Archontophoenix cunninghamiana in full sun?

[Than]

So my Archontophoenices seem to have survived the 135 F in the car and I believe I can now put them in the soil. My problem is that all the areas under the canopy trees are taken. I am left with spots that are under the sun for most of the day. In the summer we can have hot and dry days of up to 110 F (42 C). I am wondering: can I plant them there under a shade cloth and remove it in a couple of years maybe? They are now about 4 ft tall (1.20m). Can they take full sun when older? Or will they look sad no matter their age? 

[Fusca]

2 hours ago, Than said:

So my Archontophoenices seem to have survived the 135 F in the car and I believe I can now put them in the soil. My problem is that all the areas under the canopy trees are taken. I am left with spots that are under the sun for most of the day. In the summer we can have hot and dry days of up to 110 F (42 C). I am wondering: can I plant them there under a shade cloth and remove it in a couple of years maybe? They are now about 4 ft tall (1.20m). Can they take full sun when older? Or will they look sad no matter their age? 

Depending on the strength of the sun in your area I think you can probably do what you proposed with shade cloth but it might be more than just a couple of years.  I have two planted on the east side of my house under mesquite canopy that are about 2.5 meters tall.  One of them gets an extra hour and a half of midday sun before being in shade the rest of the day and it's showing some sunburn that the other doesn't have.

[Than]

17 minutes ago, Fusca said:

Depending on the strength of the sun in your area I think you can probably do what you proposed with shade cloth but it might be more than just a couple of years.  I have two planted on the east side of my house under mesquite canopy that are about 2.5 meters tall.  One of them gets an extra hour and a half of midday sun before being in shade the rest of the day and it's showing some sunburn that the other doesn't have.

Ι believe the intensity of our sun is similar.. hot and dry summers here too. If it gets burnt from 90 min under the midday sun, imagine if mine are under the sun all day. I guess I have to leave them in a pot for now and establish a canopy first.

[SeanK]

Don't know exactly where you live, but Kalamata is around 37°N. That's equal to the border between North Carolina and Virginia. My guess is that shade from 11 AM to 3 PM local time may be enough, until the autumnal equinox.

[3 Milesfrom Gulf of Mexico]

I've grown mine in full sun here in Florida.  I have over watered them for years from my sprinklers.  Dark green leaves.   Give it a try and make sure you water a lot.  

[RiverCityRichard]

I grow one in full sun in Florida. Gets a ton of water, and if I slack on that it does sunburn still in the dry season at about 20ft tall. We very seldom see actual triple digit temps though. I should note that it has the same growth rate as my shade grown specimen.

[Than]

5 hours ago, SeanK said:

Don't know exactly where you live, but Kalamata is around 37°N. That's equal to the border between North Carolina and Virginia. My guess is that shade from 11 AM to 3 PM local time may be enough, until the autumnal equinox.

My climate is not humid like that of the east coast. It's like that of Sacramento more or less. Humidity in the summer is low, like 30% or less. I assume that humidity kind of filters the sun rays.

[Harry’s Palms]

They can take full sun at a pretty young age provided they are hardened off . I’m just not sure how many “ hot days” in a row. Shade cloth would certainly help. Harry. 

[happypalms]

They will take a lot of sun, but by the sounds of it they are going to get pretty cooked in that heat, unless well watered which will increase humidity, they will yellow and burn the edges of the leaves, depending on soil quality, if it’s super rich moist soil they will handle it. Hot barren soil with little moisture they won’t like that. They are native to my area and if in full sun it is because they have broken through the canopy or in a creek bed, or gully naturally they will take it in there environment, they do like  humidity. Given time and well cultured they should be fine but if left on there own to fight it out in some barren environment it won’t be long before they look pretty unhappy. I see them all the time in their habitat. One beautiful palm! 

[TropicsEnjoyer]

Full sun should not be a problem considering how many grow in florida without issue 

[Than]

53 minutes ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

Full sun should not be a problem considering how many grow in florida without issue 

I bet none is in full sun in California without damage

[peachy]

It should be fine as long as you harden it to sun light before you plant  it. Remember they grow naturally in creek beds and swampy ground so they need plenty of water at all times,  I have never even thought about planting one in the shade,  some of the other Archontophoenix species I start off in shade but cunninghamia always took full sun.  We get brutal sun light here and it often gets to 40c in summer, sometimes more.  They are a popular garden tree in my area and many are very neglected but seem to survive. So just remember the watering and it should be fine for you.

Peachy

[Harry’s Palms]

14 hours ago, Than said:

I bet none is in full sun in California without damage

We have plenty in full sun that are very nice , even 20 miles from the coast. They just need to acclimate. Harry

[Jim in Los Altos]

15 hours ago, Than said:

I bet none is in full sun in California without damage

 

Than, I have dozens of them in full CA sun and rarely with any issues. Everywhere I see them in other gardens, they’re in full sun too. Dry heat is rare here though or anywhere near the CA coast. Inland heat is another matter and King palms can get singed during heat waves if humidity levels are low enough. 

[Than]

1 hour ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

 

Than, I have dozens of them in full CA sun and rarely with any issues. Everywhere I see them in other gardens, they’re in full sun too. Dry heat is rare here though or anywhere near the CA coast. Inland heat is another matter and King palms can get singed during heat waves if humidity levels are low enough. 

How beautiful. You're lucky to have humidity. Well, your plants are! Humidity in the summer here can be as low as 15%. Once I saw 9%!

[Jim in Los Altos]

13 minutes ago, Than said:

How beautiful. You're lucky to have humidity. Well, your plants are! Humidity in the summer here can be as low as 15%. Once I saw 9%!

That’s dry! 

[James B]

12 hours ago, Than said:

How beautiful. You're lucky to have humidity. Well, your plants are! Humidity in the summer here can be as low as 15%. Once I saw 9%!

My garden is in a similar climate as far as humidity. I have several in full sun but Cunninghamiana I find is the second least sun tolerant here with Purpurea being least sun tolerant. Give them lots of water and they should be good. They will always have more leaf burn than A.Maxima, Alexandrae in full sun though. 

[Foggy Paul]

We planted out a triple from Lowe's last summer. Even here in SF, it is yellowing quite a bit. We had an unusually sunny May so all the palms (Geonoma, Rhopie, Hedy etc.) have been affected to some degree. I actually planted the kings to eventually provide afternoon shade for the others so I expect they will grow out of it. In the meantime, yeah lots of water.