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A couple of my dwarf butia are flowering in the garden for the first time. I’ll attempt to produce some seed, looks like I’ll have around 5 or 6 flower stalks to work with.

Butia yata has been a robust grower. I’m really enjoying watching it grow in the garden

With just a few joeys to choose from I thought I might as well plant another one iam definitely past the stage of worrying about them when they get planted I amend the soil first then plant them pretty well much throwing them in the ground like bangalows I try to find a wet area in the garden that’s about the only requirement I look for but plant them I will as seedlings if they live then they where meant to be one day in the future someone will be very thankful I did.

Mine is a baby at 25 years old , planted in 1998. Just a wee one! I love the way the trunk adapted to the slope. Harry

Palm enthusiast for 22 years here. I think we should love all palms. They all have a place.... but in the right place! I see all sorts of bashing of Syagrus Romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) and just had to address this overly saturated but misunderstood palm thanks to places like Home Depot. I always go back to Syagrus Romanzoffiana, yep. Sounds odd. But I dare you to find a palm species that can imitate the exact swaying of the fronds in our calm breezes and so stately, yet graceful. This beauty native to Brazil, Argentina and maybe some other places, is simply the best which is why it is saturated. Yes, super messy heavy seed pods, not self cleaning. If people would be more prepared to take care of them properly, and plant them in the right place and not 3 feet from their house, they are one of the most beautiful palms that stand the test of time. I see all sorts of Syagrus Romanzoffiana issues and bashing but then I look at their zones. 8b? 9a? 9b? People trying all crazy things because they sell them at various Home Depots and Lowes even in the High Desert, zone 8a!! What?? 10a + only for these palms. They are not cold hardy, not desert plants and don't like temps over 85, like average humidity only (50%), and certainly not drought tolerant as marketed, if you want them to flourish and look amazing. Yes they need supplemental ferrtilizer but what palm doesnt. You should not be ashamed if you are an enthusiast but still love the Queen. And this palm will thrive in clay soil btw. Long live the stately, elegant, graceful queen! I bet there are many Queen lovers out there so I would love to hear from you! Lets get the Queen back where it should be, and that is respected. Thank you very much

While not a dwarf I have a young Butia odorata that surprised me this week with a seed spathe.

Queen palms are definitely plentiful in my area. They’re used commercially more than any other. Most look quite healthy even when growing in small planting areas over the hot asphalt parking lots. These in the photos below are about two miles from my property at Foothill Crossings Shopping Center. They look really pretty at night when lights are shining on them. The photo below them is of one of the seven Queens in my landscape. I originally planted the Queens as canopy to protect shade loving palms beneath them. That’s worked but falling fronds and heavy boots and sheaths also damage tender plants below unfortunately. I began planting Archontophoenix in groves a few years later and they became MUCH better canopy palms. Their falling fronds are lightweight and never damage anything below when they fall to the ground and I think they are more attractive and less demanding than Queens. My Queen palms are here to stay now that they are massive and I do still appreciate their presence in the garden despite their being so common. Queen in center Some of the King palms

This is the largest Brahea edulis I have ever seen in person with many smaller seedlings and larger plants growing too. Humongous trunk.

2009 Marshall Islands, Aur Island

Here’s the bigger L. Morrisii

It's too early to tell how many fronds there will be (I'm rooting for six), but I'm pleased to report a second flush this year on my hybrid from North Texas Cold Hardy. Shoddy record-keeping has resulted in the loss of its identification (maybe debaoensis X revoluta, with its bifid leaflets?) but it finally looks like it's about to double in size. Last winter's unusually-damaging conditions that killed outright many old Phoenix specimens knocked this one back from its lifetime maximum of five leaves to just one pathetic plume. Regular rains this spring and summer have probably helped stimulate this growth, and perhaps its position surrounded by a big bed of zinnias: In any case, I'm eagerly anticipating this event. Do I dare hope for a third flush before summer's end?

I’m not exactly sure what mine are? They were in the same mix of seed others got from RPS. Some are saying theirs are Butia archeri var archeri, others tell me mine are not that. I sent pictures of to a Butia expert in Brazil and he said it looks like Butia archeri Diamantina to him… I know first time flowering can be problematic. I plan on collecting the pollen then pollinating the female flowers.

