school me on cuban royal palms - is there a special type that I should try to find ?

[trioderob]

I have a spot in my front yard for one last epic palm.

thinking of planting a Cuban Royal

is there any particular type that is special, more rare, better looking etc........

"I need more cowbell"

Edited January 18, 2012 by trioderob

[DoomsDave]

Hmm.

Well, a cuban royal (R. regia) will give you girth, cowbell, swell, and fatter than hell, at least in my experience.

I've found them hardy to the cold at least to the mid-20s F when they get some size on them, though they're tender as seedlings.

You could try to find some grown from seed in So-Cal (if any exist) or colder areas of Florida.

One of my specimens is about 25' tall overall, and about 3 feet across the base, like a giant bowling pin. They're faster and skinnier where the air is warmer and more humid.

[Ice Blue]

In my opinion if you're looking to make a statement, get a regular R. Regia and give it plenty, plenty of room. It's worth it to get a 15g or a box on this one. Don't go cheap on a 5g. Don't get the r. borinquena if you're looking for swagger. The trunk on the borinquena is more slender. The r. Violacea, is too hard to get, and is probably too cold sensitive for SD anyways. In my opinion the Regia looks better than the R. Oleracea too. Don't have much experience with the R. Princeps (The Jamaican Royal) but according to The Palm Bible for Socal that one only takes to 32 degrees. The R. Regia has a massive, fat columnar trunk. For further evidence of this since you're in SD, go to the zoo exit and behold the massive, gorda Cuban beauties. Also there are some more R. Regias in front of the little international houses in Balboa Park. For my cousins in Florida the r. regias are as common as our Queen Palms. In fact my uncle has one in his yard that he suspects came from a bird pooping out a seed. But for us in tropical challenged San Diego, even though the Regia is the most common royal, I still think it's the most imposing and impressive. Viva Cuba!

[trioderob]

thats the palm I am thinking about !

the royal which is the last palm you see as you exit the zoo.

what am I see with a palm just like that ?

how many years to that monster size from a nice 15 ga in southern cal ?

[Vari805]

Just put this one in the corner of my front yard. 36" box. It will produce the "WOW" statement in a few years

[trioderob]

silly question

is there a "true" cuban royal.

in other words is the one at the zoo exit pure cuban and thats why it

is so monumental

or is it huge and fat like that just because it is old ?

"I gotta have more ........C.B. "

Edited January 19, 2012 by trioderob

[MattyB]

R. regia for fat, R. borinquena for not quite as fat but about twice as fast and leaves will look better after cold.

Start with a palm that is small, well before trunking if you want to reach maximum girth. And plant in a large depression like i was talking about in my palm base thread.

[Laisla87]

I find they are fast growing, even outside their ideal climate. I bought a seedling just before winter with only two leaves and planted it out. It sailed through one of our coldest winters unscathed and has grown a couple of new leaves. The new leaves are huge compared to the first ones and alot thicker. The stem has doubled in girth too. Definitely a palm that deserves to be planted more in temperate areas.

[palmislandRandy]

This beauty belongs to a neighbor.

[Ice Blue]

silly question

is there a "true" cuban royal.

in other words is the one at the zoo exit pure cuban and thats why it

is so monumental

or is it huge and fat like that just because it is old ?

"I gotta have more ........C.B. "

True Cuban Royal is the R. Regia. That's the Cuban. That's the one at the zoo. Cubans in Cuba call it Palmiche. There's the Purple Royal too, the R. Violacea, which is also Cuban from the eastern side of the island but I've never seen a mature one in Cali. Think it's too marginal here.

I'm no expert like others but the R. Borinquena is a Puerto Rican Royal, the R. Princeps is the Jamaican Royal, the R. Oleracea is the Venezuelan and I believe the R. elata is the Floridian Royal. Correct me if I'm wrong. I think the R. Altissima is Jamaican as well. Anyways the R.Regias you like at the zoo are very, very old. That's why they're so monstrous. There is no shortcut to get them that big. You will not get your front yard R. Regia to the size of the ones at the zoo until 2035, here in San Diego, sorry. Unless you trucked one in on a crane. Or you could move to Miami and speed things up a bit.

