Decorafast3months

[sonoranfans]

I planted a couple 7 gallon livistona decora in spring 2011 after the winter of 2010 convinced me that I needed more cold hardy palms to protect some of the other more tender palms. Decora has a reputation for being a fast palm and it is. But I had it ranked behind sabal domingensis and bismarckia among fan palms in my yard. This summer was a nice consistent wet season, and one of my decoras showed 3 months of growth speed that I have not seen on any palm. It was planted in an area where it got a modest amount of water from my irrigation system, but this summer was a wet one and changed that. At this point I have to say this is my fastest fan palm. Here are before and after pics taken memorial day weekend and labor day weekend 2013, 3 months apart.

Edited September 10, 2013 by sonoranfans

[sonoranfans]

uploading glitch? Here we go again. It was about 5'+ and now it appears to be about 4' taller... part of this is increased petiole length, but this thing is a beast!

Edited September 10, 2013 by sonoranfans

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

Tom,

One of mine in Jacksonville put on 3' of growth + per year once it became established. Where they are native in Australia, they can stand in deep water during the wet season. During the dry, they can experience bush fires. Frankly, in situ they thrive in conditions very similar to our Sabal palmetto though in winter, the climate is warmer and the soil has different physical and chemical properties. A healthy, well grown L. decora is a beautiful tree. I wouldn't be surprised if yours REALLY explodes over the next few years. Once my fastest specimen reached sexual maturity, the vertical growth nearly ceased. Its never set seed (to my knowledge...I don't live there now). Maybe once some of its neighbors begin to flower the pollen swap will result in seed.

Yours is in its "teen age years". I call it that because its when the tree is in your face all the time, like a teenager. Once during it's temperamental teenager phase, mine grabbed my arm when I was mowing. It left teeth in the back of my hand and forearm. Still loved it after that, but was more careful thereafter. I've planted 2 here in Winter Haven and intend to plant more. I really like the Australian Livistonas.

[sonoranfans]

Tom,

One of mine in Jacksonville put on 3' of growth + per year once it became established. Where they are native in Australia, they can stand in deep water during the wet season. During the dry, they can experience bush fires. Frankly, in situ they thrive in conditions very similar to our Sabal palmetto though in winter, the climate is warmer and the soil has different physical and chemical properties. A healthy, well grown L. decora is a beautiful tree. I wouldn't be surprised if yours REALLY explodes over the next few years. Once my fastest specimen reached sexual maturity, the vertical growth nearly ceased. Its never set seed (to my knowledge...I don't live there now). Maybe once some of its neighbors begin to flower the pollen swap will result in seed.

Yours is in its "teen age years". I call it that because its when the tree is in your face all the time, like a teenager. Once during it's temperamental teenager phase, mine grabbed my arm when I was mowing. It left teeth in the back of my hand and forearm. Still loved it after that, but was more careful thereafter. I've planted 2 here in Winter Haven and intend to plant more. I really like the Australian Livistonas.

Yes Keith I hear you, these aussie livistonas are keepers for sure. I have two and they both are easy grows, and I can hardly wait till they get a little taller so those vicious teeth are further away... At least I can get under them now to prune them without having my arms ripped or getting stabbed in the head.