First, I must say your palms are impressive and look very nice. Those fat trunked trachies, wow! Are you getting those locally? That space is really too small for a filifera. They become huge! My thought on that. As you grow them from seed, I am sure you are aware of the incredible roots. This species is all about roots in my mind/experience. That root structure can be larger that the crown, so maybe 25'x35'(?). That and it's ability to hibernate(dormant) is where it's ability to withstand drought comes from. So that "drought tolerance" is really only temporary, at least in our climate. They will eventually wither away, or growth slow very substantially after some time. At least in our climate. Why I would not move now: I think of filifera as water pumpers. On a hot sunny day here, you can feel a discernable temperature difference (drop) when putting your hand near the spear, even near a large leaf. That is evaporation. I don't feel that on meds or trachies. So knowing your rapidly growing filifera is going to be dug up, that root system(damaged and now much smaller) will not be able to support what leafage is currently present. The leaves are going to die back and you will be left with(if lucky), a spear, maybe 2 small new leaves. Now it is November. ...... That has been my experience transplanting in June. It is now July. I have not hurricane cut. But the end product is the same. 2-3 year recovery. If you were to seed in place now and transplant those palms, the seeded in place would be larger in 5 years than your transplanted palms. Much larger. That is my experience. All about the roots. In our climate. A side note, my 1 year seeded in place Rayado palms are currently 18" high. No protection/fertilizer, other than rock/leaves. I have able do this, in our climate(seeded in place/no protection) multiple times. So it works and is repeatable. I also will plant multiple seeds and make a self protecting grove, and then thin in a couple years. This is 11 years seeded in place with 1 transplant. It has a fifteen foot horizontal spread by fourteen feet tall, and still getting larger.

Ceroxylon quindiuense

Here's a nice leaner in West Oakland.

30 year palm enthusiast here. I love mine and have no room for palm snobbery. They serve their purpose and are fine for the beginner and folks in "iffy" climates (like mine). When properly maintained, they look incredible. The fact they've been in cultivation for over a century means they're old hat, been there done that etc. The lack of attention they get after being installed makes them even less attractive and gives them a bad image. Just keep in mind that in marginal climates, it's likely the only pinnate palm that will be standing after the next arctic front of the "century" clears the landscape. Reality check: LOTS more of of us fall in that category than we want to admit.

@MJSanDiego, I agree with most of your points. Queen palms are pretty popular here in humid deep South Texas, although not nearly as common as Washingtonia. We are regularly over 85°F from late February to November and this year we've already had high temps over 100° a dozen times and the queens don't blink. Most around here look quite good although there's always exceptions. In optimal soils like we have they can tolerate drought pretty well in relatively short duration but yes, without irrigation and fertilizer in poor soils they look terrible. I have 3 planted along with 4 standard mules. I have always liked this one from Orlando, FL.

I think properly watered and fertilized queen palms are beautiful. Here's one in Capitola.

I thought this palm history was worth a story. I bought a copernicia fallaensis from Ken Johnson and sons in late sept 2011 and dug a huge hole for it, 5'+ across. I dyug the hole an extra foot deep and amended that last foot of depth with half sand with the native clay the builders put near the streets to support it. put extra sand beneath the palm. Here is the holle I dug with the ammended mix refilled under the palm Ken arrived and he and his son unl;oaded the palm and planted it with a 2500 lb bobcat. The rootball was limestone rock and it was too much weight for a 1500 lb bobcat. In the ground as of sept 19 2011.

So, Copernicia baileysnas are famous for not fruiting in South Florida. However, one of the ones I planted 20 years ago has fruited this year for the first time and the fruits are the size of grapes and dark purple. They started dropping on the driveway and looked smooshie to me. So I dared to bite into one and was delighted by how sweet the pulp is. The texture is somewhat grainy. I would say that it tastes like figs. I cannot imagine a regular songbird swallowing one and dispersing them. But I have heard of ancient tortoises in the Caribbean islands having that role. Or maybe bats. Yet, now that I have enjoyed eating a few, I can just imagine that aboriginal people might have dispersed the seeds as well.

I can't believe there are tree trimmers who will use spikes to climb palms to trim them. The holes they leave will be there forever as these trees do not have the ability to heal damage to the trunk. The good news is that if the trees are otherwise healthy, they should continue to grow. Years ago, my wife hired trimmers who were using spikes when I drove into my driveway. I came running out of my car and yelled "Stop!". I fired them on the spot after telling them that they didn't know what they were doing. So, to this day I have several very tall Queen Palms with holes from the spikes on their trunks. But, these trees have continued to grow without missing a beat. So, chances are your trees will be fine.

I mounted an old Sabal Front to create a bit of shade. Perhaps the transplant shock was worsened due to transplant coinciding with the onset of the summer heat. Basically the day I planted it onward has been at or near 100 degrees.