Suerte!

[Laisla87]

silly question

is there a "true" cuban royal.

in other words is the one at the zoo exit pure cuban and thats why it

is so monumental

or is it huge and fat like that just because it is old ?

"I gotta have more ........C.B. "

True Cuban Royal is the R. Regia. That's the Cuban. That's the one at the zoo. Cubans in Cuba call it Palmiche. Suerte!

When I lived in Cuba it was referred to as "La yagua"..and there was a saying about cows not eating it. "Palmiche" = drunk

[Ice Blue]

This beauty belongs to a neighbor.

That's gorgeous! Thanks for posting.

[Dave-Vero]

If you look hard, Florida royals (the former R. elata) are available, at least in southern Florida. Royals have gone feral in Florida. Such a population is visible adjacent to I-95 in Broward County (the Ft. Lauderdale area) where they didn't occur historically.

[Laisla87]

silly question

is there a "true" cuban royal.

in other words is the one at the zoo exit pure cuban and thats why it

is so monumental

or is it huge and fat like that just because it is old ?

"I gotta have more ........C.B. "

True Cuban Royal is the R. Regia. That's the Cuban. That's the one at the zoo. Cubans in Cuba call it Palmiche. Suerte!

When I lived in Cuba it was referred to as "La yagua"..and there was a saying about cows not eating it. "Palmiche" = drunk

Sorry, "Palmiche" in Cuba means "to be broke"

[mlovecan]

Don't have much experience with the R. Princeps (The Jamaican Royal) but according to The Palm Bible for Socal that one only takes to 32 degrees.

My R. princeps looks a lot less beat up after the winter than my R. regia.

However, R. princeps develops into something that looks like a slightly beefy Archontophoenix. R. regia, of course develops into a monster!

Regards

Maurice

[Mandrew968]

Royals are not "epic". Having said that, oleracea is my favorite and it's not from Cuba. Oleracea is also the most cold sensitive, but has the best leaves and most impressive size.

[Dave-Vero]

In the past, the leaf bases of royal palms were used as siding for houses.

In Taipei, royals tend to accompany important buildings--government, hospitals, the university.

[Stevetoad]

There's about 5 or 6 planted it a row over by Baltimore and lake Murray. Cant remember what the building is but they've gotten super fat in just a few years.

[quaman58]

This beauty belongs to a neighbor.

Every time I see a picture of a Royal in Florida or Hawaii, I wonder why we even try them in SoCal.

[stygiana]

Just an opinion, nothing more, but I think R. borinqueana would be a good option. I know R. regia grows in SoCal, but R. borinqueana seems to withstand the cold better and grows faster under mediterranean climates. R. borinqueana would probably look nicer under such a climate.

R. oleracea would probably be too tender...

[Hilo Jason]

I have Regia and Borinqueana growing here and I agree with MattyB that the Borinqueana are faster growing and seem to handle the cold a bit better. Plus, I think there's definitely the potential for them to get monsterous! This pictures was taken out a JD Andersen of their Borinqueana in Sept of 2007 so it's even bigger now. I believe Dan said it was planted from a 5 gallon about 12 years or so when I took this picture, so that's some pretty amazing growth for these in california.

(Sorry the photo is a bit dark, but you can get the idea of the size)

[Walter John]

I love Royals. You see a lot around and you might not think much about them, they're only royals after all, ho hum, big concrete pillars with a green top. That is until you start to grow one of your own, and then the joy of growing one at your own place is a wonderful thing, they do become very special.

excerpt from the book "I love royals" by Watty McDiamond..

[trioderob]

R. borinqueana (Puerto Rico).............hhmmmm

maybe - now I am even less sure which to buy.........LOL

"Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell!"

[MattyB]

change yer meds

[oliver]

I have several here in Brownsville - I think they are all regia. They are very impressive tree when grown well. I love slapping the trunks - sounds like a ripe watermelon. One word of advice, however, if you are planning on growing a big one. Make sure there is nothing 10ft away from the center of the base which could easily be damaged (like your brand new Porsche) I planted mine WAY to close to my driveway. Last year, a boot came off and put a nice dent in my Aston Martin.

