Caryota gigas flowering

[Eric in Orlando]

A Caryota gigas has started flowering this summer at Leu Gardens. It is about 25ft tall and the inflorescence is probably 4-5ft in length. This was planted in 2003, it was about 3ft tall when planted.

This palm long with Caryota obtusa has been a disappointment here. They look and grow great but are just as short lived as the other Caryota. We have had another C. gigas flower in the past along with a couple C. obtusa. All were only 25-30ft tall. In habitat they grow 50-60ft, sometimes taller. Since they grow slower than other solitaire Caryota it was thought they might have a longer lifespan here. But none of our flowering C. gigas/obtusa have been older than 12-14 years. I have seen other C. gigas/obtusa in Florida only 20-30ft tall and flowering. Nearby this flowering specimen are several Caryota maxima "Himalayan form". They were planted at the same time (about 2-3ft tall). They are now 50-60ft and 2 have also started flowering.

 

 

 

[Eric in Orlando]

[Eric in Orlando]

[Howeadypsis]

Fabulous! 

[Keith N Tampa (ex SoJax)]

I wonder if there lifespans are shorter because it's hotter here than up in the mountains.  I swear they don't really like it hot.  

[Cindy Adair]

Still gorgeous but sad at the same time! Thanks for the photos!

[Eric in Orlando]

11 hours ago, Keith in SoJax said:

I wonder if there lifespans are shorter because it's hotter here than up in the mountains.  I swear they don't really like it hot.  

I've wondered the same thing. Since they grow wild at mid altitudes, if our hot weather speeds their lifecycle ups, especially the hot nights from May-October when it doesn't get below 70F and often not below 75F. Other wise I have never had them suffer from heat. They tend to need shade as young specimens and are very prone to iron deficiencies when younger on our sandy soils.

Otherwise this is one of my favorite palms and one will get planted in my backyard in a few years once my tree canopy has broadened.

[Really full garden]

44 minutes ago, Eric in Orlando said:

I've wondered the same thing. Since they grow wild at mid altitudes, if our hot weather speeds their lifecycle ups, especially the hot nights from May-October when it doesn't get below 70F and often not below 75F. Other wise I have never had them suffer from heat. They tend to need shade as young specimens and are very prone to iron deficiencies when younger on our sandy soils.

Otherwise this is one of my favorite palms and one will get planted in my backyard in a few years once my tree canopy has broadened.

Mine is growing in my cool/wet highland garden and has a much thicker/stouter trunk and the black fibered trunk is more pronounced.

[Eric in Orlando]

They seem to vary on the amount of fiber. C. gigas have less than C. obtusa. We had C. obtusa from Laos and they had more black fiber than other C. obtusa.

[Palm Tree Jim]

On 7/28/2016, 6:34:00, Eric in Orlando said:

A Caryota gigas has started flowering this summer at Leu Gardens. It is about 25ft tall and the inflorescence is probably 4-5ft in length. This was planted in 2003, it was about 3ft tall when planted.

This palm long with Caryota obtusa has been a disappointment here. They look and grow great but are just as short lived as the other Caryota. We have had another C. gigas flower in the past along with a couple C. obtusa. All were only 25-30ft tall. In habitat they grow 50-60ft, sometimes taller. Since they grow slower than other solitaire Caryota it was thought they might have a longer lifespan here. But none of our flowering C. gigas/obtusa have been older than 12-14 years. I have seen other C. gigas/obtusa in Florida only 20-30ft tall and flowering. Nearby this flowering specimen are several Caryota maxima "Himalayan form". They were planted at the same time (about 2-3ft tall). They are now 50-60ft and 2 have also started flowering.

 

 

 

What is surprising, at least to me, is how old they are. Only 12-14 years and then seeding.

Perhaps, like others have suggested is the climate where you are.

Here in Southern California, we have some very large gigas that have been in the ground over 20 years and still not seeding. And in San Diego at the zoo, they have some massive gigas.....but I have no idea on age. They are the largest i have ever seen.

[Eric in Orlando]

We had one here that started flowering a couple years ago. It was a form from Laos with thick black fiber on the trunk. It was about 12 years old and 20ft tall. It produced one inflorescence and then died.

 

 

[Dave-Vero]

I've got to come over.  Thanks for the info.  

[Cindy Adair]

I have a somewhat related question concerning another palm that dies after flowering, my Metroxylon salomonense.

The huge flower spike seems to be wilting, rather than making seed, although it is so high and obscured by other trees that it is difficult to monitor.

I had looked forward to many seeds to share although I would prefer just to have the tree itself live longer!

I am guessing the tree will still die, but sadly leave no descendants, rather than trying again to make a second flower spike? 

My Arenga pinnata has had lots of flower spikes now almost to the ground yet the tree still looks fine. I realize not the same mechanism for this species.

Thanks so much for any information.