Pritchardia maideniana - one tough cookie

[MattyB]

In Spring of 2007, Jen and I visited Oahu and The Big Island. While on The Big Island, Dean took us to the City of Refuge where, among many other things, we got to see some Pritchardia maideniana (formerly P. affinis). They were growing right at sea level in what looked to be hot and dry conditions. I collected some seed from one of the non-wasp infested trees, as shown below. It sort of reminds me of a Brahea armata or Copernicia ekmanii.

The seeds germinated easily, and now 5 years later I wanted to give an update on one of the little guys. My mom grew it hydroponically for a few years in her fish pond in Lemon Grove, CA about 9 miles inland SoCal, and it did very well.

Last summer they moved to Alpine, CA, which is about 30 miles inland. She took her P. maideniana out of the pond in Lemon Grove, and potted it in soil in a 5 gallon pot. It didn't seem to mind the transition and she now has it potted up into a very large terracotta pot. It's been out in half a day full sun (from noon until sunset) all summer and I can't believe how well it's doing! Alpine is in the 90's, when the coast is in the upper 70's, and the humidity is always very low. This plant saw many days over 100F this summer! This Pritchardia is a good choice for anyone who is living in a hotter, drier climate.

Here's the pics from today.

[Stevetoad]

how did it do during the winter? how big is this pritchardia over all?

[brodklop]

Dang it, that does it, I'm going to plant my other one on the footpath out front where it wont get any watering from me.

[Walter John]

Excellent Matty, that's a great seed to plant yarn.

[MattyB]

Steve, the pot is probably the equivalent of a 30 gallon pot. it's about 24 inches tall I would guess

[bgl]

That's a healthy and happy looking palm! Great memory from that trip of yours!

[Stevetoad]

Steve, the pot is probably the equivalent of a 30 gallon pot. it's about 24 inches tall I would guess

sorry Matt, i meant the size of the palm in hawaii.

[Phoenikakias]

At what age will juvenile plants acquire that gray hue?

[realarch]

Looks perfect, just as nice as the babies here in Hi. Is the palm protected during winter, or is it left out in the elements? As I remember

Alpine can get pretty chilly during winter.

[MattyB]

Low 30's last winter in alpine and it did fine. The mother was about 10' tall x 8' wide, typical pritchardia.