[MattyB]

Roystonea borinquena in Lemon Grove.

[MattyB]

R. regia in Spring Valley

[Ice Blue]

Trio de Roberto it looks like you got two options according to the board:

Regia (Cuban) - fatter girth especially at base, but gets a little ratty at the end of winter in SoCAL.

Borinquena (Puerto Rican) - handles the cold better and faster growing according to board (though my Regia is super fast) In my experience not as thick of girth, but others might disagree

Do you want the Cuban or the Puerto Rican?

On an off-topic note, Cubans and Puerto Ricans have a special bond. We have a similar Caribbean culture, speak similar Spanish, eat similar foods and love similar salsa music. There's a saying in Spanish "Cuba y Puerto Rico son de un pajaro las dos alas." On a bird Cuba is one wing while Puerto Rico is the other. Whatever choice you make I'm sure you'll be happy. Nevertheless in my since I'm Cuban, my unbiased opinion is to GO FOR THE REGIA!

[trioderob]

GRACIAS POR LA INFORMACIÓN

"NECESITO MÁS CAMPANA DE LA VACA !"

[MattyB]

I need more juice from the cow nipple

[Cedric]

Regia is the one for stature. I have planted many in my garden and they rank as the fastest growing palms of all time far as my climate is concerned. The shape of the trunks of mine are massively swelling from a very very large base that starts young. They eventually get slightly straighter sided.

They love water water water and reasonable drainage plus plenty of potash and magnesium/trace elements otherwise the leaves go spotty and or necrotic on the ends and edges especially while still young, not very good eye candy. As they grow and the trunk adds girth and roots spread out more (perhaps) this problem seems to disappear completely. Think the initial speed of growth is the problem.

Our humidity ranges from 90% to 60% but mostly hovering around 80-70, temps 35%c-10%c, wet season rainfall is simply astronomical.

They are not so very wind/typhoon/storm friendly as whole healthy leaves get twisted and ripped off just after the leaf base, though they recover completely in a mere few months growing time.

My favourite for looks though not as massive as regia is oleracea.

Falling leaves are a real problem with these, they weigh a ton and fall straight down with a horrible thud smashing all in their path so in my opinion better for a more wild or informal or background (surprise) setting where they look terrific as a grove planted in different stages under planted with tough shade foliage beauties like Livistonia chinensis that can take the odd full on hit no problem.

They are so often used as concrete pillars but in fact look splendid as emergent palms and Im going to grow some more.

I was almost (surely) killed by a falling leaf in the Singapore botanical gardens, one hit the ground base first no more than on foot behind me on a public path. The speed and shear weight of the falling leaf is astronomical.

[Walter John]

Regia is the one for stature. I have planted many in my garden and they rank as the fastest growing palms of all time far as my climate is concerned. The shape of the trunks of mine are massively swelling from a very very large base that starts young. They eventually get slightly straighter sided.

They love water water water and reasonable drainage plus plenty of potash and magnesium/trace elements otherwise the leaves go spotty and or necrotic on the ends and edges especially while still young, not very good eye candy. As they grow and the trunk adds girth and roots spread out more (perhaps) this problem seems to disappear completely. Think the initial speed of growth is the problem.

Our humidity ranges from 90% to 60% but mostly hovering around 80-70, temps 35%c-10%c, wet season rainfall is simply astronomical.

They are not so very wind/typhoon/storm friendly as whole healthy leaves get twisted and ripped off just after the leaf base, though they recover completely in a mere few months growing time.

My favourite for looks though not as massive as regia is oleracea.

Falling leaves are a real problem with these, they weigh a ton and fall straight down with a horrible thud smashing all in their path so in my opinion better for a more wild or informal or background (surprise) setting where they look terrific as a grove planted in different stages under planted with tough shade foliage beauties like Livistonia chinensis that can take the odd full on hit no problem.

They are so often used as concrete pillars but in fact look splendid as emergent palms and Im going to grow some more.

