Areca catechu Dwarf & A. catechu Semi-Dwarf

[PalmatierMeg]

Nearly a week ago we took delivery of a new iMac, then transferred our stuff over from our old one. In the process there was a mix-up of photo formats and I discovered I had problems uploading photos, i.e., only links uploaded. Yesterday during an on-line training session with Apple we learned how to deal with photo formatting through our iPhones that take the photos. So, I took photos today and hope the site will upload these jpeg photos.

This topic addresses differences in growth rates for an Areca catechu semi-dwarf and an A. catechu dwarf that were planted in the yard last fall. The semi-dwarf has grown about 6"-7" of trunk in the past 9 months. The last couple of leaf scars are 3" apart vs maybe 1" or less when it was potted. While the semi-dwarf form is less desirable than the extreme dwarfs, it is still a fine looking palm that shows some "scrunching" of its dark green leaves.

Areca catechu 'Semi-Dwarf', Cape Coral, FL 2021

Below is my largest and most dwarfed Areca catechu. It really loves being in the ground, too, but has shown barely any trunk growth since last fall. Leaf scars are only fractions of an inch apart.

Areca catechu 'Dwarf', Cape Coral, FL 2021

[Brad52]

My dwarf form has I believe dropped 2-3 leaves in the last 6 months and I think the trunk is getting wider fast at the base but maybe I am not remembering correctly, whereas the regular form drops way more leaves but is not showing trunk yet.

[PalmatierMeg]

Beautiful, Brad. Almost no petioles.

[Brad52]

1 hour ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Beautiful, Brad. Almost no petioles.

Came from Bill Austin that way

[realarch]

Geeze, I like these dwarf palms. Here are a couple more shots of the three in the garden. The one is a beast.

Tim