Not the best picture but the Cocos nucifera is a squiggler:

🤔 plants you are calling morrisii don't look right... Maybe just the growing conditions,but all Thrinax species have a split leaf base. Morrisii fronds are usually bluish,same with the petioles, with a definite silver underside. You may actually have all Coccothrinax species planted there. Time will tell as the plants mature more. If you didn't collect the seeds yourself and grow the plants,you really have to have a lot of faith in your grower that he is actually selling what he says he is selling. There are some brokers/middlemen that will just sell you whatever you are requesting,and it may be years before you figure out what you really have. aztropic Mesa, Arizona

A mentioned / pictures of shared before, a few starting to show up around San Jose, so 9b, at least in CA, = not much of a challenge for them ..if properly cared for. Fat base, tapered top trunk, self cleaning, despite not being crown shafted, and small seed = very attractive qualities / Definitely provides the coconut look, w/ out the coconuts.

Here’s the bigger C. Argentata

That's a pretty bold statement there. I suppose it's all subjective. If we want to talk elegance and grace, Howea forsteriana has the most beautiful queen palm KO'ed all day long. Beccariophoenix alfredii fronds in the wind is another conversation.....

I think they can easily handle 9b climate . Mine has seen mid 30’s f. It grows fairly fast , not quite as fast as Syagrus R. The trunk gets large so best to give it room. Lots of water, especially inland where I am , and it can handle sun at an early stage after hardening off. Mine is tucked in behind the Caryota , you can see the trunk size comparison at least twice the size of its neighbor. These , below ,are at a local church in a more frost prone area . HarryI think the tapered bottle shaped trunks look nice . Harry

Queen palms look nice when maintained.

I found these seeds by the river today they would have floated down from a tree far up stream there is a variety that comes from Sydney area but I only want the local variety to distribute to local landcare groups not mixing up the gene pool they germinate easily you just need a little time to wait for them to germinate they have a spectacular flower and are a great rainforest tree cool tolerant and tough a great Australian rainforest tree well worth growing also found in New Caledonia and Vanuatu growing to 40 metres so a tree needs room to grow if you can get the seeds or trees plant them for the future.

That would be correct.. A family member attended the school thru 8th grade and we'd attended church there until ..94-ish. While noticing palms more casually than really knowing individual species ..outside the usual Washingtonia, Queens, and Canary Island Dates planted all over town, that specific palm always stood out as something that had to be uncommon since i never noticed anything else like it anywhere else.. Not sure why it was removed, but apparently occurred in the late 90s ( ..Noticed it had been removed after that timeframe anyway ) ..around the same time a couple large Corymbia ficifolia, on the Winchester Blvd facing side of the Church were taken out. Think the Saucer Magnolia is still there and noticed someone planted two Cassia leptophylla on the grounds as well. What's funny is i'd really never noticed any of the palms planted in the courtyard by the Gym until years later, despite lots of time spent in that same courtyard during Youth group and other church - related events. Very curious who planted them all.. ..If it is / was any of the people we known.

Nathan, That would be Saint Lucy’s Church and school. The first trunking Parajubaea cocoides I ever saw is growing in the courtyard along with Caryota, Brahea, Butia and several other palm species. You may be right about the missing palm being a Jubaeopsis. It had all of the characteristics and was a drop dead gorgeous palm. Many years ago, before I knew of that species, I wondered what that palm was because it looked like no other palm I’d seen anywhere in the Bay Area before. I was shocked when I noticed it was gone a few years ago while driving by.

They’re still there lovely as ever.

My Butia archeri var archeri has produced zero seeds from 5 bracts this year. First year for flowering as well. I'm going to try and collect the pollen from the latest bract to pollinate it when the females are receptive. Good luck with yours.

Don’t forget Meg mowing them and getting your shins belted with seeds as hard as rocks rats cockroaches bats screaming all night eating them dropping there crap on your roof and footpaths also spreading the seeds to every place you can mention they are the first palm I ever germinated so good for learning how to grow they have a place in the cool zones but such a weed potential palm in any place that get half decent rainfall in habitat in iguazzu they look fantastic just not in my garden my biggest concern now is with all the new syagrus varieties what are they going to do in 20 years time our environment is precious thing we all should consider by not introducing such weed potential disease spreading plants it becomes more evident in Australia with such strict bio security laws and unique flora and fauna we all want to protect our environment and keeping out such plants that have such a devastating impact on our environments along with the rest of the world after all we only have one planet.

I had two some 20 years back realising what they would become I dug them out gave them to my neighbour not a good move now 20 years later there the biggest weed he does not maintain his 5 acres and it’s got hundreds coming up off all sizes they come up within a 10 acre radius all over my property there are palms and there are weeds of palms I guess you define a weed as a plant any plant that’s not in it’s natural habitat well this one can go back to South America I have seen them in habitat and will say they look gorgeous in habitat just not in my backyard.

