Copernicia alba beginning to bloom

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

Today I snapped a few pix of the Copernicia alba coming into bloom.  This tree was in a tall, thin pot of approximately 100 gallons (380l).  That meant the hole was 3-4' (0.9-1.2m) deep.  The lower root zone was likely in a constant state of emersion as its planting site is moist.  Certainly C. alba will tolerate wet roots, but the roots growing at the bottom of a pot and not subject to flooding are different than those that grow down into the water.  So, this specimen went through some horrible Boron deficiency symptoms for the period of 6-24 months after planting.  I used a high potassium water soluble fertilizer with a pinch of 20 mule team borax on several occasions (once the Boron killed the weeds at its base...maybe a bit too much?).  But today the plant has settled in and has a robust set of flower spikes emerging from the canopy.  Thats a sign the Boron deficiency has been corrected.  But I don't know if my fertilizer applications made a difference, or if it was just time.  But I'm happy either way.  The palm is starting to look good now.  I hope it really starts growing vertically this growing season.  There is a Sabal planted nearby that is going to push it out of the way.  The Sabal's mother is purported to be a hybrid between Sabal palmetto and Sabal causiarum.  I have no way to do any paternity test, but I will say that its growing at an astounding rate for a Sabal.  Had I known, I the Copernicia was going to be so slow, and the Sabal so fast, I would have given them a bit more space.  

[Kris]

Beautiful.

Love,

Kris.

[redbeard917]

Where did you get the Sabal (possible) hybrid from? I found some seeds under the Sabal palmetto X causiarum at the Thomas Edison estate recently. Ever had any cold damage on your C. alba?

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

I bought the Sabal from someone at one of the sales held by the First Coast Palm Society meeting up in Jacksonville some time between March 2005 and July 2012.   When I planted it here, it was in a pot that held about 5 gallons and 3' tall.  Today it's fresh weight would probably be at least 25 times greater.  The plant height is around 8-9' as its its diameter.  

The Copernicia went through an awful phase after transplanting.  I don't think any of its difficulty was caused by cold, but I don't know for sure.  That's why I was asking ERIC about the differences between prunifera and Alba.  It's not out of the question that I have this one mis-identified.  I'm going to try to figure that out when it comes into bloom.  The greyish leaves are really nice.  I have 3 other "Albas" that are not even close to this gray.