Small King Palm Care for Newbie

[TylerR]

Hello, I'm new here and new to palms and am in need of some expert eyes. Some validation would be good too. I've done some searching on the forum here and a lot online but I haven't found the answers to some specific problems I'm having and what the best approach is to fix.

I bought a small King Palm about a month ago for my patio. I'm not sure exactly which type, the tag only says "King Palm". I've made an album of pics with questions and concerns here (http://imgur.com/a/2C7cf). It's not doing terrible (that I know of) but I don't think it's happy.

The research I've done online says they love water, but I'm always afraid I'm watering too much or too little. To test I basically stick my finger in the soil an inch or two and if the dirt is dry I water. This ends up being every 3-4 days and each session I sprinkle water every few minutes until water drains out the bottom of the pot, so it's soaked. Is this too much or too frequent? Recently the leaves have started to "curl" under from the sides (see image album above) and I'm not sure if this is due to my watering schedule or what. Can you guys help me read the plant?

I forgot to mention I live in San Diego which is in zone 10a, I believe.

Edited July 6, 2014 by TylerR

[Pando]

This looks like Archantophoenix cunninghamiana, a common variety sold just about anywhere in Socal. It's also very easy to grow with proper conditions.

I'd recommend repotting it to a bigger container, using a palm/cactus mix with some added perlite and a bit of sand.

How much sun does it get in an enclosed patio? If you get direct sun, it might get too hot in there without air movement and the palm starts suffering.

[MattyB]

It looks good. I think you're doing everything right. It does need to be potted up. Keep in mind that these all come from Florida so they're used to shade cloth and high humidity. All those old leaves will just get crispy to one degree or another and the new leaves should be more suited to our climate. The curling leaflets are a mechanism to conserve water in our dry air.

[Walter John]

It does look fine, restricted maybe, here I added the thumbnail pic for you so others may check it out first up. Botanical name = Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, with a few common names including "King", and two from it's country of origin namely, "Bangalow" and "Piccabeen".

There's a myriad of San Diego palm tree people around, so plenty of local advice can be sought right here in Palmtalk. You know you'll have to get a partner for this one now, at the other end of the patio...

[TylerR]

Wow. You guys are awesome! I'd never heard of "Piccabeen". You guys have all kinds of info!

I'm so relieved I'm doing the right things and my concerns are normal. I thought for sure I was killing it. I'm glad the curling is expected.

Next weekend I'll put it in a good size pot with the mix and sand and perlite. I'm excited!

The patio faces west and is shaded for most of the day. Although the airflow is a bit stale.

Walter John, you mentioned it seemed restricted. Do you mean in terms of space? I've read king palms can grow large and fairly quickly. So I do plan for it to find a new home in a few years when it gets too large, if I can keep it living that long.

And I considered getting another one for the other end. I figured I'd make sure I knew how to care for one before two. Also I think it may get too cramped with two. I'll have to fill the space with something though as it seems a bit empty.

[Kostas]

The bad thing with Archontophoenix and pots is that they grow really fast and start trunking too early in pots. They start trunking with leafs not much bigger than your palms have, forming a very thin trunk in the pot and then they are pretty much stunted for life and won't grow as fat a trunk or as healthy as they would, had they been ground planted way before that. Your Archontophoenix are big enough that they would start trunking this year already if they were in the ground and will possibly do so in the pot as well in a year or two at most. So if you want to eventually ground plant them and be proud for them,do so in less than a year,preferably within six months. Yeah,that's the bad thing with Archontophoenix and pots,when they start looking like something,they need the ground.... Howea can be kept far longer and till far bigger in a pot,as well as many other slower growing palms(Kentiopsis sp. and Chambeyronia sp. for example) but all eventually need the ground to trunk properly.

[Walter John]

My love for Archontophoenix has no bounds, let's get that said.

Please consider the plant in the pot. No plant in a pot is truly happy. Room to grow is paramount. You seem to have the right idea to me, good luck, enjoy these charming palms.

[KennyRE317]

I don't think you can really overwater an Archontophoenix and will handle a good amount of sun even when young but it'll need at least some shade for at least half of the day. I have a handful of these planted and range in how much sun they get and have some that are about the size of yours in full sun with absolutely no shade and are looking pretty good after about 6months of looking pretty ratty. I have 2 other Archontophoenix species that are small strap leaf seedlings that just started going pinnate and they get a couple of hours of direct sun and look real good as well.

[DoomsDave]

Tyler welcome to Palm Talk!

As others have noted King Palms are an easy grow in San Diego.

They really want a lot of water, and they grow really fast when happy. If you keep yours in a pot, it will outgrow it quickly. The best thing is to plant it in the ground when possible. I have some that are about 20 feet tall in about 6 years.

There are lot of other palms that will stay small in a pot for a long time. Don't be afraid to try some of those. Those include Kentias (which can get big) and many Chamadorea types.

Yes, we're trying to get you addicted to palms . . . .

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

I looked at the rest of your photos besides the one you linked to. I recommend you spray some soapy water and get rid of whatever pest you have on that palm. Whitefly or aphids or something. Should be fine after that.

[TylerR]

I looked at the rest of your photos besides the one you linked to. I recommend you spray some soapy water and get rid of whatever pest you have on that palm. Whitefly or aphids or something. Should be fine after that.

Are you referring to the white fuzz on the stems or the nest of white threads under the leaf?

Or

[Jim in Los Altos]

I looked at the rest of your photos besides the one you linked to. I recommend you spray some soapy water and get rid of whatever pest you have on that palm. Whitefly or aphids or something. Should be fine after that.

Are you referring to the white fuzz on the stems or the nest of white threads under the leaf?

Or

The white "fuzz" in picture one is normal. The second picture is the result of a sucking insect and should be, at least, wiped off the palm. If any reappears, soapy water can be sprayed on the palm's leaf tops and undersides and their stems. King palms are very easy to grow otherwise. Yours needs a larger pot at some point soon.

[Patrick Palms]

On 06/07/2014, 23:16:22, Walter John said:

It does look fine, restricted maybe, here I added the thumbnail pic for you so others may check it out first up. Botanical name = Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, with a few common names including "King", and two from it's country of origin namely, "Bangalow" and "Piccabeen".

 

There's a myriad of San Diego palm tree people around, so plenty of local advice can be sought right here in Palmtalk. You know you'll have to get a partner for this one now, at the other end of the patio...

 

Is this King about 1 .2 meters tall? I can see its in the shade.  Does it need regular feeding?