medemia argun Medemia argun - Nubian Desert Palm - A Sale Starts a Discussion

[kinzyjr]

@Hillizard + @Meangreen94z + @nachocarl + @Pdmesa + @PalmBossTampa + @Swolte + @Borassus2892 + @fr8train

I figure this is a great thread for us to discuss our recent experiences growing this palm.  It's long been a desire of mine to have a grove of them here in Florida, but I'm not sure how they'll handle my soil long-term.  There seems to be some better luck in Texas and California, so let's share here.  My garage needs to be emptied out, so I've started selling or potting the remaining seedlings and figure the discussion can outlast the sale here.

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NOTE: This discussion is a split topic from the original for sale posting: https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/85671-medemia-argun-nubian-desert-palm/

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For everyone that has asked about how we manage to grow them here, know that they are a little bit flakey when they are young.  If you let them get to the point where they root into the ground, it's almost certain death if you break the roots.  At that point, you'd do better to go get retaining wall blocks and build a raised bed around it.  You'll have less issues in a more sterile environment in a pot. 

@PalmBossTampa had a good idea about stacking pots.  Below is what mine look like when I pot them for individual growth and sale locally.  This is a seedling on leaf #2 that was just moved 11/24/2025, and it will probably start reaching the holes by February or March.  Water deeply, let it dry, keep a reservoir at the bottom when you water it a month or so later to make sure the soil at the bottom gets damp like an underground stream bed.  Note how the soil in the pot is raised where the stem comes above the soil line to prevent stem rot.  These are the best tips we currently have here in my region.

There are a lot of growers in the desert southwest of the USA that are growing these.  Any tips to share for folks struggling with this one in the much more suitable arid climates?

 

In the ground, mine are in a raised bed.  They usually don't make it in the various areas of the yard.  The soil is heavy and tends to retain moisture.  This is probably my best and last shot.

[flplantguy]

I will post some pics of mine when I plant it out this spring in its location. All day sun, sharp draining sand and rock, and asphalt nearby for added heat. I'm hoping (expecting) the roots go down at least the 6 to ten feet to the water table, then it will never stay wet for long and only when it rains. Only concern is frost if that harms them but we shall see. If it does well maybe the Central ridge sands and spring Hill area are the best places to get large numbers going. I hope so!

[Meangreen94z]

I will be in Pearland on Thursday and can take a picture. It hasn’t grown as fast as others have described but seems healthy.

[PalmBossTampa]

My largest one is on leaf 6 ! Happy palm in that deeeeeeeep pot. Ill grab a pic soon of the grouping so ya’ll can see difference in two pot  technique

[RiverCityRichard]

The one I got from you has 3 leaves and looks great. Roots are busting out of a 3g, will be planted in a full sun sugar sand hill in spring 

[Swolte]

I decided that, after some more reading, they probably won't make it in my 8a climate (effectively). I donated a specimen to JFGardens and gave Craig at Mercer BG a few as well (its about 5-10F warmer). Not sure if they will survive but I'll keep you posted if any of them do. One thing I learned is that they do not like being transplanted into different pots and their roots grow down like crazy.  I had made the mistake of growing them as a group in a large pot and they were hard to detangle and separate without damage.  

[PalmBossTampa]

Here we go! These have been under regular overhead  irrigation and get full sun from 9:30-10ish until sunset . Trying to maximize for heat lovers Largest has 6 leaves and most are 3-4. Largest has a little frond damage, maybe from 35deg couple weeks ago?