Livistona speciosa

[nachocarl]

Hi All,

I have this strange desire to buy palms all the time without considering where to put them. I have a small yard so trying to place them is always a challenge, so I know I will ultimately end up with “Velezcity” (spelling?)

I bought a Livistona speciosa as a 1 gal plant this summer on impulse; I just had to have those nice green fans! My question, is anyone growing this palm in Socal? Advise was would be greatly appreciated on placement and care. From what I understand it can be difficult as a young plant so would I be better off leaving it in the container garden than putting it in the ground so late in the season?

Edited September 9, 2008 by nachocarl

[paulgila]

whats is so strange about that?

i would be happy to accept donations if you have no place to put any of yer palms....

[nachocarl]

I heard that about you, always willing to give a helping hand. A giver if you will, that's what you do, give.

[paulgila]

i am a real saint

[Jeff Searle]

i am a real saint

A real what???

Jeff

[paulgila]

you heard me,searle

[Al in Kona]

Lois & Curt Rossten in Huntinton Beach, CA have a very nice Livistona speciosa in their back yard garden. I haven't seen it now for some time but it was growing in part shade with big beautiful leaves. I have one growing quite well here too but I'm not in SoCal.

[paulgila]

lets see it anyways,al !!!!

[osideterry]

Carl - Anything tender I'd wait on until next May or so. Plant a Butia without hesitation though.

I kept impulse buying until I realized I had no clue where I was going to put stuff. I'm starting to catch up. What is hardest for me are slow growers that I know will eventually command a lot of room.

[Al in Kona]

lets see it anyways,al !!!!

Livistona speciosa - OK, here it is (taken 12-07)

[paulgila]

cool, al !

looks about a month older than when i saw it in person

[Tala]

these regarded as conspecific w/ jenkinsiana, we can grow them here in cen. Fl. Handles light one time freezes a little below 30f, anything more will burn them (if out in open). Relatively new to cultivation, very few mature specimens exist outside habitat, or around here anyway. Similar to L.saribus in form, ornamental thorns along the petioles but fronds not so divided, more entire, like a (flat) chinensis. But appreciably larger overall.

[Eric in Orlando]

Ours seems to have droopier tips than L. jenkinsiana. Even in shade, its not overly drought tolerant. Ours gets some irrigation but in extreme drought its not enough and it will get some browning on the tips.

here it is, (its not in SoCa) last year

[_Keith]

i am a real saint

A real what???

Jeff

I can think of another word that begins with "s" and ends with "t."

[nachocarl]

Ours seems to have droopier tips than L. jenkinsiana. Even in shade, its not overly drought tolerant. Ours gets some irrigation but in extreme drought its not enough and it will get some browning on the tips.

here it is, (its not in SoCa) last year

Not quite that big yet but it is still trucking along. It puts out about 3-4 fronds per year each getting bigger.

[DoomsDave]

I've got two of them.

Once is in too much shade and not growing much.

The other is under the much lighter shade of some palms in the Backyard of Doom, and it's doing quite well, though it's a bit slow. Mine was planted from a one-gallon this past summer, and it's about 18" across.

Nice, deep green almost circular fans. If it takes the cold (so far, so good) this could be a real winner.

Hope they don't get huge with time . . . .

[nachocarl]

I've got two of them.

Once is in too much shade and not growing much.

The other is under the much lighter shade of some palms in the Backyard of Doom, and it's doing quite well, though it's a bit slow. Mine was planted from a one-gallon this past summer, and it's about 18" across.

Nice, deep green almost circular fans. If it takes the cold (so far, so good) this could be a real winner.

Hope they don't get huge with time . . . .

Mine is right by the fence next to my neighbors, so if it gets big, I'm sure they will be happy when the petioles are on their side next to the jacuzzi. I think it would look great, just don't brush up against them.

Edited February 1, 2011 by nachocarl

[elHoagie]

I don't know why Paul is playing hard to get. He's got a Livistona jenkensiana growing in the ground for years in his cold Lolando garden.

[elHoagie]

oops, this is MattyB, I'm at the Hoagies, I don't know how to change the identitiy. They've got great porn here though.

[MattyB]

OK, hello this is me I think'

[BS Man about Palms]

I'm even more confused than normal...

[Geoff]

I don't know if anyone has positively identified Pauleen's plant as L jenkinsiana or speciosa, but needless to say, it is the largest around in California... still quite a slug ofa grower though, considering she planted it about 3 dozen years ago (maybe even longer than that). Here is a shot of it in 2004 and than a few months ago

[paulgila]

I don't know why Paul is playing hard to get. He's got a Livistona jenkensiana growing in the ground for years in his cold Lolando garden.

this thread is so old that i didnt have it then!

[nachocarl]

I don't know why Paul is playing hard to get. He's got a Livistona jenkensiana growing in the ground for years in his cold Lolando garden.

this thread is so old that i didnt have it then!

It is a bit dusty isn't it.

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

When I get to the bottom I go back to the top.....

 

speaking of "Buy now, think later"... 

We respectfully request updates please.  We have acquired a small L speciosa too.  It's our intent to out it through its paces here in the extinct citrus grove.  So, is it going to outright die on those 25 degree nights, or is it just going to look crappy 1/2 the time like L drudei?

[nachocarl]

That palm was in my old garden, we moved last year.  It was a slow but steady grower, about 3-4 fronds a year and each was progressively larger.  I think the coldest it ever saw was probably around 32F as it was fairly sheltered. It is an awesome looking palm and I am planning on putting one in here in the new garden but will probably have to start with something small. 

[Matthew92]

Anyone know the cold hardiness of this one? Rarepalmseeds says it can tolerate a warm temperate climate.