a plan for your landscape. Does it call for only one Lipstick or multiple?

I don't think many of us worry about this too much.  I know I don't.

That's why I have a bunch of palms in pots waiting for a spot to be planted LOL.  A lot of time it's buy it now and worry about where to put it later.

I have spots looking for a plant, but what I have is not a best fit in terms of drainage, soil, sun exposure, wind exposure etc...

[miamicuse]

and for the discussion I am not really considering the Cyrtostachys renda.  I already have one that I am working on getting into the pond.

I am merely using that as an example for this discussion.  I guess it would have to depend on the palm, a slow growing one vs a fast growing one may make a difference.

[rizla023]

46 minutes ago, aztropic said:

I've sold palms for years,and I've noticed that people generally prefer to buy a 3 or 5 gallon size as opposed to a 1 or 15 gallon size. 1 gallon is generally too small for what they are looking for,and a 15 gallon is heavy to move and you have to dig a bigger hole when you plant it.🤷‍♂️ 

 

aztropic 

Mesa, Arizona 

I second this. I invested in a handful of 15 gallons but overall, mine have been in the 1-5 gallon range. 

[tim_brissy_13]

Unless I can size up a slow growing palm for relatively little cost, I prefer to start small. One thing that’s often overlooked is the satisfaction of growing something from a small size; you get to enjoy all of the little milestones like the first character frond and then on to the first ring of trunk and maturing. They’ll also generally be able to be protected better when planted and adapt better when (if) they become emergent. Once grown up, it feels like they are more your accomplishment as well since you’ve had them from small whereas sometime I feel like I can’t really take credit for the palms I’ve bought in a larger size. 
 

Of course there are many other factors involved and it really comes down to personal preference and landscape need. Being in a marginal climate there are probably some palms I’d prefer to start larger due to really slow growth and seedling sensitivity (like Coccothrinax here). 

[NorCalWill]

Sometimes the size of the hole I'll need to dig is the determining factor. A 5 gallon nursery pot is much easier than digging a hole for a 24" or larger box.

[Tracy]

3 hours ago, Barry said:

I went to palm sale at Fairchild Gardens a long time ago, someone told me this quote. “It is time or money”, if you have more time spend less money.

I have pretty good success with these, I think they have grown pretty consistently for me. Always keep in tray of water and fertilize regularly. They love water, have even seen them sitting in ponds up to top of pot.

I heard the time is money expression over the years too.  Ultimately there is no general rule.  One may want to start with a few larger specimens both for appearance and to get a headstart on canopy.  Maybe a larger size ensures a higher probability of success in surviving in a marginal climate for a given species.Budget is another factor unique to each of us.

A small greenhouse can be a huge bonus for some who prefer seedlings or even starting with seeds.  My own journey has included everything from 3"×9" bands to 15 gallons with everything in between.  Each acquisition has depended on availability of choices and the goal I had for the spot in the garden.

I have many plants that came from Floribunda, but I acquired after others grew them up to the next size or two so they would be more established and acclimated. I paid a little more for the work of the intermediaries and appreciate their efforts.  Evaluate each purchase based on your budget, availability of different sizes, and your specific goal for the planting...be strategic.

[miamicuse]

1 hour ago, NorCalWill said:

Sometimes the size of the hole I'll need to dig is the determining factor. A 5 gallon nursery pot is much easier than digging a hole for a 24" or larger box.

absolutely, or ease of transportation.  One time I was trying to decide on a Chambeyronia macrocarpa I think it was 7' tall in 15 gal vs 10' tall in a 25 gal and I just couldn't fit a 10' tall palm in my vehicle and the price difference was only $10 I still went for the smaller one and part of the consideration was a smaller hole to dig.

[meridannight]

Personally, I grow 99% of my stock from seed, so I buy them when they're not even in any container yet! But otherwise I don't care. It depends on what's available, and what the price is, what kind of space I got for them, etc. Size doesn't matter to me honestly.  

[RiverCityRichard]

I typically buy seedlings and 1-3 gal palms, and grow them to 7 gal size before planting them out. Only problem becomes, buying too many seedlings and now have several 15-25 gal palms I have no more space for. I see 7 gal as a happy medium. Plants are large enough to not look out of place in the landscape, are usually near the trunking stage and beginning to speed up in growth rate, and not having to dig a huge hole is a plus.

[BS Man about Palms]

I see plenty of valid points here and I agree with most.. I may even add some viewpoints.
Yes, Large pots need larger hole. But waaay easier to dig a large hole loamy soil than rocky clay or limestome marl. Your soil will determine size.. BUT

If it is a slow growing or tender palm, I will tend to get the largest one I can. That tells me that Palm has some proven hardiness.. how much depends where it came from, out in the open or a perfect greenhouse.

If a very rare or hard to find palm, I will do my best to stock up on what ever size I can.. as you would be surprised what "never shows up again". A sub category of this is somewhat common "rare" palms (to the general public) that I have seen as fairly plentiful and reasonable in price that I put off purchase due to ease of acquisition I assume. Then when I decide I am ready, they suddly are hard to find.

I attribute the latter to a recent plentiful seed batch, great germination and the sellers have a hard time selling them all. Then either when the seed comes available again, they take a pass, or it takes a good while to get a good mature tree in order to produce seeds and thus a dry spell as such.