How you feel about queens depends on whether you can grow them successfully or not. When we moved here in 1993, queen palms were the landscape darlings peddled to Yankees everywhere. So guess what we planted in our back yard? In Florida, SFL & SWFL esp., Syagrus romanzoffiana is now a Class II invasive. Class I invasives are banned by law; Class II is highly discouraged and most responsible nurseries and BB garden centers around here don't carry them anymore. They hate FL alkaline, calcareous sand soil, are water and fertilizer hogs, produce bountiful crops of large smelly, slimy, fly attracting fruit that cause slip-and-fall accidents. If you don't regularly water and fertilize - most people in Cape Coral do not - they become stunted and yellow until they die. They are common as dirt and almost as cheap. One benefit of Hurricane Ian was it basically hammered all the aging queens in CC so they are dying off. They, as well as mules and Washies are susceptible to lethal fusarium wilt, which took out my 7 massive queens, 2 mules and a robusta between 2015-2016. I can't plant any of them in the future. A terrible choice for a palm in FL. But if you have the kind of soil they prefer and if you give them the water they crave and if you give them the slow release palm fertilizer they want (and will steal from any plants/palms nearby) and if you can avoid breaking your bones slipping on slimy orange fruit and if you can resist hacking off most of their leaves to make a fashion statement, you may be able to grow a very beautiful canopy palm with dark green leaves as I once did - at least until fusarium wilt settles into your neighborhood. Syagrus romanzoffiana in 2015 before wilt took it out, Cape Coral, FL

You do get down to San Jose, these, at my old church in Campbell, are some of the largest i've seen on my side of town. No clue when they were planted but thinking sometime in the late 80s / early 90s when the courtyard was redesigned. At one time, there was ..what i still believe was a Jubaeopsis planted in front of the Gym, just to the right of where the B. edulis in shot #1 is located.. I say that only because it had a similar look, was not tall / produced offsets. and the fruit / seeds on it did not resemble anything close to either a Pindo, Queen, King, or Phoenix sp.. Me and some of my friends at the time used pelt one another w/ the seeds, lol. Was yanked unfortunately before i could get pictures of it. There are a few more on the back side of the courtyard, behind the specimens in street view shot #2. Some others near the largest Majesty in my old neighborhood in the Princeton Plaza area of New Alamden / Branham..

An interesting ornamental tree often seen In botanical gardens I think I will have a few years wait until it looks as good as the ones I have seen but I can wait.

Pest control on my Areca catechu alba

in summer 2014 3 years later the leaves were getting larger and more numerous but height was about the same then another shot in 2017 a couple months after hurricane IRMA hit. It lost ~ 8 leaves on the lower crown. late 2017 after IRMA hit y 2019 it was starting to put on trunk. Not sure that was delayed or accelerated due to the hurricane hit. Leaf bases were falling off no assisting them. here in 2021 a year before IAN Then IAN hit and it lost a dozen leaves mostly to windward and quite a way up the trunk, (asymmetrical losses to windward) I didnt take a lot of pics of the damage, I want4ed to forget about it. The damage it has sustained was from cat one max 97 mph gusts with 80 mph sustained for 3-4 hrs. This morning the palm shows 10' clear smooth trunk @28-29" diameter (all the way up so far) and about 13-14 foot trunk including dead leaf bases. the crown is not fully recovered but it is doing well. The thorns on the petioles of the newer leaves just shred the older leaves in this kind of wind.

They're definitely popular for a reason. Well-watered and fertilized ones are graceful and beautiful. My biggest complaint is that they're root systems, especially in enclosed areas, make growing things near them next to impossible. Many palms we love to grow need always available moisture to tap into, coming from areas with lots of precipitation. Queens are in the category of "they can find water wherever it is", which makes mixing the species very tough. At one time, I had 9. I'm down to one now...

Coccothrinax borhidiana hybrid aztropic Mesa,Arizona

Resurrecting this old thread. I really need to try this technique. I trim my tree so much and simply throw away the limbs. Here’s one today I cut off. Bit of a shame. Anyone have any luck? I’ve heard limbs actually surviving is a low percentage. -dale

Drive around town and noted the Ravenea rivularis all over. Show us yours!

You guys may very well be right. I had always wondered if it needed to get to a certain size before the leaf bases started to split like that. Thanks for your thoughts. The plants were a great deal. I don’t think all those were more than $100 total, a few years back.

MSM, Take 2, ..Smoke Screen Week.. Fire Lizards.. Yet to see much rain = the palm gods aren't thrilled. Would you be?... Where's my Rain??? Palms and Pilots .......

Do a bowl(raised berm) around the palm. Cut a trench in the berm when you don't want water to accumulate. Filifera can take some wet roots. They grow in swamps.

Yes, no problem.

I was actually a little disappointed to find this flush. My chunky monkey Encephalartos longifolius has never put out any pups... until now. I would have been fine with a subterranean pup that I could remove. No such luck. I prefer the clean aesthetic that it has without this pup, but won't risk scarring the caudex by trying to remove it. Live and let live.