I was almost (surely) killed by a falling leaf in the Singapore botanical gardens, one hit the ground base first no more than on foot behind me on a public path. The speed and shear weight of the falling leaf is astronomical.

How many different species do you have growing Cedric, nice read, good info, by the way.

[Cedric]

Sorry Wal missed that. I have regia and oleracea. Regia is fairly common here and grows very well. Oleracea Im almost sure I haven't seen here yet, but I have seen them in Botanical gardens in Asia and other parts of the world.

The regia I found in someone's appropriated back yard in the New Territories. They found some good seed by chance and planted hoping to eventually do something with them. Anyway they were reedy three meters high all potted and rowed up neatly in the beautiful light dappled canopy shade of some mega Cinnamomum camphora, camphor trees. I was over the moon.

Bought all thirty and a puppy much to the delight of the guy growing them and the puppy, took five at a time lying down heads spangled out the window of the Lexus, poor sucker it thinks its a Toyota land cruiser 70 series.

They grew like wild fire. Its true what Wattie Mc Diamond says, had great fun growing and planting these they are extremely rewarding fast growers given even average conditions. I bet no one can resist spoiling them though and they do respond instantly.

I had to take five down as I planted them as a cluster too close to the house, the ever gaining girth of the two closest leaning mammoths threatened to push the house out the way, got to three cm close and I gave in with much heart and soul wrenching. Had nightmares before that still miss them.

You do become very attached to these plants even when they throw their weighty limbs dangerously and randomly about during ragging storms smashing everything in their path. What do you do after but rush out and feed feed feed.

Its not a palm to position lightly the felling was tricky, dangerous and expensive, each short section of trunk is heavy as lead, almost pure water in fact.

The Colombians Roystonia oleracea I got last week hour away from Bangkok. Three lovely meter and a half or so high seedlings from Nanapalms*. Oh so gently curved the tops snuggly into my suitcases, all in all managed to bring over thirty palms this way on this trip.

Have to love the Thais in innumerable ways yes but using coconut cubes as planting media is right up there on the scale, feather light and one shake and its bare rooted and ready to travel. Planning to do these in stages (just as well) and will plant a fair number I think as they are tremendous. White straight trunks dark green shiny leaves a very sporty tropical number.

[Dave-Vero]

Cuba does have several endemic species of Roystonea.

On the side, I perhaps have a palm-spectacle opportunity for my front yard. I'm removing a laurel oak, but there won't be space to replace it with a less-hazardous big tree.

[buffy]

I just wanted to point out that I hate all of you. Excuse me while I go outside to protect a Pindo Palm from the winter chill. Climate whores!

[Cedric]

Always something buffy, Kerriodoxa elganse, Licuala distans, Clingostigma exorrhizum........etc Our temps have plummeted into the 60's at the worst time, luckily its also dry.

Beautiful bright blue silvery sparky capitata well worth being an old nanny over.

BTW Butia capitata seems to have gone native in Hong Kong keep seeing little mounds of their foliage up on the mountains......maybe time for an eye test but Im sure its at least a butiaesque type thing, note to myself must get out the car and inspect.

Wish I was a time whore instead.

[Takil-Explorer]

Roystonea olearacea is even more majestic! You see them a lot in Brasil. One of the best pinnate palms! Well and R. violacea off course from the eastern tip of Cuba.

Alexander

[Cedric]

Takil-Explorer can you tell us/me where in Brasil you see a lot of olearacea? Street trees? In gardens etc? Any shots? Groetjies Cedric.

[BigFrond]

I planted 2 regias and one croaked 5 years ago. The current one has about 2 ft wide and 7 ft of wood trunk (I wonder why it is not fatter). I would not plant this palm anywhere near car, sidewalk, or anywhere with lots of pedestrians. The fronds are getting bigger and bigger. There's a big risk of the old fronds falling on people, cars, or animals.

[BeaumontTropics]

This beauty belongs to a neighbor.

Every time I see a picture of a Royal in Florida or Hawaii, I wonder why we even try them in SoCal.

Every time I see a picture of ANY palm in Florida or Hawaii, I wonder why we even try them in SoCal.....